Lota, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lota Brisbane, Queensland
Moreton Bay and foreshore reserve, 2014
Lota Location in Queensland
Population	3,518 (2021 census)
• Density	1,005/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4179
Area	3.5 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	19.7 km (12 mi) E of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Wynnum Manly Ward)
State electorate(s)	Lytton
Federal Division(s)	Bonner
Suburbs around Lota: Manly West Manly Moreton Bay Manly West Lota Moreton Bay Wakerley Ransome Thorneside

Lota is a lovely bayside suburb located in eastern Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In 2021, about 3,518 people lived here.

Exploring Lota's Landscape

Lota is about 19.7 kilometers (12.2 miles) east of Brisbane's city center. Its coastline has muddy areas and special mangrove trees that grow into Moreton Bay. Lota Creek forms the southern edge of the suburb and flows into Moreton Bay.

You'll find a small piece of land sticking out into the bay called Fig Tree Point. The land in Lota ranges from sea level up to 30 meters (98 feet) high. It's lower along the coast and near the creek, rising higher towards the north and west.

The Cleveland railway line runs through Lota. It enters from the north-west and leaves to the south, crossing Lota Creek. The suburb has its own train stop, Lota railway station, which is in the southern part of Lota. There's also a footbridge over the railway line at the station.

Most of Lota has homes built after World War II. However, new, modern houses are slowly being built, especially near the beach.

A Look at Lota's Past

William Duckett White

The land around Lota was originally home to the Quandamooka people, who were semi-nomadic. They called Lota and nearby Manly Narlung, which probably means 'the place of long shadows'. They might have also used the name ningi ningi (meaning 'oysters') for the area near Lota Creek.

In 1860, an Irish politician named William Duckett White bought this land. He built his home, Lota House, in 1863, and the suburb was named after it. Lota House was part of a busy farm where they grew sugar cane and other crops. Aboriginal and South Sea Islander people worked on the property.

The first Cleveland railway line opened in 1889, passing through Lota. For a while, Lota was the last stop on the line until it was fully reopened in the 1980s.

Early Churches and Community Life

New Rix-Farmer Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1931

In 1918, a Presbyterian Sunday School started in Lota. It grew, and in 1931, a new church building was opened. It was called the Rix-Farmer Memorial Presbyterian Church. Sadly, the original Sunday School building, which was also used as a hall, burned down in 1933. A new hall was built and opened in 1934.

The Lota Methodist Church opened in 1921. It was later sold in 1982 when several churches joined together to form the Uniting Church in Australia. The old church building is now a house.

The Lota School of Arts opened in 1927. It was a community hub where people could enjoy dances, watch films, and take classes.

Lota, near the foreshore, circa 1935

During the Great Depression in 1931, people worked on projects to help the economy. In Lota, this included reclaiming land along the Esplanade and building the seawall.

Lota State School welcomed its first students on January 29, 1952.

In 1954, the Bayside United Sports and Recreation Club started. It gave local kids a chance to play sports like soccer and badminton. Over time, the soccer part of the club became the Bayside United Football Club. They now play at Don Randall Oval, which was built on reclaimed land.

Wynnum Hospital opened in Lota in 1982, even though it was named after Wynnum. It closed in 2013. In 2023, there were plans to turn the old hospital site into a special care facility for Indigenous elders.

Who Lives in Lota?

In 2011, Lota had 3,255 people. By 2016, the population was 3,256. The average age of people in Lota was 41 years old. Most people (74.3%) were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces included England (7.3%) and New Zealand (6.0%). Most people (92.9%) spoke only English at home.

By 2021, Lota's population had grown to 3,518 people.

Important Places in Lota

Lota House, 2015

Lota has some places that are important to its history and are officially protected. These include:

• The former Lota Sanitary Depot and BCC Pound Residence at 34 Herbert Street.
• The Manly-Lota Presbyterian Church at 137 Oceana Terrace.
• Lota House, the historic home of William Duckett White, at 162 Oceana Terrace.

Learning in Lota

Lota State School, 2024

Lota State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 26 Richard Street. In 2018, about 200 students attended the school. It also has a special education program.

There are no high schools directly in Lota. The closest government high school is Wynnum State High School in Wynnum.

Things to Do in Lota

Espanade boat ramp opposite Cobar Street

The Manly-Lota Presbyterian Church is at 137 Oceana Terrace. It's part of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland.

If you love soccer, the Bayside United Football Club plays at Don Randall Oval in Bill Lamond Park. They have teams for both kids and adults.

There's a boat ramp on the Esplanade where you can launch boats into Moreton Bay. It's managed by the Brisbane City Council.

You can also find a boardwalk that crosses Lota Creek, connecting Lota with the nearby suburb of Ransome.

Other fun places include the Bayside PCYC (Police & Citizens Youth Club) and the Melaleuca Environmental Park. The Lota Foreshore Park is a big park along the bay with playgrounds, barbecue areas, and even a sculpture park!

Parks in Lota

Lota has many parks where you can play and relax:

• Beneteau Place Park
• Bill Lamond Park
• Bridgewater Place Park
• Brookside Place Park
• Cox Park
• Ed Devenport Rotary Park
• Golden Place Park
• Herbert Street Park
• Lota Camping Reserve (now Lota Foreshore Park)
• Lota Creek Reserve
• Manly Road Park
• RQYS Port Centre Park

Getting Around Lota

Lota railway station and foot bridge, 2010

Lota railway station makes it easy to travel. You can catch regular trains from here to Brisbane and Cleveland.

How Lota is Governed

At the local level, Lota is part of the Wynnum-Manly ward of the Brisbane City Council. This area is represented by Cr Sara Whitmee. For state government, Lota is in the Lytton area, which is currently represented by Joan Pease. For the federal government, Lota is in the Bonner area, represented by Ross Vasta.