Post Code: 4051 Distance to CBD: 7 km
Alderley is a Brisbane suburb. It has a hilly landscape with a commanding view of the nearby suburbs and the city proper. Most of the residents are migrants from other countries who speak their native language at home rather than English. Indigenous people and native Queenslander make up for the rest of the population.
The suburb has a shopping area, the Alderley Plaza, and several open spaces which includes the spacious Banks Street Reserve and the Grinstead Park. Housing in the suburb composes of single detached units and the renovated original Queenslander houses.
The name of the suburb is derived from the English town Alderey which shares the common the characteristic of the suburb of having hilly contours and a view of a city.
Alderey’s Top Attractions:
o Farrington House
The original building which was a one-storey building with an attic was constructed in the 1880’s for Frederick Waters Wilson. Wilson owns the FW Wilson & Co, Steam Biscuit Manufacturers, the first steam biscuit factory in Australia. The building is a part of a 13-acre estate which Wilson used mostly for farming. From the 1890’s up to 1915 the property was rented to David Henry Rhoades, a furniture manufacturer. Rhoades subdivided the estate. The land where the house was built was reduced to 2 acres. In 1917, Colonel Henry William Lee lived at Farrington House and converted the house lighting from kerosene to electricity and had telephone lines installed. The ownership of the place changed so often until the Baptist Union of Queensland bought the house and converted it to a residence for the elderly. The original detached kitchen and laundry were later linked to the house. The building has been renovated many times and has been to a private residence status.
The Farrington House is significant because it exhibits the growth of the suburb. It is also a rare example of the development of large manor-like houses in Queensland and the economic activity in each stage of the house development, from a simple family farming home to a place of refuge for the elderly to an opulent residence. The Farrington House was chosen as cultural heritage because of its architecture and picturesque version of a 19th century Queensland house.
o Grinstead Park
The park has a recreational area on the eastern side which is popular with the residents with its wooden fort, barbecues and a steam train. However, the real treasure of the park lies on the western portion which has tall eucalypt trees and replanted grassy areas.
In 1996, a volunteer group, the Grinstead Park Bushcare Group, was formed to protect the natural habitat of rare frog species by fencing off some area around the Frog Creek. This allows the regeneration of the plant cover needed by the frogs. In November 2000, a bush fire burned the regeneration area. The fire also damaged old trees and frog nesting areas. A restoration project was launched with the assistance of the students from Goverly TAFE students. This resulted in a great wildlife habitat with increased sightings of native wildlife. There are still continuing efforts to improve the place.