Bellbowrie: The Flowering Gums

Post Code: 4070     Distance to CBD: 16 km

Bellbowrie a quiet suburb in Brisbane The suburb is largely residential set in a rural setting. It has a shopping centre, the Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza, parks and sports facilities that include the popular Bellbowrie Swimming Centre. Single-detached units make up the majority of the modern residential homes which are constructed from brick and tile. The suburb has a less-stressful and relaxed rural atmosphere. The electric power lines were placed underground.

The suburb name is derived from an Aboriginal word which means ‘the place of flowering gums’. The area had been inhabited by the Aborigines and the presence of bora rings also indicates that it was used as a place of worship. When the European settlers came, the area was used for logging, farming and mining.

The development of the area started in 1849 when of the area around William’s Mine was subdivided into several country lots. There are also subdivisons that were done in the 1970’s where 2000 housing lots were put on sale. The suburb was officially established in 1973 by Brisbane’s Lord Mayor in a ceremony held at the Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza. The suburb development had been hampered by the 1974 flood where much of the area was inundated.

The construction of the Wivenhoe Dam in the 1980’s reduced the flooding in the area. This resulted in the subdivision of large properties and the clearing of the bushlands. Some of the pineapple farms were also converted to residential areas.

Bellbowrie has no major schools. The major schools are in the located in nearby suburbs, the Moggill State Primary School and the Pullenvale State Primary School. However it has facilities for early education and pre-school

Bellbowrie Top Attraction:

o   The Bellbowrie Swimming Centre or simply the Bellbowrie Pool

The swimming center is located at Sugarwood Street. It is a popular leisure and recreation facility. It has a 50-meter outdoor pool that is great during summer and a temperature regulated 25-meter indoor pool that is great during winter.

The swimming centre also has change rooms with hot and cold showers, kiosks that provides refreshment and sells swimming accessories. It has lifeguards to ensure the safety of the swimmers. The place also provide facilities for kids like water slides, splash pool and wading pool.

The facility is also the home of the local swimming clubs. Other activities done at the center includes aqua-aerobics, swim-stroke development, synchronized swimming and swimming lessons. Some of Australia’s Olympic swimmers started there.

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