Natural Geographic Phenomena and Natural Events

1)  The 17 Mile Rocks escarpment, one of the few escarpments along the Brisbane River. This is the high part of Rocks Riverside Park, overlooking the recreational areas and the river.

2)  The 17-Mile Rocks in the river at the end of Counihan Road. Originally much more extensive and reduced through blasting to widen and deepen the channel for shipping. See The Seventeen Mile Rocks for a separate summary on the historical significance of the 17-Mile Rocks.

3)  Mount Ommaney : discovered, climbed and named ‘Green Hills’ by John Oxley in 1823. The land was subject to grazing and farming for most of the pre-development period. For a short time in the early 20^th century, a quarry operated on the river bank (see Evidence of Pioneer History, below).  For more information about the history of Mt Ommaney, click here, and for more information about the period when the Augustinian priests owned the land, click here.

4)  Natural Cave that was important to the Aborigines is on a rocky ridge in the Westlake/Riverhills bushland, situated in Coucal Trail Reserve, Westlake.

5)  Major floods: historical perspective – Floods in the Centenary Suburbs: Overview

6)  Natural vegetation: the original vegetation varied in different parts of the area. Thick scrub and dry rainforest species flourished in rich alluvial soil along the river and along some creeks and gullies. Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum or Queensland Blue Gum) was also found along the river and some other areas. Fig trees (Ficus family) including Moreton Bay fig tree were also growing in the area. An example of an early Moreton Bay Fig Tree still stands in a small park off Murna St Jindalee, read more about this tree here.  On the sandy and stony ridges, wattle, ti-tree, other varieties of gum and ironbark trees were to be found.  Though examples of original native vegetation and pioneer period vegetation have been greatly reduced, many examples can be found throughout the Centenary Suburbs. Read more about location of native vegetation and links to local environment groups here.

Evidence of Pioneer History

1)  The early 20^th century quarry site at river level, in Mt. Ommaney Bushland Reserve.  For full story, click here.

2)  Signs of sandstone quarrying along Coucal Trail, Westlake, considered to have been a small quarry on Wolston Estate in the latter part of 19^th century. Drill holes created for blasting can be seen in the rock face, as well as other signs of quarrying.  For further information, see chapter 15 in the book Pastoralists of Brisbane Town’s Fringe.

3)  Sinnamon Farm Buildings on Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, including Avondale, Beechwood and partially destroyed Glen Ross: these and the School form a heritage-listed historic precinct. Read the articles Sinnamon Families  and Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct for further information.  You may learn more about the Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct on this Queensland Government website.

4) Old Seventeen Mile Rocks State School, a 19^th century building on Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, relocated from original position in Goggs Road. Read more about Seventeen Mile Rocks State School and the history of its place in the Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct.  For further information, see sections 1.5.3 and 1.5.4 in When River Was Roadway.

5) Original Methodist Church, a 19^th century building still in use today, on Seventeen Mile Rocks Road (relocated from original position near roundabout at corner of Goggs and Seventeen Mile Rocks Road). Read more about Seventeen Mile Rocks Uniting Church  and its place in the Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct.  For further information, see section 1.5.2 in When River Was Roadway and this government web site.

6)  Post-and-rail fence (replica) on park at the corner of Arrabri Avenue and Westlake Drive evokes early farming history of the area. [For further information on early farming history, see the book When River Was Roadway].

7) Queensland Cement and Lime precinct, Rocks Riverside Park.

8)  Silo on McLeod Golf Course, visible from Tekapo St, is a remnant of the pre-suburban farming era. For full story click here.

Commemorative Places and Plaques

1)  Plaque commemorating the first Queensland biplane glider flight by Thomas Macleod, in the park along Windermere Avenue. The area is part of the Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct.  Read more at Thomas Macleod, Aviator.

2)   Plaque at the entrance to Mount Ommaney Bushland Reserve commemorating John Oxley’s landing and ascent of Mount Ommaney; plaque and seat in riverside parkland, John Magee Park below Windermere Estate, commemorating John Oxley’s discovery and naming of Mermaid Reach.

3)  Windermere Estate Plaque – beside the path along the river at Magee Park, near the commemorative seat and plaque to John Oxley and upriver of Seventeen Mile Creek.

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4)  John Magee Park, on river at the end of Counihan Road. Commemorates John Vincent Magee who held adjacent land from the time of the Crown land sales and first settlement. Read more about John Vincent Magee in the article 19th Century Pioneers.

5)  Pioneer Belz Park, at riverside just west of Centenary Bridge, recognizes the contribution to the pioneering history of Peter and Wilhelmine Belz and their descendants. Accessible from car park off Centenary Highway, also from Kooringal Drive. Read more about Peter and Wilhelmine Belz in the article 19th Century Pioneers and read about the opening of Pioneer Belz Park.

6)   Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct, Seventeen Mile Rocks Road commencing near Goggs Road corner. Read more  in the articles about the Sinnamon Farm Heritage Precinct and Sinnamon Families. You will also find some useful information on this Govt website.

7)  Scout Jamboree commemorative plaque at Bilga St., Jamboree Heights. Read more: Scouts Jamboree 1967-68 – commemorated in 2007

8)  Jamboree Heights Scout Den opened.

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9)   Sir Arthur Fadden Memorial Garden. This Garden, located on the Mt Ommaney side of the roundabout on the access ramp to and from the Centenary Highway at Mt Ommaney, was dedicated on 9 July 1976.  It pays tribute to the man who was chairman of the original development company, Centenary Estates Ltd. Further information about the Garden.

10) Opening of Centenary Bridge duplication.

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11)  Settlers Park, Corner of Glen Ross Drive and Dove Tree Crescent, Sinnamon Park, contains a plaque that commemorates the early pioneers of the area.

 

12)  A memorial to the Mud Army erected by Translink at the entrance to the Jindalee Park and Ride opened in August 2012.

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13)  St Catherine’s Anglican Church, Middle Park

14)  Rosemount, Sinnamon Village

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