| Canungra Queensland |
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The historic Canungra Hotel |
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Canungra
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| Population: | 725 (2006 Census)[1] |
| Postcode: | 4275 |
| LGA: | Scenic Rim Region |
| State District: | Beaudesert |
| Federal Division: | Wright |
Canungra ( /kəˈnʌŋɡrə/)[2] is a small picturesque rural township in South East Queensland, Australia. Its economy depends on tourism, being a popular destination for short drives from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Canungra, also called the "Valley of the Owls", is situated in the Gold Coast Hinterland, 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of the Gold Coast and 90 kilometres (56 mi) south of Brisbane. At the 2006 census, Canungra had a population of 725.[1]
One of the origin of the town's name comes from the Aboriginal word for small owls, "Caningera".[3] It is widely believed that the most notable owl found in the area is the Southern Boobook Owl, which appears in various logos & symbols associated with Canungra. The Canungra News gives daily updates about the happenings around the township. In 2005 the local Post Office released a special limited-release frank featuring Canungra & the Boobook Owl.
Canungra owes its existence to the timber industry and once boasted one of one of the largest stands of timber in the colony. By the 1940s most of the timber had been cut and sawmills were closing.[4] Following this era came beef cattle and dairying.
Today Canungra's population of approximately 2500 people according to Scenic Rim Region, offers eateries, wineries, accommodation and shops to its visitors. The historic Lahey's Tramway[5] Tunnel is the only existence of the past sawmilling activities in the area.
From 2 July 1915 until 1 July 1955 Queensland Railways connected Canungra with the Beaudesert Line at Logan Village[6].
Residents and business in Canungra get their water supply from Canungra Creek, a tributary of Albert River. The slopes around Canungra are steep and forested with some cleared farmlands and rural homes in the flatter valley areas.
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Canungra is the location of a large military establishment called the Kokoda Barracks within the Canungra Military Area. It was established during World War II and revived in 1954 to train personnel for the South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) commitment in Malaya and on through to the end of the Vietnam War.[4] The base provides a substantial permanent resident population as well as an ever-changing transient population due to the extensive ongoing training courses on offer at the base.
Canungra is referenced as one of the bases used for training in the Vietnam war in Redgum's song "A Walk in the Light Green"
Canungra is nestled in the middle of the 3 major tourist destination, and is the gateway to the Gold Coast Hinterland.[Tamborine National Park|Mount Tamborine] The Lamington National park, Queensland|Green Mountains]] and [Binna Burra]. Its also the shorter less crowded highway route from the Gold Coast to Victoria state and Melbourne City.
The township is also a meeting place for motor bike club rides, hanggliders, paragliders, birdwatchers and bushwalkers who visit the area annually to take advantage of what the Canungra Valley has to offer.