There used to be another suburb in the Woolowin area, named Kalinga. But this is now part of Wooloowin and remembered in the name of the much loved Kalinga Park. Wooloowin is boarded by the green swathes of parkland along Kedron Brook and residents love to ride their bikes, walk their dog or make use of the open space. Small pre-war cottages line the warren of streets near Wooloowin train station and larger blocks are to be found in the so-called Kalinga precinct, with majestic old Queenslander homes restored to their former glory (and more). On Sunday mornings, the locals can hear the tolling of the bells from the church, next to Wooloowin’s small primary school in historic buildings. Wooloowin is approximately 7km from Brisbane’s CBD and over 43% of households in this area are comprised of couples without children, and another 35% are couples with children.

Windsor is a pretty, historic suburb with contrasts galore. The landscape consists of steep hills with city views and some lower flood-prone areas near Enoggera Creek. The houses in the Windsor area range from tiny workers’ cottages to stunning mansions. You’ll also find large tracts of playing fields and parkland at Downey Park (where Vicky Wilson shot her school girl netball goals) as well as the remants of bushland of Eildon Hill with its great views over the city. The Windsor Historic Society is housed in the former Councl Chambers Building, which was built in 1897 from stone carved from the now defunct Windsor quarry. Being only four kilometres from the city, Windsor is also on the train line and split by busy Lutwyche Road. Only a few magnificent fig trees remain that are a legacy from years past, once synonymous with Windsor. Windsor is also home to Brisbane’s largest community garden, the Northey Street City Farm, which hosts weekly organic Markets and edible plant nursery.

In years gone past Wilston used to be a suburb a little on the seedy historic side. These days Wilston is a beautiful area that benefited greatly from the property and renovation boom.
With a train station and the café strip of Wilston Village (along Kedron Brook Road), some of Brisbane’s best real estate can be found Wilston. It’s a well-to-do family suburb with high and hilly parts and many streets boasting city views. There are great views of Brisbane from the bushy Eildon Hill Reservoir on top of the hill, only four kilometres from the city. The border of Wilston is about 3km from Brisbane’s CBD and 46% of households in this area are comprised of couples with children. A further 37% of the households in Wilston are couples without children. Stand alone houses account for 72% of dwellings in this area and Units account for a further 23% of all dwellings.

Often known by locals as just “Wavell”, Wavell Heights suburb is quite big, stretching from Nundah, north past Chermside and east through to Northgate. With various different pockets, the housing changes from modest post-war houses near Chermside, to brick contemporary houses built in the 1970s and 80s. There are some high streets in Wavell heights with easterly and westerly views that enjoy full views of the city skyline. Chermside and Toombul Shopping Centres are close by and it’s handy to Brisbane Airport too. The Keith Boden Wetlands in Cressey Street are home to waterbirds and this natural oasis replaces what used to be a drain that flooded regularly. The large Shaw Estate Park in Wavell Heights is very popular with walkers and cyclists.

Toowong stretches from the river to Mt Coot-tha and close to the city and UQ University, and is a very well known and popular Brisbane suburb. The main shopping area is Toowong Village whose blue glass-walled office tower is visible from miles away. Restaurants and other retail opportunities stretch from the tower all the way along High Street. The heritage-listed Regatta Hotel on Coronation Drive and the iconic Royal Exhange Hotel (locally known as the RE) in High Street are two of Brisbane Oldest and most well known Pubs. Toowong also boasts Australia’s leading bilingual and bicultural school, Toowong State School. This primary school teaches in two languages, Auslan (Sign Language) and English. It integrates deaf children with their hearing classmates and the children have a joint signing choir, which has performed at sporting events and celebrations around Toowong.

Once upon a time growing up in The Gap felt like you were growing up in the bush, a thousand miles from the city. But, as Brisbane spreads, the outer suburbs have become inner suburbs and The Gap is now considered an easy commute, close to the city. The Gap is surrounded by lush bushland, giving it a wonderful green outlook and making it feel quite isolated. D’Aguilar National Park is The Gaps chief attraction – it has 28,500 hectares of bushland and gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy bushwalking, mountain-bike riding, horse-riding, birdwatching or camping. There’s an Information Centre, restaurant and souvenir shop at 60 Mt Nebo Rd, The Gap and also the Walk About Creek Wildlife Centre. The Gap has a state primary school and a high school as well as a few kindergartens and crèches as well as a small shopping centre, where you can purchase all the essentials.

Taringa is a peaceful, green and leafy suburb tucked between Toowong and Indooroopilly. With winding streets, plenty of trees and shade, older homes sitting shoulder to shoulder with new units and a friendly atmosphere, Taringa is becoming one of the most popular Brisbane suburbs. There is also a stretch of popular shops on Moggill Road, including an excellent pet shop that can cater for all of your aquarium needs. Taringa eateries include the fantastic Azabu restaurant where you can sit at a sushi bar and watch while your chef prepares your food, or sit at a table and have your meal cooked in front of you. There’s also an Eart and Sea and a Montezumas as well as a host of other friendly eateries. Taringa is just a few minutes drive from Indooroopilly Shoppingtown and Toowong Village and also close to the University of Queensland and public transport. The Nearby Perrin Park is popular for picnics and cycling.

Taigum was most likely named after the Aboriginal word for the rainforest plant known as the lawyer vine Calamus muelleri which once dominated the area. Taigum in its modern setting has a large number of townhouse developments, some with shared facilities such as swimming pools or gyms, and the suburb also offers some affordable living found in relocatable homes and secure retirement communities for seniors. Nearby Mulbeam Park is becoming popular with local families and from Taigum it’s only a short drive to bayside Sandgate as well as being very close to Boondall’s Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Fresh eggs can be bought in Taigum, including duck eggs from the local poultry farm on Muller Road – which is becoming an increasingly a rare find in Brisbane nowdays. The Salvation Army holds the Taigum Slavo Mega Markets twice a year with the next markets due on 7th March 2009 and 7th November 2009 on the corner of Handford Road and Roghan Road in Taigum.

The area which is now known as Strathpine was originally developed in the 1860s as an addition to the North Pine settlement during the Gympie gold rush. In the late 19th century, the area was known for sugar and rum production, with several sugar mills and distilleries operating in the area at the time. The area was first named Strathpine by the QLD Government Railways in the 1880s and the first school opened in Strathpine in the 1910s. The population of the area boomed in the 1940s after the opening of a large army camp and airfield, which housed both Australian and American forces during World War 2. Development slowly increased until the 1960s when Brisbane’s rapidly growing population expanded into the Strathpine area. At that time most of the farms were sold off and the area quickly grew into a residential and commercial hub. Growth continued into the 1980s and Westfield Strathpine opened on 22 August 1983. In recent years, the main road that passes through Strathpine (Gympie Road) has undergone gentrification or urban renewal. The Gympie Road section of Strathpine is tree-lined with trees of the Pine species.

The suburb of Stafford Heights is full of movie stars – well at least the street names are anyway! Dedicated movie buffs will love living at Stafford Heights on Brisbane’s northside. There are Chaplin, Hepburn and Travolta Streets, just to name a few of the most famous. Most of the homes were built in the 1970s and 80s and some enjoy city views or large blocks. Stafford Heights is also home to Stafford Heights Retirement Community and there are also two primary schools in the area. Bushwalking is becoming popular in the Raven Street Reserve across Rode Road. Interestingly Rode Road is pronounced Roady Road – another strange street name! The Prince Charles Hospital is nearby as are the Stafford City, Chermside and Brookside Shopping Centres.