My suburb has two train stations, but people are still surprised anyone lives here

“I’ve bought a house in Boondall.”

“Boondall? Near the Entertainment Centre?”

“Yes.”

“People actually live in Boondall?”

This is the conversation I had with my girlfriend, now wife, a little more than 25 years ago, which resulted in me moving across the Brown Snake to become a resident of a place many people have visited, thousands drive through daily, and a surprising number actually call home – 9603, according to the last census.

Located 13.5 kilometres north of the CBD, Boondall is a suburb of two halves. The western half, between Muller Road and the Shorncliffe train line, is residential, while the eastern half, bordered by Cabbage Tree Creek, comprises the ecologically significant Boondall Wetlands.

And wedged between the train line and the wetlands is the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the suburb’s most famous landmark. With a capacity of 13,500, it attracts large crowds most weeks to attend concerts and events, everything from the Wiggles to Billie Eilish. It opened in February 1986 (happy 40th birthday!) and was recently described as an “old, tired facility”.

This is probably a fair description, although I like the Brutalist architecture. It was built before the internet, when people went out on the weekend because there was nothing else to do. It included all the must-have 1980s drawcards: a BMX track (now abandoned); a racetrack for remote-controlled cars (still used); and a picturesque lake, featuring many great picnic spots with barbecues. There are, I would argue, worse places to spend a Sunday afternoon.

A new train station was built in 1986 for easy access to the entertainment centre, but Boondall already had a train station, which was renamed North Boondall. This is why Boondall is the only Brisbane suburb with two stations featuring the same suburb name (yes, Wynnum has three, but that’s a little silly, isn’t it?).

A renamed train station isn’t the only confusing landmark in Boondall. There is also Gympie Road Caravan Centre, which is located on Sandgate Road, Nudgee College, and Brisbane International Virginia hotel. The latter was previously called the Virginia Palms, and was locally famous 15 years ago for being unusually humane temporary accommodation for Afghan asylum seekers.

Let me put on my estate agent’s hat for a second and enthuse about Boondall’s proximity to shops, schools and public transport. It is right next to the Gateway Motorway, providing easy access north or south, and is only a short drive from the airport and the dump (sorry, the resource recovery centre).

We also have an ice-skating rink, one of only two in Brisbane, which is very popular during summer.

Between afternoon walks during COVID lockdowns and helping my daughter deliver pamphlets during one of her many entrepreneurial endeavours, I have covered every street in Boondall. There is a mix of housing styles, generally on large blocks, which have attracted buyers looking for a quiet suburb in which to raise a family.

But things are changing. My daughter used to love patting the horses in the paddock opposite the Boondall train station (the newer one), but they’ve now been replaced by 87 townhouses in the Stanworth residences.

The Nadra egg farm on Muller Road was recently demolished to make way for a new housing estate, and several properties on very large blocks near the rail line have been subdivided and developed to provide affordable housing.

As demand has increased, so have the property prices, with Boondall recently named one of Brisbane’s newest “million-dollar suburbs”, with median house prices now surpassing that benchmark. It makes me sad to think my daughter won’t be able to afford a house here, as we could when we were her age.

However, some residents live here free of charge, and you are welcome to visit them. The Boondall Wetlands (Brisbane’s largest, covering almost 1150 hectares) are home to more than 190 native bird species, and many migratory birds rely on the wetlands to feed and rest. The Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre is a great place to start when exploring this internationally significant ecosystem.

If you are now contemplating a move to Boondall (the real estate agents are eagerly awaiting your call), there is one thing you need to know about the locals – we love dogs. Seriously, there are so many dogs in Boondall, which is fine by me. Their morning and afternoon walks are a great way to meet your neighbours and discuss neighbourhood happenings, or to swap tips on the best rat runs to avoid the traffic when there is an event at the entertainment centre. Old and tired it may be, but it isn’t running out of steam anytime soon.

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