CANUNGRA

The town of Canungra is located about 40 km east of Surfers Paradise and about 80 km south of Brisbane by road. It is an attractive rural town which is highly reliant on tourism due to it's popular location for Gold Coast and Brisbane commuters. Canungra is also referred to as "Valley of the Owls" and is located in the Gold Coast Hinterland. The Southern Boobook Owl is largely believed to be to the most famous owl in the area. It therefore makes an appearance on many Canungra associated symbols and logos. The Canungra Australia Post released a limited edition frank that featured the Boobook Owl and Canungra in 2005.

The township of Canungra was founded by sawmillers and loggers more than 125 years ago and is tucked away in a valley surrounded by picturesque mountains. Canungra once had one of the biggest stands of timber in the colony. However most of the timber had been lobbed by the 1940s and sawmills began closing. Cattle and dairy replaced the lost timber trade. If you wish to relive the sawmill days then be sure to visit Laheys' Tramway Tunnel which is a reminder of the sawmilling history. The tunnel is cut through sandstone and has walls which show the evidence of scarring caused by the jamming of logas against them. St. Luke's Church is also an excellent reminder of Canungra's timber history with it's beautiful timber interior.

A railway line connected Canungra to the Beaudesert line at Logan Village from July, 1915 to July, 1955. The town is supplied water by a tributary of the Albert River called Canungra Creek. There are many sloping properties around Canungra which are steep and forested. There are also some cleared farming areas and rural type homes in flatter areas of the valley. The area is now a productive small crop district that grows vegetables such as swedes and rhubarb.

There is a large military base on the outskirts of town named the Kokoda Barracks. This was established during the second World War and later reopened in 1954 to assist in the training of soldiers for the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) commitment in Malaya and right through to the end of the Vietnam War. As well as a changing population of people being trained at the base it also provides a prominent population of permanent residents.

Due to it being located in amongst the major tourism destinations of Binna Burra, O'Reilly's Guesthouse and Mount Tamborine, Canungra is a popular destination. This is especially true since the O'Reilly's part of Lamington National Park has its main access road via Canungra. It's also a popular spot for birdwatches, paragliders, hanggliders and bushwalkers who appreciate what Canungra Valley has on offer. Hospitality is a specialty in Canungra and visitors are made to feel very welcome. The town also has galleries and potteries which showcase the work of local artists.

There are a number of B&B's, farm stays, cabins and vineyards close to the town of Canungra. Being located on the Beaudesert-Nerang Road it is the primary service center for the south-eastern part of the Scenic Rim region. The town services a community of 2,500+ as well as personnel from the Kokoda Barracks.

As well as Wadham Park, top class horse facilities, the town is also developing a growing wine industry. Other businesses/services in town include:

- Supermarket
- Primary School
- Australia Post
- Ambulance Service
- Auxiliary Fire Brigade
- Rural Fire Brigade
- Vet Surgeon
- Newsagent
- Butcher
- Baker
- Dentist
- Doctors
- Chemists
- Service Stations
- Hardware Store
- Laundromat
- Cafe
- RSL
- Hairdressers
- Electrical Stores
- TAB
- Real Estate Agent
- Video Store

There are monthly markets held in Canungra on the fourth Saturday of each month. O'Reilly's Canungra Valley VinEyards also offer jazz and blues on Sunday afternoons. The Canungra Show is held in August while a rodeo is also held every June. If you wish to find out more while in Canungra then be sure to pop into the Canungra Information Centre which is located in Kidston Street.