Lowood, Queensland


Lowood is a town and locality in the Somerset Region in south-east Queensland, Australia. The town is on the Brisbane River, west of the state capital, Brisbane, and north of Ipswich.

History

Lowood was established as the first terminus of the Brisbane Valley branch railway in 1884 and the town grew from the subdivision around the new station. The name is derived from the "low woods" of brigalow in the Lowood area, as opposed to the taller trees elsewhere in the Brisbane Valley. Lowood Post Office opened on 15 October 1888.
In 1919, 27 building sites in Morningside Estate were advertised for auction by Kavanagh & Smith Auctioneers. The auction was for resubs 1 to 27 of sub 5 of resub 1 of subs 1A & 3 of resub 2 of sub A of portion 319. A map produced to advertise the auction shows Morningside Estate is on Peace Street and is close to Lowood Railway Station, the hospital and the state school.
The Lowood public library opened in 2000.
Carpark.
At the 2006 census, Lowood had a population of 1,010.
In the 2011 census, Lowood had a population of 3,336 people.
Due to its proximity to Brisbane and Ipswich, Lowood is becoming an area for hobby farmers and residential commuters. Nearby Lake Wivenhoe is a popular place for activities such as boating and fishing.

Heritage listings

Lowood has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
During World War II, an airfield called Lowood, which was actually located at Mount Tarampa, was the site of a military airfield operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. No. 71 Squadron operated from the airfield during 1943, conducting coastal patrol and naval convoy escort missions. After the war, the airfield was converted into a motor-racing circuit, the Lowood Airfield Circuit, and operated for 20 years, the highlight hosting the 1960 Australian Grand Prix. The airfield no longer exists, but a small memorial marks its previous location.

Transport

Following the withdrawal of the railmotor service to Toogoolawah in 1989, a substitute bus service to Ipswich was introduced by Queensland Rail. Two services are in the morning and return services are in the late afternoon. Time tables are available from QR.

Facilities

The Somerset Regional Council operates a public library at the corner of Michel and Main Streets.
The Lowood branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 106 Main Street.