Australia

Queensland

The Gap

Keeping It Wet

Interesting facts about The Gap

The Gap is a leafy and hilly suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. The suburb is located 12 km west of the Brisbane CBD.

Geography

The Gap derives its name from its geographical location of being on foothills in a valley (i.e. the gap between hills). The suburb, The Gap, is located between Mount Coot-tha and Enoggera Hill (both Mount Coot-tha and Enoggera Hill form part of the Taylor Range) as well as Mount Nebo.

History

First settled by Europeans in 1860, The Gap was originally heavily forested. Timber felling was the first industry in the area, and with the removal of the timber the area was turned over to farming. Following World War One the area was broken up into smaller farms for returned servicemen, many of whom farmed poultry and dairy cattle. Many of these farms were too small to be commercially successful.

Masons pickle factory use to be located to the east of the Ashgrove Golf Course. A gold mine was located near the entrance to Payne Road Primary School. The billabong between The Gap State High School and Payne Road Primary School used to be a favourite swimming location and over the years has been home to turtles, eels and platypus. It was named Shepherd's Pool after it was reported a shepherd was killed by aborigines early in the 1800s. His unmarked grave is in the vicinity.

Attractions

The district was later subdivided into blocks of land for housing estates. The recreational activities of inhabitants of the suburb are well catered for, with many facilities including many sporting clubs (Soccer, Squash, Tennis, Athletics, Swimming and Golf etc) and there are a number of lush green parks.

The Gap is also where the main entrance to the Brisbane Forest Park is located. A major bushland area in Brisbane's west, Brisbane Forest Park has many Australian wildlife species, including marsupials, birds, fish and reptiles. Brisbane Forest Park also has an information and wildlife education centre.

Facilities

The suburb has a large-size shopping centre (which extends from Walton Bridge Reserve to The Gap State High School and Payne Road State School). There are also churches of many faiths, as well as a local Police Station in the suburb. Ashgrove Fire Brigade, which is at West Ashgrove, is also in close proximity to The Gap.

The Enogerra Dam is also located on the edge of The Gap.

Schools

The primary and secondary schools in The Gap include:

The Gap State High School (public state school) — The Gap State School (public state school)
— Hilder Road State School (public state school) — Payne Road State School (public state school)
— St Peter Chanel Primary School (independent school)