Lowood, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Lowood is a town in south east Queensland
, Australia
. The town is located on the Brisbane River
, 66 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane
or 17 km birds line and 31 kilometres north of Ipswich
. Situated in the Somerset Region Local government area, at the 2006 census
, Lowood had a population of 1,010.
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.
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.
, 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 with the same name
and ran for 20 years, the highlight hosting the 1960 Australian Grand Prix
. The airfield no longer exists but a small memorial marks its previous location.
(QR). There are two services in the morning and return services in the late afternoon. Time tables are available from QR.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The town is located on the Brisbane River
Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
, 66 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
or 17 km birds line and 31 kilometres north of Ipswich
Ipswich, Queensland
Ipswich is a city in South-East Queensland, Australia. Situated along the Bremer River Valley approximately 40 kilometres away from the state's capital Brisbane. The suburb by the same name forms the city's Central Business District and administrative centre...
. Situated in the Somerset Region Local government area, at the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Lowood had a population of 1,010.
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.
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.
Airfield
During World War II, an airfield called Lowood, which was actually located at Mount TarampaTarampa, Queensland
Tarampa is a rural suburb of Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia.During World War II a military airfield was located at nearby Mount Tarampa called Lowood. The United States Army Air Forces based its 80th Fighter Squadron there between 28 March – 10 May 1942), flying P-39 Airacobras...
, was the site of a military airfield operated by the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
. No. 71 Squadron
No. 71 Squadron RAAF
No. 71 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. It was formed in January 1943 and conducted patrols off the east coast of Australia until it was disbanded in August 1944.-History:...
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 with the same name
Lowood circuit
The Lowood Airfield Circuit was a motor racing venue in Queensland, Australia which was used from 1946 to 1966. It was located at a former wartime airfield site at Mount Tarampa, near Lowood, 72 km west of the state capital Brisbane...
and ran for 20 years, the highlight hosting the 1960 Australian Grand Prix
1960 Australian Grand Prix
The 1960 Australian Grand Prix was a motor race held at Lowood on 12 June 1960. The race had 16 starters.It was the twenty fifth Australian Grand Prix. Alec Mildren won his only AGP, which was also the second AGP victory for a rear-engined racing car...
. The airfield no longer exists but a small memorial marks its previous location.
Transport
At present times there is no longer any rail-transport to Lowood. The main rail link is to Ipswich and from there a bus service from Queensland RailQueensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
(QR). There are two services in the morning and return services in the late afternoon. Time tables are available from QR.