Nundah is one of Brisbane’s oldest suburbs, with its beginnings going back to the German missionaries who settled at Zion Hill in 1838.
Located on higher ground above the surrounding area, Zion Hill became the site of the first free European settlement in Queensland, with a small community established there well before the district developed into a township.
By the late 1800s, the railway had become a key part of life in Nundah. It connected the suburb to Brisbane and the surrounding districts, making it easier for people and goods to move in and out of the area. A photograph taken around 1910 shows passengers waiting at the Nundah railway station as a steam train arrives at the platform. Scenes like this were part of everyday life, with regular services linking the district to the city and supporting its growth.
The railway also influenced where businesses developed. Sandgate Road became a main route through the area, and buildings began to appear along it to service both locals and travellers passing through. Shops, services and hotels were established close to the station, forming the centre of the township.
Not far from the station, The Royal Hotel became one of the most recognisable buildings in Nundah. Built in 1888, it served both travellers and locals. Hotels at the time were more than just places to stay. They were used for meetings, events and as a place to gather, particularly in smaller communities where there were fewer public spaces.
Key Landmarks and Community Development
As Nundah grew into the early 1900s, these places worked together. The railway brought people into the area, while businesses like The Royal Hotel supported the growing population. Sandgate Road became busier, and the township gradually built up around these key sites.
Today, much of Nundah has changed, but these early landmarks still tell part of the story. The railway station and The Royal Hotel show how the suburb developed, from a small settlement into a connected and active community. Both sites remain closely tied to Sandgate Road, which continues to act as a main thoroughfare through the suburb.
Featured image: Waiting at the Railway Station, Nundah, c.1910. | Image courtesy of John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Negative number 99234.
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