At the time of European settlement in Brisbane, the traditional owners of most of the Bulimba Creek corridor were the Yuggera clan and it is from their language that we get the name Bulimba (boolimbah -
meaning place of the magpie lark). Other nearby suburbs such as "tinggalpa" (a place of animal fat) and "winnam" (breadfruit) also find their origin in the rich language of the Yuggera people.
Bulimba Creek was a fertile hunting ground in those days and yielded an abundant supply of mullet, ducks, echidnas and other animals as well as a variety of root vegetables and greens such as reeds and warrigal greens.
Bulimba Creek near Tillack Park
By the mid-1800s, European immigrants had established farms, orchards and vineyards throughout the catchment and also dairy farming.
Later on, an abattoir, wool scours and tannery were built along the creek. Unfortunately, there were no environmental protections in those days and there was a lot of dumping of heavy metals and contaminants back into the waterway.
Baynes Fellmongery and Wool Scours, Belmonthttps://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/belmont
Thankfully in the latter part of the 20th century, these industries disappeared and groups like the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Group began the long process of cleaning up the creek. Today, walking or riding alongside this beautiful creek in Brisbane's eastern suburbs, it's difficult to imagine just how polluted it once was.
The 23km bikeway stretches from Murrarie to Wishart and there are many access points, mostly at the parks dotted along the way. It's easy to do small sections at a time, starting at one park and riding to the next then returning back to your starting point. Most of the parks have toilet, playground and barbeque facilities so they are good start/ end points.
Street art along the bikeway
On the Murrarie end, it's a pleasant ride from the Murrarie Recreation Reserve down to Minnippi Parklands. There's some quite good street art along this section too. Still heading south, you'll find that Carindale Shopping Centre is not too far away - a great place to stop for a well-deserved coffee.
However, my favourite section is between Pine Mountain Road and Broadwater Road, near Tillack Park. There are some really pretty sections along this stretch and it's amazing to think that this is an area where some of the wool scours were situated.
Tillack Park is well worth visiting
Be warned - there is one reasonably steep hill between Carindale Shopping Centre and Tillack Park which children (and most adults) will find challenging. Also, if you are travelling south, signage is poor around Wecker Road so it might be handy to check the
map beforehand.
Paradise nestled in the eastern suburbs
This really is a great walk or ride for people of all ages and abilities. It's hard to believe such beautiful scenery exits in the heart of suburbia. For more information on the fascinating history of this area, see
www.members.optusnet.com.au/belmont.history/history.htm
