If you are thinking about moving to Boondall QLD, well done you! Known for its prime location, Boondall is a Northside suburb with the lot. We often spend the weekend exploring the popular wetlands or heading to the Boondall Entertainment Centre to see the world’s biggest stars live on stage. There is so much to do right in our own backyard.
Adding to its appeal, Boondall is only 12km north from the Brisbane CBD and an 11-minute drive to the Shorncliffe foreshore where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll after a big day in the office. We love our easy commute to work with the bonus of being so close to the bayside that we can pick up the occasional sea breeze in summer. For those who love to travel, you’ll be shouting “bon voyage’” in no time with the Brisbane domestic and international airports only 15 minutes away. Like we said, when it comes to Boondall, it’s all about location, location, location!
Moreover, if you are eager to get your hands on a big block at prices unmatched in neighbouring suburbs, you are on a winner with Boondall. Despite its central location, Boondall QLD is still affordable for first home buyers and families. Affordability is just one of the many reasons why us Boondall residents never leave the suburb, instead opting to either upsize/downsize depending on our life stage. Read on for our locals guide to all things Boondall including the best schools in the area, where to shop and more!
Boondall at a Glance
Located almost halfway between Brisbane city and Redcliffe, Boondall is a northern suburb of the City of Brisbane. It really is like a small country town where everyone knows everyone but in a warm and supportive way. Our growing multicultural community feels very safe, and this is supported by the major police station we have based in our suburb. The only real challenges we face are an abundance of mosquitos due to our proximity to the wetlands and flooding in some areas.
- Local Government: City of Brisbane.
- Population: 9,603 (2021, ABS).
- Location: North of Virginia and south of Deagon.
- Transport: Gateway Motorway and Shorncliffe Railway Line.
- History: The name Boondall was derived from an Aboriginal word believed to mean crooked creek. The Turrbal people of north Brisbane were the original owners of the country around the Boondall Wetlands.
- Shopping: Boondall Shopping Centre, IGA Boondall, Taigum Square, Westfield Chermside.
- Boondall Real Estate (renting and buying): Options to suit all budgets.
Why You Should Move to Boondall
According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 72% of Boondall residents are families and the median age is 38. Boondall in Queensland is a great choice for families or those hoping to start a family in the future. There is a lot to love about our suburb and here are some of our highlights.
- Friendly Neighbours: Yes, every community says they have the kindest neighbours, but in Boondall, we really do.
- Cycler’s Paradise: Boondall is located along the Moreton Bay Regional Cycleway (MBRC), a collection of cycle paths and routes across 150 kilometres of the Brisbane coastline. The cycleway runs on and off from Bribie Island to Redland Bay via the Gateway Bridge bikeway.
- Natural Beauty: The Boondall wetlands cover over 1,500 hectares and provide a habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. They are home to more than 190 species of birds, including migratory shorebirds that travel from as far as Siberia and Alaska.
- Affordability: Brisbane’s median house value has skyrocketed to $937,479, making the median house price in Boondall of $828,000 for a 4 bedroom home highly appealing.
- Easy Commute: Boondall is conveniently located near major arterial roads such as Sandgate Road, the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway. These roads provide direct routes to the Brisbane CBD and the Sunshine Coast. Public transport is readily available, and if you need to fly for work, the airport is only 15 minutes away.
Where to Shop in Boondall QLD
Whether you are simply grabbing fresh bread or the perfect outfit for a major occasion, Boondall is surrounded by retail options to suit.
Boondall Shopping Centre Sue’s Korner
This strip of shops known as Boondall Shopping Centre or Sue’s Korner by locals includes a Café 63, Bottlemart, chemist, coffee shop, Snap Fitness real estate, bakery and more.
IGA Boondall
You cannot go past IGA Boondall for a loaf of bread, hot chook, bunch of flowers and other essentials. They are open from 6:00am – 10:00pm daily and offer delicious ready meals for busy families.
Taigum Square
Located only a 3-minute drive from Boondall, Taigum Square is where you will find Big W, Woolworths, Best and Less, the local post office, in addition to many other specialty stores.
Westfield Chermside
Lucky for you, just 6km from Boondall, you will find Westfield Chermside, one of Brisbane’s biggest shopping centres. Boasting 445 stores, you can get your retail fix at MYER, David Jones, Kmart, Zara, H&M and more. The shopping centre has a dining precinct with over 20 cafes and restaurants. Popular spots include Grill’d, Guzman Y Gomez, El Camino Cantina, The Bavarian, and Hanaichi Japanese Fine Food.
Carseldine Markets
The Carseldine Farmers & Artisan Markets, north Brisbane’s very own genuine produce, foodie and craft market is open every Saturday. We head here to grab our fresh fruit and vegetables, and usually stay for a bite to eat while the kids enjoy the activities.
Boondall’s Best Eats
For a traditional pub style meal head to the refurbished Homestead Tavern. Be sure to save a heap by dining in on 2 for 1 Tuesday’s. For the kids, the tavern has a small playroom with heaps of toys and a few coin claw machines. For adults, there is a gaming room and sports bar, live entertainment, great service and friendly atmosphere.
Heck Yes Coffee on Sandgate Road has recently been voted the best café in the area and they sell the most awesome brownies. Be sure to treat yourself after you make the big move to Boondall.
We all know Queenslander’s love a good BBQ and fortunately Boondall has a heap of butcher options. If you are on a budget, you can’t go past Deagon Bulk Meats for price. If you are open to paying a bit more consider Jack Purcell Meats in Virginia or family owned and operated Rode Meats.
Hands down, since Preeti’s closed, the best Indian restaurant with the most amazing butter chicken in Boondall is Maharani Indian Restaurant & Takeaway on Sandgate Road.
The best Italian in Boondall, hand cooked with love by Italians, has to be Raffaele & Maria Italian Food Takeaway.
If you love a meat pie with buttery pastry that is cooked to perfection, Big Dad’s Pies are hard to beat. Their pies, sausage rolls and pastries are very reasonably priced for the quality. Our top tip is to add mushy peas and gravy as a topper.
Other Services Available Around Boondall
For minor medical appointments with Boondall doctors, try the caring team at Boondall Family Practice although it can be hard to get an appointment. Other nearby doctors Boondall options include the Taigum Family Medical Centre.
If you are relocating with a fur baby and need a Boondall vet, Dr Darryl and the Boondall Veterinary Surgery team are caring and not overpriced.
For Boondall dentists visit Jimmy and the team at Boondall Dental. They are warm and friendly, gentle, informative and on time. The surgery is clean, bright and inviting and an additional bonus is you can watch TV while you are in the dental chair.
Find Your Dream Home in Boondall
You will be pleased to know that you get more house for your money in Boondall. Right now, there are a lot of renovations happening in the area and properties are selling or being rented quickly. The reason people are selling to move to Boondall is its affordable large blocks of land that are well established with plenty of trees and green space. 83% of properties in Boondall are separate 3+ bedroom houses perfect for families.
Boondall real estate is in high demand. The median property price in Boondall is $828,000 for a 4-bedroom house and $562,000 for a 3-bedroom unit. Boondall has seen an annual compound growth rate of 8.9% for houses and 17.0% for units. Houses for sale in Boondall tend to only stay on the market for a maximum of 15 days, so if you find a place you love, make an offer fast.
The College Green Estate is particularly popular in Boondall as it is safe and quiet, with house proud neighbours working hard to maintain their properties. Kids roam freely in the many parks surrounding the area and families love that it is close to schools, shopping centres and major transport routes.
Before committing to purchase or rent a property, be sure to check the Brisbane City Council flood maps, as some areas are prone to flooding.
The best Boondall real estate agents to help you find your dream home are Belle Property based in nearby Sandgate. Allan Brookes & Ashleigh Roberts are professional, transparent, and go above and beyond.
Looking for Accommodation Near Sandgate?
Take a look at these options:
- Affordable: Cottage on the Bay or The Brighton Hotel
- Mid-range: Brighton Retreat or Modern Pool Oasis
- Luxury: Mon Komo
Employment
Once you relocate here you may find yourself searching for ‘jobs Boondall’ in Google. The local employment opportunities span multiple sectors, including healthcare, retail, education, and hospitality. Additionally, commuting options to nearby employment hubs in Brisbane and the surrounding regions are readily available, offering us residents diverse job prospects and career opportunities. Interestingly, 58% of Boondall residents work full time with the most common roles being professionals, clerical and administrative workers, technicians and trade workers and managers.
Education: First Class Options for all Students
In and around our suburb, there are several excellent education choices spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, across both public and private sectors.
This includes two schools that are based in Boondall. Boondall State School has received numerous awards for their educational programs (e.g. ELF Literacy Program). Additionally, the Internationally recognised and acclaimed St Joseph’s Nudgee College school for boys is situated at the edge of the suburb. “Nudgee” as it is affectionately known, currently caters for approximately 1,600 students from Year 5 to Year 12, including 300 boarders.
- Boondall State School | Prep – Year 6.
- St Joseph’s Nudgee College | Year 5 – 12.
Private schools close to Boondall include St Patrick’s in Shorncliffe (Year 5 – Year 12), Grace Lutheran College in Rothwell and Clontarf (Prep – Year 12), St Paul’s School (Pre-Prep – Year 12) and St John Fisher College in Bracken Ridge (Year 7 – Year 12, school for girls).
There are no government secondary schools in the suburb. The nearest government secondary schools are Sandgate District State High School in neighbouring Deagon to the north and Aspley State High School in Aspley to the west.
These schools provide a variety of educational environments and specialisations, ensuring that families in and around Boondall have access to quality private education options.
Boondall Weather
The weather Boondall is known for is a pleasant mix of warm summers and mild winters. During the summer months, temperatures typically range from the mid-20s to low 30s Celsius, with occasional hot spells moderated by refreshing sea breezes from Moreton Bay.
Winters are mild and comfortable, with daytime temperatures averaging in the low 20s Celsius and cooler evenings perfect for outdoor activities. Yes, we love to hit Margate Beach all year round and luckily, we have the perfect subtropical climate to do just that. With an average high-temperature of 19.4°C and an average low-temperature of 12.7°C, July is the coldest month. During the entire year, the rain falls for 178.8 days and collects up to 665mm of precipitation.
Getting to Boondall
By Car – our suburb is accessible by car from the Gateway Motorway or Sandgate Road. On busy weekdays it can take between 22 – 50 minutes to drive 20+kms to the city. If you are keen to head to the Sunshine Coast for a break, it will take you around 1 hour via the M1 Bruce Highway.
By Train – We are lucky to have two train stations, North Boondall station and Boondall station that are situated on the Shorncliffe Line. Boondall Station has been recently upgraded and has two platforms, a footbridge plus a lift and a bicycle enclosure. There is plenty of secured parking with easy bus connections. The external platform shelter, lighting and security cameras have been improved too. The staff are lovely and helpful. It will take you around 29 minutes to travel to the Brisbane CBD.
By Bus–There are plenty of bus stops throughout Boondall. The 325 bus (Boondall Station) has 37 stops departing from Queen Street Stop 56 near Edward St in the Brisbane CBD and ending at Aberdeen Pde at Boondall Station.
By Plane – Boondall is located around 15 minutes from the Brisbane domestic and international airports.
Things to Do and See Around Boondall
Boondall and its surrounding areas offer a variety of activities and attractions for residents and visitors. Here are some of our favourite things to do in the area:
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
The Brisbane Entertainment Centre includes a 14,500 capacity multi-functional arena and a five-court indoor sports centre. The venue regularly hosts a wide range of arena events. Examples include concerts like the Rolling Stones to family friendly shows like Disney on Ice or Paw Patrol. See what is coming up at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Boondall Wetlands
The wetlands lie on the edge of Moreton Bay between Nudgee Beach, Boondall and Shorncliffe and include approximately 1150 hectares of tidal flats, mangroves, saltmarshes, melaleuca wetlands, grasslands and open forest. Visit the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre to learn about the wide range of animals. There are more than 190 species of birds that call the wetlands home. You can also go for a walk or ride along the tracks and mangrove boardwalks. Don’t forget the bug spray!
Nudgee Beach
Nudgee Beach is the closest beach to the Brisbane CBD. It is the perfect spot for a walk, bike ride or spot of fishing. The beach isn’t your typical golden sand and surf spot that Queensland is famous for. However, if you time your visit right, you can explore the mud flats for some messy fun with the kids. The Nudgee Beach dog park is perfect for visits with furry friends.
Ice World Boondall
Head out for a spin on the Olympic sized rink and grab a coffee after at the onsite café. Ice World Boondall offers casual skating and lessons for all ages. We love heading here in the middle of a hot Queensland summer to cool off.
Sandgate
With an esplanade, seafood dining and a sandy beach, you need to pop a visit to Sandgate on the list.
Sandgate Aquatic Centre
On the Sandgate Foreshore, the much-loved Sandgate Aquatic Centre has lap pools, a wading pool, play gear, slides, a diving board, a heated pool and a gym with yoga and Pilates rooms.
Mulbeam Park
Head to Mulbeam Park for a day outdoors in the sunshine. The park has plenty of shade, several play areas and a a full-size basketball court. It also has a fully fenced dog off-leash area and BBQ facilities.
- Beams Rd & Muller Rd, Boondall QLD 4034
Margate Beach
Margate Beach is a favourite swimming spot for us locals. It has perfect golden sand and protected waters ideal for young children. We love the huge, towering Norfolk Pines that provide shade on a hot day at the beach. Be sure to check out the 2km redeveloped boardwalk that runs along the shoreline.
V-Golf
If you love your golf, V-Golf will have something for you. They offer an 18-hole mini golf course, plus indoor golf simulators, and a café and sports bar.
Downfall Creek Bushland Centre
Located in nearby McDowall, the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre offers educational displays, guided walks, and information about the local flora and fauna. It’s a fun place to explore with the kids.
Kedron Wavell Services Club
Located in Chermside, the Kedron Wavell Services Club offers dining, live entertainment, and a range of activities for families and adults.
Thinking about other places near Boondall?
We are locals, so we have insider tips on all the suburbs in our ‘hood. Come and see what we think of our neighbouring areas.
Deagon is the Hidden Gem of the 4017 Postcode
Deagon is a tranquil suburb, often overlooked despite being the perfect blend of suburban charm and modern conveniences.
Read more about living in Deagon here.
Heritage Charm Meets Bayside Lifestyle in Shorncliffe 4017
Shorncliffe gives you the best of both worlds – a charming bayside lifestyle with heritage homes, scenic views, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Read more about living in Shorncliffe here.
Brighton 4017: The Seaside Suburb You’ve Been Looking For!
Brighton is perfect for anyone who wants a seaside retreat with the convenience of city proximity. Enjoy beaches, parks, and a strong sense of community.
Read more about living in Brighton here.
Sandgate QLD is Brisbane’s Best Bayside Suburb
Sandgate combines the beauty of bayside living with excellent amenities and a vibrant community spirit. It’s popular for families and professionals.
Read more about living in Sandgate here.
Bracken Ridge is Where Neighbours Become Good Friends
Bracken Ridge is known for its friendly community, spacious parks, and excellent schools. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and build lasting friendships.
Read more about living in Bracken Ridge here.
Boondall QLD Ticks All the Boxes
Boondall is the perfect choice for young couples and families wanting room to move whilst seeking to minimise their commute. Retirees also love it here for its easy access to the Brisbane waterways, friendly neighbourhood and proximity to hospitals and health care services. Not to mention the ability to head overseas or out to a live show within minutes of your own home. If you are a nature enthusiast, lover of the arts or simply seeking to enter the property market, Boondall is an excellent choice.