Bracken Ridge QLD has always been one of north Brisbane’s most underrated suburbs. However, that is rapidly changing. Everywhere you look, houses and local facilities are being built, renovated or restored to their former glory. Prospective homebuyers have been surprised to learn that there are homes here that boast hilltop locations with stunning bay views. To top it all off, a move to the “Ridge” will see you living only 18 km north of the Brisbane CBD on wide, tree-lined streets. The whole suburb is like one big family, and us locals love that it is only 10 minutes’ drive to the waterfront.
The secret is out! Savvy homebuyers have started to realise how central Bracken Ridge is to everything and the gentrification of our suburb is well underway. Young professionals and families are relocating to the area creating demand for further development and the renovation of retail spaces. The suburb is undergoing a transformation, and we locals are totally here for it as we watch the value of our properties skyrocket. If you are thinking of making a move to Bracken Ridge 4017, we have got you covered. Read on for a locals view on the most desirable estates, the best schools for your family and more.
Bracken Ridge at a Glance
Us locals love that our suburb has 31 parks covering 9.4% of the total area. According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 80% of households in the area are made up of families and we love that there are so many options to get the kids outdoors.
- Local Government: City of Brisbane.
- Population: 17,488 (2021, ABS).
- Location: South of Murrumba Downs and North of Aspley.
- Transport: The Bruce Highway plus multiple buses and train stations in or near the area.
- History: Bracken Ridge was named after a property surrounded by bracken ferns. The area was originally inhabited by the Turrbal people, the Indigenous custodians.
- Shopping: Bracken Ridge Plaza, Aspley Hypermarket and Westfield Chermside.
- Bracken Ridge Real Estate (renting and buying): Options to suit all budgets.
Why make the move to Bracken Ridge
Bracken Ridge in Queensland has changed so much! It is made for families with its abundance of highly rated schools, leafy green parks, and freshly renovated facilities. Here are some of the reasons why we locals love living here:
- Variety of property types: there are a mix of large brick family homes with pools, smaller brick, and tile houses and one-bedroom apartments. There is something for everyone.
- Promising Return on Investment: The suburb is in high demand so investing in the area is likely to be a wise financial decision.
- Lifestyle: The suburb gives residents the opportunity to enjoy the perks of a cosmopolitan lifestyle with the health benefits that living near the coast can bring.
- Stunning Bay Views: If you pick the right property, you may find yourself on a hill with breathtaking views to the coast. Bring on the abundant fresh air and natural light.
- Parks and Green Spaces: If getting outdoors is a priority for you, there is an abundance of parks, sports grounds, and green spaces in the suburb.
- Strong Community Spirit: The suburb stands out for its engaging community events, local sports clubs, and active neighbourhood groups. This nurtures a strong sense of connection and participation among residents.
- Close to Brisbane CBD: While offering a suburban lifestyle, Bracken Ridge is still relatively close to Brisbane’s CBD, balancing convenience with a quieter living environment.
Bracken Ridge Shops
There is no shortage of choice when it comes to shopping. Whether you are simply chasing the essentials or craving retail therapy, you will find a nearby retail space to suit.
Bracken Ridge Plaza
Bracken Ridge Plaza is a medium sized local shopping centre with Coles and over 30 specialty stores. It is a great spot to shop without having to navigate the crowds of the larger Westfield shopping malls.
- Where: Corner of Telegraph Road and Norris Road, Bracken Ridge.
Bracken Ridge Woolworths
There is a small shopping centre near the Bracken Ridge Tavern (affectionally known as the BRT) incorporating a Woolworths, chemist, and a newsagent.
- Where: 154 Barrett St, Bracken Ridge.
Gawain Road Shops
Located in a suburban area, this shopping strip serves the community with a variety of retail outlets, services, and dining options. They house one of the best bakeries (as voted by locals) in the 4017 postcode.
- Where: Gawain Road, Bracken Ridge.
Aspley Hypermarket
Aspley Hypermarket is a small shopping centre but with everything you are likely to need. Coles, Kmart, ALDI, Woolworths, and Sunlit Asian Supermarket are all located at this centre.
- Where: 59 Albany Creek Road, Aspley.
Westfield Chermside
Lucky for you, just 8km from Bracken Ridge, 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.
- Where: Gympie Rd, Chermside.
Costco North Lakes
If you have a family of big eaters or love to entertain, Costco North Lakes will be your new haunt. It gets busy, so come ready to line up and to buy things you do not really need. We enjoy trying the free samples and grabbing a cheap slice of pizza on the way out.
- Where: 17-39 Cook Court, North Lakes.
IKEA North Lakes
Are you eager to upgrade your furniture after you move to Bracken Ridge? You can make it happen at IKEA North Lakes. There is also the bonus of a cheap and easy meal for the kids that you did not have to cook!
- Where: 3 North Lakes Drive, North Lakes.
Where to dine out
From the best place to grab a coffee to where to go for a fun night out with your family, here are our top picks of where to eat locally.
Bracken Ridge Tavern
When it comes to northside pubs, the Bracken Ridge Tavern is one of the best. It is one of our go-to spots for a family night out. The steaks are amazing, and the staff are super friendly. The Harry Brown Bracken Ridge bottle shop is located at the tavern too.
- Where: 154 Barrett St, Bracken Ridge.
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. When you join the club, you get discounts on your drinks and meals.
- Where: 21 Kittyhawk Dr, Chermside.
Greenfield Café
It is hard to believe this little gem is in Bracken Ridge. It offers a very relaxed and chilled vibe in a lovely setting. We would argue it does the best breaky in Bracken Ridge and the coffee plus, service is just as good. The homemade almond croissants made on site are delicious, the café offers reasonable pricing and generous portion sizes too. Greenfield Café is dog friendly.
- Where: Between Ampol and BWS, Shop 12/162 Barrett Street, Bracken Ridge.
Guru’s Café and Seafood
Sink your teeth into the best burgers and hot chips in Brisbane at Guru’s Café and Seafood. The food from this spot is consistently delicious every time. The coffee is so good too!
- Where: 4/250 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge.
Once you have settled in, you will be needing to find Bracken Ridge doctors that are reliable and compassionate. Local options include the Bracken Ridge Medical Centre, Bracken Ridge Family Practice and the highly rated Telegraph Road Clinic is our top pick.
Housing
The suburb offers home buyers value for money, but time is running out to snap up a bargain. House prices in the area have increased by 11.4% in the past 12 months, with the median price for a 4-bedroom house sitting at $872,000 and $522,500 for a 3-bedroom unit. Homes stay on the market for 16 days.
There are several housing estates within the suburb including The Oaks, Enbrook Heights and the Sungate Estate development. Many of the homes throughout the suburb are low set or high set brick homes. Bracken Ridge QLD is right next door to Brighton, Deagon, and Sandgate, so it has all those amenities, but it is generally cheaper.
If you have researched houses for rent Bracken Ridge, you will quickly realise that demand continues to outstrip supply. Rental rates over the past 12 months suggest a thriving rental market presenting a strong investment opportunity for investors. Houses in Bracken Ridge rent out for $600 PW with an annual rental yield of 4.0% and units rent for $550 PW with a rental yield of 5.4%.
When searching for houses for sale Bracken Ridge, be sure to investigate the traffic noise as it can be an issue for properties close to major thoroughfares including Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge Road, Norris Road or near the major arterial roads. Additionally, 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.
Looking for Accommodation Near Bracken Ridge?
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 Bracken Ridge’ in Google. The local employment opportunities span multiple sectors, including healthcare, retail, education, hospitality, and care services. 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 residents work full time with the most common roles being professionals, clerical and administrative workers, technicians and trades workers and managers.
Education and Training
The suburb offers a large array of education options in both the government and independent sectors. The highly regarded St Joseph’s Bracken Ridge is based in the suburb in addition to St John Fisher College. Read more about the best schools in the area here.
Local State Schools:
- Bracken Ridge State School | Prep – Year 6.
- Norris Road State School | Prep – Year 6.
- Bracken Ridge State High School | Year 7 – 12.
Private Education:
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (For girls) | Prep – Year 6.
- St John Fisher College | Year 7 – 12.
- Jabiru Community College | Year 9 – 12.
- Queensland Pathways State College – Bracken Ridge Campus
If you have heard that there is a Bracken Ridge TAFE campus, you are correct. The Bracken Ridge TAFE campus offers a wide range of study areas including automotive, building and construction, business, cabinet making, community services, early childhood education, electrotechnology, engineering, fitness, general education, hospitality, IT, justice and government, tourism and events, and utilities. Apprenticeship and traineeship training in selected industries is available at this campus.
Weather
The weather Bracken Ridge 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 21°C and an average low-temperature of 9°C, July is the coldest month in Bracken Ridge. During the entire year, the rain falls for 120 days and collects up to 1200mm of precipitation.
Getting Here and Around
By Car – Located near the Bruce Highway, our suburb provides easy access to the Brisbane CBD and Sunshine Coast. If you plan to head into the CDB during the peak weekday rush, it can be up to 60 minutes depending on how busy the traffic is. A good run is more like 35 minutes. We find it easy to get around Bracken Ridge with a car. It is only 2 minutes onto the Gateway Motorway to easily go north (Sunshine Coast) or south (Gold Coast), and it is about an hour’s drive either way.
By Train – Bracken Ridge is served by several nearby train stations, which provide convenient access to Brisbane and surrounding areas. The closest train stations to Bracken Ridge are Bald Hills (2km), Carseldine Station (3km), Deagon Station (4km) and Sandgate Station (5km). Depending on your destination, you will use either the Shorncliffe Line or the Redcliffe Peninsula Line. It will take you around 30-40 minutes to travel from Bracken Ridge to the Brisbane CBD.
By Bus – Multiple bus services offer seamless connections to key destinations such as the Brisbane CBD. These buses also pass by Norris Road, Telegraph Road, and Barbour Road. The express bus service to Chermside and the Brisbane CBD is excellent. We are lucky to have direct transport to Brisbane city by bus.
By Plane – Bracken Ridge is located around a 17-minute drive from the Brisbane domestic and international airports.
Things to do and see around Bracken Ridge
This area offers a wide variety of activities and attractions that cater to the different interests and lifestyles of all families. Here are our favourite things to do in the area:
Bracken Ridge Central Lions Train Day
The Bracken Ridge Central Lions Club hold a monthly miniature and electric steam day on the 4th Sunday of each month at McPherson Park. Established in 1997, this monthly community event sees hundreds of residents turn out for a ride on the miniature trains.
Where: 146 Denham St, Bracken Ridge
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 including 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!
Where: 31 Paperbark Dr, Boondall
Sandgate Beach
With a stunning esplanade to explore, seafood dining and a sandy beach, you need to pop a visit to Sandgate on the list. Just a two-minute drive away, it is a beautiful place to take the dog for a walk along the foreshore or pick up fish in chips from Doug’s Seafood.
BMX Bike Track
This is one of Australia’s biggest off-road BMX bike tracks and is located right next door to Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza. Designed by London Olympic BMX track experts, riders can perfect their techniques on the freestyle jumps (ranging from 40cms – 160cms in height) and pump tracks. Six hundred and forty metres of smooth asphalt tracks ensures riders can practice their skills in all weather conditions and there is also a viewing platform onsite for spectators to enjoy.
Where: 522 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge.
Bracken Ridge Library
Once you are settled into your new life in Bracken Ridge, it will be time to track down a good book to take with you to the beach or park. The Bracken Ridge Library features a huge range of books, magazines, games and more as well as plenty of activities and events.
Where: Corner of Barrett St and Bracken St, next to Ferguson Park.
Bracken Ridge Indoor Sports Centre
Bracken Ridge Indoor Sports Centre offers a range of both indoor and outdoor activities for all skill levels and ages. The sports offered at the centre include beach volleyball, cricket, netball, softball, tennis, soccer and more. The venue also offers school holiday programs and birthday parties.
Where: 337 Bracken Ridge Rd, Bracken Ridge.
Bracken Ridge Pool
If you are keen to take the kids for a swim in a pool, your best option is to head to the Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre in Fitzgibbon. The centre has a 25-metre outdoor pool, a heated 25-meter indoor pool and a large grassed and shaded seating area. The learn to swim program is great too. The instructors for the kid’s swim classes are amazing. They are so patient, playful, and seem to genuinely enjoy their work.
Where: 523 Telegraph Road, Fitzgibbon.
Another great local option for swimming lessons is the Bracken Ridge Swimming Club. The facility based in Bracken Ridge has a 25 metre and 10 metre pool.
Where: 112 Denham Street, Bracken Ridge.
Bracken Ridge Animal Shelter
Adopting a pet can be a lovely way of establishing your family in their new home. In Bracken Ridge, the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) have the Warra Rehoming Centre where you can adopt your new family member.
Where: 523 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge.
Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza
This skate park is epic! If you have a kid that loves bikes, skateboards, and scooters you are going to be spending a lot of time at this park. The incredible 1000m2 setup caters to all skill levels with heaps of challenges including ledges, rails, banks, spines, and gaps.
Where: 523 Telegraph Road, Fitzgibbon.
Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Reserve
Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Reserve is over 380 hectares in size and includes tidal flats, mangroves, salt-marshes, melaleuca wetlands, grasslands and open forest. You can explore the areas by foot on the Bird Hide and Island Circuit tracks or by canoe following the Eagle and Island canoe trails. Barbecue, picnic, toilet and fishing facilities are available at Deep Water Bend.
Where: Start at the picnic ground carpark on Wyampa Rd, Bald Hills.
Thinking about other places near Bracken Ridge?
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.
- Heritage Charm Meets Bayside Lifestyle in Shorncliffe 4017
- Brighton 4017 Might Be the Seaside Suburb You’ve Been Looking For!
- Sandgate QLD is Brisbane’s Best Bayside Suburb
- Deagon is the Hidden Gem of the 4017 Postcode
- Boondall is a Northside Suburb with the Lot
Bracken Ridge is Evolving into one of Brisbane’s Best Suburbs for Families
Bracken Ridge is undergoing a major facelift as it evolves into one of Brisbane’s most family friendly and conveniently located suburbs. Whether you are swayed by the bargain rate you will pay for seaside views, or you are drawn to the calibre of schools in the area, Bracken Ridge has something for every family. Just do not wait too long to purchase your dream home. There are hundreds of families looking to make the move to Bracken Ridge and you do not want to miss out.
