Locals are naturally proud of Kangaroo Point as a suburb with lots of wanderlust potential. Kangaroo Point Cliff, for instance, attracts tourists because it’s a great destination for rock climbing and abseiling. Then there is Story Bridge with its panoramic view of the river.
For locals and visitors alike, there is a lot more to Kangaroo Point than meets the eye. Did you know that Kangaroo Point is one of the oldest suburbs in Brisbane? The city is home to a number of heritage trails, walking trails, and history trails.
When you want to know more about Queensland’s pioneering scientists and researchers, the Kangaroo Point Natural History Trail is worth seeing. It extends from the C.T. White Park up to the Brisbane Jazz Club. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to pack a picnic and bond with loved ones while you walk back in time.
It is the Brisbane City Council’s project in an aim to recognize the contribution of Queensland’s pioneers through a series of interpretative and botanical signs in the parks.
Kangaroo Point During the 1800s
Before the British settlement in early 1800s, it was occupied by Turrbal people. Explorer John Oxley described them as “the strongest and best-made muscular men” he had ever seen in any country.
The first land sales took place in 1843 when the British settled in Brisbane. Surveyor James Warner built the first house at Kangaroo Point in 1844. He was known for his deep religious convictions, his extensive knowledge of botany, and his role of the first secretary and treasurer of the Queensland Institute of Surveyors.
James Warner’s story can be seen when you hop in to the Natural History Trail. Aside from Warner, here are the other personalities features in Kangaroo Point Natural History Trail:
Frederick Manson Bailey
A colonial botanist of Queensland from 1881 to 1915, Bailey contributed his encyclopedic knowledge to the long list of published works on Queensland flora. This helped in the colony’s fledging agricultural and pastoral industries.
Silvester Diggles
His flair for music result in the founding of the Brisbane Choral Society in 1859 and the Brisbane Philharmonic Society in 1861. Aside from being an artist and musician, he was known as one of the notable naturalists during the 19th century.
Harry Oakman
He served as the Council’s Superintendent of Parks from 1946 to 1962. The distinctive subtropical style of many Brisbane parks and streetscapes were all because of his passion for lush tropical foliage and flowering plants.
Cyril Tenison White
White was best known for his expertise on identifying plants by sights. His thousands of illustrations were published in his grandfather Frederick Manson Bailey’s Comprehensive Catalogue of Queensland Plants. He served as a botanist for the Queensland Government from 1917 until his death in 1950.
Oscar Werner Tiegs
Tiegs, born at Kangaroo Point in 1897, was a world-class entomologist and zoologist. As a child, he had a great fascination with insects and that passion eventually led to his outstanding career in zoology.
Kangaroo Point in the Present
It does not come as a surprise that it was once home to Queensland’s best naturalists. With their beautiful surroundings, parks all over Kangaroo Point are perfect destinations for simple relaxation, family-friendly games, and city cycling.