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OceaniaAustraliaQueensland

Karana Downs

Queensland, Australia · Oceania

About Karana Downs

Karana Downs is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Barellan Point, 24km from Story Bridge.

Karana Downs is a town located in Queensland, Australia. With a population of 3,755, it is an important destination in Oceania.

On a road trip, Karana Downs sits in Australia, where you drive on the left. It's in the Australia/Brisbane time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Karana Downs to your route.

About Karana Downs

College's Crossing (also known as Colleges Crossing) is a low level bridge that crosses the Brisbane River at Chuwar, a suburb of Ipswich in South East Queensland, Australia. The road across the bridge is Mount Crosby Road. During major floods or water releases from the Wivenhoe Dam the road becomes impassable. The

Read more crossing was constructed to replace a previous structure which had been washed away during floods. It was opened in 1894 with a ceremony that was attended by the Mayor of Ipswich, H.E. Wyman. College's Crossing is named after George College (sometimes spelled Colledge), one of the first settlers who bought a land on the north side of the Brisbane River in 1854. It was the first river crossing in the district which allowed access across the river before the first bridge was constructed. Located here is a park, known as Colleges Crossing Recreational Reserve, which is a popular picnic and tourist spot for the residents of Brisbane and Ipswich from the early 1920s. It was completely destroyed during the 2010-11 floods, which saw a rise in the water level of over 17 metres with strong currents. The park was equipped with barbecues, playground facilities, a cafe, lookouts, boat ramp, bird hide and clean water for drinking. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are also popular in the area. Four and half kilometres upstream from Colleges Crossing is the Mount Crosby Weir and Mount Crosby Pumping Station. Downstream from the crossing swimming is not recommended due to the presence of bull sharks and due to poor water quality. In 1960 2 shark attacks were reported in Sunday Mail 27/3/94, SMH 21/12/1960. In January 1939 the Courier Mail reported the landing of a 4 ft 6in bluenose shark on a rod and reel at the popular bathing spot.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Karana Downs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Karana Downs?

Karana Downs offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Karana Downs?

Plan your road trip to Karana Downs with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Karana Downs as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Karana Downs located?

Karana Downs is located in Queensland, Australia, Oceania. The coordinates are -27.5486 latitude, 152.8073 longitude.

What is the population of Karana Downs?

Karana Downs has a population of approximately 3,755 people, making it a town in Australia.

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Quick Information

Population
3,755
Continent
Oceania
Country
Australia
Region
Queensland
Timezone
Australia/Brisbane
Coordinates
-27.5486, 152.8073

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Australia

Police
000
Ambulance
000
Fire
000
Non-emergency police
131 444
Driving side
left

112 works from mobiles. Distances between fuel stops in the outback can exceed 200 km: plan ahead. Wildlife is most active at dawn/dusk.

Full driving guide for Australia

Tags

OceaniaAustraliaQueenslandTown

Worth the detour from Karana Downs

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

bridge

Story Bridge

Brisbane's heritage-listed 1940 steel cantilever bridge over the Brisbane River, drivable on the Bradfield Highway and climbable on guided ascents for skyline views.

24 km · about 30 min drive

Driving roads near Karana Downs

  • 24 kmStory BridgeBrisbane's heritage-listed 1940 steel cantilever bridge over the Brisbane River, drivable on the Bradfield Highway and climbable on guided ascents for skyline views.
  • 75 kmGlass House Mountains LookoutElevated lookout on the Sunshine Coast hinterland tourist drive, giving a panorama of the volcanic plugs named by James Cook in 1770.
  • 78 kmSurfers Paradise Street CircuitA Gold Coast street circuit running along the beachfront and through the high-rise canyon of Surfers Paradise, host of Indycar and now Supercars. Ordinary beach-town streets off-season.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Karana Downs.

Mount Crosby

🇦🇺 Australia

1 km awayPop. 1,814

Karalee

🇦🇺 Australia

2 km awayPop. 4,273

Chuwar

🇦🇺 Australia

3 km awayPop. 2,174

Barellan Point

🇦🇺 Australia

4 km awayPop. 1,118

Anstead

🇦🇺 Australia

6 km awayPop. 1,474

Tivoli

🇦🇺 Australia

6 km awayPop. 1,492

North Booval

🇦🇺 Australia

6 km awayPop. 3,127

Bundamba

🇦🇺 Australia

7 km awayPop. 6,367

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence