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Queanbeyan New South Wales
Queanbeyan photographed from the air. The Ridgeway is in the right foreground, Jerrabobmerra in the top left
Queanbeyan
Population:	34,084 (2006 census)[1]  (37th)
• Density:	210/km² (543.9/sq mi)
Established:	1838
Elevation:	576 m (1,890 ft)
Area:	173 km² (66.8 sq mi)
Time zone:  • Summer (DST)	AEST (UTC+10) AEST (UTC+11)
Location:	14.9 km (9 mi) from Canberra
LGA:	Queanbeyan City Council
Localities around Queanbeyan: Yass Gunning Goulburn Canberra Queanbeyan Bungendore Michelago Cooma Captains Flat

Queanbeyan is a city in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in south-eastern New South Wales and is the council seat of the Queanbeyan City Council. It is a city overshadowed somewhat by its proximity to the Australian federal capital city of Canberra: it has effectively become a de facto district of the nearby capital city as it lies on the Australian Capital Territory border and is approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Canberra's CBD, Civic. The border itself is straddled by a railway line. The Queanbeyan River runs through Queanbeyan, near the centre of the city and this area surrounding the river boast some of the highest house prices in the district.

On Census night 2006, Queanbeyan had a population of 34,084 people,^[1] and has been said to be the "fastest growing city in Southern NSW".

History

Location in Australia

Bridge near the centre of town over the river

Royal Hotel in Queanbeyan, built 1926

Queanbeyan Solar Farm established 1999

The "Q" - Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre

A former monastery, St Benedicts now houses a number of local businesses

Queanbeyan's "Tidy Town" awards are proudly displayed on the Queanbeyan Council Chambers Building (c. 1927)

The town grew from a squattage held by ex-convict and inn keeper, Timothy Beard, on the banks of the Molonglo River in what is now present day Oaks Estate. The name Queanbeyan is the anglicised form of 'Quinbean' - an Aboriginal word meaning "clear waters".

Queanbeyan was officially proclaimed a township in 1838 with a population at that time of about 50. The local parish was also known by that name and later still the member for the electorate of Queanbeyan held a seat in the legislative assembly of the colony of NSW.

Some of the significant historic buildings still standing date from colonial days. Traces of gold were discovered in 1851 and lead and silver mines also flourished briefly. Settlers were harassed by bushrangers, of which James Shaw, William Millet, and John Rueben^[2], John Tennant, Jacky Jacky, Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall were some of the more notorious. In 1836, approval was granted for the establishment of a Post Office at Queanbeyan on the Limestone Plains.^[3]

The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited (CBC, now part of the National Australia Bank) opened in Queanbeyan on 19 September, 1859. The Bank of New South Wales began service in Queanbeyan in 1878. The Golden Age (now The Queanbeyan Age) was Queanbeyan's first newspaper and was founded in 1860 by John Gale. In 1880 the residence of John James Wright, the first mayor of Queanbeyan, was constructed along the edge of the Queanbeyan River. In 1982 that building became the Queanbeyan Art Centre.

The Salvation Army claimed an outpost in Queanbeyan in 1884. The corps building was erected close to the town centre on, what is now, Morrisett St. The original building is now used as the corps Family Store.

Queanbeyan, an increasingly successful primary producing district, was proclaimed a Municipality in February 1885 incorporating an area of 5,700 acres (23 km²). The railway reached Queanbeyan railway station in 1887 and it became the junction for the lines going to Canberra and Bombala. The town is served by the twice-daily Countrylink Xplorer service between Canberra and Sydney.

William James Farrer, the wheat experimentalist, established Queanbeyan's reputation as an agricultural district with his famous "Federation" rust-free strain, developed on his property "Lambrigg" at Tharwa. Farrer's work was only slowly recognised elsewhere in Australia, but local farmers supported him, particularly in his development of "Blount's Lambrigg", another strain which in 1889 gave hope to farmers after the disastrous season of 1887 when crops had failed after heavy Christmas rains.

At the height of its rural prosperity Queanbeyan boasted sixteen public houses and six flourmills powered by wind, water, horse and steam. The Royal Hotel on Monaro Street opened in 1926. Canberra was "dry" from 1911 at the time of the territory's foundation until 1928 when Federal Parliament had relocated from Melbourne. In that period many of the capital's residents crossed the border to drink at one of Queanbeyan's hotels.

By 1972 Queanbeyan had little difficulty in meeting the first basic requirement of city status; the population had risen to more than 15,000 and a future population of at least that number was assured. City status was accordingly granted on 7 July 1972. On 21 July, 1975 the Queen's Bridge was opened. This bridge took pressure off the existing bridge in linking Monaro Street directly to the east. From 1982 to 1989, the Canberra Raiders rugby league team played their home games in Queanbeyan, at Seiffert Oval.

Today

Queanbeyan is a regional centre providing the opportunity for people to work in Canberra and live in New South Wales. The city is home to a large shopping centre known as Riverside Plaza. Queanbeyan has most of the major fast food outlets including KFC and selected speciality stores. Queanbeyan has two government high schools, Queanbeyan High and Karabar High. Queanbeyan primary schools include Queanbeyan South Public School, Queanbeyan West Public School, Queanbeyan East Public School, Queanbeyan Public School, Jerrabomberra Public School and St. Gregory's. Queanbeyan has a major hospital, ambulance station, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, community centre, public library and several parks. There is no longer a cinema in Queanbeyan. Much of the growth of Queanbeyan is found in Jerrabomberra, this suburb being created in 1992 and now having a population of over 6000. The city is served by the privately owned bus company, Deane's Buslines. On 16 December, 2006, level 3 water restrictions were introduced for the first time in Queanbeyan.^[4] Queanbeyan is protected by two fire services, NSWFB and a NSWRFS Volunteer Brigade (Queanbeyan City Brigade) ^[5]

Commerce & Industry

Queanbeyan has two light manufacturing/industrial precincts centred on Gilmore Road and Yass Road. The Queanbeyan Solar Farm with 720 Solar Panels has a generating capacity of 50 kW, and is located in the Yass Road area.

Sport and culture

Queanbeyan has a strong sporting culture. One of the major sports in Queanbeyan is Rugby League. The town has two teams, the Queanbeyan Blues and the Queanbeyan Kangaroos, of which the Blues is, as of 2006, the more powerful team. In addition Queanbeyan has a successful Australian Rules Football team, the Queanbeyan Tigers, and a successful Rugby Union team, the Queanbeyan Whites, who secured two premierships in 2007 by claiming the first grade and colts titles. Queanbeyan has fostered many rugby superstars including Ricky Stuart, David Campese, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak, Anthony Faingaa and Saia Faingaa. Other sporting icons include Mark Webber, a Formula One driver, and local sporting heroes Terry Campese and Trevor Thurling who play for the neighboring National Rugby League team the Canberra Raiders.

Queanbeyan includes a diverse range of Indigenous, African, European, Asian and Pacific cultures. Clubs and associations in Queanbeyan cater for many of these groups, including residents having Dutch, Macedonian, Italian or Mediterranean origins^{[citation needed]}.

The Queanbeyan Show, which is now 111 years old, is held annually at the Queanbeyan Showgrounds in November over two days. There are equestrian events, a sideshow alley, art and craft displays, cooking exhibits, an agricultural pavilion and livestock exhibitions. Also held is a Showgirl, Miss Junior Showgirl and Tiny Tots competition.

In February, the Queanbeyan Showgrounds play host to the annual "Convoy for Kids" to aid cancer research. The event is widely supported by community groups, regional businesses and the emergency services. The event attracts hundreds of commercial vehicles, trucks, prime movers and bushfire brigade vehicles. The highlight of the afternoon is the sounding of horns, which can be heard for miles around. Other regular events throughout the year include the Rodeo in March, Field Days, and a camping and off-road vehicle show.

In March 2008, the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre - the Q - became the new home for the Queanbeyan Players who have provided over thirty years of live theatre and dramatic entertainment for the Queanbeyan community.^[6]

Politics

Queanbeyan is part of the Federal marginal seat of Eden-Monaro, currently held by the Hon Mike Kelly for the Federal Government and is in the State seat of Monaro, currently held by Mr Steve Whan for the NSW Government.

Historical places and monuments

Second Boer War memorial erected 1903	World War I memorial erected Anzac Day 25 April 1923	William Farrer memorial.	Memorial Gates - Queanbeyan Showgrounds
John Gale (journalist) "The Father of Canberra"	Historical Queanbeyan suspension foot bridge	Queanbeyan Railway Station

Notable residents

Queanbeyan's "Megan Still Court" immediately adjacent the City Council Chambers, named in honour of Queanbeyan's former olympic women's rowing pair gold medalist

• Mark Webber - Formula 1 driver for Red Bull Racing Winner 2009 German and Brazilian Grands Prix ^[7][8][9]
• David Campese - retired Wallaby winger
• Glen Lazarus - former Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm player, NSW representative
• Matt Giteau - present-day Australian Wallaby player, Australia's highest ever paid domestic football player of any code, plays for Western Force
• Brent Kite - Australian NRL player
• Brad Haddin - Australian cricketer
• Matt Henjak - former Wallaby halfback, former player for the Western Force
• Joe Janiak - former taxi driver ^[10], owner/trainer of gelding racehorse Takeover Target,a Group One winner in each Australian State ^[11]

• George Lazenby - movie star, most noted for being the second official James Bond 007, following Sean Connery
• Hau Latukefu - ARIA award-winning MC & triple j radio & TV presenter
• Heather McKay AM, MBE - Australian squash champion
• Megan Marcks (née Still) - Olympic women's (pairs) rowing gold medallist
• Tommy Murphy - award-winning playwright
• Terry Campese - present Canberra Raiders and Kangaroo's player
• Anthony Faingaa - Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds
• Saia Faingaa - Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds ^[12]
• Ricky Stuart - former Raiders and Kangaroos player, Former Kangaroo's Coach
• David Furner - former Kangaroos and Canberra Raiders player, Canberra Raiders Coach
• Ben Snow - Academy Award Nominee for Visual Effects ^[13]

Suburbs

• Carwoola
• Crestwood
• Environa
• Googong
• Greenleigh
• Jerrabomberra
• Karabar
• Queanbeyan East
• Queanbeyan West
• Queanbeyan
• The Ridgeway
• Royalla
• Tralee

• (Oaks Estate is sometimes mistakenly assumed to be part of Queanbeyan but is in fact located in the Australian Capital Territory.)

Queanbeyan Suburbs

Queanbeyan City - Many innercity homes were built during the "Federation era", circa 1927.	Jerrabomberra - Queanbeyan's fastest growing suburbs.	Queanbeyan City - Bike paths connect the Queanbeyan CBD to the Canberra bike path network.	Karabar, New South Wales - The Queanbeyan River and Karabar - a southern Queanbeyan suburb .
Queanbeyan East, New South Wales - East Queanbeyan as viewed from just outside the city's edge .

Climate

Lightning Storms over Queanbeyan, 21 Feb 2007.

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

References

External links

• "Queanbeyan Rocks", ABC Stateline
• "Queanbeyan City Council", Official website

Coordinates: 35°21′12″S 149°14′3″E / 35.35333°S 149.23417°E / -35.35333; 149.23417

From Wikitravel

Queanbeyan is a town in New South Wales that could almost be considered a town of Canberra.. It is a short 15 minute drive from Canberra and features several tourist highlights.

Understand

There is a large tourism information centre in town, offering information on Queanbeyan, and wherever you may be heading to next.

Get in

Queenbeyan lies to the southwest of Canberra.

The Canberra to Sydney countrylink [1]] train stops at Queanbeyan twice daily in each direction.

By car, from Sydney or Melbourne follow the signs to Canberra, and then turn off to Queanbeyan shortly before arriving. Driving from Sydney it is not necessary to go through Canberra at all.

By plane, Canberra airport is as close to Queanbeyan as it is to Canberra.

Get around

Canberra's bus network does not extend into Queanbeyan.

Deanes bus service [2] offer buses to Canberra Civic and to Canberra Woden, at least every hour. You can interchange with the Canberra bus network at Civic.

• Watch the Queanbeyan Whites Rugby team play at 'Campese Oval'. The Whites are the current title holders of the John I Dent ACT Rugby championship. The 2008 First Grade squad includes the electric Josh Hasting, dynamo flyhalf Johan Kevin and the prolific Henri Seavula. The Whites are renowned locally for expansive running rugby and are ably coached by New Zealander Glen Christina. Former players include Wallaby Great David Campese, Australia's highest paid player Matt Giteau, Scottish International Dave Muir and James Wark.

• Parkway Motel, 8 Lowe Street, Queanbeyan NSW 262 Canberra, Australia, ☎ +61 2 6297 1411 (fax: +61 2 6297 6621), [3]. Parkway Motel is entirely family-owned and operated, offering a unique setting and truly top-notch service that makes your Canberra visit truly memorable. While Parkway gives guests sanctum from the noise of the city, it is still 20 minutes drive from the centre of Canberra. Best rates on official website start at AUD$80.  edit