Coomera and Upper Coomera History
The Coomera River was mapped by a survey party in 1839 and named it Arrowsmith.
By 1865 Coomera was already an important waterway for timber-getters working in the Hinterland. The Binstead family, timber-getters and farmers, settled at Upper Coomera near a good ford in the river, accessible except during floods. This route was used by the first horse mailrun between Brisbane and Nerang.
Later a ferry service was established downstream and this site was called the Ferry Township, or Lower Coomera, to distinguish it from the original settlement. Travellers used the more direct southern route and Coomera township grew and prospered.The ferry was the main link for the coast road until the first Coomera Bridge was opened in 1930. Lower Coomera was also located on the route of the South Coast Rail Line. A rail station here confirmed the future of permanent settlement.
Sugar and maize were grown during the 1870s-80s, but dairying became the main rural industry as sugar growing moved to north Queensland. In 1949 over half the farmers were recorded as being in dairying, with only a few shown as banana and fruit growers. There were still three who grew and milled arrowroot. The village had a primary school, the Upper Coomera Hotel, a store and a sawmill.
By 1865 Coomera was already an important waterway for timber-getters working in the Hinterland. The Binstead family, timber-getters and farmers, settled at Upper Coomera near a good ford in the river, accessible except during floods. This route was used by the first horse mailrun between Brisbane and Nerang.
Later a ferry service was established downstream and this site was called the Ferry Township, or Lower Coomera, to distinguish it from the original settlement. Travellers used the more direct southern route and Coomera township grew and prospered.The ferry was the main link for the coast road until the first Coomera Bridge was opened in 1930. Lower Coomera was also located on the route of the South Coast Rail Line. A rail station here confirmed the future of permanent settlement.
Sugar and maize were grown during the 1870s-80s, but dairying became the main rural industry as sugar growing moved to north Queensland. In 1949 over half the farmers were recorded as being in dairying, with only a few shown as banana and fruit growers. There were still three who grew and milled arrowroot. The village had a primary school, the Upper Coomera Hotel, a store and a sawmill.