Bethania
Postcode: 4205
Bethania is an outer southern suburb of Brisbane, though it is legally part of Gold Coast city. It is situated on the main southern suburban railway and lies south of the Logan River. It occasionally suffers floods.
A separate branch railway runs to Beaudesert but has been out of commission since August 2004.
Bethania was founded by Germans during the 19th century and is home to many different nationalities. Its home to three retirement villages. And contains a community centre, soccer club, swimming pool and a small skate park.
Bethania, a semi-rural pocket near Beenleigh, halfway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, was originally a cane farming and dairying area, but is now slowly being converted to residential. It still retains a certain rustic charm, although it is being broken up into smaller holdings.
Just down the road on the banks of the Logan River is the famous Beenleigh Rum Distillery, which has been making that delightfully-potent brew since 1884. The distillery is open to the public on weekdays.