The Gap
Postcode: 4825
The Gap is a leafy and hilly suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. The suburb is located 12km west of the Brisbane CBD. The Gap derives its name from its geographical location of being on foothills in a valley (i.e. the gap between hills). The suburb, The Gap, is located between Mount Coot-tha and Enoggera Hill (both Mount Coot-tha and Enoggera Hill form part of the Taylor Range) as well as Mt Nebo.
First settled by Europeans in 1860, The Gap was originally heavily forested. Timber felling was the first industry in the area, and with the removal of the timber the area was turned over to farming. Following World War One the area was broken up into smaller farms for returned servicemen, many of whom farmed poultry and dairy cattle. Many of these farms were too small to be commercially successful.
The district was later subdivided into blocks of land for housing estates, with one of the remnants of The Gap’s former rural identity being The Gap Pony Club. The recreational activities of inhabitants of the suburb are well catered for, with many facilities including many sporting clubs (Soccer, Squash, Tennis, Athletics, Swimming and Golf etc) and there are a number of lush green parks.
The Gap is also where the main entrance to the Brisbane Forest Park is located. A major bushland area in Brisbane’s west, Brisbane Forest Park has many Australian wildlife species, including marsupials, birds, fish and reptiles. Brisbane Forest Park also has an information and wildlife education centre.
The suburb has a large-size shopping centre (which extends from Walton Bridge Reserve to The Gap State High School and Payne Road State School). There are also Churches of many faiths, as well as a local Police Station in the suburb. Ashgrove Fire Brigade, which is at West Ashgrove, is also in close proximity to The Gap.