Newmarket

Interesting facts about Newmarket

Newmarket is an inner north-western suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is located approximately 5km from the Brisbane central business district (CBD) and is surrounded by the suburbs of Alderley to the north, Ashgrove to the west, Kelvin Grove to the south, and Wilston to the east. It is an older, mostly residential suburb containing pre-war and post-war homes, including many fine examples of the Queenslander style of home. Over the last few years, some medium-density townhouses and unit blocks have appeared as well.

History

Newmarket was originally known as "The Three Mile Scrub" due to its distance from the city, and Ashgrove Avenue, which links Enoggera Road with Waterworks Road to the west, was known as Three Mile Scrub Road. As settlement continued northward along Kelvin Grove Road in the late 19th Century, livestock saleyards opened in the area bordered by Enoggera Road, Newmarket Road, Wilston Road and Alderson Street, and were serviced by Newmarket train station after the rail line was extended from Mayne Junction in 1899. As urban development continued in Newmarket the saleyards were moved to Cannon Hill in 1931. Evidence of the saleyards can still be seen in a number of narrow laneways, most likely old cattle tracks between stockyards, that still exist in this neighbourhood.

Recreation

Newmarket offers a number of options to locals and nearby residents. The Brisbane City Council operates a public swimming pool in Sedgeley Park, on Alderson Street. Enoggera Creek, which forms the southern boundary of Newmarket, contains a linear park and bikeway. The suburb has several sporting ovals, including Spencer Park, which is home to Brisbane City Football Club and Windsor Royals Baseball Club, and McCook Park, which is home to Newmarket Soccer Football Club.

The first stage of the Newmarket Shopping Centre opened in 2005. The shopping centre contains a Coles Supermarket, Nando's, Subway, Gloria Jean's and several specialty stores. There are plans to build a cinema complex at this site in the near future. The historic Newmarket Hotel, established 1897, has been completely renovated and is now a buzzing hive of activity most nights of the week. Both the Newmarket Hotel and shopping centre are located on the corner of Newmarket Road and Enoggera Road, at Newmarket.