Koongalba

A single storeyed timber and tin private home near the Maroochy River was built in 1894 John Low. John’s father James moved to the district in 1863 with William Grigor, procuring timber in partnership with Brisbane sawmill owner William Pettigrew. James and his family established a timber depot on the Maroochy River opposite Dunethin Rock, also providing services for travellers en route to the Gympie gold diggings. In 1868, a new road was surveyed on a slightly different route, and the Lows moved further along the riverbank adjacent to the new road. They established a store, post office, butcher shop and ran a boarding house, licensed in 1869. James died in 1883 and his widow Christina and son John continued the business. Ten years after his father’s death, John began planning a new house, in preparation for his marriage. He subdivided two allotments either side of Wharf Road, building the house in 1894 on one lot and establishing a garden on the other. John died in 1914 and his widow Louisa remained there until 1957. The house fell into disrepair, but was restored by family members and named ‘Koongalba’, meaning ‘place of clean water’, marking its centenary in 1994. Please note - This is a private residence and is not publicly accessible.