HISTORY
Banyo was originally settled in the late 1840’s by farmers, but wasn’t given the name currently used today until 1897. The Commissioner of Railways, James Dixon named the suburb using an Aboriginal word to describe a small hill, or ridge. This hill was extensively quarried during WWII for the Eagle Farm airport and is now mostly unnoticeable. Banyo was the perfect location for US troops and the suburb really came into its own during the war, with the help of foreign aid. The US army created 45 warehouses as part of the Brisbane General Depot in the first half of the war, and expanded this to over 70 by 1945. Banyo is intertwined with both residential properties and commercial warehouses, due to its proximity to the Brisbane Airport and Port of Brisbane, as well as ease of access to the Gateway Motorway.
REAL ESTATE & DESIGN
Older style homes do appear to be more popular in Banyo, especially those located closer to the industrial areas. Banyo offers fantastic investment opportunities, as well as great homes for those first home buyers looking to take their first steps into real estate. There are new estates being developed in Banyo, on old farmland.
SHOPPING
Shopping in Banyo sees many residents shopping locally in the streets surrounding the railway, or else heading for a short drive over to Chermside or Centro Toombul shopping centres. Many specialty stores which are open to the public, also operate from the numerous warehouses around Robinson Road.
SPORTS AND FITNESS
Banyo Bowls Club is a popular venue and there are nearby golf clubs for the golfing enthusiast. Local fitness gyms are also located nearby.
DISTANCE FROM CBD & TRANSPORTATION
Banyo is, of course, the gateway to the Gateway; the suburb was selected in WWII for it accessibility to the Gateway Motorway, which in turn heads north on the Bruce Highway, or joins the Pacific Highway (M1) further to the south of Brisbane. Banyo is only 11km to Brisbane City, and only minutes drive to the Brisbane Airport, accessible to the Port of Brisbane, and hosts its own Railway Station, with many buses transferring here.
FAMOUS LANDMARKS
In 2003, the Australian Catholic University was erected on the site of the Pius XII seminary, which was also known as Beehive Hill. Banyo also finds part of the Golden Circle cannery within its boundary, although it does technically reside in Northgate.
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
Many local cafes have set up shop in the heart of Banyo.
SCHOOLS, EDUCATION & INSTITUTIONS
Earnshaw College was opened in 1955 when Banyo State High School and Nudgee State School were amalgamated due to financial pressures within the local government at the time. The Australian Catholic College (Brisbane Campus) is located on the old seminary, which closed in 2001, and is now one of the fastest growing tertiary education campuses in Australia.