My suburb is a public transport black spot. At least the streets have fun names

August 10, 2026 — 5:00am

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“McWhere?” people ask when I speak of my home of more than 20 years. We were barely aware of this suburb’s existence until we started house-hunting as our little family grew.

Our new suburb gradually filled with young families, settling into homes vacated by empty nesters. Surrounded by Stafford Heights, Bridgeman Downs and Chermside West (West Chermside in my day), McDowall is less than 10 kilometres from the CBD, but feels like 50 when you’re walking your dog through the bushy hills of the Raven Street Reserve.

Some folks boast their suburb is the beating the heart of the city, but what good is a heart without lungs? Leafy McDowall is a suburb with room to breathe.

I was gobsmacked when I spotted my first wallaby bouncing down our street, only to discover the green hills are alive with koalas, wallabies, possums, gliders, rakali (our own native otter), reptiles and more bird life than you can poke a stick at.

McDowall also has a darker past. In 2000, triple police shooter Nigel Parodi absconded into the Chermside Hills, sparking a massive manhunt. He was found weeks later, deceased. His victims all miraculously survived.

Both reserves are also the favourite........

© Brisbane Times