North Harbour Heritage Park Official Opening Morning, Sunday November 10th, 9am

October 31, 2019

We’re very pleased to announce that our riverside Heritage Park will be officially opening on Sunday 10th November with a special celebration morning from 9am-12noon.

The North Harbour Heritage Park opening event will feature historical talks by North Harbour’s consulting archaeologist Steve Chaddock, free morning tea and ice cream, entertainment from 101.5FM, arts and craft display from our Community Partner the Artisans’ Guild of Caboolture and District Inc. and free games and activities for children (and the young at heart) to enjoy from our Heritage Partner, The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology. Click here to enjoy an interview with North Harbour Project Manager Bryan Finney about the upcoming the event. 

Games and Activities include:

• Kids Dig-it – learn how to be an archaeologist with the experts from The Abbey Museum

• Archery & games

• Pony rides

We hope to see you there!

North Harbour Heritage Park

The North Harbour Heritage Park is a unique and special project that has come to fruition through the help, interest and support of many people. This will be the first opportunity to experience the Compass Centre and Heritage Walk and learn about the unique history of the site in its beautifully transformed parkland setting. 

Heritage Park is centred around the heritage–listed archaeological remains of the “Moray Fields” settlement and the opening of the Park will mark the first time this area of the Caboolture River has been openly accessible by the public in almost 160 years, since the area’s first European settlement in 1861.

The creation of this unique community park has cost over $3M with $1,535,062 of funds coming from the Federal Government through a funding agreement with the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology. Funding is through the Community Development Grants programme, provided through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development.

The $1,535,062 grant was matched by North Harbour Holdings Pty Ltd, the developer of North Harbour. The Abbey Museum and North Harbour have worked in partnership and provided significant “in-kind” support through project planning, project management, post-construction operation and maintenance.

Edith Cuffe, Abbey Museum CEO, said: “We are delighted to have been part of preserving this significant historical area and displaying the history of “Moray Fields” for everyone to enjoy.

“The site has a number of fascinating stories to tell and provides connections to significant elements in Queensland’s history, including European settlement of the area, history of the South Sea Islander community in the area, separation from NSW and early State Parliament.

“It also gives insight into early industrial endeavors such as the manufacture of rum and refined sugar at Moray Fields.”

When visitors first arrive at Heritage Park, they are encouraged to visit the Compass Centre which tells the history of the site through historic photographs, sketches and information which allow visitors to appreciate the stories and significant developments from the past up to the present day.

After learning about the history of the site, visitors can then walk through the heritage trails and view the remaining artefacts such as the old well, and the steps of the Old Homestead.

On a broader community level, the South Sea Islander history of the site has presented an opportunity to recognise the contribution made by past generations of South Sea Islanders and provide a tangible, visitable focus for the Island and Australian South Sea Islander community and their descendants. Space is being made available for the South Sea Islander community to remember their ancestors at this place.

Acting Project Director Bryan Finney said: “The North Harbour team and our heritage partners the Abbey Museum are looking forward to welcoming the first visitors to this unique and special site – bringing a touch of history to our modern, community-based development.”

North Harbour Heritage Park will be open from 6am to 6pm. For more information please visit our website, www.northharbour.com.au.

Find North Harbour

North Harbour’s Sales and Information Centre & Display Village is open seven days a week, 10am-5pm including public holidays. Located on the corner of Buckley Road and Fraser Drive in Burpengary East, our 31 home Display Village is a great one-stop-shop for house hunters, showcasing brand new designs from 16 of Australia’s best builders. To find out more about our Display Village click here.

North Harbour is the winner of the UDIA Award for Best Residential Subdivision in Queensland and is EnviroDevelopment Accredited. To discover more about North Harbour Heritage Park please contact us and to keep up to date with the latest news and info, including our regular events, please sign up for our email updates and find us on Facebook and Instagram (@northharbourliving).