NAMBOUR WEB

Nambour is a town situated in south east Queensland, Australia, 101 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane. The town lies in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, where it is the capital, at the foot of the Blackall Range. Nambour has a population of 13,800, as measured in the 2006 census. It was the administrative centre and capital of the Maroochy Shire Council and is now the administrative centre of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

The name is derived from the Aboriginal word "naamba", referring to the red-flowering tea tree Callistemon viminalis.

The area now known as Nambour, was first settled in 1870, by Matthew Carroll. The town was then called Petrie's Creek. In 1890 the Maroochy Divisional Board was established. In 1891 the rail link with Brisbane was completed, and at its opening Petrie's Creek was renamed "Nambour", after the Nambour cattle station.

Along the middle of the roadway of Mill, Currie and Howard Streets, a piece of Queensland Rail history is still on display - the Nambour to Coolum Tramline. The Tramline was used to transport passengers and sugar cane in the early 1920s. The Tramline forms part of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill Cane Tramway, most of which has now been removed; although the track and signal lighting still remain. The town was bypassed by the Bruce Highway in November 1990.

Nambour's primary industry has been sugar, with extensive cane fields surrounding the town, and the Moreton Sugar Mill in the town centre. The mill itself was closed in 2003, and the long term future of the sugar industry in the area is in doubt. Other industries in the area include tourism, and the growing of tropical fruits. The Big Pineapple tourist attraction on the southern outskirts of the town reflects both of these pursuits. Other tourist attractions include The Big Macadamia nut.

Nambour is also known as the place where tennis star, Pat Rafter, made his debut. His name has been on the wall of the local tennis club since he won the junior championship as a sixteen year old. Pat went on to win the U.S. Open twice. His large family is still well known and respected in the district.

Famous people born in Nambour include National Rugby League player Billy Slater, cricketer Ashley Noffke, Bindi Irwin, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan, Powderfinger drummer Jon Coghill and Queensland Bulls Batsman Lee Carseldine.

Kevin Rudd attended Nambour State High School as did Treasurer Wayne Swan and Queensland Nationals deputy leader Fiona Simpson.