Kumbartcho Sanctuary holds more than walking tracks and picnic tables. It carries a history tied to Aboriginal culture, colonial settlement, and community efforts to keep a connection with the land in Eatons Hill.
A Name With Deep Roots
The word “Kumbartcho” comes from the Gubbi Gubbi name for the Hoop Pine, a tree once logged heavily for ship masts and farming clearings. Local accounts note the timber was a resource in early Queensland development, linking the sanctuary to a past where forests shaped industry and livelihoods.
Today, the name serves as a reminder of traditional custodians and the shift from extraction to preservation.
From Wildlife Park To Sanctuary
The site was once part of the old Bunya Wildlife Park, which later gave way to community-led conservation. What was once an attraction for animal viewing evolved into a volunteer-driven sanctuary, blending recreation with local history.
The old reception area now houses an education centre where displays highlight the land’s story, including a diorama tracing ecosystems from mangroves to mountains and exhibits on nocturnal animals.
Community Involvement Over Decades
Local volunteers and Moreton Bay Council have supported the sanctuary’s upkeep for decades. Grants and council partnerships funded upgrades such as air conditioning at the Yuraba Conference Centre, bush house recovery, and education programs.
The sanctuary has remained free to enter, keeping it part of everyday community life rather than a commercialised attraction. Families visit for barbecues and school groups attend for lessons that mix history with environmental education.
Continuing The Legacy
The grounds are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, while the community nursery and education centre operate on limited weekday hours, depending on volunteers. Trails link to the South Pine River and nearby reserves, making the site a bridge between suburban living and the region’s heritage landscape.
By keeping the focus on shared history and access, Kumbartcho Sanctuary shows how local places hold stories worth passing on.
Published 3-October-2025