The historic town of Bonalbo, with its population of 500 people, was established in 1910 and has supported the timber, beef cattle and dairy industries from the outset. Because of it’s unique services and facilities it continues to support surrounding villages and properties.

In the early days of settlement every household had a milking cow, and that cow was grazed on the village common with all the other cows belonging to the villagers. The early settlers were very energetic when it came to planting trees and Bonalbo today has an abundance of mature trees that offer cool shade in summer as well as a haven for the wide variety of birds that migrate through the region seasonally.

The Bonalbo Common is recognized as an outstanding example of tree preservation and quality community open space. The magnificent old Red Gums are a rare example of these impressive trees and the examples on the Bonalbo Common are thought to be more that 400 years old. Sadly there are on more Bloodwood Trees left in Bonalbo. The local aboriginal Githibul dialect has given us the word “bunawlbu” meaning bloodwood trees from which Bonalbo derives its name.

When entering Bonalbo from the North visitors can look down on the magnificent scene of the Bonalbo Show Ground, said to be the most picturesque showground on the North Coast.
Bonalbo is a peaceful, well catered for town, solid in its historical past and open for the 21st century and only 3 hours from Brisbane.