Canungra, Queensland 5.05

Canungra is a small rural town and locality in the Scenic Rim Region local government area of South East Queensland, Australia. Its economy depends on tourism, being a popular destination for short drives from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Canungra, also called the "Valley of the Owls", is situated in the Gold Coast hinterland, 35km west of the Gold Coast and 90km south of Brisbane. At the 2011 census, Canungra had a population of 746.One of the origin of the town's name comes from the Aboriginal word for small owls, "Caningera". The most notable owl found in the area is the southern boobook owl, which appears in various logos and symbols associated with Canungra. In 2005, the local Post Office released a special limited-release frank featuring Canungra and the boobook owl. However the word Cunungra comes from the Yugambeh word gungunga meaning "a long flat or clearing".Residents and business in Canungra get their water supply from Canungra Creek, a tributary of Albert River. The slopes around Canungra are steep and forested with some cleared farmlands and rural homes in the flatter valley areas.HistoryCanungra Post Office opened by May 1907 (a receiving office had been open from 1888, known at first as Canningera Creek).