Colinton and the War Memorial

Colinton can be discovered at a remarkably specific place: Colinton War Memorial is listed as protected heritage and is located in Colinton. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail runs through the surrounding area. Its form, an engraved inscription and the names of people from the Colinton area connect the site with a clearly defined remembrance. At the same time, its location on the trail draws attention to another side of the destination: alongside its historical significance is a route that can be travelled on horseback, by bicycle or on foot. This gives you a choice when planning your visit between focusing on local remembrance and enjoying an active experience.

Form, Inscription and Remembrance

The memorial consists of a stone slab on a stepped base. An urn sits at the top, with a carved laurel wreath beneath it. The arrangement makes the structure easy to follow from top to bottom: the urn, wreath and stepped base form its individual elements. The engraved inscription “Colinton Honour Roll - Our Boys” arches over the upper section. Its materials, structure and lettering give the memorial specific features that can be used to describe its design. It is therefore more than a general impression of a monument: its individual shapes and the placement of the inscription define its appearance. For families looking to explore historical sites together, these details can provide a starting point for conversation.

1917 and the Names from Colinton

Colinton War Memorial was unveiled in 1917 and designed by Frank Williams. It bears the names of 43 men from the Colinton area who enlisted for military service in the First World War. The number thus refers to a specific group and a particular local context. Together with the unveiling date, it helps place the memorial in time; the names refer to the men being remembered. The inscription “Our Boys” also takes on a clear meaning in light of these names. The year, inscription and list of names represent different aspects of the memorial: its unveiling, its design and the people from the Colinton area whose names it bears.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail runs through the area surrounding Colinton and can be travelled on horseback, by bicycle or on foot. This offers a choice of how to get around alongside visiting the historic site: you can experience the trail on horseback, by bicycle or on foot. Nearby, the Harlin–Moore section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail features creek crossings and elevated viewpoints. These landscape features add another perspective on the surrounding area to the historical focus. The difference is clear when planning your trip: the memorial draws attention to Colinton’s history, while the trail can put different ways of travelling and the surrounding landscape at the centre of your visit.

Planning a Trip to Colinton

The memorial was relocated to a public park beside a service station on the D’Aguilar Highway. This part of its history is as much a part of the memorial’s story as its structure and inscription. If you are considering Colinton as a destination for a holiday rental, you can shape your trip around two interests: the history reflected in the memorial’s names and design, or actively exploring the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Families can discuss this distinction while planning: would you rather focus on local remembrance together, or travel along the trail? Colinton offers a specific starting point for deciding what kind of trip you want.

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