Canungra, Queensland

Canungra Queensland
The historic Canungra Hotel
Canungra
Coordinates	28°02′0″S 153°10′0″E / 28.03333°S 153.16667°E / -28.03333; 153.16667Coordinates: 28°02′0″S 153°10′0″E / 28.03333°S 153.16667°E / -28.03333; 153.16667
Population	746 (2011 census)
Postcode(s)	4275
LGA(s)	Scenic Rim Region
State electorate(s)	Beaudesert
Federal Division(s)	Wright
Localities around Canungra: Biddaddabba Benobble Witheren Biddaddabba Nindooinbah Canungra Witheren Nindooinbah Sarabah Witheren

Canungra /kəˈnʌŋɡrə/ is a small rural township 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, 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of the Gold Coast and 90 kilometres (56 mi) 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.

Canungra Post Office opened by May 1907 (a receiving office had been open from 1888, known at first as Canningera Creek).

Canungra owes its existence to the timber industry and once boasted one of the largest stands of timber in the colony. David Lahey, the father of Romeo Lahey, owned one of Queensland's largest sawmills at Canungra (Lahey's Canungra Sawmill). By the 1940s most of the timber had been cut and sawmills were closing. The historic Laheys Tramway Tunnel is the only remnant of the past sawmilling activities in the area. Following this logging era came beef cattle and dairying.