Sugars' Quarry

Quarry on the River

Sugars’ basalt (“blue metal”) quarry is now part of the Anstead Bushland Reserve, on the Brisbane River.

In 1874, Thomas Sugars began quarrying the significant lode of basalt found here. Most of the stone was crushed on site, then barged downriver with the tides, to be used for roadmaking and concrete manufacture.

Moggill Quarry buildings: Sugars' Quarry buildings high above the Brisbane River (courtesy of Wilma Russell)

The Brisbane Courier of 15 June 1895 reported:

The quarry has a splendid face of 150ft in depth, by a breadth of 300ft of hard basalt rock, very suitable for road making and concrete. Scarcely any stripping is required, which is an important factor in quarrying work.
The Brisbane Courier
15 June 1895
Moggill Quarry workers: Sugars' Quarry workers and the rockface of the quarry (courtesy of Wilma Russell)

After 1915, the quarry operated under a number of owners until it was acquired by Brisbane City Council in 1950. Council continued to operate here until 1963, when it closed the quarry.

In 1995 the site was reserved as a park, named in 2003 “Anstead Bushland Reserve”.

Sugars Quarry Interpretative Sign: outlining the history of Sugars' Quarry has been installed at the lookout above (courtesy of BCC and Judith Nissen)

Where is Sugars Quarry located?

Sugars Quarry is located in the Anstead Bush Reserve which is approximately 20kms south-west of the Brisbane CBD

Address: enter off Hawksbury Road (Mt Crosby Road end)

Grid reference: 27032’45.15” S; 152051’16.54”