Inala is a south-west Brisbane suburb about 19 km from the CBD, best known for Inala Plaza and Civic Centre, a big shopping precinct with Vietnamese grocers and restaurants. It suits a food-led half day with a library stop, a skate park and a local park for the kids.
Most visitors come for the Plaza and the produce, so plan lunch around that and add a park on the way home.
Inala Plaza and Civic Centre
Inala Plaza and the Civic Centre are joined and sit on the corner of Kittyhawk and Inala Avenues. This is the largest shopping precinct in the suburb, with two major supermarkets, Vietnamese grocers, restaurants and a mix of independent shops. Inala Library is here too.
The Inala Plaza bus interchange is at the shopping centre, which is how most people arrive without a car.
Fresh produce and Vietnamese food
Grocers at Inala Civic put fruit, vegetables and herbs out the front of their shops, and the area is known for Asian produce.
The Plaza and Civic Centre are also where you will find the restaurants. There are other shopping strips on Biota Street, Skylark Street and around Lavender and Lilac Streets.
Inala Library
Inala Library is inside Inala Civic Centre on Corsair Avenue. It is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday 9 am to 7 pm and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays, and hours change over Christmas and New Year.
It has free Wi-Fi, printing and a hearing loop in the meeting room, and it is wheelchair accessible with a baby change facility. The collection includes books in Vietnamese, Samoan, Sinhalese and Spanish. Visitors park in the shopping centre car park.
Parks and skate parks
Inala has plenty of green space, with parks mostly named after local people.
- Inala Skate Park: at D. J. Sherrington Park, 601 Blunder Road.
- Inala Bowl: a council skate facility at Thrush Street Park, 120 Inala Avenue.
- Kev Hooper Park: a park with paths and native trees and shrubs.
Council’s park finder shows each park’s playground, barbecue and toilet details on its map, so look up the park before you set out with small children. For a bigger riverside playground with water play, see Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks.
A bit of Inala history
The area began as Serviceton after a meeting of ex-servicemen in May 1946 who wanted affordable housing after World War II. The Queensland Housing Commission bought the land in 1949 and 1950, and the suburb was renamed Inala in 1953. The name comes from a Bundjalung word meaning resting time or night time. Inala State School opened in 1955.
The houses built here use a Modernist Revival style with Art Deco elements and reinforced concrete construction, so a drive through the streets is part of the story if you are interested in post-war housing.
Council also lists two community halls in the suburb, and the Inala Community Centre, Hub Neighbourhood Centre and Inala Community House are based here.
Planning your visit
- How long: Two to three hours for the Plaza, a meal and the grocers; add time for the skate park or library.
- Best time: Daytime, when the grocers are open. Check shop trading hours on the day.
- Cost: The parks and library are free.
- What to bring: A reusable bag for produce.
- Accessibility: The library is wheelchair accessible. Check the centre for access to individual shops.
Getting there and parking
By car, Inala is about 19 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 25 minutes without heavy traffic. The shopping centre has a car park, and the library says visitors park there. Cost and time limits are not published.
By bus, buses run from the Inala Plaza bus interchange to nearby train stations and other destinations. Richlands station is about 3 km from central Inala, and Darra and Oxley stations are also close. Use the Translink Journey Planner for routes and times.
More detail on the library is on the council library page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Richlands – neighbourhood playgrounds, a bowling centre and a train station next door.
- Wacol – bushland walks at Pooh Corner and a historic farmhouse.
- Rocklea Markets – Brisbane Markets Saturday fresh market.
- Rocks Riverside Park – big riverside playground and water play.
- Sunnybank – another Brisbane suburb known for Asian food.
- Browse more skate parks and Brisbane days out.
You might also like
- Doug Jennings Park (Main Beach)
- Philip Park (Main Beach)
- MacIntosh Island Park (Gold Coast)
Quick answers
What is Inala known for?
Inala Plaza and Civic Centre, Vietnamese grocers and restaurants, and a community built as post-war housing.
What is there to do in Inala?
Shop and eat at the Plaza and Civic Centre, browse the fresh produce, visit Inala Library or skate at D. J. Sherrington Park.
What time does Inala Library open?
Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday 9 am to 7 pm and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Where is the Inala skate park?
Inala Skate Park is at D. J. Sherrington Park, 601 Blunder Road. The Inala Bowl is at Thrush Street Park, 120 Inala Avenue.
How far is Inala from Brisbane?
About 19 km by road, around 25 minutes by car.
Can you get to Inala by bus?
Yes. There is a bus interchange at Inala Plaza. Check the Translink Journey Planner for routes.
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