Tarragindi

Tarragindi is a suburb with a fascinating story that spans thousands of years of Indigenous culture and a unique naming history.

Traditional Landowners & The Meaning of “Tarragindi”

Before European settlement, the area was the traditional home of the Jagera and Turrbal people. Specifically, the Coorparoo clan occupied much of the land south of the Brisbane River, including the area now known as Tarragindi.

Did you know?

• A Human Legacy: Unlike many Brisbane suburbs that take their names from Aboriginal words for local plants or animals, Tarragindi is named after a person. Tarragindi Tasserone was a South Sea Islander from the Loyalty Islands (modern-day New Caledonia).
• The “Camp on the Hill”: Tarragindi Tasserone was a much-loved employee of early settler William Grimes. When Grimes was building his home on the hill, Tasserone suggested the name “Tarragindi,” which reportedly translates to “camp on the hill” in his native language.
• Ekibin’s Roots: The northern part of the suburb was originally known as Ekibin. This name is derived from the Aboriginal word “Yekkabin,” referring to the aquatic plants with edible roots that grew abundantly in the local creeks.
• Toohey Forest: This iconic 260-hectare forest on Tarragindi’s border is named after James Toohey, an Irishman who became a major landowner in the 1860s. Today, it remains a vital green lung for the suburb, filled with sandstone ridges and diverse wildlife.