Area Hotlist — Rocklea - Acacia Ridge QLD
20 lifestyle anchors proven to sell property across the Rocklea - Acacia Ridge area
Area Hotlist — Rocklea – Acacia Ridge
Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown packs over 130 specialty stores anchored by Kmart, Coles and Woolworths under one roof. Cafés spill onto airy walkways, weekend markets pop-up out front and frequent TransLink buses zip you to the door in minutes. Locals love it for the effortless big-shop fix and family-friendly vibe.
Sunnybank Plaza
Linked by breezy walkways to Market Square, Sunnybank Plaza blends Asian-inspired eateries with Event Cinemas, Coles and a bustling fresh-food hall. It’s the district’s go-to for late-night dumplings and a movie, just 8 minutes up Mains Road from Acacia Ridge, making mid-week entertainment delightfully close.
Forest Lake Shopping Centre
Set beside the community’s namesake lake, Forest Lake Shopping Centre offers 80+ retailers, a lively Saturday market and leafy courtyards perfect for coffee after a lakeside stroll. The centre is only 12 minutes west of Rocklea via the Logan Motorway, delivering everyday convenience without the major-mall hustle.
Griffith University
Griffith University’s Nathan campus is a verdant 55-hectare learning hub bordered by Toohey Forest, renowned for environmental science, health and business faculties. Express buses from Acacia Ridge reach lectures in 15 minutes, making postgraduate study or professional up-skilling an accessible lifestyle upgrade for residents.
Acacia Ridge State School
Established in 1958, Acacia Ridge State School sits on spacious grounds with modern STEM labs, shaded play areas and a multicultural ethos that mirrors the suburb. Families appreciate its walkable location and strong community events calendar, easing the morning commute while nurturing confident lifelong learners.
Market Square (Sunnybank)
Recently redeveloped, Market Square is Brisbane’s unofficial Chinatown, crammed with bubble-tea bars, Korean BBQ joints and sleek Asian grocers that trade until 2 am. A 10-minute drive from Acacia Ridge turns weeknight dinners into foodie adventures, with secure parking and an energetic neon-lit atmosphere.
Forest Lake (lake & town centre)
Ringed by walking paths, picnic lawns and cafés, the 10-hectare Forest Lake is the suburb’s scenic heart. Paddle a kayak at dawn then wander to the town centre for brunch or twilight live music. Its relaxed, water-side lifestyle sits just 12 kilometres south-west of Rocklea.
Grand Plaza (Browns Plains)
Grand Plaza delivers big-box retail—including Big W, JB Hi-Fi and Aldi—plus a family food court and indoor play zone, all 20 minutes down the Mount Lindesay Highway. Free parking and frequent bus connections make this Browns Plains centre a handy weekend destination for larger household purchases.
Brisbane Airport
With direct flights to 30+ domestic destinations and a growing international terminal, Brisbane Airport places global connections within a half-hour drive via the M7. Early-morning business trips and Bali getaways alike start stress-free for Rocklea residents, helped by abundant parking and 24-hour rail links.
Forest Lake State High School
Offering specialised athletic and performing arts programs, Forest Lake State High nurtures talent across modern classrooms, an 800-seat auditorium and Olympic-standard sports fields. Regular bus routes from Acacia Ridge take under 15 minutes, giving teenagers supportive teachers and diverse pathways without exhausting commutes.
QEII Hospital (Nathan)
QEII Jubilee Hospital provides 24-hour emergency care, day surgery, maternity and allied-health services just north of Acacia Ridge. Its smaller-scale facilities mean shorter wait times, while proximity to Griffith University fosters cutting-edge research that benefits local patients.
Westfield Garden City
Westfield Garden City combines luxury labels, casual dining and an outdoor Town Square entertainment zone only 15 kilometres away at Upper Mount Gravatt. With direct bus-way access and 4,700 parking bays, it’s the region’s style capital for fashion refreshes, rooftop cocktails and late-night retail therapy.
Acacia Market Place
Conveniently located on Beaudesert Road, Acacia Market Place clusters Aldi, chemists, cafés and daily-needs services in a compact open-air strip. Shaded parking and a relaxed layout make grabbing groceries or a quick coffee outing effortless for locals, literally minutes from most Rocklea-Acacia Ridge addresses.
Sunnybank State High School
Sunnybank State High prides itself on multicultural excellence programs, language immersion and thriving robotics clubs. Students from Acacia Ridge reach campus in 12 minutes by bus, accessing modern science labs and partnerships with nearby Griffith University that pave strong pathways to tertiary study.
St Fatima’s Primary School
St Fatima’s Catholic Primary offers a close-knit learning environment with contemporary classrooms, an award-winning music program and expansive playing fields. Located within Acacia Ridge, morning drop-off takes moments, freeing parents for an easy city commute while children benefit from values-based education.
Runcorn Heights State School
Surrounded by quiet suburban streets, Runcorn Heights State School is celebrated for its inclusive ethos, well-resourced digital classrooms and flourishing community garden. The campus lies a 10-minute hop east of Acacia Ridge, giving families an alternative primary option without having to cross the river.
The Elizabeth Street Shopping Centre
Anchored by Woolworths with ample undercover parking, The Elizabeth Street Shopping Centre in Acacia Ridge concentrates everyday essentials—pharmacy, newsagent, bottle-shop—into an easy stop on the school-run circuit. Weekday trading hours from 7 am mean bread, milk or a takeaway latte are sorted before work.
Sunnybank Private Hospital
Sunnybank Private Hospital delivers specialist surgical, maternity and rehabilitation services in boutique surrounds, backed by attentive nursing ratios. Only a 12-minute drive from Rocklea, it offers patients shorter waiting lists and private-room comfort, plus onsite cafés for visiting family.
Lakewood Avenue Park
Tucked beside Forest Lake, Lakewood Avenue Park features shaded barbecue shelters, an adventure playground and lakeside boardwalks where ibis and swans glide past. Weekend fitness classes and twilight picnics attract families from Acacia Ridge seeking green space just a 10-minute freeway trip away.
Pinelands Plaza
Pinelands Plaza is a compact centre famous for its Hong Kong-style bakeries, Asian supermarkets and skip-the-queue medical clinic. Located on Pinelands Road, it’s a stress-free 8-minute hop by car, ideal for quick mid-week grocery runs or an authentic roast-pork lunch.