[8] In the 1820s, Bulimba was called Toogoolawah and was settled as a farming district, with residential subdivision commencing in the 1880s land boom.

A Primitive Methodist congregation was formed and met "in the shade of a large tree which stood midway between the Bulimba Ferry and the site of the present church".

[24][25][26] In September 1884, 39 subdivided allotments of "Amos Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by Hooker, Son and Elliot.

[27] A map advertising the auction shows that the estate was located directly opposite the river from the Hamilton Hotel and adjacent to Apollo Candle Works.

[29] A map advertising the auction shows the proximity of the estate to the Brisbane River, the State School, a local Church and Apollo Candle Works.

[30] In 1885, the first bicycle (Safety Cycle) was built in Queensland by Reginald Blunt of Bulimba and proudly raced on by Brisbane cyclist Peter Dowd.

[32] A map advertising the auction shows the site of a proposed suspension bridge across the Brisbane River.

[35] A map advertising the auction shows the proximity of the estate to several landmarks including Bulimba, New Farm, Kangaroo Point and Queen Street, Brisbane CBD.

[37][38] T Whitty constructed it at a cost of £700 and the first service was held there on 29 September 1888 on St Michael and All Angels Day, at which Archdeacon of Brisbane, Nathaniel Dawes, blessed the building.

[46] A map advertising the auction shows the location of the estate in proximity to the Brisbane River and the Cleveland Railway Line.

[citation needed] In April 1890, "Allendale Estate" made up of 85 allotments was advertised for auction by John S.

[52][53][54][55] In September 1906, the opening of the Dalgety's new wool and grain store in Newstead meant many locals were employed.

[58] A map advertising the auction states that the estate had lovely river views and was a place "Where the ocean breezes ever blow".

[59] At the end of World War I, Bulimba took part in the social housing project by constructing five ANZAC cottages.

[60][61] On 12 December 1915, Archbishop James Duhig laid the foundation stone for a Catholic school in Bulimba.

[62] Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic School was operated by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and opened to an estimated 200 students on 3 February 1916.

[67][68][69][70][71][72] In February 1918, 256 grand riverview sites of "New Dock Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by Isles, Love and Co.[73] A map advertising the auction states that the sites would be splendid for motor boatists, dock engineers, boiler makers, foundry hands and boat builders.

[76] In November 1923, the "School of Arts Estate" at the Bulimba 5 ways, made up of 72 allotments, was advertised to be auctioned by B. Hanniffe A.F.I.A.

The land was advertised as green lawn allotments with water and electric light adjacent, and suitable for business or home sites.

[78] Norman R Wright & Sons have operated a shipyard in Bulimba since the 1930s, where many of the Transdev Brisbane Ferries were built.

The Australian Government Department of Defence announced the sale of the Bulimba Barracks in March 2015, while retaining part of the site as HMAS Moreton and since this time, the Brisbane City Council has engaged in consultation with the community and has amended the City Plan to support future green space initiatives along the river, housing development, and infrastructure upgrades.

[107] The Brisbane City Council operates a public library on the corner of Oxford Street and Riding Road.

[25][110][26] The 12th Army Cadet Unit parades at HMAS Moreton on Monday nights, since 2006 after relocating from Camp Hill.