Moffat Beach, Queensland

Moffat Beach
Caloundra, Queensland
Views from Moffat Head, 2018
Map
Moffat Beach is located in Queensland
Moffat Beach
Moffat Beach
Coordinates26°47′36″S 153°08′19″E / 26.7933°S 153.1386°E / -26.7933; 153.1386
Population2,691 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density1,920/km2 (4,980/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4551
Area1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Sunshine Coast Region
CountyCanning
ParishBribie
State electorate(s)Caloundra
Federal division(s)Fisher
Suburbs around Moffat Beach:
Dicky Beach Dicky Beach Coral Sea
Caloundra Moffat Beach Shelly Beach
Caloundra Caloundra Kings Beach

Moffat Beach is a coastal suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,691 people.[1]

Geography

Moffat Beach is within the Caloundra urban centre, located directly north-east of Caloundra CBD.

History

The suburb and beach were named after James Campbell Moffat, a chemist from Brisbane, who acquired 20 acres (8.1 ha) of coastal land at Caloundra on 18 August 1882. A year later, he built a holiday house c. 500 metres south-east of Moffat Beach on the headland which now also bears his name.[2][3][4][5]

The Queen of the Colonies pandanus tree stood on the headland above the site where 13 passengers from the Queen of the Colonies shipwreck were cast ashore in a small boat during stormy weather in April 1863 while returning from Moreton Island. In 1963, a concrete memorial was erected on the site.[6][7]

In 1888, Caloundra's first guesthouse "Sea Glint" opened on a ridge overlooking present-day Moffat Beach. During this time Sir Thomas McIllwraith, Premier of Queensland, was a regular visitor to Sea Glint on the shore of Tooway Lake or Wilson's Lake as it was then known [7]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,553 people, made up of 1245 (48.8%) male and 1307 (51.2%) female. The median age of the Moffat Beach population was 44 years, above both the Queensland median of 37 and the Australian median of 38. 77.4% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England (5.1%) and New Zealand (4.5%). 92% of people only spoke English at home. Religious affiliations in Moffat Beach were predominantly No Religion (33.5%), Catholic (23.1%) and Anglican (15.4%).[8]

In the 2021 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,691 people.[1]

Education

There are no schools in Moffat Beach. The nearest primary school is Caloundra State School in neighbouring Caloundra. The nearest secondary school is Caloundra State High School also in Caloundra.[9]

Shopping and eating

A bakery, convenience store, doctors' surgery and post office are located at Buccleugh Street.[citation needed]

Cafes, restaurants and takeaways as well as gift shops, an art gallery and craft brewery are located in Seaview Terrace and around the corner into Roderick Street.[citation needed]

Parks and recreation

The Queensland State Government tourism website refers to Moffat Beach as "the Sunshine Coast's hidden gem".[10]

Moffat Beach Park lies between Seaview Terrace and the base of Moffat Head. Overlooking the beach, this park provides a naturally sheltered surf themed playground, as well as shelters with picnic and barbecue facilities. Off-street car parking is provided.[11] Shade along the beachfront in the park is provided by a line of iconic Norfolk pines, believed to have been planted around 1928, that the local council notes have cultural and heritage significance to the Caloundra region.[12][13]

Eleanor Shipley Park stretches from Tooway Lake through to the cafes of Seaview Terrace. Barbecue facilities and picnic shelters are provided, as well as a children's play area and easy access to Moffat beach.[citation needed]

Queensland Tourism summarise as follows: "Peaceful and serene with shade provided courtesy of the pine and pandanus trees that line the shore, breezy Moffat is one of the Sunshine Coast’s top picnic spots."[10]

Roslin Park in Roslin Street provides a children's play area and is dog-friendly.[citation needed]

On Moffat Beach, dogs are allowed off-leash before 8am and after 4pm. The beach itself is unpatrolled.[citation needed]

The Des Dywer walking track is an oceanway that runs from Moffat Beach to Bulcock beach, following the coastline on cliffs and boardwalks.[citation needed]

Surfing

Moffat Beach is protected from southerly winds by Moffat Headland which provides a sought-after surf break.[citation needed]

One of Australia's longest-running surf competitions, the Pa and Ma Bendall Surfing Classic is held every Easter in honour of local surfing legends Charles "Pa" and Marjorie "Ma" Bendall.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Moffat Beach (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ a b "Moffat Beach – suburb in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 48764)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Caloundra, Qld". Aussie Towns. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Heritage". Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Caloundra". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Archived from the original on 27 February 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2004.
  6. ^ "Queen of the Colonies". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  7. ^ a b "1850-1899 | Heritage". Sunshine Coast Council. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  8. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Moffat Beach (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  9. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  10. ^ a b Jamie Wilton (2020). "How to do Moffat Beach, the Sunshine Coast's hidden gem". Tourism and Events Queensland. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Moffat Beach Park". Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
  12. ^ "Shoreline erosion management plan". Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
  13. ^ Jeremy Visser; Lyn Léger; Matthew Barnes; Malcolm Andrews; BMT WBM Brisbane (May 2013). "Sunshine Coast Regional Council Legislative Framework and Generic Shoreline Management Options – Final Report".
  14. ^ "Pa and Ma Bendell Heritage Story". Heritage. Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.