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Moffat Beach, Queensland

Coordinates: 26°47′36″S 153°08′19″E / 26.7933°S 153.1386°E / -26.7933; 153.1386
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Moffat Beach
CaloundraQueensland
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

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

History

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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.
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