Southport

Southport (including Main Beach, The Spit, Labrador, Biggera Waters, Runaway Bay, Hollywell, Paradise Point, Boykambil, Coombabah, Sanctuary Cove, Coomera and Oxenford)
Centre of the Gold Coast's major tourist attractions.
Located 75 km south of Brisbane, Southport is a commercial and administrative centre at the northern end of the city of the Gold Coast. It is situated behind the waterway known as The Broadwater (at the mouth of the Nerang River) which is, in turn, sheltered from the ocean by a lengthy sandy promontory known as The Spit which extends almost to the southern tip of South Stradbroke Island. The small opening between The Spit and Stradbroke forms the opening of The Broadwater which boasts a superb marina, Sea World and the Sheraton Mirage Hotel.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area was well used by Aboriginal tribes who fished and lived here, using a place such as Coomera as a site for intiation ceremonies. The coastline was traversed by Captain Cook in 1770, by John Oxley in 1799 and 1802, and the opening of The Broadwater was noted in 1822 by John Bringle. White settlement of the area commenced with timber-getters in the 1840s and agriculture in the 1860s. The American Civil War created opportunities for cotton-growing at that time, though sugar was being grown by the late 1870s. The first known white settler took root here in 1869 and the present townsite was surveyed in 1874. It was prophetically named Southport by state politician and newspaperman T.B. Stephens after a resort in Lancashire.

The Southport Hotel was built in 1876 and traffic increased when a ferry service across the Nerang River was established that same year. Cobb & Co coaches started offering a service to and from Brisbane in the mid-1870s. The pier, now long departed, was constructed in 1880 and extended to 800 feet in 1883. The area known as Main Beach (where the Sheraton Mirage is located) was sold in 1885 and the railway arrived in 1889. This facilitated access to what was an increasingly popular seaside resort and recreational fishing area, with kiosks and a bath built in the 1890s.

The Town of Southport was gazetted in 1918 and a coastal road was completed in 1923. From this point land prices began to steadily escalate, earning the area the name 'Gold Coast'.

The development of the area since World War I has been continuous. The bridge over the Nerang River was completed in 1925, providing easy access to the area. The old wooden bridge was eventually replaced by a concrete structure in 1966 so that now the visitor barely notices the fact that they are crossing the river.

The Town of Southport was amalagamated with the Town of Coolangatta and part of Nerang shire to form the Town of South Coast in 1948. The removal of building restrictions in the early 1950s saw the emergence of the present high-rise phenomenon and by 1959 'South Coast' was changed to the 'City of Gold Coast' with Southport functioning as its administrative centre. Canal-based residential developments emerged in the 1960s which, together with the high-rise, has prompted concerns about the impact on the natural environment. Since that time growth has been considerable with the population of the City increasing from about 33,000 in 1961 to over 250,000 in 1991.

Today the Southport area concentrates entirely on tourism. The old buildings and the history of the area has been brushed aside by progress and the desire to convert the whole area into a modern holiday town. If you feel nostalgic try and imagine that once the old Southport Hotel (1876) served travellers through this district. It is hard to imagine that once there were horses and drays and bushmen walking in this area and quenching their thirst at an old wooden pub.

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Things to see:

Main Beach and The Spit
At the expanse of sand known as 'Narrow Neck' an artificial reef has been constructed to protect Main Beach from heavy surf. To its north are the historic Main Beach bathing pavilion, the Southport Surf Life Saving Club on Macarthur Parade, then the lengthy narrow promontory known as The Spit. Seaworld Drive extends north all the way along The Spit, past the Sheraton Mirage Hotel and Sea World.

On the eastern side of Seaworld Drive is an extensive foreshore greenery that extends all the way along The Spit. Most of it is known as Philip Park, which is crisscrossed by walking paths. There are two parking areas just south of Sea World with nearby barbecue facilities. South of the Sheraton is Hollindale Park, which has more walking tracks, public toilets, public telephones and there are picnic facilities at the southern end of Seaworld Drive. In the north-western corner of The Spit is Doug Jennings Park and, opposite, extending 500 metres out into the ocean, is a jetty beloved of anglers.

There is a marina behind the Sheraton Mirage and another further south which is associated with the Southport Yacht Club, at the southern end of Seaworld Drive. All manner of charter services, cruises and watersports hire services are available at the Mirage Marina. On the northern side of the Mirage comlex is Fisherman's Wharf which offers all manner of food, fashion and entertainment.

For information on beaches south of Southport see entry on Surfers Paradise.

Sea World
Sea World, facing The Broadwater, is a huge 25-hectare marine park (the largest of its kind in Australia). It offers a combination of rides, shows and attractions, including such hair-raising machines as the Three Loop Corkscrew and Lasseters Lost Mine. Unlike Wet'n'Wild (see subsequent entry), which is basically participation-oriented, Sea World is essentially a range of shows and rides. The crowds are attracted by the spectacular waterskiing displays and the dolphins, sea lions and penguins which perform for the crowds. So successful has Sea World become that there is now a specific hotel - the Nara Sea World - attached to the complex. It offers free entry with accommodation under certain circumstances.

Current publicity for Sea World states: "Come and see Australia's only Polar bear cubs Lia and her brother Lutik, in their home at Sea World's Polar Bear Shores - one of the most technologically advanced exhibits for Polar bears in the world. The playful cubs have joined older bears Ping Ping and Kanook, and will delight guests with their energetic and spirited antics.

"Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach, is the vacation spot for the globe's top toon stars. Kids of all ages can hang out toon favourites The Powerpuff Girls, Cow and Chicken, Dexter and Dee Dee, Johnny Bravo and Tom and Jerry. Kids can cruise the highways in 'Woody's Beachtrucks', catch a bird's eye view from the top of 'Toonpoint Lighthouse', take to the skies in the 'Air-See Rescue' choppers and then cool off in 'Dexter¹s Time Machine', a dancing fountain full of splashing surprises!

"Marvel at the new generation of Sea World dolphins at Dolphin Cove and laugh at the antics of the seals and sea lions in the Quest for the Golden Seal Show. There's also the action of Ski Challenge, the hottest, action packed stunt filled extravaganza, the swashbuckling Pirates 3D Adventure, the thrills of Australia's first triple loop Corkscrew rollercoaster and the excitement of Bermuda Triangle."

For 24-hour recorded information about operating hours, prices, shows and attractions ring 133 FUN or [phone] or check out: http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/

The Broadwater: Boat Ramps, Other Waterside Facilities and the Gold Coast's Northern Suburbs
The Broadwater is just that - a broad body of calm water at the mouth of the Nerang River. it is essentially enclosed between the mainland to the west and, to the east, by The Spit and South Stradbroke Island, with a small opening to the ocean, known as the Gold Coast Seaway which is located between the northern end of The Spit and the southern end of South Stradbroke. Further north the Broadwater's identity is lost as it becomes mixed up with the many tiny sand islands which lie between the mainland and Stradbroke, ultimately leading to Moreton Bay.

There are a number of boat ramps on The Broadwater. On the eastern shore (i.e., the western side of The Spit) there are three: the southernmost is on Pelican Beach, adjacent the jetty, by the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Waterways Drive; the second is adjacent the marina at the southern end of Seaworld Drive, and the third is on the northern side of Sea World, off Muriel Henchman Drive.

On the western side of The Broadwater, at Southport, there is a good amount of foreshore parkland. Heading north from the mouth of the river, there is the Andrews Family Centenary Park then Anzac Park, adjacent the Gold Coast Highway. Anzac Park has a large parking area, a swimming pool and a boat ramp. On its northern side is Tuesleys Jetty, then a caravan park, then a boat ramp at the mouth of Loder Creek. On the northern side of this estuary is the suburb of Labrador with Leonard Fox Park on the foreshore. Labrador was named by an early white settler after the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. In 1881 a hotel was opened here by the Queensland manager of Cobb & Co coach services. Further north (adjacent Marine Parade) are two jetties and a boat ramp at the southern end of Hartley Park.

Continuing northwards along the western shore of The Broadwater the visitor comes to the suburb of Biggera Waters. Once an area given over to farming and fishing, it is now home to a large direct outlet shopping centre known as Harbourtown. Fishing charters, 4WD trips to North Stradbroke Island, and day trips to Sanctuary Cove and South Stradbroke Island operate from Biggera Waters. There is a boat ramp at the mouth of the waterway after which the suburb is named (off Ray St). Just north of the estuary is a marina and Pacific Park, which has picnic tables, both within the suburb of Runaway Bay. A ferry departs from the marina adjacent Runaway Bay Shopping Village for South Stradbroke Island (see entry on Stradbroke Island) and Runaway Bay is a base for cruises to South Stradbroke and Sanctuary Cove and for 4WD treks to South Stradbroke. Runaway Bay also has a Sports Super Centre and skating facilities.

There is a boat ramp at the northern end of Runaway Bay (off Howard St). Just north of here are the Hollywell marina and, nearby, two boat ramps on Centenary Drive. There is a yacht club adjacent the walkway out to Ephraim Island.

To its north, Sovereign Islands, the mouth of the Coomera River and Coomera Island Conservation Park signal the end of settlement along the Broadwater. 1800 acres of land at the river mouth were granted in the 1860s to Louis Hope, a pioneer of the Queensland sugar industry. Nearby Hope Island was named in his honour.

Sanctuary Cove
At the north-eastern end of the Gold Coast, on the southern bank of the Coomera River (just behind The Broadwater) is Sanctuary Cove - a dubious brainchild of the hype and 'entrepreneurial' activity of the turgid 1980s. It was created by a Queenslander named Mike Gore who became synonymous with the term 'the white shoe brigade', which was used to describe hucksterish businessmen whose ethics came a definite second to the business of making money. It was opened with a rare concert by Frank Sinatra and has since grown to consist of two excellent golf courses, a shopping centre called Marine Village, which has more than 75 shops ranging from gift shops to restaurants, cafes and bars and lots of very expensive housing designed for retired millionaires. Much of the development has been carved out of the shores of the river. It is an integrated design which smacks of both wealth and artificiality.

Sanctuary Cove also hosts such annual events as the International Boat Show in May and the Classic Yacht and Car Concourse in October.

Dreamworld
The three biggest family attractions of the northern Gold Coast have all been set up at a point most readily accessible to the hordes of Brisbane: on or just off the major motorway - the Pacific Highway - at the north-western end of the Gold Coast, thus ensuring visitors from the state capital can be spared the slog of navigating the heavy traffic and byways of the tourism mecca that is the Gold Coast. These three attractions are Dreamworld, Wet 'n' Wild and Movie World.

Dreamworld is located just west of Sanctuary Cove. It is an Australian version of Disneyland with a myriad of rides and entertainments to occupy children and adults for an entire day. The characters, such as Cooee and Kenny Koala, are mostly Australian, although Nick Central features Nickelodeon figures. Attractions include thrill rides such as the Cyclone and Thunderbolt Roller Coasters, the Tower of Terror, the Wipeout, the Giant Drop and the Eureka Mine Ride, family rides such as the Thunder River Rapids Ride, bumper cars, a chairlift, the log ride, a water playground, a railway, a carousel and a paddlesteamer, along with family features such as the white Bengal tigers, the Game Site, a shooting gallery, remote-controlled boats, Nick Central (featuring Nickelodeon characters), the Australian Wildlife Experience, the Australian Farm Show, the Outback Celebration, Kids Carnival, the Kenny Koala Show, an 1850s trooper station, roving musicians and helicopters for hire. Food is available from various sources, there is a substantial shopping strip and Dreamworld has one of the few IMAX Theatres in Australia. This remarkable movie technology provides a screen so large that it is quite impossible to sit in the audience and not be totally involved in the experience, especially with respect to the stunning 3D movies.

It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily with hours extended during the summer school holidays (9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.). For more information check out: http://www.dreamworld.com.au/

Wet'n'Wild Water Park
Wet'n'Wild is one of the most comprehensive water fun playgrounds in the world, with heated pools and slides permitting year-round access. Spread over nearly 10 hectares the theme park's activities range from a freshwater wave pool, with waves up to one metre high, to an extensive series of spectacular water slides and raft or tube rides (it is claimed that, on the toboggan drop, it is possible to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h while the Super 8 Aqua Racer consists of an 86-metre plunge).

The emphasis is on diversity with something for each age group, from the hair-raising to the languid and lazy. Thus, while the toboggan drop and the white water twisters are meant for adults and older children, there are also attractions for younger children and more sedentary adults, including the Buccaneer Bay theme park play area and a calm drift along the 'river' past a pirate castle and subtropical gardens. A new addition is the relaxing Whirlpool Hot Springs, featuring ten 20-person hot tubs. Visitors should note that children must be 110 cm tall to participate in the more agitating rides.

Another recent addition is the 'dive-in' movie program, where latest release family movies are screened at ther Giant Wave Pool from September to April. The water areas are surrounded by grassy grounds with picnic and barbecue facilities and deck chairs for relaxation.

Wet'n'Wild is located on the Pacific Motorway at Oxenford. For 24-hour recorded information on Wet'n'Wild Water World's operating hours, prices, water slides and pools call check out: http://wetnwild.myfun.com.au/. During office hours visitors can ring Wet'n'Wild on (07) 55566 1600. They are open daily. From 27 December to 25th January hours are 10.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.From 26 January to April and September to 26th December the closing time is 5l000 p.m. and from May to August it is 4.00 p.m.

Warner Bros. Movie World
Also on the Pacific Motorway at Oxenford is Movie World Theme Park. Designed as a working studio with a number of large stages and an extensive range of state-of-the-art equipment, it manages to combine a day out with a wide range of activities. The combination of studio and fun park means that most of the Park's attendants are young actors hoping for work, and their first big break, in the studios next door.

Warner Bros Movie World is basically a combination of Disneyland and Universal Studios. It celebrates the fun and excitement of movies offering entertainments ranging from impromptu street events and a daily stunt show which re-enacts a Police Academy-style hold up. The Police Academy show has as much to do with the Keystone Kops as it does with Police Academy. It is typical of the kind of show offered by the complex. The setting holds over 500 people. The action includes a car being blown up, a man being shot and falling from the roof of a building, and an endless stream of thrills and spills from the crew. While it is entertaining it is also informative about the nature of stunts in a movie. Other attractions include the Road Runner Rollercoaster, Looney Tunes Village, the Wild West Falls ride and a suitably scary Scooby Doo rollercoaster.

Like Disneyland the streets are full of characters from various shows, such as the Warner Bros cartoon team of Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck and Sylvester who walk along the main street amusing the crowds.

There are a wide variety of shops selling souvenirs (T-shirts, posters etc) as well as providing a wide range of food. Other attractions include rides through various movie scenes - the Batman ride is always popular - and a conducted tour of the movie studio which shows some of the techniques used to create cinematic illusions. One particularly appealing aspect of Movie World is the way that certain events just occur naturally (well as naturally as anything in a movie world) on the street. A visitor can be walking along when suddenly a rather shady character will come running out of the bank on the main street carrying a bag full of money. A policeman who, only moments earlier, was talking to some children, will give chase and, as by-standers watch, will draw his gun and fire off a series of shots at the robber. It is easy to spend a day here. There is a genuine variety of activities. It would actually be hard to see everything in under 4 hours.

Current publicity for Movie World states: "Visit Warner Bros. Movie World on Australia¹s Gold Coast where you will experience a fun-filled family adventure with all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Meet your favourite stars and enjoy all the behind-the-scenes action, comedy stunts and exhilarating rides, shows and attractions!

Warner Bros. Movie World brings you the all-new Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Movie Magic Experience. For a limited season only, you can journey to Knockturn Alley, see Mr Weasley¹s enchanted car and come face to face with the creatures of the Forbidden Forest.

Don't miss the scariest, spookiest spine-tingling rollercoaster ever created! Coaster cars launch guests on a hair-raising journey complete with laser lighting and sound effects, animatronics and a kaleidoscope of colour, depth, height and trickery of dimension. Ride the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster!

Batman Adventure - The Ride 2 doubles the adventure offering guests a brand new simulator journey starring the best of the Batman villains in a high tech, thrill speed showdown with the Caped Crusader.

Experience the fun of the Road Runner Rollercoaster, Australia's only family rollercoaster, situated in Looney Tunes Village, a magical cartoon world with rides especially for children. For more Looney Tunes fun, head to the Looney Tunes Musical Revue, performed daily and check out the awesome interactive water fountain, Looney Tunes Splash Zone, at Looney Tunes Village.

Be blown away by the thrilling Wild West Falls ride. Wild West is an action packed adventure with a 20 metre, 70 kilometre an hour, heart stopping drop to the final splashdown!

Then journey to Mars in the interactive 3D movie adventure, get an adrenaline rush on the suspended, inverted looping coaster, Lethal Weapon and laugh at the hilarious Police Academy Stunt Show. "

For a limited time only, the latest addtion is the "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Movie Magic Experience", including sets and themes from the movie.

Movie World is generally open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily. For 24-hour recorded information about operating hours, prices, shows and attractions check out: http://movieworld.myfun.com.au/. To contact the office ring [phone]. The Surfers Riverwalk is a pleasant 9-km walkway extending from Sundale Bridge at Southport to Pacific Fair at Broadbeach.

Boat Ramps of the Inland Waterways
At the northern end of The Broadwater is the mouth of the Coomera River. Just inside the estuary is Paradise Point Boat Harbour which has a boat ramp just off Paradise Parade. Just behind Paradise Point is the mouth of Coombabah Creek which leads to Coombabah Lake. There are two boat ramps at the creek mouth. One is located on the western side of the estuary, on Boykambil Esplanade and another is on Jabiru Island, located directly in the middle of the creek's estuary (access is off Broadwater Avenue, which spans across the estuary, linking Boykambil and Paradise Point. Another boat ramp is just downstream of the creek estuary, at Daisy Elms Park via Turana St, in the suburb of Coombabah. There is also a public boat ramp at a little park on the southern bank of the Coomera River at Sanctuary Cove (off Pinaroo St).

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Motels

Earls Court Motor Inn
131 Nerang St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Rating: ***

Park Regis Hotel
2 Barney St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: ***

San Martino Marine Pde Motel
134 Marine Parade
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Rating: **

Sea World Nara Resort
Sea World Dve Main Beach
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: ****

Sheraton Mirage
Sea World Dve Broadwater Spit
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: *****

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Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses

Ford Lind House Bed & Breakfast
29 Lind Ave
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Ruffles Lodge
Willow Vales, 4209
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: *****

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Apartments

San Martino Marine Parade Holdiay Apartments
134 Marine Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Rating: **

Palmerston Tower
114 Marine Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: ***

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Caravan Parks

Main Beach Tourist Park
Main Beach Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: **

Broadwater Tourist Park
Gold Coast Hwy
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Rating: ***

Southport Caravan Tourist Park
6 Frank St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Rating: ***

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Restaurants

Bella Luna Restaurant
151 Scarborough St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Boardroom Restaurant
22 Marine Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Comanchi Spur Steakranch
Slatyer Ave
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Del Plaza Hotel Bistro
Cnr Scarborough & Nind Sts
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Green Door Restaurant
154 Scarborough St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Jubilees on the Broadwater
Cnr Barney St & Brighton Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

La Porte Verte
154 Scarborough St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Le Grill
161 Marine Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Oriental Chinese Retaurant
45c Queen St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Ploy Pailin Thai Garden Restaurant
7 Railway St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Saigon Palace Restaurant
Cnr Nind St & Gold Coast Hwy
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Spargo's
75 Brighton Pde
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

Tandoori Place Indian Restaurant
119 Scarborough St
Southport QLD 4215
Telephone: [phone]

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