Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast

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• published: 09 Jan 2010
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Mooloolaba Mooloolaba sits on a spit of land between an international standard marina on the Mooloolah River and beautiful ocean beaches with great surf that the Pacific Ocean has to offer. This town enjoys the best of both watery worlds and is home to the Mooloolaba-Auckland and Mooloolaba-Sydney Yacht Races. Visitors can enjoy the intimate restaurants, shopping, sparkling white beaches with highly patrolled areas for swimming and surfing, walks along the broadwalk and through tropical foliage. The town - with approximately 17500 residents - is situated in the south eastern corner of the Maroochy shire and approximately 100 km (1 hour) from Brisbane. History The name Mooloolaba is thought to have derived from either the Aboriginal word 'mulu' for snapper fish or from 'mullu' meaning red-bellied black snake. Lieutenant Heath surveyed and chartered the Mooloolah River mouth and harbour in 1861. The following year, Tome Petrie, explored the region for timber resources. By 1864, the first land was purchased at the mouth of the Mooloolah River by William Pettigrew. Pettigrew dominated the timber trade in the Maroochy District for the next thirty years. He founded a timber depot and wharf to ship timber from Cotton Tree and Buderim to his Brsibane sawmill. In partnership with James Low, he also opened the first store in the district to serve the needs of the new settlers. Mooloolah Heads was the gateway to the Maroochy District between 1870 to 1884. Due to the protection Point Cartwright offered, the port was preferred over the Maroochy River. Pettigrew's steamers 'Tarshaw,' 'Tadorna Radjah' and 'Gneering' operated along both rivers. The steamers carried produce, passengers and timber between MOoloolaba and Brisbane. In 1891, with the opening of the North Coast Railway to Yandina river transport deteriorated. Pettigrew transferred his activities to Maroochydore, establishing a sawmill there in 1891, led to the further declination of the depot at Mooloolah Heads. Over the next decade little development occured in the coastal areas. By the year 1919, Mooloolah Heads industry had grown to include fishing and fruit growing. Thomas O'Connor bought Pettigrew's land from Sylvester Murphy and surveyed the first allotments of what to become Mooloolaba. On January 1 1921 the first sale of allotments was held. These extended along the river frontage from the surf beach to Tucker Creek. It was then that the name Mooloolaba was embraced to distinguish between this developing area and the Mooloolah township on the railway. Throughout the 1920s the population increased. The area had always been a desirable destination for Buderim settlers. Holiday cottages and houses were dotted along the river and the narrow spit. Boat hire and fishing were also very popular. As the roads and public amenities improved, Mooloolaba continued to develop as both a premier residential and holiday location. Climate Residents and visitors can enjoy a sub-tropical climate tempered by the ocean - therefore, it is never blazingly hot and rarely freezingly cold. Tropical lighting storms are common in the summer months. The temperature range from 17°C to 28°C in the height of Summer and 7°C to 23°C in Winter. Getting There Mooloolaba is a one hour drive (98km) from Brisbane. The Bruce Highway is nearest highway to the coastal town. All major coach lines ervice the Sunshine Coast. Bus and Coach Services All major coach lines service the Sunshine Coast. There are transit centres at Caloundra, Maroochydore, Nambour and Noosa. Regular daily services operate between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Train There is a regular rail service that provides access between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane Air The Sunshine Coast Aiport located at Maroochydore is the closest jet aiport to Mooloolaba.