View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Moochin’ around Mooloolaba
After spending two weeks in Brisbane we finally headed up the coast towards Port Douglas but first, on the recommendation of friends, we spent a couple of nights on the Sunshine coast in the wonderfull named Mooloolaba, a mere 97 kilometres (60 miles) north of the state capital.
Mooloolaba derives from the Aboriginal word mulu, meaning snapper fish or mulla meaning red-bellied black snake – I hoped it’s the former as I certainly didn’t want to meet any of the latter. The land was originally owned by the Gubbi Gubbi nation of indigenous people but the area’s timber resources attracted attention and by 1864, the first land was purchased at the mouth of the Mooloolah River by William Pettigrew who dominated the timber trade here for the next thirty years until he transferred his activities to Maroochydore, which offered better transport facilities, meaning less development of the coastal areas.
Originally the name ‘Mooloolah Heads’ was given to the area from the mouth of the Mooloolah River to the site of the present Charles Clarke Park on River Esplanade but its importance declined when Pettigrew transferred his activities to Maroochydore, establishing a sawmill there in 1891. Throughout 1898-1908 there was little development in the coastal areas. By 1919, Mooloolah Heads was more of a fruit growing and fishing area than a seaside resort.
In 1921 the first allotments of Pettigrew’s land which extended along the river frontage from the surf beach to Tuckers Creek were held. At the same time the name ‘Mooloolaba’ was adopted to differentiate between this developing area and the Mooloolah township on the North Coast Railway.
Always a popular destination for nearby Buderim settlers, holiday cottages and houses were built along the river and the narrow spit. These, and boarding houses, catered to growing number of visitors. Boat hire and fishing were also very popular. As public amenities and trafficable roads improved, Mooloolaba continued to develop as both a premier residential and holiday location.
The eagle eyed among you will have spotted a sculpture on the grass in the first picture. It commemorates Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter”. Irwin achieved worldwide fame from the television series of the same name. Sadly, the native Queenslander Irwin died in 2006 after being fatally stung by a stingray barb while filming on The Great Barrier Reef. And you wonder why I don’t go swimming!
We spent the afternoon wandering along the promenade and beach, quickly exhausting Mooloolaba’s charms. Consequently, we decided to spend the following day further up the coast in Noosa which turned out to be more to our liking.
Your pictures and your knowledge about the land that you cover are extraordinarily. I am impressed – and long to go there… Have you ever been to Sweden? I think you would like it here, maybe not in winter, but in spring or summer. Welcome!
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Thanks! I like to do my homework before I travel to get the most out of any trip. I visited Stockholm over 30 years ago in spring and it was beautiful.
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awesome post – and missed the sculpture – but how cool to honor the The Crocodile Hunter
– and for a short season my boys loved his show – goodness – so long ago now
🙂
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I know!
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🙂
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Mooloolaba is one of my favourite spots to visit. It has it all and as you say, it is not too far from Brisbane. So pleased you enjoyed it. Lyn
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You’re lucky to have great resorts so close by.
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Well, now what happened to Steve Irwin isn’t your typical swimming incident. Most swimming, especially snorkeling or diving, is exceptionally safe. Typically, it’s not a good idea to molest the wildlife, as Steve clearly did. Especially with things that can stab you in the heart or eat you.
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I agree Jim but, just to be on the safe side, I keep out of the water.
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😎
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Mooloolah! Very interesting.🍵😎🍵
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Thanks
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Another brilliant post, Sheree! Until recently there was a highrise building limit on the Sunshine Coast (they didn’t want to become another concrete Surfers Paradise) but sadly this has been eroded by the pressure of developers. Still the beaches reign supreme!
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Indeed they do!
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Hi Sheree, how have you been? I see you are living it up in Aussie land. It must be so interesting. The names alone do it for me. Mooloolaba, Gubbi Gubbi, Mooloolah, Maroochydore. 🙂 Mooloolaba’s beaches do look so tempting!
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Been back awhile now, posts lagging behind. Australia’s beaches are amazing. There’s even better to come! Care to catch up in the Big Apple on Monday 2 December?
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I am forever lagging behind on the blog nowadays! I will wait for your other posts on it.
Dec 2 is a date then! Looking forward to meet you. 🙂
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Great! We’ll touch base nearer the time to finalise details.
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Another beautiful tour Sheree! I love how you add in all the history of the area, makes it so much more interesting!😃😺🌞📷Wonderful photos again too!!
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Thanks!
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You’re welcome!
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Great work, good journey. I like these pictures.sheree thanks for sharing this.
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Pleasure
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