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Moffat Beach is a coastal suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,553 people.[1]

Moffat Beach Caloundra, Queensland
Views from Moffat Head, 2018
Moffat Beach
Coordinates	26.7933°S 153.1386°E / -26.7933; 153.1386
Population	2,553 (2016 census)[1]
• Density	1,820/km2 (4,720/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4551
Area	1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	2.1 km (1 mi) NE of Caloundra 93.4 km (58 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
County	Canning
Parish	Bribie
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

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 C. Moffat, a chemist from Brisbane, who established a holiday house on Moffat Head in 1883.[3][2]

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.[4][5]

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 [5]

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%).[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.[6]

Shopping and eating

A bakery, convenience store and post office are located at Buccleugh Street.

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.

Parks and recreation

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.

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

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

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

Surfing

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

One of Australia's longest-running surf competitions, the Pa and Ma Bendall Surfing Classic[7] is held every Easter in honour of local surfing legends Charles "Pa" and Marjorie "Ma" Bendall.

Notable residents

• James C. Moffat, chemist and pastoralist[8]

References

External links

• "Moffat Beach". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.

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