Caloundra (original) (raw)

Town in Queensland, Australia

CaloundraSunshine Coast, Queensland
King's Beach
Caloundra is located in QueenslandCaloundraCaloundra
Map
Coordinates 26°48′17″S 153°08′02″E / 26.8047°S 153.1338°E / -26.8047; 153.1338 (Caloundra (town centre))
Population 96,305 (2021 census)[1]
• Density 851.5/km2 (2,205.4/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4551
Area 113.1 km2 (43.7 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location 29.3 km (18 mi) SE of Nambour 91.3 km (57 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s) Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s) Caloundra Kawana
Federal division(s) Fisher
Website Caloundra

Caloundra ( kə-LOWN-druh)[2] is a coastal town in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[3][4] In the 2021 census, the town of Caloundra had a population of 96,305 people.[1]

Caloundra is 90 kilometres (55.9 mi) north of the Brisbane central business district. Caloundra is accessible from Landsborough railway station, 21 kilometres (13.0 mi) away, and the Caloundra bus station.

Bribie Island is located across the Pumicestone Passage to the south.[5]

Caloundra marks the coastal northern extent of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.[6]

Caloundra lies within the Aboriginal Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi, Cabbee, Carbi, Gabi Gabi) language region.[7] The name Caloundra is from the Gubbi Gubbi language Cullowundoor with Kal Owen meaning 'beech tree' (Gmelina leichhardtii) and Dha meaning 'place'.[8]

Caloundra Head was previously known as Petrie Point and Point Wickham (or Wickham Point). Point Wickham takes its name from John Clements Wickham, who did a hydrographic survey of the northern section of Moreton Bay in 1846 and was later the Government Resident of Moreton Bay from 1853 to 1859.[9] Point Wickham was in use by 1860, where it was noted on official maps.[10] In an 1892 map it is named "Caloundra Head (Wickham Point)"[11] and at some time later the use of Caloundra Head became dominant and the use of the name Point Wickham seems to have discontinued.[12]

In 1875, Robert Bulcock, an English immigrant who founded a Brisbane newspaper and later represented the Brisbane electorate of Enoggera in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1885 until 1888, bought 277 acres (1.12 km2) of land in the region.[13] A town was surveyed in the 1870s, and land sales commenced in 1883. The first allotments of land in Caloundra were advertised for public auction on 28 August 1883. The map states 'the land is of a sandstone nature, undulating and ridgy, heavily timbered with Gum, Bloodwood, Tea-tree and Oak'.[14] A 1907 map shows several sections from George Street to Ernest St advertised for auction on 7 January 1907 by the Government Land Office.[15]

With its proximity to beaches, the area became popular with tourists and a number of hotels and guest houses were set up to accommodate them.[16]

Real estate subdivision of Bulcock Beach, 1917

In 1917, Bulcock's son, Robert Bulcock Jr, who was a councillor in the Shire of Landsborough, subdivided part of the land into 404 lots. This area became known as Bulcock Beach.[13] 404 allotments of 'Bulcock Estate' were advertised for auction on 16 August 1917 by Isle, Love and Co, auctioneers, with an edge of the Estate mapped as adjacent to Tripcony's store and the Tramway terminus.[17][18][19]

In 1919, 29 subdivided allotments of 'Caloundra Heads Estate' were advertised to be auctioned on 20 December 1919 by Cameron Bros. in Brisbane. A map advertising the auction shows the majority of blocks were on Albert Street between King Street and Kings Beach.[20][21] Another undated map shows more blocks of this estate were advertised for auction on King Street towards Ernest Street.[22]

On Saturday 29 December 1934, Caloundra Methodist Church was opened and dedicated by the President of the Methodist State Conference, C. C. Truman. It was the first church in Caloundra.[23]

The Caloundra branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association was established in July 1937.[24][25]

St Andrew's Anglican Church was dedicated on Sunday 22 January 1939 by Archbishop William Wand. The construction of the church had been strongly encouraged by Wand who holidayed at Caloundra with his friend Queensland Governor Leslie Wilson. The Governor also attended the church's dedication.[26] On 10 December 1966 the foundation stone of the new church was laid Archbishop Philip Strong, who opened and dedicated the new church on 8 December 1967. The new church was consecrated in 1974.[27][28]

The first female councillor was Miriam Westaway, who represented Division 5 from 29 April 1961 to 30 March 1973. She was one of the first teachers at Caloundra State School. She was active in community groups such as the RSL Women's Auxiliary and a founder of the Caloundra Branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association and the local branch of the Red Cross.[29]

During World War II, the area became key to Australian defence due to defensive positions along the beaches. Radar stations and machine gun pits were mounted, and Australian and US armed forces came to the area. From the early 1950s onwards, Caloundra experienced a boom in development and population, and by 1968, it had come to dominate the Shire of Landsborough so completely that the council chambers were relocated to Caloundra.[16]

In 1971, Aboriginal nurse Isobelle Mary Ferguson, along with her second husband Francis Kent, bought Aminya Nursing Home in Caloundra. They expanded it and sold it in 1974, with Ferguson continuing to work there as matron (Kent) until her retirement in 1986. Ferguson was the daughter of Indigenous leader and activist Bill Ferguson, and had herself been active in the Indigenous rights movement in New South Wales in the 1960s.[30]

The Caloundra Library opened in 1986 with a major refurbishment in 2017.[31]

Caloundra in the 1930s and 1950s

In the 1933 census, the locality of Caloundra had a population of 271 people.[32]

In the 2016 census, the suburb of Caloundra had a population of 3,917 people.[33]

In the 2021 census, the town of Caloundra had a population of 96,305 people.[1]

Caloundra has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Caloundra is not strictly defined, but the boundary used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for census purposes and the urban zone defined by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (formerly the Caloundra City Council) almost exactly coincide.[_citation needed_] This region is bounded roughly by Currimundi Creek, Rainforest Drive and the Mooloolah River to the north, Beerwah State Forest and Bruce Highway to the west, the Pumicestone Passage (separating the area from Bribie Island) and the ocean to the east, and Bells Creek to the south.[_citation needed_] The central business district (CBD) for the area is located on Bulcock Street, Caloundra.[37]

Panoramic view of Caloundra

The Caloundra urban centre consists of the following suburbs:[_citation needed_]

Aroona Banya Baringa Battery Hill Bells Creek Caloundra (suburb) Caloundra West Corbould Park Currimundi (part) Dicky Beach Gagalba Golden Beach Kings Beach Little Mountain Nirimba Meridan Plains (part) Moffat Beach Pelican Waters Shelly Beach
Climate data for Caloundra, Queensland
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 37.6(99.7) 35.2(95.4) 33.8(92.8) 32.5(90.5) 29.6(85.3) 26.5(79.7) 27.0(80.6) 28.4(83.1) 33.3(91.9) 32.2(90.0) 34.6(94.3) 35.5(95.9) 37.6(99.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.6(81.7) 27.2(81.0) 26.4(79.5) 24.6(76.3) 22.2(72.0) 19.8(67.6) 19.3(66.7) 20.3(68.5) 22.3(72.1) 24.1(75.4) 25.4(77.7) 27.0(80.6) 23.8(74.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21.4(70.5) 21.2(70.2) 19.9(67.8) 17.4(63.3) 14.9(58.8) 11.7(53.1) 10.8(51.4) 11.6(52.9) 13.9(57.0) 16.5(61.7) 18.5(65.3) 20.3(68.5) 16.5(61.7)
Record low °C (°F) 15.0(59.0) 15.3(59.5) 13.4(56.1) 9.3(48.7) 6.4(43.5) 4.3(39.7) 3.3(37.9) 5.0(41.0) 6.8(44.2) 9.2(48.6) 11.7(53.1) 12.7(54.9) 3.3(37.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 174.0(6.85) 202.4(7.97) 208.0(8.19) 172.9(6.81) 170.3(6.70) 102.4(4.03) 89.2(3.51) 60.8(2.39) 54.3(2.14) 81.1(3.19) 113.3(4.46) 147.4(5.80) 1,578.3(62.14)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology[38]

The region of the Sunshine Coast, including Caloundra, is serviced by the Sunshine Coast Airport, located at Marcoola. A smaller regional airport is also located at Caloundra.

Caloundra's suburbs are served by Kinetic Sunshine Coast, who operate the Caloundra bus station in Cooma Terrace. Bus routes 600, 602, 603, 605, 607, 609 connect Caloundra to Kawana Waters, Maroochydore, Buderim and Landsborough.[39] Of residents aged 15 and over, 0.5% report using public transport to commute to work.[40]

Landsborough railway station on the Sunshine Coast line has regular services to Roma Street railway station in Brisbane, operated by Queensland Rail. There are several bus companies providing coach services from Caloundra to Brisbane Airport.

Bullcock Beach, Pumicestone Passage and the Northern tip of Bribie Island

Apartments along Kings Beach

Caloundra has a variety of beaches, providing amenity to the local residents and tourists.

The Sunshine Coast Council operates a public library at 8 Omrah Avenue.[42]

The Caloundra branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 17 Kalinga Street.[43]

St Andrew's Anglican Church is at 46 Upper Gay Terrace, Kings Beach (26°48′12″S 153°08′17″E / 26.8032°S 153.1381°E / -26.8032; 153.1381 (St Andrew's Anglican Church)).[44] Some of the church's locum staff of retired priests are part of the Progressive Christianity movement.[45] Caloundra Uniting Church also has links to the Progressive Christianity movement.[46]

Caloundra has won the Australian Tidy Town Award in 2012.[47] The Queensland Tourism Industry Council named Caloundra the 2023 Queensland Top Tourism Town.[48]

  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Caloundra (SAL3)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Create Caloundra – Stage 2 Community Engagement on YouTube, Sunshine Coast Council, 4 August 2021; Erosion threatening Golden Beach at Caloundra on YouTube, Seven News, 5 September 2022
  3. ^ "Caloundra – town in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 5784)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Caloundra – suburb in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 48556)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Moreton Bay Marine Park". Parks and forests. Queensland Government. 6 October 2009. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  7. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Gubbi Gubbi". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Caloundra – town in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 5784)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Caloundra Head – cape in the Sunshine Coast Region (entry 5786)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Sketch to illustrate Sir George Bowen's Official Tour in March 1860". Queensland Government Open Data Portal. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Wickham Point". Sunshine Coast Places. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  12. ^ Queensland Surveyor General's Map of The Catchment Areas of Brisbane River and the Logan and Albert Rivers, July 1893
  13. ^ a b "Bulcock Beach's Rich History". Salt Magazine. Spring 2009. Archived from the original on 20 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  14. ^ "Town of Caloundra". State Library of Queensland. 28 August 1883. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Plan of allotments in sections 4, 10, 11 & 12, town of Caloundra, and allotments in suburban sections 5, 6, 8, 9, 2a, 5a to 7a and 9a, Parish of Bribie (Caloundra)". State Library of Queensland. 7 January 1907. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  16. ^ a b University of Queensland (2011). "Queensland Places: Caloundra". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  17. ^ "Bulcock Estate". State Library of Queensland. 1917. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  18. ^ "The Bulcock Estate". The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 21 July 1917. p. 12. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020 – via Trove.
  19. ^ "Bulcock Estate, Caloundra". The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 9 August 1917. p. 8. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020 – via Trove.
  20. ^ "Caloundra Heads Estate". State Library of Queensland. 20 December 1919. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  21. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 16 December 1919. p. 10. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020 – via Trove.
  22. ^ "Caloundra Heads Estate : second section". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Caloundra Church Dedicated". Truth. No. 1814. Queensland, Australia. 30 December 1934. p. 15. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "C.W.A. Branch Formed at Caloundra". Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser. Vol. XXXII, no. 1730. Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1937. p. 5. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "MALENY". The Telegraph. Brisbane. 13 August 1937. p. 17 (City Final Last Minute News). Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ^ "Dedication of Church at Caloundra". The Telegraph. Brisbane. 23 January 1939. p. 3 (City Final Last Minute News). Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "Year Book" (PDF). Anglican Archdiocese of Brisbane. 2019. p. 137. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Parish profile" (PDF). The Anglican Parish of Caloundra-Glasshouse Country. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Landsborough Shire Councillor Miriam Westaway, ca 1965". 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  30. ^ Best, Odette; Slinger, Abigaill; Kerin, Rani (28 October 2024). "Isobelle Mary Ferguson". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Research edited by Rani Kerin. ANU. National Centre of Biography. Retrieved 30 September 2025. This article was published: in the Indigenous Australian Dictionary of Biography online in 2024
  31. ^ "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  32. ^ "Census of the Commonwealth of Australia 30th June, 1933: Part VII. Populations and occupied dwellings in localities" (PDF). Australian Government. p. 610. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  33. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Caloundra (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  34. ^ "Tripcony Hibiscus Caravan Park (entry 602708)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  35. ^ "Caloundra Lighthouses (entry 602746)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  36. ^ "Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion (entry 601513)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  37. ^ "Bulcock Street, Caloundra", caloundra.com.au
  38. ^ "Climate Statistics for Caloundra, Queensland". Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  39. ^ Translink Queensland. "All bus timetables". Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  40. ^ "Sunshine Coast's Top Commuter Suburbs: Public Transport Reigns Supreme on Census Day!". www.microburbs.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  41. ^ "Winners and Past Results for the Sunshine Coast Guineas". Races.com (Australia). 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  42. ^ "Caloundra Library". Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  43. ^ "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  44. ^ "Contact Details". St Andrew's (Caloundra & Glasshouse Country). Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  45. ^ "The Anglican Parish of Caloundra-Glasshouse Country – Parish Profile", p. 9
  46. ^
  1. ^ "Honour Roll". Keep Australia Beautiful – Tidy Town Awards. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  2. ^ "It's official: Coast destination named state's best in Top Tourism Towns awards". Sunshine Coast News. 13 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.