As early as 1860 a village reserve was proposed opposite the ‘Boat Passage’ but it would be some time before this village was surveyed. Meanwhile, many selectors took up farming properties which would later be included in the town. Richard Gardiner built a home and a wharf near the river end of Queen Street and the Loder Family established a farm beside a salt water creek to the south of this reserve. In 1875, George Pratten was finally commissioned to survey a township on the Crown Reserve at Nerang Creek Heads.
The History of Southport
Sale of land was slow but news of the excellent fishing and accounts of Southport’s potential as an idyllic seaside resort spread to the Brisbane community. An increase in visitors motivated land sales and the construction of holiday accommodation. By the 1890s, Southport was the favoured seaside destination for the Queensland Governor, Sir Anthony Musgrave and his entourage. Southport became a fashionable seaside resort. The Southport Town Council encouraged tree planting, various sideshow amusements, the construction of the Southport Pier and picture theatre. The Southport jetty (later known as the Pier) was originally built for practical reasons. The main means of contact with Brisbane in the early days was by cutter or steamer. On arrival in the Broadwater, a small boat would row into shore to deliver passengers or supplies. Around 1880, the local people gathered donations from the community and built a small jetty, extended by 1883 to a length of 800 feet. Steamers such as the Natone or the President, providing a regular service to Brisbane before the railway was built, docked at the pier and visitors could easily walk to the shoreline. In later years, swimming baths were built, and a kiosk erected. After the railway was linked to Southport, the pier and nearby kiosk and park were enjoyed by weekend railway excursionists, who could promenade upon the jetty or listen to the town band playing or check the catch of a local fisherman. Southport was one of the earliest centres of the
Gold Coast. Its early dominance, its location facing the Broadwater, providing access by sea combined with its position as the railway terminus from Brisbane, all ensured its role as an administrative and business centre. Today,
The Southport School,
St Hilda’s, the hospitals, court house and commercial and administrative headquarters reflect these developments.
Southport Property Data
According to the latest census, Southport’s population is 24,098 and consists of mostly couples with children (29%) and couples without children (46%). 40% of the properties in Southport are houses, whilst 35% are units and 24% are villas, duplexes or town-houses. There are 9,910 properties in Southport. The median sale price of properties in Southport in 2010 was $390,000. The Post Code for Southport is 4215. The elevation of Southport is less than 10 metres above sea level.
Southport Real Estate Agents.
