Alexandra Headland, Queensland
Alexandra Headland is a coastal suburb of Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Alexandra Headland had a population of 4,235 people.[3]
| Alexandra Headland Maroochydore, Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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Alexandra Headland Beach with Mount Coolum in the background, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Alexandra Headland | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 26°40′24″S 153°06′04″E / 26.6733°S 153.1011°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 4,235 (SAL 2021)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4572 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 1.6 km2 (0.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Sunshine Coast Region | ||||||||||||||
| County | Canning | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Mooloolah | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Maroochydore | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Fisher | ||||||||||||||
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Geography edit
Alexandra Headland is located between Maroochydore CBD and Mooloolaba.[4]
History edit
The rocky headland between the estuaries of the Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers was once known as Potts Point, named after overseer John Potts employed by William Pettigrew. Potts lived on the land from 1880 to 1890, when it was used to transport timber between Cotton Tree and Mooloolah River by bullock. It was renamed Alexandra Headland in honour of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, in 1901.[2]
The area was formerly part of William Pettigrew's 330-acre (130 ha) property. The land was purchased in 1864 at the first land sale in the Maroochy District. Over the next 30 years it was used as Pettigrew's base for his timber business. The area was fenced as a paddock for the bullocks used to haul logs from Cotton tree across Potts Point to the timber depot at Mooloolaba (formerly known as Mooloolah Heads). Pettigrew built his house "Coolaluthin" and his overseers house "Wongotha" on the Headland.[5]
Thomas O'Connor purchased all of Pettigrew's land at both Maroochydore and Mooloolaba in 1903. The land was subdivided and sold as allotments along the ocean front and Buderim Road in August 1915.[6]
Seaside cottages were built on the Headland during the 1920s. These were mostly built by the local residents from Woombye and Palmwoods.[5]
In 1916, O'Connor proposed to develop the Alexandra Residential Hotel on 36 acres behind the main surfing beach on the corner of Alexandra Parade, Main Buderim Mountain Road (now Buderim Avenue) and Edward Street. The architect was Thomas Ramsay Hall.[7] This temperance hostel was constructed between 1923 and 1928, opening on 31 December 1928.[8] This was the first fully integrated resort complex on the Maroochy coast. The endeavour proved unsuccessful and was sold to the Presbyterian Church in 1945. In 2004 to 2005, the Uniting Church of Australia redeveloped the site to establish the Alexandra Park Conference Centre.[9]
With the ensuing upgrading of transport services and roads as well as further land sales saw the continued progress of Alexandra Headland as a holidays resort. The Headland now boasted a holiday resort with all facilities, including a patrolled surf beach on its northern edge.[citation needed]
Demographics edit
In the 2016 census, Alexandra Headland recorded a population of 3,958 people, 51.9% female and 48.1% male.[10] The median age of the Alexandra Headland population was 45 years, 7 years above the national median of 38. 68.6% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 4.9% and England 4.8%. 82.5% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 32.8%, Catholic 19.4% and Anglican 15.0%.[10]
In the 2021 census, Alexandra Headland had a population of 4,235 people.[3]
Education edit
There are no schools in Alexandra Headland. The nearest government primary school is Mooloolaba State School in neighbouring Mooloolaba to the south-east. The nearest government secondary schools are Maroochydore State High School in neighbouring Maroochydore to the north-west and Mountain Creek State High School in Mountain Creek to the south.[11]
Amenities edit
Alexandra Park Conference Centre is at 13 Mari Street (26°40′11″S 153°06′10″E / 26.6697°S 153.1027°E). It is operated by the Uniting Church of Australia and has conference rooms, accommodation, and catering facilities.[12][13]
Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club is at 167 Alexandra Parade (26°40′08″S 153°06′27″E / 26.6690°S 153.1074°E).[12] Its members patrol local beaches to ensure swimmers are safe in the surf and provide rescues and first aid as required. The clubhouse has a restaurant and bar.[14][15][16]
There are a number of parks in suburb, including:
- Alex Bluff Foreshore Park (26°40′29″S 153°06′51″E / 26.6746°S 153.1141°E)[17]
- Alex Forest Conservation Area (26°40′06″S 153°06′06″E / 26.6684°S 153.1017°E)[17]
- Buhk Family Park (26°40′02″S 153°06′24″E / 26.6672°S 153.1068°E)[17]
- Cooloolathin Park (26°39′55″S 153°06′20″E / 26.6653°S 153.1056°E)[17]
- Cotton Tree – Alex Foreshore Bushland Conservation Reserve (17°46′42″S 102°04′20″E / 17.7783°S 102.0721°E)[17]
- Marina Walk (26°40′32″S 153°06′51″E / 26.6755°S 153.1141°E)[17]
- Nelson Park (26°39′59″S 153°06′17″E / 26.6665°S 153.1047°E)[17]
- Seaforth Park (26°39′51″S 153°06′18″E / 26.6642°S 153.1051°E)[17]
- Wilkes Family Park (26°40′11″S 153°06′28″E / 26.6698°S 153.1077°E)[17]
References edit
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Alexandra Headland (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Alexandra Headland (entry 47312)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Alexandra Headland (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Alexandra Headland Town History". Heritage. Sunshine Coast Regional Council. from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Whittington, Dorothy (8 January 2021). "The Sunshine Coast founder you've never heard of". Sunshine Coast News. from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Alexandra Headland" (1916) [Map]. Collections. State Library of Queensland.[dead link]
- ^ "ALEXANDRA HEADLAND BALL". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 134. Queensland, Australia. 4 January 1929. p. 20. from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "History". Alex Park Conference Centre. from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Alexandra Headland (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Building areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ^ "Alex Park - Alexandra Park Conference Centre". Alex Park Conference Centre. from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club". from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "LIFE SAVING". Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club. from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Bar & Gaming". Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club. from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Land for public recreation – Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 20 November 2020. from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
External links edit
- "Alexandra Headland". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.