Cotton Tree, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cotton Tree Maroochydore, Queensland
Cotton Tree Location in Queensland
Postcode(s)	4558
Location	0.001 km (0 mi) E of Maroochydore
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
County	Canning
State electorate(s)	Maroochydore
Federal Division(s)	Fairfax
Suburbs around Cotton Tree: Maroochydore Maroochy River Coral Sea Maroochydore Cotton Tree Coral Sea Maroochydore Alexandra Headland Coral Sea

Cotton Tree is a lovely coastal area. It is part of the larger suburb of Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It's a popular spot for holidays and has a rich history.

Where is Cotton Tree?

Cotton Tree is a special part of Maroochydore. It sits right where the Maroochy River meets the Pacific Ocean. To the north, you'll find the Maroochy River and Cornmeal Creek. To the east is the big blue Pacific Ocean. Aerodrome Road forms its southern and western borders.

Why is it Called Cotton Tree?

The name Cotton Tree comes from a special plant. It's called the Hibiscus tiliaceus plant. People also know it as the Coastal Cotton tree or Cottonwood. You can still see many of these trees around the caravan park today.

A Glimpse into Cotton Tree's Past

Early Visitors and Protection

The first European to visit this area was a convict named John Graham. He escaped in 1827 and lived with the local Gubbi Gubbi Aboriginal people for six years.

Later, from 1842 to 1860, the whole Maroochy Shire area was protected. This was due to something called the Bunya proclamation. It helped keep the land safe after Andrew Petrie explored the area in 1838. He named the Maroochy River.

Timber and Trade

In the 1850s, people started cutting down trees for timber. The Maroochy River was hard to sail on back then. So, the Mooloolah River was used instead. Cotton Tree became a place to store timber in 1856. A man named William Pettigrew bought the land in 1864. He used steamboats to carry timber to Brisbane. He even opened the first shop in Cotton Tree, which was a post office in 1891.

Growing into a Town

The Cotton Tree area was first set aside as a wharf and water reserve in 1873. By 1880, it became a camping reserve. Many people, including the Salvation Army, used it for camping holidays.

The town of Maroochydore grew out of the Cotton Tree reserve. This happened in 1903 when Surveyor Thomas O'Connor divided the land. You can find streets named Thomas and O'Connor near Bradman Avenue today.

Getting Here Was Hard!

For a long time, Cotton Tree could only be reached by boat. Then, in the 1910s, a road was planned. This road went through what is now Maroochydore. By 1927, it was a main road. By 1937, it was a smooth bitumen road, making it much easier to visit.

A sad event happened on the beach in 1950. It was called the Maroochy air crash.

Special Places in Cotton Tree

Cotton Tree has some important historical sites. These are called heritage-listed sites. One of them is the Cotton Tree Caravan Park on Cotton Tree Parade. It's a special place that shows how people used to holiday here.

Things to Do in Cotton Tree

The Cotton Tree Post Office in the 1930s

Cotton Tree has its own post office. It has been located on King Street since the 1930s.

This area is full of fun things to do! You can enjoy the beautiful beach and the river mouth. There are many restaurants and cafes to grab a bite. You can also visit the lawn bowls club, RSL club, and surf club. There's a library, a child care centre, and many shops. The Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club is right on the beach.

A large part of Cotton Tree is used for camping. It is now known as the Cotton Tree Caravan Park. Camping still happens on a big area of land there. Cotton Tree also has two rugby union fields and six tennis courts. You can find three bowling greens and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. There are also basketball courts and ping pong tables. You can enjoy two waterfront parks, one by the river and one by the beach.

Images for kids

• Old and New Post Office photo 1936/2010
• Motor boats Cotton Tree Jetty 1930/2011
• Postcard aerial photo 1975
• Postcard aerial photo Pincushion