Gold Coast Broadwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gold Coast Broadwater |
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| Southport Broadwater, Gold Coast Harbour, and The Broadwater |
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Looking south from Labrador, 2015
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 Gold Coast Broadwater
Location in Queensland
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| Location | Gold Coast, South East Queensland |
| Coordinates | 27°57′57″S 153°25′16″E / 27.96583°S 153.42111°E |
| Part of | Moreton Bay Marine Park |
| River sources | Coomera, Nerang, and Pimpama Rivers; Loders, Biggera, Behm, and Wasp Creeks |
| Primary outflows |
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| Ocean/sea sources | |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Average depth | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Max. depth | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Salinity | 33 ppt |
| Surface elevation | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Frozen | never |
| Islands | Crab, Ephraim, Wave Break |
| Settlements | Gold Coast |
The Gold Coast Broadwater is a big, shallow body of water on the Gold Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. It's like a mix of a river and the sea, called an estuary. People also call it Southport Broadwater or The Broadwater.
This estuary stretches from Southport in the south up to the southern part of Moreton Bay. Moreton Bay is so special it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage area. The Broadwater is separated from the Coral Sea by a thin strip of land called Stradbroke Island. Originally, it was a lagoon formed by water from the Nerang River. A part of the Broadwater is protected within the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
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Exploring the Broadwater's Features
The Nerang River used to flow into the ocean at Main Beach in the late 1800s. By the 1980s, its entrance had moved about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) north. To keep the river entrance stable, the Seaway was built in 1986.
Building the Seaway allowed more ocean tides to flow into the Broadwater. This means the water level changes more between high and low tides. Further north, the Pimpama River also flows into the Broadwater. This large body of water is home to many different kinds of marine animals. You can even take a ride across the water with Gold Coast Ferries.
Changes and Importance of the Broadwater
Since the 1970s, the Broadwater has changed a lot. Many artificial waterways and canals have been built, making up most of Australia's canal estates. The Gold Coast area is growing very fast, and more urban development is expected around the Broadwater.
The Broadwater is very important for nature. Some parts are recognized internationally as a Ramsar site for wetlands. It's also part of agreements that protect birds that migrate long distances. The Broadwater is a vital place for many types of fish. It provides areas for them to feed, lay eggs, and grow up. These fish are important for both fun fishing and commercial fishing.
Rivers and Creeks Flowing into the Broadwater
The area that drains into the Broadwater is called its catchment. This catchment includes several rivers like the Logan, Albert, Coomera, Pimpama, and Nerang Rivers. Smaller waterways, such as Loders, Biggera, Behm, and Wasp Creeks, also flow into this estuary.
Plant Life in the Broadwater: Seagrasses
The most common type of seagrass found in the Broadwater is Zostera muelleri. This seagrass grows in the shallower parts of the water. Other types of seagrass, like Halophila ovalis and Halophila spinulosa, can be found in the deeper areas of the Broadwater.
A Look Back: History of the Broadwater
Captain Patrick Logan was the first European to find the southern entrance to Moreton Bay. In the early 1880s, the first Southport Pier opened for people to enjoy.
On November 26, 1925, the Jubilee Bridge opened. It was the first bridge built in the Broadwater area. This bridge made it easy to travel directly between Southport and Main Beach. It replaced the ferry services that used to carry people across the water where the Nerang River meets the Broadwater.
In 1966-1967, the Jubilee Bridge was replaced by the Gold Coast Bridge, often called the Sundale Bridge. This new bridge followed the path of the Gold Coast Highway. Today, the Gold Coast Bridge has a light rail bridge next to it on its west side and a pedestrian bridge on its east side.
The construction of the Gold Coast Seaway happened between 1984 and 1986. In 2015, plans to build a cruise ship terminal and resort on Wave Break Island were not approved by the Queensland Government.
The Broadwaterway: A Scenic Path
The Broadwaterway is a 19-kilometre (12-mile) path along the foreshore of the Gold Coast Broadwater. The Broadwaterway includes several popular spots:
- The Spit arm
- The Marine Stadium
- The western Spit foreshores, which include Sea World, the Fishing fleet, the Versace Hotel, Marina Mirage, Fishermans Wharf, Water Police, Sea Scouts, and the Southport Yacht Club
- Pelican Beach at Main Beach
- Southport Broadwater Parklands
- Marine Parade and Harley Park Labrador
- The Broadwater Esplanades in Biggera Waters, Runaway Bay, and Hollywell
- Paradise Point Broadwater Parklands
