Mermaid Beach, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mermaid Beach Gold Coast, Queensland
Mermaid Beach, looking North
Mermaid Beach Location in Gold Coast, Australia
Population	7,329 (2021 census)
• Density	4,890/km2 (12,700/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4218
Elevation	7 m (23 ft)
Area	1.5 km2 (0.6 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	85 km (53 mi) SSE of Brisbane 10 km (6 mi) S of Southport 6 km (4 mi) SSE of Surfers Paradise 23 km (14 mi) N of Tweed Heads
LGA(s)	City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s)	Mermaid Beach
Federal Division(s)	Moncrieff
Suburbs around Mermaid Beach: Broadbeach Waters Broadbeach Coral Sea Mermaid Waters Mermaid Beach Coral Sea Mermaid Waters Miami Coral Sea

Mermaid Beach is a coastal suburb of the City of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Mermaid Beach had a population of 7,329 people.

Nobby Beach is a neighbourhood in the south of the suburb (28°03′32″S 153°26′29″E / 28.0589°S 153.4414°E / -28.0589; 153.4414 (Nobby Beach)).

Geography

Real estate map of Gem of the Pacific Estate, circa 1920

The suburb is bounded to the west by the artificial canals of adjacent Mermaid Waters and to the east by the Pacific Ocean. To the north is the suburb of Broadbeach, to the south Miami. The Gold Coast Highway passes through Mermaid Beach.

The Gold Coast Oceanway (a pedestrian path) travels along Hedges Avenue.

History

Real estate map of Ocean View Estate (now Mermaid Beach), circa 1920

Mermaid Beach receives its name from the cutter HMS Mermaid. Explorer John Oxley sailed aboard the Mermaid in 1823 when he discovered the nearby Tweed and Brisbane rivers.

Mermaid Beach was used during World War II by US servicemen and was named Los Angeles Beach as well as Miami Beach to the south.

Circa 1924, 70 allotments were advertised as "Mermaid Beach Estate" located at Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach to be auctioned by R. G. Oates Estates. The estate map has 3 estates for sale at Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach. The estates were divided in two by the "New Coastal Road" running through the Gold Coast.

Magic Mountain, Nobby Beach opened up in 1962

On 24 August 1975, the first McDonald's restaurant in Queensland opened in Mermaid Beach.

St James' Anglican Church was dedicated on 11 November 1977 by Assistant Bishop Ralph Wicks. Its closure on 15 August 1993 was approved by Assistant Bishop Ron Williams.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Mermaid Beach had a population of 5,722 people.

In the 2016 census, Mermaid Beach had a population of 6,533 people.

In the 2021 census, Mermaid Beach had a population of 7,329 people.

Education

There are no schools in Mermaid Beach but there are primary schools in neighbouring Broadbeach and Mermaid Waters and a secondary school in Mermaid Waters.

Amenities

The Mermaid Beach branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at QCWA Hall at 43 Ventura Road (28°02′27″S 153°26′05″E / 28.0407°S 153.4346°E / -28.0407; 153.4346 (Mermaid Beach CWA Hall)).

Other community groups include:

• Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club
• Nobby Beach Surf Life Saving Club