Runaway Bay, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Runaway Bay Gold Coast, Queensland
Bayview Harbour, 1989
Runaway Bay Location in Queensland
Population	9,308 (2021 census)
• Density	1,258/km2 (3,260/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4216
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Area	7.4 km2 (2.9 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	7.3 km (5 mi) N of Southport 11.1 km (7 mi) N of Surfers Paradise 71.1 km (44 mi) SE of Brisbane 50 km (31 mi) NNW of Tweed Heads
LGA(s)	City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s)	Broadwater
Federal Division(s)	Fadden
Suburbs around Runaway Bay: Coombabah Hollywell South Stradbroke Coombabah Runaway Bay South Stradbroke Coombabah Biggera Waters South Stradbroke

Runaway Bay is a beautiful coastal area in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the amazing Gold Coast region. In 2021, about 9,308 people called Runaway Bay home.

A smaller area within Runaway Bay is called Anglers Paradise. This part was developed a long time ago, before 1967.

Exploring Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay is surrounded by interesting places. To the north, you'll find Poinsettia Avenue. To the west, there's Oxley Drive and Pine Ridge Road. In the south, it's bordered by Coombabah Road and Biggera Creek. The eastern side of Runaway Bay stretches out into the Gold Coast Broadwater, which is a large, calm body of water.

Most of the land in Runaway Bay is used for homes. However, the north-western part is home to the Pine Ridge Conservation Park. This park is a great place to explore nature.

Within the water areas of Runaway Bay, you can find:

• Crab Island: This is a natural area with lots of mangroves. It's undeveloped, meaning it's left in its natural state.
• Carters Bank: This is a sandbank located near the mouth of Biggera Creek.

There's also a bridge in the south-east. It crosses Biggera Creek and connects Runaway Bay to Lands End in Biggera Waters.

A Look Back: Runaway Bay's History

The story of Runaway Bay began in 1939. A company bought a large piece of land near Biggera Creek. By the mid-1950s, this area, known as Anglers Paradise, had about 50 homes. Some people lived there all the time, while others used them for holidays.

In 1960, a new bridge was built. This bridge made it easier to get around and helped the area grow even more.

The name "Runaway Bay" was created in 1967. A company bought more land and wanted to make it a peaceful place for homes and boating. They chose the name "Runaway Bay" to suggest a quiet escape. Even though the name wasn't officially approved at first, it was used for the local post office. This helped it become the official name for the suburb.

Many important places opened in Runaway Bay over the years:

• St Francis Xavier's Catholic School welcomed its first students in 1975.
• The Holy Family Catholic Church opened its doors in 1983.
• The Runaway Bay Library opened in 1992, giving everyone a place to read and learn.
• The Sports Super Centre was started in 2000 by famous runner Ron Clarke. It's a fantastic place for sports training.

People of Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay is a growing community. In 2016, there were 9,068 people living here. By 2021, the population had grown to 9,308 people.

Learning and Sports

Runaway Bay has great places for education and sports:

Schools and Learning Centres

• St Francis Xavier School is a Catholic primary school. It's for students from Prep to Year 6. In 2018, over 600 students attended the school.
• The Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre is a special government centre. It focuses on sports education and leadership skills.

While Runaway Bay doesn't have its own regular government schools, students can attend nearby schools. These include Biggera Waters State School and Coombabah State School for primary students. For high school, Coombabah State High School is a popular choice.

Sports and Recreation

The Sports Super Centre is a top-notch facility. It's used for training athletes and hosting sports events. You can find facilities for many sports, including athletics, cricket, AFL, netball, and soccer. It even has an Olympic-sized swimming pool!

Runaway Bay is also home to the Runaway Bay Junior Rugby League club. This club started in 1974, giving local kids a chance to play rugby league.

The Bayview Harbour Yacht Squadron has a large marina. It's a perfect spot for boats and offers easy access to the beautiful Gold Coast Broadwater.

The local area is also known for its sports teams, like the famous rugby league team, the Runaway Bay Seagulls.

Community Services

Runaway Bay has important services to keep everyone safe and healthy:

• Runaway Bay Police Station
• Runaway Bay Ambulance Station
• Runaway Bay State Emergency Service (SES) facility

Shopping and Fun

Runaway Bay has everything you need for daily life and fun!

Shopping and Food

• The Runaway Bay Shopping Centre is a popular spot. You can find many shops and the Runaway Bay Post Office inside.
• There's also a cluster of fast food restaurants. They are located on the corner of Lae Drive and Oxley Drive.

Library and Church

• The Runaway Bay Library is run by the Gold Coast City Council. It's a great place to borrow books and learn.
• The Holy Family Catholic Church is located near the Catholic school.

Parks and Green Spaces

Runaway Bay is full of lovely parks and natural areas. These are perfect for playing, relaxing, and enjoying nature. Some of the parks include:

• Anchorage Way roadside park
• Anglers Park
• Biggera Park
• Broadview Park
• Joseph Schneider Park
• Kogler Avenue Reserve
• Len And Muriel Godlonton Reserve
• Limetree Junction Parklands
• Marina Crescent Reserve
• Marina Park
• Morala Reserve
• O'Connell Park (with a playground and picnic areas!)
• Oxley Drive Park
• Pacific Park
• Poinsettia Park
• Rollo Meyers Park
• Ryder Park
• Shearwater Park
• Stradbroke North Park
• Thyme Court Reserve

Boat Ramps

If you love boating, Runaway Bay has two boat ramps managed by the Gold Coast City Council:

• One on Ray Street, near Biggera Creek.
• Another on Howard Street, leading into the Broadwater.