Southport Pier, Gold Coast facts for kids
Southport Pier, 1915
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| Spans | Gold Coast Broadwater |
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| Locale | Gold Coast |
| Total length | 200 feet (61 m), extended to 900 feet (270 m) |
| Opening date | 28 November 1883, re-opened 2009 |
| Destruction date | 1969 |
Southport Pier is a long structure that stretches out over the water in Southport, Australia. It's located on the Gold Coast Broadwater, which is a calm part of the ocean near the Gold Coast. The pier you see today was built in 2009. It replaced an older pier that was taken down in 1969.
Contents
History of Southport Pier
Southport Pier has always been a popular spot. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, visitors loved coming here. They would arrive by sailing along the coast or by steam train from Brisbane. Steamboats also took passengers to Brisbane.
Early Jetties in Southport
Before the main pier, Southport had several smaller jetties. These were built along the beach between the Nerang River and Labrador. A jetty was important because it allowed goods and people to get off boats easily. Without one, smaller boats were needed to reach the shore.
People in Southport had different ideas about where to build a proper wharf. In 1879, two groups went to Brisbane to share their plans. One group wanted the jetty in the town center. The other preferred it further south.
The First Permanent Jetty
The first real jetty in Southport was built south of the town. It was near the Nerang River mouth. This was close to the Southport Hotel. Mr. William Charles Maund, who owned the hotel, built it in 1879.
The jetty was about 280 feet long and six feet wide. It even had a tram track! This track helped move luggage and items from the steamers. It opened in late 1879.
Calls for a Public Jetty
In 1880, local residents asked the government to build a public jetty. The government suggested the local community or council pay for it. So, in November, residents decided to borrow money to build a new jetty.
A second jetty was built further north, near the Pacific Hotel. By September 1881, it was partly finished and in use. The town was growing, and this new jetty was often mentioned in newspapers.
Building the Southport Pier
Neither of the first two jetties fully met the town's needs. The jetty near the river couldn't be used at low tide. The one near the Pacific Hotel was hard for steamers to reach. So, a decision was made to build a third, larger jetty. It would use parts of the existing structure near the Pacific Hotel.
Local businessmen, Mr. E. J. Stevens and Mr. John Cameron, provided the money. The Queensland Government gave them land for the waterfront. An engineer named William David Nisbet helped with the plans. The owners then leased the new structure to the Southport Divisional Board for three years.
On November 28, 1883, the third jetty opened. The whole town celebrated! To save money, old railway rails were used in its construction. This was a new idea at the time. The new jetty was 800 feet long. It had a goods shed and a waiting room with a verandah. This large structure became known as the Southport Pier.
Changes and Demolition
Within a few years, Southport Pier was made even longer, reaching 900 feet. A special bathing area was added next to the pier. This allowed locals and visitors to swim safely in the sea. Around this time, the Southport Sea Wall was also built along the foreshore.
The Southport Pier and Baths Company eventually sold the pier to the Southport Divisional Board. In 1913, the timber structure was replaced with a stronger concrete one.
A very popular Pier Theatre opened in December 1926. It showed movies, hosted dances, and offered other fun entertainment. Sadly, the first theatre burned down in 1932. But it was rebuilt that same year. Both the pier and the theatre were taken down in 1969.
The Current Pier
A brand new pier was built in 2009. This modern pier is 100 meters long. It continues to be a popular spot for locals and visitors to enjoy the Gold Coast Broadwater.
