Southport Spit facts for kids
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The Spit (also known as The Southport Spit) is a special strip of land in Main Beach, City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It's a natural sandy area that acts like a barrier, separating the calm waters of the Southport Broadwater from the big waves of the Pacific Ocean. Think of it as a long, narrow sandy arm reaching out into the sea!
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Exploring The Spit's Geography
The main road that connects The Spit to the rest of Main Beach is called Seaworld Drive. On the ocean side of The Spit, you'll find lots of green parklands and natural sand dunes. These sandy hills covered in plants stretch all the way from Main Beach to the very end of The Spit.
The Spit's Interesting Past
An Old Town Called Moondarewa
Long ago, there was a small town named Moondarewa on the southern part of Stradbroke Island (which is now called South Stradbroke Island). In 1881, the government even sold land lots there! The name Moondarewa came from an Aboriginal word, Moonjerrabah, which meant "mosquito." Today, the area where Moondarewa used to be is close to where the Sea World theme park stands.
How The Spit Was Formed
The Spit itself was created between 1897 and 1898. This happened because of something called longshore drift. This is when ocean currents move sand along the coastline. During this time, strong ocean waves broke through a narrow part of Stradbroke Island called Jumpinpin. This created a new channel to the ocean, called the Jumpinpin Channel.
This new channel split Stradbroke Island into two parts: North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island. The constant movement of sand continued to wear away South Stradbroke Island. Because of this, the old town of Moondarewa started to disappear into the sea during storms in the late 1930s.
Developing The Spit
In the 1940s, the Southport Yacht Club grew bigger, adding places for more boats to dock on The Spit's Broadwater side. Later, in the 1950s and 60s, local fishing boats that caught prawns also used The Spit as their home base.
The Spit kept growing and changing. In the 1960s, new tourist attractions began to open. Today, The Spit is home to the famous Sea World theme park, fancy shops, restaurants, bars, and several resorts.
Building the Gold Coast Seaway
Boating in the area used to be tricky and caused accidents. To make it safer, the Gold Coast Seaway was planned and built between 1984 and 1986. This big project helped manage the sand movement and make a clear path for boats.
The construction of the Seaway involved several key steps:
- Building strong walls using about a million tonnes of rock.
- Digging up 4.5 million cubic metres of sand from the seabed.
- Closing the old entrance to the Broadwater.
- Setting up a system to move sand around.
- Planting new vegetation to help the land recover.
In 2018, a plan called the Spit Master Plan was announced. This plan aims to make the area even better for everyone to enjoy.
Fun Things to Do at The Spit
The Southport Spit is packed with exciting places! It's where you'll find Sea World, the Sea World Resort, the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa, and the amazing Palazzo Versace hotel. Sea World actually got bigger after buying another attraction called Marineland in 1976. Marineland used to be where the Sheraton resort is now.
Gold Coast Sand Pumping Jetty
At the very end of The Spit, there's the Gold Coast Sand Pumping Jetty. This is a popular spot for people who love to fish! It's also an important part of the Gold Coast Seaway's system for moving sand around.
Walking and Cycling Paths
If you enjoy walking or riding your bike, you'll love the Gold Coast Oceanway and the Federation Walk. These paths let you explore The Spit's beautiful scenery. The Federation Walk Coastal Reserve is a special protected area on the eastern side of The Spit.
Parks to Enjoy
The Spit has several lovely parks where you can relax and have fun:
- Doug Jennings Park is at the northern end of The Spit. It offers great views of Wave Break Island and South Stradbroke Island. This park is a favorite for families, and you'll often see people fishing there. It's also a popular place for outdoor concerts and events.
- Philip Park is located east of Sea World and is a popular spot for wedding photos.
- Hollindale Park is at the southern end and has nice picnic areas.
Events at The Spit
Doug Jennings Park is a well-known venue for big events. For example, the annual music festival Summadayze used to be held there.
