File:Maroochydore, circa 1931.jpg

English: Image source: Queensland State Archives Item ID ITM1018717 Maroochydore

MAROOCHYDORE

The pride of the district and of the North Coast is Maroochydore, the largest town on the North Coast seafront. It is approached by a wonderful bitumen road of 11 miles from Palmwoods. This is one of the most delightful drives in the district. The pleasent smoothness of the trip is enhanced in enjoyment by pineapple and citrus orchards on either side. Glorious fertile valleys and glens, wooded slopes, and a forest of big timbers are some of the delights of this entrancing highway. There are occasional glimpses of the beautiful Maroocy River, while a beautiful portion of the road is a tropical palm grove.

On arriving at Maroochydore the visitor is immediately impressed with the modern appearance of the place. The tourist will also be impressed with the up-to-date and comfotable accommodation that is available. There is only one hotel - The Club - conducted by Mrs. Stretton. This is a most delightful place at which to stay. The accommodation is up to date and the surroundings truly glorious, situated as it is on the beautiful Maroochy River, not far distant from the surf. The river is a distinctive feature of this popular watering place. For boating and swimming the wide shallow waters are ideal.

Delightful motor boat tours are frequently conducted up the river, where some of the prettiest scenery in the district may be seen. The river winds itself through beautiful cultivated fields, sugar plantations, and palm lands. Trips are regularly conducted in a spacious launch to Deepwater, Bli Bli, Dunethia Rock, and other scenic spots. Maroochydore is only a short walk from the main surfing beach, which is noted for its great expance and ideal surfing. The Life Saving Association of Australia (North Coast branch) has its headquarters at Maroochydore, and right through the holiday season life savers patrol the beach.

The former headland at Maroochy river's northern entrance is now an island, known locally as "Pincushion Island." Several miles north and some distance out to sea is Mudjimba, or "Old Woman" Island, which prominently comes into view from Montville on the Blackall Range, and in appearance is like a giant ship. Mudjimba is in a line with the round topped peak of Mount Coolum; one aboriginal theory of Mudjimba origin is that it was formerly the headpiece of Mount Coolum, but Mount Ninderry, the old man of the story, getting unusually peeved one day, threw a huge rock at Coolum and knocked Mudjimba into the ocean.

The waters around Mudjimba offer fishermen wonderful grounds, where huge hauls are caught throughout the year. The excellent surfing beach that stretches southwards from Maroochydore for a distance of seven miles to Point Arkwright has been considerably improved by an energetic body styling themselves the Beach Improvement Society. At all points of vantage seating accommodation has been provided, while there is a special provision for shelter sheds. At the present time the society is clearing a sports reserve, which will be ready by the time the Christmas holidays are with us.

The Maroochydore Life Saving Club have a most efficient team of swimmers, a good number of whom are well-known champions. Carnivals are often conducted on the beach, in which competitions are held against other North Coast teams, frequently against the well-known Bundaberg Club and metropolitan clubs. Mr. E. B. Fox, a solicitor of Nambour, is president of the North Coast (Queensland) branch of the Australian Life Saving Association, and Mr. Hockings is secretary. The hoilday-maker can be well recommended to include Maroochydore in his itinerary this vocation.

From The Brisbane Courier, Friday 27 November 1931.

--- Maroochydore is often described as the heart of the Sunshine Coast – and with good reason. Known for its extraordinary beaches and river precinct, as well as shopping and dining options, it truly is both the cultural and geographical centre of the Sunshine Coast. With the development of the new world-class CBD, Maroochydore is on the fast track to becoming a centre of commerce, technology, innovation, entertainment and inner-city living. Now that the area is changing faster than ever, we wanted to take a look back at the history and see just how far Maroochydore has come.

A look back… Andrew Petrie, a pioneer and architect in Brisbane, christened the area Maroochydore in 1842 . The name comes from the word “murukutchi-dha” in the language of the Brisbane River Aboriginal people who accompanied Petrie on his exploration. It literally means “the place of the red bills” – after the black swans that still call the Sunshine Coast home today.

From 1884 the area was mainly used for grazing cattle, while the river provided a passage for timber to be transported by raft. This was the year the very first house was built in Maroochydore, with a sawmill and the first post office to follow in 1891.

In 1908 the first land sale in the region marked the beginning of development of Maroochydore as a seaside resort and holiday destination.

Maroochydore as we recognise it today began to emerge in 1912, beginning with opening of the first coastal hotel and a regular mail boat service to Yandina. In 1916, one of Queensland’s first surf lifesaving clubs was formed in Maroochydore (and it’s still there!) and in 1917 a boat and tram service began operating to Nambour. By 1920, the permanent population reached seventy, and during the following decade it had grown enough to necessitate schools, churches, business houses and a bitumen main road.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the area developed as a major tourist destination. The local population doubled between 1961 and 1971 to 6374.

Today Maroochydore is a holiday favourite, renowned for its outstanding beaches and riverside location. Picture: Above Photography

Today the region’s population has risen to over 18 000, with thousands more vacationers travelling to the idyllic coastal spot each year. The brand-new CBD development is poised to renew the area by supporting economic development, providing much needed infrastructure and creating a world-class central business district for the Sunshine Coast.

The first stage of the CBD development is already underway, and is expected to generate up to 30 000 jobs by 2040 and boost the Sunshine Coast economy by $4.4 billion. With unique technology initiatives such as automated underground waste collection, clean energy and streets built to accommodate driverless cars, the new Maroochydore City Centre has been designed for the 21st Century and promises an exciting future for the Coast. An approved and fully funded $347 million expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport has also begun, and by 2020 will service flights directly from key destinations in Asia and the Western Pacific.

There’s no doubt Maroochydore has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and the area is definitely growing up. With a hard-to-beat waterfront lifestyle and an upcoming vibrant city centre, it’s turning into a truly unique location.

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