Settlement history

In the 1820s former convicts Thomas Pamphlett, Richard Parsons and John Finnegan became the first known Europeans in the area. In 1861, Lieutenant G.P. Heath surveyed and charted the Mooloolah River mouth and harbour. In 1862, Tom Petrie explored the area for timber resources. In 1864 William Pettigrew purchased land at the mouth of the Mooloolah River. He established a timber depot, wharf and the first store on the Sunshine Coast, operated by James Low and William Grigor. Later, Pettigrew transferred his activities to Maroochydore. Thomas O'Connor bought Pettigrew's land and the first sale of allotments was held on 1 January 1921. At this time the name 'Mooloolaba' was adopted.