The Spit

The Spit has always been a place of recreation and enjoyment. At the start of the twentieth century holiday huts flanked William Pettigrew's sugar shed and Charles Clarke's boarding house. ‘Bondoola’ catered for people from the local area, Brisbane and regional Queensland. Aquatic sports incorporated the use of both the beach and the river. During the 1920s Boxing Day celebrations included footraces along the beach with swimming and boating events held on the river. In 1922 Mooloolaba Surf Club was established and is one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in Australia. It quickly became popular for 'nipper' training. For those serious about swimming, the river was the main attraction with swimming lessons, carnivals and a diving board. A weigh bridge was built for fishermen to display their catch. Today, The Spit provides a place for all kinds of activities from dragon boat racing to paragliding, and world class yacht racing.

For more information 

Longhurst, Robert. (1997) Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club: Our Club Our Story 1922-1997

Alcorn, Berenis. (2002) The Spit Mooloolaba: A historical Survey

Sunshine Coast Council. (2023) Point Cartwright Reserve and La Balsa Park Master Plan.

Sunshine Coast Council. (2015) Place making Mooloolaba Final Master Plan. 

Images courtesy Picture Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Libraries.