Suburb of Caloundra, Queensland, Australia
Moffat Beach is a coastal suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,691 people.[3]
Geography
Moffat Beach is within the Caloundra urban centre, located directly north-east of Caloundra CBD.
History
The suburb and beach were named after James Campbell Moffat, a chemist from Brisbane, who acquired 20 acres (8.1 ha) of coastal land at Caloundra on 18 August 1882. A year later, he built a holiday house c. 500 metres south-east of Moffat Beach on the headland which now also bears his name.[2][4][5][6]
The Queen of the Colonies pandanus tree stood on the headland above the site where 13 passengers from the Queen of the Colonies shipwreck were cast ashore in a small boat during stormy weather in April 1863 while returning from Moreton Island. In 1963, a concrete memorial was erected on the site.[7][8]
In 1888, Caloundra's first guesthouse "Sea Glint" opened on a ridge overlooking present-day Moffat Beach. During this time Sir Thomas McIllwraith, Premier of Queensland, was a regular visitor to Sea Glint on the shore of Tooway Lake or Wilson's Lake as it was then known [8]
In the 2016 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,553 people, made up of 1245 (48.8%) male and 1307 (51.2%) female. The median age of the Moffat Beach population was 44 years, above both the Queensland median of 37 and the Australian median of 38. 77.4% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England (5.1%) and New Zealand (4.5%). 92% of people only spoke English at home. Religious affiliations in Moffat Beach were predominantly No Religion (33.5%), Catholic (23.1%) and Anglican (15.4%).[9]
In the 2021 census, Moffat Beach had a population of 2,691 people.[3]
Education
There are no schools in Moffat Beach. The nearest primary school is Caloundra State School in neighbouring Caloundra. The nearest secondary school is Caloundra State High School also in Caloundra.[10]
Crime and safety
Moffat Beach has a moderate crime rate, with a total violent crime rate of 1 incident per 58.9 residents. The non-violent crime rate is 1 incident per 7.05 residents, placing it in the top 38% for the Sunshine Coast region. Approximately 5.8% of Moffat Beach's residents rely on public housing, ranking in the top 13% for the Sunshine Coast region.[11]
Parks and recreation
Eleanor Shipley Park stretches from Tooway Lake through to the cafes of Seaview Terrace. Barbecue facilities and picnic shelters are provided, as well as a children's play area and easy access to Moffat beach.
Roslin Park in Roslin Street provides a children's play area and is dog-friendly.
On Moffat Beach, dogs are allowed off-leash before 8am and after 4pm. The beach itself is unpatrolled.
The Des Dywer walking track is an oceanway that runs from Moffat Beach to Bulcock beach, following the coastline on cliffs and boardwalks.
Surfing
Moffat Beach is protected from southerly winds by Moffat Headland which provides a sought-after surf break.
One of Australia's longest-running surf competitions, the Pa and Ma Bendall Surfing Classic[12] is held every Easter in honour of local surfing legends Charles "Pa" and Marjorie "Ma" Bendall.
