{{Short description|Place in Queensland, Australia}} {{For|other uses of the term|The Spit (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}} {{GeoGroup}} right|thumb|Looking south towards Surfers Paradise on the Southport Spit The '''Southport Spit''' (officially known as '''The Spit''') is a spit and neighbourhood within the northern end of Main Beach, City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.<ref>{{Cite QPN|34128|The Spit|spit in Gold Coast City|accessdate=27 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite QPN|34127|The Spit|unbounded locality in Gold Coast City|accessdate=27 March 2018}}</ref> It is a permanent sand spit that separates the Southport Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean.<ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
==Geography== Seaworld Drive is the main street connecting the area of The Spit to the rest of Main Beach. Parklands and naturally vegetated sand dunes on the eastern ocean side of the Spit start in Main Beach at Kemp Street and Main Beach Parade and run continuously to the tip of the Spit.<ref name=":1">{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Spit+Gold+Coast/@-27.9463742,153.3931793,9831m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b910fada6a39f5d:0x89d04ad58c2235!8m2!3d-27.9352516!4d153.4334768?hl=en|access-date=24 December 2021|title=The Spit Gold Coast}}</ref>
==History== There was a township called '''Moondarewa''' located on the southern tip of Stradbroke Island (now South Stradbroke Island). On 9 February 1881 the Queensland Government auctioned 156 town lots at Moondarewa which was described as "southern end of Stradbroke Island and opposite Southport" (.<ref>{{cite news|date=15 January 1881|title=Advertising|volume=III|page=2|newspaper=Logan Witness|issue=154|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163900539|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=20 July 2021|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224021436/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163900539|url-status=live}}</ref> The name ''Moondarewa'' is a corruption of the Aboriginal name ''Moonjerrabah'' which was the name for a mosquito.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 May 1936|title=Nomenclature of Queensland|page=14|newspaper=The Courier-mail|issue=846|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38491707|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=20 July 2021|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224021444/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38491707|url-status=live}}</ref> Moondarewa was located in the area near where Seaworld is located today ({{coord|-27.9300|153.42556|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Moondarewa, Queensland}}).<ref name=":0">{{cite QPN|44010|Moondarewa|accessdate=24 December 2021}}</ref>
The Spit was formed between 1897 and 1898,<ref name="tsh">[http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/the-spit-history-2787.html The Spit History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005005225/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/the-spit-history-2787.html |date=5 October 2013 }}. City of Gold Coast. Retrieved 4 October 2013.</ref> a product of longshore drift when high seas broke through at Jumpinpin ({{Coord|-27.7306|153.4453|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Jumpinpin}}), a narrow section of land on Stradbroke Island.<ref>{{Cite QPN|17462|Jumpinpin|bar in Redland City|access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref> This made a new ocean passage, the Jumpinpin Channel, which divided Stradbroke Island in two (North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island). The continuous longshore drift it created continued to erode South Stradbroke Island and the township of Moondarewa began to be lost to the sea from the late 1930s during storms as the Broadwater Entrance migrated northwards.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="griffith1">{{cite web|title=The Gold Coast Seaway|url=http://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/322803/Gold-Coast-Seaway.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425134800/http://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/322803/Gold-Coast-Seaway.pdf|archive-date=25 April 2013|access-date=4 October 2013|publisher=Griffith.edu.au|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
During the 1940s the Southport Yacht Club grew and added marina facilities for the increasing number of private boats wanting to moor on the Spits' eastern side of the Broadwater. Since the 1950s and '60s, the local prawning industry used The Spit for their berth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com/tour-the-spit.html |title=The Spit — Gold Coast Australia |publisher=Goldcoastaustralia.com |date= |access-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235746/http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com/tour-the-spit.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
The Spit continued to develop, with tourist attractions opening in the 1960s. It is now home to Sea World theme park, an upmarket shopping restaurant and bar precinct and several resorts.
Navigational difficulties caused boating accidents, prompting the planning and design of the Gold Coast Seaway, built from 1984 to 1986.<ref>Salter, L 2002, South Stradbroke Island Lindy Salter, The Gap</ref> The design relied on data from the Beach Protection Authority to prevent it becoming a baymouth bar connecting to South Stradbroke Island.<ref>{{cite web|date=|title=City of Gold Coast | Libraries | Beach Protection Authority|url=http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/beach-protection-authority-4510.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010428/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/beach-protection-authority-4510.html|archive-date=5 October 2013|access-date=4 October 2013|publisher=Goldcoast.qld.gov.au|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Construction of the project had six main phases:
* retaining walls using approximately one million tonnes of imported rock * dredging 4.5 million cubic metres sand<ref name="griffith1" /> * closure of the old entrance * sand bypassing system * revegetation * sewage outfall.
In 2018, the Spit Master Plan was announced to revitalise the area for community use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planning.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/planning/better-planning/projects/southport-spit-master-plan|title=Loading...|website=planning.dsdmip.qld.gov.au|access-date=2019-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306194012/https://planning.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/planning/better-planning/projects/southport-spit-master-plan|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> At at October 2024, the work is still in progress.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Jul 2024 |title=Implementation projects: The Spit Works Program |url=https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/infrastructure/projects-and-programs/the-spit-master-plan-implementation/implementation-projects |access-date=11 October 2024 |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>
==Attractions== [[Image:Palazzo Versace in Gold Coast.jpg|thumb|right|The Palazzo Versace Hotel]] The Southport Spit is home to Sea World ({{coord|27.9559|S|153.4257|E|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Sea World}}), Sea World Resort, the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa, as well as Palazzo Versace ({{Coord|-27.9670|153.4259|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Palazza Versace Australia}}).<ref name=":1" /> Sea World expanded after purchasing a rival attraction, Marineland, in 1976. Marineland was situated on the site of the current Sheraton resort.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2018 |title=The Spit Master Plan |url=https://dsdmipprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/the-spit-background-summary-report.pdf |access-date=11 October 2024 |page=16}}</ref>
On the end of The Spit is the Gold Coast Sand Pumping Jetty ({{Coord|-27.9386|153.4324|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Sand Bypass Pumping Jetty}}), a popular destination for fishermen and part of the Gold Coast Seaway's Sand Bypassing System.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sand Bypass System|url=https://gcwa.qld.gov.au/sand-bypass-system/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Gold Coast Waterways Authority|language=en-AU|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028063618/https://gcwa.qld.gov.au/sand-bypass-system/}}</ref>
The Gold Coast Oceanway and the Federation Walk ({{Coord|-27.9435|153.4266|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Federation Trail}}) provide opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to explore the Spit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold Coast Oceanway |url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Walks-trails/Coastal-pathways/Gold-Coast-Oceanway |access-date=2024-10-11 |publisher=Gold Coast City Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Federation Walk Coastal Reserve |url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Federation-Walk-Coastal-Reserve |access-date=2024-10-11 |publisher=Gold Coast City Council}}</ref>
The Federation Walk Coastal Reserve ({{Coord|-27.950|153.428|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Federation Walk Coastal Reserve}}) is a reserve comprising the eastern part of The Spit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Federation Walk Coastal Reserve|url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Federation-Walk-Coastal-Reserve|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Gold Coast City Council|language=en-AU|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224021451/https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Federation-Walk-Coastal-Reserve}}</ref>
There are a number of parks:
* Doug Jennings Park is at the northern end ({{Coord|-27.9390|153.4249|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Doug Jennings Park}})<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Doug+Jennings+Park/@-27.9389652,153.4227713,614m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b910fb31ebe1501:0xf02a35bd72212f0!8m2!3d-27.93897!4d153.42496?hl=en|access-date=24 December 2021|title=Doug Jennings Park}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Doug Jennings Park|url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Doug-Jennings-Park|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Gold Coast City Council|language=en-AU|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224021432/https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Doug-Jennings-Park}}</ref> * Philip Park, east of Sea World ({{Coord|-27.9646|153.4286|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Philip Park}}), popular for wedding photographs<ref>{{Cite web|title=Philip Park|url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Philip-Park|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Gold Coast City Council|language=en-AU|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224021559/https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Philip-Park}}</ref> * Hollindale Park at the southern end has picnic facilities ({{Coord|-27.9734|153.4289|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Hollindale Park}})<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hollindale Park|url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Hollindale-Park|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-24|website=Gold Coast City Council|language=en-AU|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224021446/https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Things-to-do/Parks-gardens-reserves/Park-Finder/Hollindale-Park}}</ref>
Doug Jennings Park covers the whole north end of The Spit, with views to Wave Break Island to the east and South Stradbroke Island to the north. It is a popular family park, suitable for fishing, diving, surfing, boating and swimming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doug Jennings Park |url=https://gcwa.qld.gov.au/portfolio-item/doug-jennings-park |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Gold Coast Waterways Authority |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Queensland}} *Spit (landform) *Gold Coast Seaway
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{coord|-27.952|153.427|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=title|name=Southport Spit}}
==External links== * {{Cite web|last=|first=|date=1970|title=The Spit|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-the-spit-1970.jpg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722220042/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-the-spit-1970.jpg|archive-date=22 July 2020|website=|publisher=Queensland Government|type=Map}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071107041310/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?pid=1222 Gold Coast City Council - Federation Walk] *[http://www.saveourspit.com Save Our Spit website]
Category:Geography of the Gold Coast, Queensland Category:Coastline of Queensland Category:Main Beach, Queensland Category:Marinas in Australia Category:Southport, Queensland