Official Guide Welcome Since 1930 Commonwealth nations and territories have been In the 1940s these seaside towns became a ‘R&R’ haven for coming together to spread the spirit of friendship and shared thousands of Australian and Allied armed forces during World values and participate in the Commonwealth Games. The Gold War II. In the late 1940s, Brisbane journalists called the coast, Coast was honoured to host the XXI Games in 2018, a sporting south of Brisbane, “the Gold Coast” – it was the place to buy and and cultural event that has left a lasting legacy and has been a sell land in the post-war real estate boom and it also represented key moment in the transformation of our city. the golden sand, sunshine and the healthy living for which the area was famous. The local council thought that it was a good The Commonwealth Walkway is one of those legacies. promotional name, and the Queensland State Government Bronze markers indicate 37 points of significance along a proclaimed the Local Authority of the City of the Gold Coast on 10-kilometre route, offering an insight into the history and heritage 16 May 1959. of the Gold Coast. In the late 1950s and 60s, the development of the city’s beach The Gold Coast has a unique and diverse cultural heritage, strip was rapid. From Southport to Coolangatta, holiday houses, shaped by Indigenous ownership, European settlement, serviced holiday apartments, motels and shopping arcades two World Wars and new arrivals from all parts of the world. were built to secure the Gold Coast’s place as a major holiday destination, becoming known for its relaxed, fun and glamorous The Yugambeh people have lived in and around the coast, lifestyle. By 1959, it boasted its first high rise apartment block. rivers and hinterland for more than 23,000 years. The first Europeans to the area were timber cutters, looking for valuable The Coast’s permanent population grew swiftly throughout cedar and large cattle stations were established in the river the 1970s and 1980s, bolstered by retirees and increasingly, valleys. Eventually these properties were divided into smaller service workers catering to the construction and tourist industries sugar and cotton farms, later dairy farms. or working in the retail sector. In recent times the Gold Coast’s population has reached over half a million By the end of the 19th Century Brisbane people wanted to people, and the economy has grown and diversified with escape the summer heat, travel down the waterways of Moreton education, health and knowledge and marine industries Bay by boat and spend time at the seaside. In 1885 the Governor joining tourism and construction as major employers. of Queensland, Governor Musgrave, built a seaside home near Southport, setting a trend for the coast to become a fashionable Now welcoming more than 13 million visitors each year the resort for the wealthy and influential. In 1889, a train line was Gold Coast boasts a robust economy, and offers an enviable extended from Brisbane to Southport, later extending down to lifestyle. With the lasting legacy of the 2018 Commonwealth Coolangatta. A number of guesthouses and hotels were built at Games (GC2018), our city has a future full of promise. scenic spots along the beach. The railway had brought many visitors to the region either to live permanently or as visitors, but motor cars and road access would change the pace of life here forever. A new coastal road, linking For more information Brisbane to the beaches of the coast, was completed in 1925. P 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) W cityofgoldcoast.com.au/walkway All details in this guide were believed correct at the time of printing. Second Edition, April 2019. Commonwealth Walkway – Official Guide 1 Message from the Mayor N 6 With Australia being a leading member of the Commonwealth, 7 W E 5 and the Gold Coast having proudly hosted the XXI 8 1. Southport Chambers 7 Commonwealth Games in 2018, the Commonwealth Walkway 4 S 9 2. Captain James Cook Memorial 7 is another wonderful addition to our city, to be enjoyed by both 2 3. Bert Pepper Memorial 7 3 locals and visitors alike. 1 4. Yugambeh People 8 10 5. Pier Pavilion 8 The Walkway takes walkers on a fascinating tour of our beautiful 6. Gold Coast Aquatic Centre 8 city, beginning and ending at two of our important civic locations, Main Beach 7. Southport Pier 11 11 and in between visiting both historic and scenic sites. The tour 8. Q150 Survey Marker 11 takes you past points of interest while enjoying some of our most 9. The Great Lawn 11 Main Beach Parade spectacular scenery and waterside locations. Southport 10. Washington Waters Park 12 11. ANZAC Park 12 This project is a legacy of GC2018, so join in with thousands of 12. Nerang River Crossing 12 12 people around the world who are walking their own city’s unique Southport – Burleigh Road 13. Main Beach 14 Commonwealth Walkway. For many years to come people of all 13 14. Macintosh Island Park 17 15. Les Rogers Memorial Sanctuary 17 ages will enjoy the Commonwealth Walkway at their own pace, 16. Macintosh Island Bridge 17 whilst experiencing some of the great sites, and iconic locations, 15 17. Street motor racing circuit 20 throughout our coastal city. Enjoy! 14 18. Narrowneck 20 17 19. David Evans Reserve 20 Macintosh 16 20. Surfers Paradise foreshore 23 18 Island 21. The Stafford bikini sign 23 22. Cavill Avenue 23 23. Peter Lacey statue 26 Tom Tate, Mayor 24. Gold Coast Meter Maid sign 26 Gold Coast Hwy Coast Gold The Esplanade 19 25. Gold Coast Light Rail 26 26. Matey the dog statue 29 27. Lionel Perry Park 29 28. Tiki statue 29 Chevron 29. Appel Park 30 20 33 32 Island 30. Chevron Island Bridge 30 30 31. Chevron Island 30 21 32. Korman Family Park 33 35 34 36 31 29 33. Arts and Cultural Gateway 33 Surfers 22 34. Surfers Paradise Rowing Club 33 28 Paradise Bundall 35. Saint Margaret’s Chapel 36 27 23 36. Home of the Arts (HOTA) 36 37 26 37. Evandale Council Chambers 36 25 24 2 Commonwealth Walkway – Official Guide 3 Access the walk outdoortrust.com Keep an eye out for these plaques along the walk, positioned near each of the locations. Facebook: facebook.com/outdoortrust Instagram: #outdoortrust Twitter: twitter.com/outdoortrust Share your journey with us Make sure you capture the moments and share your stories with us along the way by using #wearegoldcoast when tagging your photos on social media. Keep an eye out online as your photo may be shared with the various City of Gold Coast social media channels. Public transport Visit translink.com.au to access Gold Coast’s public transport options. Use the journey planner to help you plan your trip and access fare and timetable information for the city’s bus routes, light rail and heavy rail networks. All details in this guide were believed correct at the time of printing. Second Edition, April 2019. 4 Commonwealth Walkway – Official Guide 1 1 2 3 Southport Chambers Captain James Cook Memorial Bert Pepper Memorial The art deco former Southport Town The Captain James Cook (1728–1779) The memorial at the western end of Hall is the city’s oldest continuously memorial stone was installed by the Southport Mall commemorates local used municipal building. It was built Rotary Club as part of Australia’s businessman and former president of by Southport Town Council in 1935, bicentenary in 1988, celebrating the Southport Chamber of Commerce and replacing a 19th century timber building. arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney in Industry, Bert Pepper (1922–1990). The Council became South Coast Town 1788 which established the British colony. Billeted in Southport at the beginning of Council in 1949, Gold Coast Town Council The stone commemorates Cook’s journey World War II, Pepper permanently in 1958, and then Gold Coast City Council of discovery along the east coast of relocated to Southport from his home in 1959. The building is still used by City of Australia in 1770. state of New South Wales with his wife Gold Coast as an office for the Mayor and and baby son in 1942. its Southport Customer Service Centre. Captain Cook was the first recorded European to see the Gold Coast when Pepper was instrumental in forming The building was designed by Brisbane he sailed HMS Endeavour north between the Gold Coast Combined Chamber of architects Hall and Phillips, who also Point Danger and Stradbroke Island’s Point Commerce and Industry, which brought designed the Main Beach and Southport Lookout on 16 May 1770. Diary excerpts together all nine Chambers on the Bathing Pavilions and Southport Surf Life from Cook and his botanist Joseph Banks Gold Coast. In 1980, he lobbied State Saving Club. The Latin phrase ‘Pro Bono describe the inland peaks and hills of the Government to bring forward construction Publico’, meaning ‘for the public good’, hinterland, along with coastal lagoons of the new District Court House in Southport, is inscribed above the entrance. surrounded by fires believed to be created and began negotiating for the pedestrianised by local Indigenous people gathering to Southport Mall. Opened in 1988, the memorial Next to the Chambers is Southport’s celebrate the annual oyster harvest. plaque permanently commemorates his original ambulance station, built in 1922 involvement in its creation as the ‘Father as the region’s first. After numerous Diagonally opposite the memorial at the of the Southport Mall’. alterations, the building was restored corner of Nerang and Scarborough Streets in 2002.