Tugun, Queensland

Tugun Gold Coast,  Queensland
Lifeguard lookout tower on Tugun Beach, 2013
Tugun
Coordinates	28°08′56″S153°29′37″E / 28.1488°S 153.4936°E / -28.1488; 153.4936 (Tugun (centre of suburb))
Population	7,175 (2021 census) [1]
• Density	2,390/km2 (6,190/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4224
Elevation	0–50 m (0–164 ft) [2]
Area	3.0 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	5.1 km (3 mi) NW of Coolangatta 19.9 km (12 mi) S of Surfers Paradise 24.0 km (15 mi) S of Southport 97 km (60 mi) SE of Brisbane
LGA(s)	City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s)	Currumbin
Federal division(s)	McPherson
Suburbs around Tugun: Currumbin Waters Currumbin Coral Sea Currumbin Waters Tugun Coral Sea Cobaki Lakes (NSW) Cobaki Lakes (NSW) Bilinga

Tugun ( /ˈtjuːɡən,ˈtuː-/ TEW-gən, TOO-) is a beach-side coastal suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. ^[3] In the 2021 census, Tugun had a population of 7,175 people. ^[1]

It borders New South Wales. ^[2] Some locals refer to the suburb as Tugz (pronounced CHOOGZ). ^{[4] [5]}

Geography

The M1 at Tugun, 2013

Tugun is situated at the junction of the Pacific and Gold Coast highways 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north-west of Coolangatta and 97 kilometres (60 mi) south of Brisbane, the state capital.

Tugun Heights is a neighbourhood in the western and more elevated parts of the suburb ( 28°09′06″S153°29′06″E / 28.1516°S 153.485°E / -28.1516; 153.485 (Tugun Heights) ). ^[6]

Flat Rock is a flat rocky area along the beach that marks the boundary between Tugun and neighbouring Currumbin to the north ( 28°08′15″S153°29′35″E / 28.1375°S 153.4930°E / -28.1375; 153.4930 (Flat Rock) ). ^[7]

Tugun Beach ( 28°08′33″S153°29′47″E / 28.1424°S 153.4964°E / -28.1424; 153.4964 (Tugun Beach) ) extends from Flat Rock south to the boundary with neighbouring Bilinga to the south-east, although the beach itself continues along the Bilinga coast but is known there as Bilinga Beach. ^{[8] [2]}

Tugun is a popular vacation spot, featuring several holiday units and motels along Tugun Beach. The area also boasts a variety of shops situated along its Golden-Four Drive stretch. The Jolly Swagman motel owner proposed naming the section of the former Brisbane to Sydney Highway nearest the beaches "Golden Four Drive." A new highway was constructed further to the west and the local Council consulted with the community for suggestions about naming the bypassed section of the older highway. "Golden Four" was a local name that referred to the four southern golden beaches of Tugun Beach, Bilinga Beach, North Kirra Beach (in Bilinga), and Kirra Beach (in Kirra).^{[ citation needed ]}

The Gold Coast Oceanway, a pedestrian and cyclist pathway, connects Tugun with neighbouring Currumbin and Bilinga.^{[ citation needed ]}

History

Homes in the sandhills of Tugun Beach, 1926

The name Tugun is believed to have derived from an Indigenous word of unknown dialect meaning "breaking waves". ^[9]

Tugun Baptist Church opened in February 1925 on two parcels of land donated by Mrs J. H. Morgan. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

In 1959, St Monica's Catholic Church was opened, able to accommodate 150 people. In 1970, it was extended by half. In 1990, it was re-oriented and extended by half again. In 1996, St Monica's Samaritan Centre was established beside the church; it is used by Centacare to provided services for disabled people. ^[13]

Tugun Bowls Club was established in 1967. ^[14]

All Saints' Anglican Church was dedicated on 1 November 1980 by Bishop Administror Ralph Wicks. It was conscrecrated on 11 November 1984 by Archbishop John Grindrod. Its closure on 22 September 1999 was approved by Assistant Bishop Ron Williams. ^[15]

The junction of the Pacific and Gold Coast highways was notoriously traffic-clogged but has improved markedly upon completion of the Tugun Bypass in June 2008.^{[ citation needed ]}

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Tugun recorded a population of 5,976 people, 51.1% female and 48.9% male. The median age of the Tugun population was 39 years, 2 years above the national median of 37. 76.1% of people living in Tugun were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 5.3%, England 4%, Scotland 0.6%, Japan 0.6%, Canada 0.5%. 89.5% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.7% Japanese, 0.5% Portuguese, 0.4% Italian, 0.4% Mandarin, 0.3% Spanish. ^[16]

In the 2016 census, Tugun had a population of 6,588 people. ^[17]

In the 2021 census, Tugun had a population of 7,175 people. ^[1]

Heritage listings

There are a number of heritage sites in Tugun, including:

• 16 San Michele Street: Ar Dee (beach house)  ^[18]
• Toolona Street (corner Golden Four Drive): Tugun Hotel Moreton Bay Fig Tree  ^[19]

Facilities

John Flynn Private Hospital is at 42 Inland Drive ( 28°09′14″S153°29′18″E / 28.1539°S 153.4882°E / -28.1539; 153.4882 (John Flynn Private Hospital) ). It provides acute cardiac care in addition to general medical and surgical services. ^{[20] [21]}

Amenities

The Gold Coast City Council operated a fortnightly mobile library service which visited Station Street and Toolona Street, ^[22] but this was paused indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^{[ citation needed ]}

St Monica's Catholic Church is at 485 Golden Four Drive ( 28°08′29″S153°29′34″E / 28.1415°S 153.4929°E / -28.1415; 153.4929 (St Monica's Catholic Church) ). ^[13]

The Living Template Church (formerly Tugun Baptist Church) is at 24 Toolona Street ( 28°08′41″S153°29′35″E / 28.1448°S 153.4930°E / -28.1448; 153.4930 (Living Temple Church (former Tugun Baptist Church)) ). ^{[23] [24]}

Tugun Bowls Club is in Kaleena Street ( 28°08′51″S153°29′36″E / 28.1474°S 153.4932°E / -28.1474; 153.4932 (Tugun Bowls Club) ). It has three lawn bowling greens with restaurant and bar facilities available to members and visitors. ^[14]

Tugun Surf Lifesaving Club is on the beachfront at 29 O'Connor Street ( 28°08′31″S153°29′42″E / 28.1419°S 153.4951°E / -28.1419; 153.4951 (Tugun Surf Lifesaving Club) ). In addition to patrolling the beach in the warmer months, the club also participates in lifesaving sports events and has bistro and bar facilities. ^[25]

A number of well-known sporting teams represent the local area, including the Tugun Seahawks, the local rugby league club who play home games at Betty Diamond Complex.^{[ citation needed ]}

Other amenities in the suburb include the Tugun Tavern.^{[ citation needed ]}

Parks

There are a number of parks in the area:

• Admiral Crescent Reserve ( 28°09′12″S153°29′26″E / 28.1532°S 153.4906°E / -28.1532; 153.4906 (Admiral Crescent Reserve) ) ^[26]
• Alex Griffiths Park ( 28°08′16″S153°29′21″E / 28.1377°S 153.4892°E / -28.1377; 153.4892 (Alex Griffiths Park) ) ^[26]

• Blamey Park ( 28°08′32″S153°29′10″E / 28.1422°S 153.4862°E / -28.1422; 153.4862 (Blamey Park) ) ^[26]

• Boyd Park ( 28°09′26″S153°29′36″E / 28.1571°S 153.4934°E / -28.1571; 153.4934 (Boyd Park) ) ^[26]

• Golden Four Park ( 28°08′45″S153°29′46″E / 28.1457°S 153.4962°E / -28.1457; 153.4962 (Golden Four Park) ) ^[26]

• Honeymoon Tree Park ( 28°08′52″S153°29′45″E / 28.1477°S 153.4957°E / -28.1477; 153.4957 (Honeymoon Tree Park) ) ^[26]

• Inland Drive Reserve ( 28°09′16″S153°29′24″E / 28.1544°S 153.4900°E / -28.1544; 153.4900 (Inland Drive Reserve) ) ^[26]

• Irene Street Reserve ( 28°09′09″S153°29′40″E / 28.1525°S 153.4945°E / -28.1525; 153.4945 (Irene Street Reserve) ) ^[26]

• Kropp Park ( 28°08′16″S153°29′30″E / 28.1377°S 153.4918°E / -28.1377; 153.4918 (Kropp Park) ) ^[26]

• Kurrawong Park ( 28°08′26″S153°29′24″E / 28.1405°S 153.4901°E / -28.1405; 153.4901 (Kurrawong Park) ) ^[26]

• Littleford Family Park ( 28°08′28″S153°29′08″E / 28.1411°S 153.4856°E / -28.1411; 153.4856 (Littleford Family Park) ) ^[26]

• Mulberry Parade Reserve ( 28°09′12″S153°29′34″E / 28.1534°S 153.4928°E / -28.1534; 153.4928 (Mulberry Parade Reserve) ) ^[26]

• Rosewater Reserve ( 28°09′13″S153°29′17″E / 28.1537°S 153.4881°E / -28.1537; 153.4881 (Rosewater Reserve) ) ^[26]

• Singh Park ( 28°08′52″S153°29′19″E / 28.1478°S 153.4885°E / -28.1478; 153.4885 (Singh Park) ) ^[26]

• Starfish Court Parklands ( 28°09′14″S153°29′36″E / 28.1539°S 153.4934°E / -28.1539; 153.4934 (Starfish Court Parklands) ) ^[26]

• Toolona Park ( 28°08′44″S153°29′12″E / 28.1455°S 153.4868°E / -28.1455; 153.4868 (Toolona Park) ) ^[26]

• Triton Parade Reserve ( 28°09′17″S153°29′31″E / 28.1547°S 153.4919°E / -28.1547; 153.4919 (Triton Parade Reserve) ) ^[26]

• Tugun Hill Conservation Area ( 28°08′54″S153°28′56″E / 28.1482°S 153.4822°E / -28.1482; 153.4822 (Tugun Hill Conservation Area) ) ^[26]

• Tugun Park ( 28°08′59″S153°29′56″E / 28.1498°S 153.4990°E / -28.1498; 153.4990 (Tugun Park) ) ^[26]

• Wyberba Street Parklands ( 28°08′32″S153°29′44″E / 28.1422°S 153.4955°E / -28.1422; 153.4955 (Wyberba Street Parklands) ) ^[26]

Notable people

• Schapelle Corby, convicted drug trafficker, lived in Tugun ^[27]

See also

• Queensland portal

• Tugun Bypass

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Tugun (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 6 March 2022.
3. "Tugun – suburb in City of Gold Coast (entry 46092)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 13 February 2022.
4. "Tugun". Tourism and Events Queensland. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
5. "Tugun Beach Gold Coast". Must Do Brisbane. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
6. "Tugun Heights – neighbourhood in City of Gold Coast (entry 35274)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 13 February 2022.
7. "Flat Rock – rock in City of Gold Coast (entry 12730)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 13 February 2022.
8. "Mountain ranges beaches and sea passages - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
9. "Tugun (entry 46092)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 13 September 2015.
10. "Queensland Baptist churches by date of erection/opening". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
11. "1925 Tugun". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
12. "BAPTIST UNION". The Daily Mail . No. 7665. Queensland, Australia. 23 September 1926. p. 8. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2021– via National Library of Australia.
13. "Coolangatta-Tugun Catholic Parish". www.coolangatta-tugunparish.org.au. Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
14. "Tugun Bowls Club". Tugun Bowls Club. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
15. "Closed Anglican Churches". Anglican Church South Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
16. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Tugun (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
17. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Tugun (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
18. "Ar Dee, Tugun" (PDF). Gold Coast Local Heritage Register . 5 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
19. Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - N to Z, pp. 139-140
20. "Building areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
21. "Welcome to John Flynn Private Hospital". John Flynn Private Hospital. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
22. "Mobile Library 2018 timetable" (PDF). Gold Coast City Council . Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
23. "WELCOME". Living Temple Christian Church. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
24. "CoolyRocksOn Church Service". christiantoday.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
25. "Home". Tugun Surf Lifesaving Club. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
26. "Land for public recreation - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
27. Bowden, Tracy (28 April 2005). "Father bewildered over Corby's plight". The 7.30 Report . Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

Sources

• "Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - N to Z" (PDF). Gold Coast City Council . Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Tugun
• Heritage Tours - Tugun (Gold Coast City Council)
• Photographs of Tugun and Currumbin taken in the 1930's, State Library of Queensland