100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Rise of The Wharf: how a unique attraction reshaped the future of Mooloolaba

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Thieves target antique store in $50k heist

The owner of a Sunshine Coast antique store has been left reeling after an estimated $50,000 of goods was stolen, prompting a police investigation More

Photo of the day: sunrise stunner

“Glorious sunrise colours at Kings Beach,” writes Lesley Evans. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must be horizontal/landscape and More

Assault ship joins war games after turning heads

An imposing assault ship that cruised past the Sunshine Coast is now among the forces involved in major multi-nation military exercise. The USS America, one More

Baby boy drowns at campsite lake in ‘unexplained death’

A baby has drowned at a popular campsite near Gympie, prompting police to appeal for information on the "unexplained" death. Homicide detectives have been called More

Six-foot python surprises rowers on island

A large python has shocked Sunshine Coast rowers who spotted it curled up in the rafters of their shed on Chambers Island. While some were More

Brewery appeals to court in trading hours dispute

A brewery has taken its battle over trading hours to the Planning and Environment Court, arguing that council-imposed restrictions are “an unreasonable imposition”. Coolum Brewing More

It was December 1988, and Queensland was reeling from the ongoing revelations of the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

A year earlier, Caloundra’s Mike Ahern had accepted the poisoned chalice of the state premiership but, amid the political furore, had the much more pleasant duty of officially opening The Wharf at Mooloolaba.

Nine months later, Underwater World, where you could “go scuba diving without getting wet” was ready for its first visitors.

The enterprise was to change the face of the Mooloolaba Spit.

It was first announced in September 1987 that state cabinet had approved a $4.5 million aquarium on a lease of 3000sq m of Crown land opposite the Coast Guard headquarters.

The original proposal also involved a backup plan: If the Spit site didn’t work out – at the time controversy was running high over development of the area – an alternative was opposite the Mooloolaba Hotel (where the Mantra now stands).

“The total structure would be built beneath the present grassy knoll and cover the area between the caravan park and the new council car park,” the proposal stated.

The hotel has long since disappeared but at the Spit, The Wharf and Underwater World – renamed SEA LIFE in 2013 after a major $6.5 million upgrade – have become well-established landmarks.

Although it was originally hoped to capitalise on visitors arriving for Expo 88, it was soon realised this wouldn’t be possible and Underwater World opened at the end of September 1989, nine months after The Wharf. The project ended up costing $9 million, or double original estimates.

Love nostalgia? So do we. Help keep more great Coast memories alive by subscribing to our free daily news feed. Go to Subscribe at the top of this story and add your name and email. It’s that simple

The Sunshine Coast had “a tropical oceanarium which is the largest in the southern hemisphere and one of the world’s best”.

“Centrepiece is the 80m clear acrylic tunnel which winds its way through a vast underground tank allowing visitors to experience the thrill of face to face encounters with the bold and beautiful dwellers of the sea,” the opening crowd was told. “A moving pathway glides through three separate marine environments.”

It was exciting stuff. The moving walkway gave 180-degree views as it wound through a dark rocky reef for shellfish and crustaceans, the bright colours of a coral reef and the predators tank for sharks and stingrays.

On opening day, I was the proud holder of ticket No. A001, and a few years later had the pleasure of dining in the acrylic tunnel, although it was tricky swallowing seafood with all those fish floating around.

And many a young Sunshine Coaster will remember the thrill of a sleepout in the tunnel surrounded by sharks, as a highlight of the school year.

Next door, the Wharf brought a whole new experience to Mooloolaba, and was also creating memories.

Its designers had described it: “This multimillion-dollar tourist facility is built on timber piles out over Mooloolaba Harbour, in the style of a turn-of-the-century dockyard.”

An event at The Wharf draws a big crowd. Image courtesy of The Wharf Mooloolaba.

And they waxed lyrical about its allure for both residents and visitors: “From the harbourfront boardwalks to the old world charm of the fine emporiums which display everything from local crafts to high-tech kites and fashion, The Wharf is a place to browse, to buy something different or just sit and watch the boats plying the river.”

In the wake of Expo, there were also entertainers wandering the precinct. It was certainly ahead of its time.

Remember Murphy’s, the harbour-side licensed family restaurant, Pier One for fine a-la-carte seafood dining, and Prego’s Coffee House under the tower?

In the mix of shops was a “Kodak mini lab”, which was a big deal in the days before mobile phones gave instant photographs.

At its opening, Friday’s was listed as “a waterside beer garden, cocktail bar and night club” but it was as the latter, that it became the go-to entertainment venue for a generation conceived around the same time as The Wharf project itself.

Looking towards the old wharf in 1930. Picture courtesy of The Wharf Mooloolaba

Everyone will have their own memories of the area which has continued to evolve. There was the scuba training in a tank on site, paraflying, the Top Deck amusement centre and a carousel, and when Underwater World put in the seal stadium, it ranked as one of the best in the country.

It’s all a long way from 1890, when William Pettigrew built a wharf, timber depot, store and two houses at Mooloolah Heads, which was renamed Mooloolaba in 1920.

This flashback is brought to you by Sunshine Coast journalist and history writer Dot Whittington, also the editor of Your Time Magazine.

 

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share