Tallebudgera Creek

Summary

Tallebudgera Creek is a creek in South East Queensland, Australia. Its catchment lies within the Gold Coast local government area and covers an area of 98 square kilometres (38 sq mi). The river is approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length and is known for good fishing.

Tallebudgera
Waterway at Coplicks Lane in Tallebudgera, 2015
Tallebudgera Creek is located in Queensland
Tallebudgera Creek
Location of the Tallebudgera Creek mouth in Queensland
EtymologyAboriginal: good fishing[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateQueensland
RegionSouth East Queensland
Local government areaCity of Gold Coast
Physical characteristics
SourceSpringbrook Plateau
 • locationUpper Tallebudgera
 • coordinates28°13′13″S 153°19′10″E / 28.22028°S 153.31944°E / -28.22028; 153.31944
 • elevation100 m (330 ft)
MouthBurleigh Head
 • location
Palm Beach
 • coordinates
28°5′35″S 153°27′44″E / 28.09306°S 153.46222°E / -28.09306; 153.46222
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length25 km (16 mi)
Basin size98 km2 (38 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • rightMount Cougal Creek
National parkSpringbrook National Park
[2][3]

Course and features edit

 
Tallebudgera Creek close to the mouth and Burleigh Heads National Park

Tallebudgera Creek rises from the Springbrook Plateau in the Springbrook National Park, Mt Cougal Section, just north of the New South Wales/Queensland border. The creek flows generally north by east through the Tallebudgera Valley towards Burleigh Heads where it is crossed by the Pacific Motorway and the Gold Coast Highway, before reaching the popular swimming beach on the south side of Burleigh Head National Park and emptying into the Coral Sea. The creek descends 100 metres (330 ft) over its 25-kilometre (16 mi) course.[2] The name Tallebudgera comes from the Yugambeh word "Jalubay-ngagam", which means "dingo's urine".[4]

Tallebudgera Creek is known for good fishing. Bream, flathead, whiting and the bull shark are common species that are found in the creek.

As well as the main creek there is an extensive canal system, whose shores boast some of the Gold Coast's best housing.[citation needed] It is one of the Gold Coast's three main canal and creek systems, alongside the slightly smaller Currumbin Creek to the south and the much larger Nerang River to the north.

Dredging is carried out yearly in winter and spring to improve creek water quality and replenish sand on nearby Burleigh Beach.[5][6]

History edit

 
The construction of the bridge in 1926.

The first bridge across the creek was opened in 1926.[7] The road was then known as Main Ocean Road, later upgraded as the Pacific Highway and now known as the Gold Coast Highway.

The Tallebudgera Creek Dam was constructed on the creek in the 1950s as a water supply source for the lower Gold Coast. The dam was decommissioned during the 1970s. It appears that the dam was left for recreation purposes after decommissioning. In 2006, after two years of investigation, reports and public consultations, work commenced to upgrade the existing dam to the required dam safety standards.[8]

The Playroom nightclub opened at the southern end of Tallebudgera Bridge in 1966. A popular local social venue, the club was demolished in 1999 and is now a public carpark for the beach and adjoining fitness camp.[9]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Tallebudgera Creek". Visit Gold Coast. Gold Coast Tourism. 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Map of Tallebudgera Creek, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Tallebudgera Creek Catchment". City of Gold Coast. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  4. ^ "FAQ".
  5. ^ "Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks Dredging - Gold Coast Beaches". Gold Coast Beaches. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  6. ^ Services, corporateName=Office of the CEO | Corporate Communication | Web. "Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks dredging". www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  7. ^ Longhurst, Robert (1995). Gold Coast:Our heritage in focus. South Brisbane, Queensland: State Library of Queensland. p. 29. ISBN 0-7242-6563-5.
  8. ^ "Tallebudgera Creek Dam: At what price a life?". Golden Target Awards. University of Technology Sydney. 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  9. ^ Dolle, Kiri. "Now and Then: Bring back the Playroom". ABC.

External links edit

  • Tallebudgera Creek Catchment