The Strand, Townsville
Encyclopedia
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is located in the suburb of North Ward
North Ward, Queensland
North Ward, is a suburb in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. North Ward is home to the beachside area known as The Strand, which overlooks Magnetic Island...
. The Strand has a view of the Port of Townsville
Port of Townsville
Port of Townsville is a seaport in Townsville, Queensland. It is the third largest seaport in Queensland after Port of Brisbane and the Central Queensland Port in Gladstone. Port of Townsville handles numerous imports and exports mainly, Mineral Ores, Fertiliser, Concentrates, Sugar and Motor...
and Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is an island offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with 2,107 permanent residents. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry...
, as well as to Cape Cleveland. Features in the area include a jetty, a recreational park, restaurants, cafes and pools.
History
The Strand has been a part of Townsville's history since the city was founded in the mid-19th century. The current foreshore was opened in 1999 after the old foreshore was severely damaged and eroded after heavy rainfall and wind from Tropical Cyclone Sid in January 1998 and other monsoonal storms between 1997 and 1998. It was moderately damaged by Cyclone Tessi in April 2000.The Townsville City Council, Queensland State
Government of Queensland
The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the "Queensland Government".The form of the Government of Queensland is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1859, although it has been amended many times since then...
and Australian Federal
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
Governments provided an initial joint funding of around 35 million for the development of the current foreshore. An estimated 80,000 people turned out on the opening weekend, which included numerous events including a pyrotechnics and fireworks display, and a skyshow.
There is a height restriction on the foreshore area of the Strand, limiting development to small rise buildings. This was due to the construction of the 15-story Aquarius Hotel in 1971, which was challenged by the residents of North Ward
North Ward, Queensland
North Ward, is a suburb in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. North Ward is home to the beachside area known as The Strand, which overlooks Magnetic Island...
, and nearby Castle Hill
Castle Hill, Townsville
Castle Hill is an isolated pink granite monolith standing in the heart of the north Queensland city of Townsville. It rises to a height of some 286 metres above sea level and dominates the city skyline. It is one of the most distinctive natural features on the Queensland coast...
. The Aquarius is the only high rise along the foreshore strip, but since the early 90's, two other high-rise buildings have been erected on the Strand, but away from the foreshore.
The Strand was recently named Australia's cleanest Beach in 2008. This was the second time the award was given to the beach in five years. An Anzac Day march in 2009 attracted 20,000 people to The Strand.
Festivities
Since the opening of the Strand, the foreshore has been used for many annual or monthly events. The fourth Friday of each month sees Strand Park used for Nightmarkets, which is a popular festivity among the local residents. Other events include the annual Townsville City Council Run Christmas events, Carols by Candlelight and Stable on the StrandStable on the Strand
For five days before Christmas each year, Townsville’s major ocean-front park, The Strand is transformed into the historic town of Bethlehem, complete with Roman soldiers, traditional craftspeople, livestock, shepherds and of course Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.-The story:An interactive re-creation...
, as well as a fireworks display and gathering on New Year's Eve. One example of a bi-annual event is the Strand Ephemera, wherein local and regional artists display their works along the foreshore. Some works from this event have become permanent on the foreshore, including the Silver Coconuts near the Rock Pool.
The Strand held the 2001 Centenary of Federation events
Federation of Australia
The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
, including a fireworks display and skyshow which attracted a crowd of around 86,000. The Strand was also the 'cauldron stop' for Townsville
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
, during the Australian leg of the 2000 Sydney Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
Torch Relay
Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...
.
Features
- Oceanway pavement
- Rockpool
- Barbecue areas
- Surf Lifesaving Club
- Strand Park
- Waterpark
- Tobruk Memorial BathsTobruk Memorial BathsThe Tobruk Memorial Baths in Townsville, Australia is a complex of outdoor swimming pools operated by the Townsville City Council. It is located on The Strand, in the beachside suburb of North Ward.-Facilities:...
- 9 metre high 'Space Net' installed February 2006 on the beach fronting Strand Park
