The RDA Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Region is located in south-east Queensland, covering an area from 20-120 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD. The Region is bounded by the Gympie Regional Council area in the north and north-west, the Coral Sea in the east, Brisbane City to the south, and the Somerset Regional Council area in the south-west.
The RDA Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Region encompasses the City of Moreton Bay, Noosa Shire, and the Sunshine Coast Council area.
Land Use
The City of Moreton Bay, covering over 2,000 square kilometers, is a growing area with a mix of residential, rural, commercial, and industrial land. It includes mountain ranges, coastal wetlands, national parks, state forests, and urban centers. Rural land is primarily used for dairy farming, timber production, beef cattle, mixed farming, and tropical fruit growing.The Sunshine Coast Council area, spanning about 2,290 square kilometers, is a rapidly developing residential and tourist destination. It features significant beaches, coastlines, waterways, national parks, and bushland, with urban centers along the coast and inland towns. Tourism is a major industry, supported by numerous resorts and accommodations, while the rural areas are used for dairy farming, cattle grazing, and crop growing.Noosa Shire, covering 871 square kilometers, is also a growing residential and tourist region, with urban development concentrated along the coast and near the Noosa River. It includes the townships of Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Tewantin, and several smaller coastal and inland communities. Like the other areas, tourism plays a key role, with many resorts and holiday accommodations, while the rural areas are used for forestry, farming, cattle grazing, and crop cultivation.
Name Origin
The City of Moreton Bay is named after Moreton Bay, which was named by Captain James Cook in honor of James Douglas, the Earl of Morton. The Sunshine Coast was named in the 1960s to promote tourism, having previously been known as the North Coast. Noosa Shire's name is believed to come from an Aboriginal word meaning "ghost or shadow."
Indigenous Meaning
The traditional owners of the RDA Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Region were the Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi, Jinibara, and Turrbal Aboriginal peoples
Settlement
European settlement in the Moreton Bay region began in 1824 with Queensland's first penal settlement at Redcliffe, though it was relocated to Brisbane in 1825, followed by Sunshine Coast in 1850s, and Noosa Shire in 1860s. Land was taken up in the 1840s, being used mainly for timber-getting and farming. Population was minimal until the 1860s, when several townships were established and agriculture, including sugar-cane and cotton growing, became more popular. Growth took place from the late 1800s into the early 1900s, spurred by the opening of the railway line between Brisbane and Gympie in 1891. Land was then used for fruit growing and dairy farming. Expansion continued during the 1920s and 1930s particularly in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast aided by tourism and improved access. Significant development occurred during the post-war years, particularly from the late 1960s. The region witnessed rapid population growth in the 1970s and 1980s. Growth has continued since with the Sunshine Coast and City of Moreton Bay’s population more than doubling in the three decades to 2021.
Major Features
The Moreton Bay region features a variety of national parks, marine parks, conservation areas, and recreational facilities, including Bellthorpe National Park, Bribie Island National Park, D’Aguilar National Park, and Glass House Mountains National Park. It also boasts Moreton Bay Marine Park, Pumicestone Passage Marine Park, numerous state forests, the Caboolture CBD, Redcliffe CBD, shopping centers like Morayfield and Westfield North Lakes, and several museums, including the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology and the Bribie Island Seaside Museum. There are also significant sports and cultural venues, such as the Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Lakeside Motor Sport Complex, and Redcliffe Cultural Centre. Key natural features include Lake Samsonvale, the North and South Pine Rivers, and various marinas, parks, and beaches. The Sunshine Coast region is known for its extensive national parks, including Noosa and Glass House Mountains, as well as marine parks like Pumicestone Passage. The area also includes major facilities such as the University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, and the Sunshine Coast Health Institute. Popular tourist attractions include Australia Zoo, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, Aussie World, and the Ginger Factory. Other highlights include Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary, Mooloolah River, and numerous beaches, shopping centers, and golf courses. Noosa Shire features national parks such as Noosa, Tewantin, and Great Sandy, as well as conservation parks and regional parks like Mount Cooroy. Notable attractions include Noosa Botanic Gardens, Noosa Aquatic Centre, the Noosa River, and several lakes, including Lake Cooroibah and Lake Weyba. The region is also home to sports facilities, the Noosa Regional Gallery, and numerous golf courses and beaches.
Transport
Bruce Highway and the Sunshine Coast railway line provide the key connectivity to these council areas. D’Aguilar Highway, and the Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula railway lines also service the Moreton Bay Area. Air transport for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa is provided by the Sunshine Coast Airport. Moreton Bay residents can access Brisbane International Airport.
