R&H Suburb Profile SOUTHPORT

Southport is a suburb and a business district near the mid-point of the Gold Coast, and has one of the city's largest communities. At the 2006 census, Southport had a population of 24,097.

It was named Southport because it was the southernmost port of the colony of QLD. Southport is recognised as the central business district of the Gold Coast City. It has the city's largest area of office space (103,818 m²). In the past, Southport was the central entertainment location of the Gold Coast. It is now set apart from the normal tourist hub of the Gold Coast but has still experienced tourist-driven development and extraordinary growth.

The area of coast facing Southport is known as the Broadwater, which houses the Southport Yacht Club and several marinas. The area is used for fishing, boating, and water sports. It is fronted by park lands, popular area with locals. Opposite Southport on the Broadwater is the theme park Sea World.

Although the Broadwater water is suitable for swimming, it is only 6 minutes from Surfers Paradise which features high quality beaches and infrastructure including a permanent life guard station. Southport is also bordered by the Nerang River. Bordered by the Nerang River and the Broadwater,

Fine accommodation, boutique shops and waterfront restaurants complete the Southport Spit's reputation for indulgence and fun.

Australia Fair Shopping Centre, located in the old Southport CBD, is a large indoor shopping centre containing 233 stores and a cinema.

The Gold Coast Hospital, the only public-only hospital on the Gold Coast, is located in Southport. The surrounding area has been substantially redeveloped, and now includes several private medical practices.

St Hilda's School, founded in 1911, is opposite the hospital and is the only all-girls school on the Gold Coast. Southport is home to The Southport School, once the largest boarding school in QLD. The school was founded in 1901 and has a well-known clock tower and chapel. It is also one of the few schools in Australia where cadet service is mandatory.

Southport is easily accessible by public transport, with multiple bus routes passing through the suburb on Scarborough Street. A ferry terminal is planned for a new pier to be constructed along the Southport Mall alignment. The area is served by Gold Coast Airport and Brisbane Airport, with connecting public transport to the Gold Coast.