QLDPort & river
Nerang
The Gold Coast’s old rural capital grew where the river could be crossed.
1865Township surveyed at the river crossing
WHAT STARTED IT
Nerang was surveyed in 1865 on the west bank of the Nerang River, where Ferry Street led down to the crossing. Cedar-getting and sugar plantations along the river made it the service town for the district.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Cobb & Co coaches from Brisbane arrived in 1871 and a school in 1875, and a branch railway reached the town in 1889. The line through Nerang closed in 1961, and from the 1970s the old farming town grew into a residential centre for the coast.
TURNING POINTS
1865Surveyor Lavelle lays out the Nerang township on the river’s west bank.
1871The first town allotments are sold, and the Cobb & Co coach route is extended to Nerang.
1889The branch railway from Southport Junction opens to Nerang in July.
1961The railway through Nerang to Tweed Heads closes.
1997The new Gold Coast railway line reaches Nerang on 16 December.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A large Gold Coast suburb and transport hub, home to the City of Gold Coast’s headquarters. The early township still sits beside the river.