There is a bridge in the south-east of the locality across the mouth of Biggera Creek to the Lands End headland in Biggera Waters to the south.[5]
History
In 1939, Robert George Oates (as the Anglers Paradise Development Company) bought 350 acres (140 ha) of land along Biggera Creek (around Ocean Street) and the Broadwater (around Bayview Street). By mid 1950s, there was a town water supply and about 50 homes, both permanent residences and holiday homes.[8] In 1960 the construction of the bridge across the mouth of Biggera Creek to Lands End (then in Labrador) encouraged further development in the area.[9]
In 1967, the Lae Enterprises company bought 182 hectares (450 acres) of land north of Anglers Paradise along the western shore of the Broadwater. Development started in 1972 to transform the subdivision into a residential and boating area. The name "Runaway Bay" was coined to promote the area as a tranquil retreat.[10] Initially the name was rejected as an official suburb name, but it was used for the local post office, which led to it becoming the official suburb name.[2]
St Francis Xavier's Catholic School opened on 28 January 1975.[11] From that time until 1980, Catholic church services were held at the school by priests from the Southport parish. On 5 October 1980 a separate parish was formed with Father Basil Nolan as the first priest. The Holy Family Catholic Church opened in 1983.[12]
The Runaway Bay Library opened in 1992 with a major refurbishment in 2011.[13]
The Sports Super Centre was established in 2000 by runner Ron Clarke. In 2010 it was expanded to include an education program for schools. In 2011 it was sold to the Queensland Government.[14][15]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Runaway Bay had a population of 9,068 people.[16]
In the 2021 census, Runaway Bay had a population of 9,308 people.[1]
There are no regular government schools in Runaway Bay. The nearest government primary schools are Biggera Waters State School in neighbouring Biggera Waters to the south and Coombabah State School in neighbouring Coombabah to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Coombabah State High School in neighbouring Coombabah to the south-west.[5]
The suburb is also home to the Runaway Bay Junior Rugby League club, which was formed in 1974 after local residents met at the old Runaway Bay shopping centre with the intention of forming a club for kids to play sport.[34]
^"NEW RESIDENTS WELCOMED". South Coast Bulletin. No. 1649. Queensland, Australia. 29 September 1954. p. 8. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Anglers Paradise". Gold Coast City Libraries. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.