Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay is a coastal suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Runaway Bay is a coastal suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Runaway Bay had a population of 9,068 people.The neighbourhood of Anglers Paradise (27.9233°S 153.3989°E? / -27.9233; 153.3989? (Anglers Paradise)) is situated within Runaway Bay. It is the southern area of Runaway Bay developed before 1967.

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. 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.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. 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.St Francis Xavier's Catholic School opened on 28 January 1975. 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.The Runaway Bay Library opened in 1992 with a major refurbishment in 2011.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.In the 2016 census, Runaway Bay had a population of 9,068 people.