Tannum Sands

Tannum Sands is a coastal town and locality on the central east coast of Queensland, Australia within the Gladstone Region.

Tannum Sands is a coastal town and locality on the central east coast of Queensland, Australia within the Gladstone Region.At the 2016 census, Tannum Sands had a population of 5,145. The population of Tannum Sands and neighbouring twin town Boyne Island is approaching 10,000. The two localities are separated only by the Boyne River and joined by a bridge.

The area south of the Boyne River was originally known as Redcliff (being the colour of the stoney cliffs) and then renamed Wild Cattle Creek (being the name of the creek that flows through the area) and had been a popular fishing and picnic location for the people of Boyne Island, but remained unsettled due to its inaccessibility.Closer settlement began in the late 1930s when 12 beach front lots were auctioned.The town received its original name Tannum when a group of children returned from a Sunday School picnic to the beach quite sunburnt.The comment was made "we can really tan 'um over there."One of the people present worked for the Queensland Land Department thought it would be a good name for the area and registered the name.On 12 April 1951, the town was renamed Tannum Sands.A bridge connecting Tannum Sands to Boyne Island was constructed as a result of the construction of the Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter. It was opened on 11 October 1980.

Tannum Sands State School was opened on 24 January 1983.Tannum Sands State High School was opened on 22 January 1998.St. Francis Catholic Primary School was opened in 2005.