I must go down to the sea again…
The sedate and suburban shores of present-day Bramble Bay are a far cry from when Sandgate – then encompassing both Shorncliffe and Brighton – was Brisbane’s premier seaside resort.
The township was not very old before Brisbanites, seeking respite from the heat and bustle of the city, began looking north for somewhere to relax and recruit their strength and health; newspapers of the 1880s and ’90s bristled with advertisements for holiday lets.
Naturally, the main attraction of the area was the seashore. Sea air, seawater and the gentle breezes off the bay were considered to be beneficial for all manner of ailments, especially respiratory problems. Aside from the seaside’s restorative properties, though, both locals and visitors alike relished water sports and pastimes.
Swimming at Sandgate
Swimming was especially enjoyed although until the early 20th century bathers were segregated by gender. The Queenslander reported in 1873 that on days when large crowds flocked to the beach, sometimes disputes arose as to whether men or women could have access to the water.
As the paper opined, “The great drawback to Sandgate’s progress as a watering-place is the utterly insufficient accommodation for the bathing of both sexes separately and simultaneously.”
This was eventually resolved when Sandgate pier baths provided swimming areas for both males and females, the former frolicking on the southern side of the pier and the latter on the northern side.
Competitive fishing, an activity that men and women could indulge in together publicly, was popular. In 1895, the Telegraph reported a contest in which 647 fish were caught. Most notably, they said, “A young lady from Sydney caught 160, which, we think, establishes a record for lady piscatorials in Australia.”
Boating, whether in dinghies or sailboats, entertained many. The Sandgate regatta, first held in 1887, was a drawcard for both competitors and spectators. The first contest comprised sailing, rowing (in Cabbage Tree Creek) and paddling races, although, as the Brisbane Courier noted, yacht racing was unlikely, there being only one entry.
Proximity to or activity in the water inevitably led to occasional mishaps or disasters. The Brisbane Courier in 1887 listed some of the dangers, especially jellyfish (“recently a bather was stung on the nose and suffered frightful agonies for three or four hours”) and “swarming” sharks. Accidental drowning was not uncommon. Given the fashions of the day, though, sunburn was unlikely to trouble many.
These perils and upsets notwithstanding, Sandgate was the place to be for summer seaside fun, relaxation, sports and games – all things we enjoy today, only with fewer clothes.
Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:
