Biggera Waters

Biggera Waters, on the Gold Coast, is a residential suburb with some canal estates. It is 5 km north of Southport and looks out over Broadwater to the southern end of South Stradbroke Island. It was named after the Biggera Creek, a short stream with headwaters at the back of Labrador. The name is thought to have been derived from an Aboriginal word referring to the red ironbark tree. Before being developed for residential purposes the locality was known as Anglers Paradise, which is now part of the adjoining suburb of Runaway Bay.

Anglers Paradise, mostly fibro and timber cottages, was east of Morala Avenue. Westwards, toward Coombabah Creek, the land was low-lying swamp, terrain suited to drainage works and later the Runaway Bay canal estate. On the margin of the low-lying land a site was chosen for the Southport drive-in cinema. In 1960 the Biggera Creek was bridged, spurring on subdivisions and building. Another estate (Biggera Waters) between Anglers Paradise and the drive-in was used for units, duplexes and some detached houses. A State primary school was opened in 1970. Harbourside Gardens, east of the Harbour Town shopping centre, is a retirement village with an age requirement of 50 plus.

Everyday shopping is found at Biggera Waters Shopping Centre at the corner of Hollywell Road and the Gold Coast Highway. The walking distance is not much further than a stroll to Broadwater foreshore. Runaway Bay drive-in shopping centre is about 2-3 km north. Harbour Town, with about 60 factory outlets, occupies the former drive-in picture theatre site. Additional canal developments north and west of Harbour Town were completed during the 2000s.

Biggera Waters' census populations have been: