BILINGA
QLD 4225
Area Profile / History / Events / Shopping / Restaurants / Schools / Amenities / Sports and Parks
Bilinga
Bilinga is a beach side suburb claimed as The Gold Coast’s smallest with a population of under 2000 people and home of the Gold Coast International Airport
Nestled between Kirra and Tugun, this little pocket has a very laid-back year round holiday feeling with a mixture of permanent residents and short term visitors.
Bilinga History
History:
The name Bilinga is believed to be derived from the Aboriginal name Bilinba meaning “Bats”.
Originally named in 1918 as the crown land north of Coolangatta. In 1923 the suburbs first general store was opened and operated by Percy Henzel adjacent to the railway siding that was approved in 1919.
Settlement slowly progressed and in 1936 the Gold Coast Airport site was chosen complete with a grass runway – originally as a stopover for air mail between Sydney and Brisbane. In 1939 the first passenger flights were introduced with smaller airline companies operating after WW2 followed by Ansett airlines in 1950 and TAA following in 1954. The runway and taxiways were eventually fully paved in 1958.
The 1960’s and 1970’s saw the start of the beachfront apartment boom slowly replacing the many beach shacks as visitor numbers and accommodation demand increased due to better quality road systems and improved airline infrastructure.
Bilinga Events Attractions & Shopping
Shopping:
- Volcom – Airport Central
- The Strand – Marine Parade Coolangatta
- Tugun Village – Tugun
- Flight Store – Aviation products
- Kirra Surf – Kirra
- Apex Car Rentals
Attractions:
- Sea Air – charter flights
- ABC Heli – scenic flights and charters
- Coolangatta Whale Watch – tours
Bilinga Restaurants / Cafes
- Mervyn Roys Cafe – Golden Four Drive Bilinga
- Brew Corner at Bilinga News
- Burger Me Fresh – Airport Central
- JJ’s On Golden Four Drive
- Bilinga Surf Club
- North Kirra Surf Club
Schools & Education
- Southern Cross University
- Palm Beach Currumbin High School
- Coolangatta State School
Bilinga Amenities
Medical:
- Kalwun Health Service
- The Tweed Hospital – Powell Street Tweed Heads
- John Flynn Private Hospital – Inland Drive Tugun
- Tugun Family Practice – Golden Four Drive
- Coolangatta Medical Centre – Griffith Street Coolangatta
- Musgrave Street Medical Centre – Musgrave Street Coolangatta
- Eye Specialist Institute
- Audio Clinic – The Strand
- Kirra Beach Family Practice – Musgrave Street Kirra
- The Skin Cancer Centre – Eastern Avenue
- Sunshine Hearing – McLean Street
- Hearing Life – Musgrave Street
Retirement:
- RSL Galleon Gardens Retirement Community – Galleon Way Currumbin Waters
- Serene Retirement Living – Florence Street Tweed Heads
Sports & Parks
Parks & Recreation:
- Betty Diamonds sporting complex
- Adina Park
- Jo Doniger Park
- Tugun Esplanade
- Little Boyd Street Reserve Tugun
- Tugun Park Tugun
- Roughton Park Kirra
- Golden Four Park Tugun
Sporting Clubs/Activities
- Bilinga Surf Life Saving Club – Golden Four Drive
- Sierra Fitness – Eastern Avenue
- North Kirra Surf Lifesaving Club – Pacific Parade and Lang Street
- Tugun Rugby League Football Club
- Coolangatta YHA