Tannum Sands is a coastal town and locality on the central east coast of Queensland, Australia within the Gladstone Region. At the 2011 census, Tannum Sands had a population of 5,254. 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.
History
The area south of the Boyne River was originally known as 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.
Overview
Tannum Sands is primarily a tourist and residential town. It has a patrolled beach and is well known as a fishing venue with access to the Great Barrier Reef, the Boyne River and Lake Awoonga. It is a major residential area for the nearby Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter and Gladstone-based industries.
Boyne Island and Tannum Sands are also home to the Boyne Tannum Hookup, Australia's largest family fishing event held on the Queens Birthday long weekend. The event is held at Bray Park. This event is very popular with more than 3,000 entrants.
Sport
Boyne-Tannum has a strong sporting community with teams competing in Soccer, Rugby League, Australian Rules Football, Cricket, Touch football, Netball, Tennis, Surf Life Saving, Swimming and Hockey. The area has 2 sporting grounds, the BITS (Boyne Island Tannum Sands) club for Cricket, Football, Golf, Soccer and Lawn Bowls. While Dennis Park accommodates Touch Football, Netball and Rugby League. Within Tannum Sands itself is the Tannum Sands Tennis Association and the Tannum Sands Squash Centre. The latter also provides rock climbing and a gymnasium.
Kiteboarding is a rapidly growing sport in the region, with Tannum Sands becoming a nationally renowned location. The sport is promoted annually with the Coconet Classic, which was formerly the National Kiteboarding Titles, but is now an open event held during the Easter long weekend.
Education
Tannum Sands hosts a small variety of schools including one public high school, two public primary schools and one private primary school for students from areas nearby such as Miriam Vale, Benaraby, and Calliope.