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History of Manly


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Surrounding suburbs are Wynnum (to the north), Lota to the South and Manly West (to the west). To the east lies Moreton Bay.

This part of Moreton Bay was occupied by the Aboriginal Mipirimm people. Their lifestyle was semi-nomadic. Increasing contact with the white settlers brought new diseases to the Aborigines including smallpox and tuberculosis which savaged the indigenous population.

European settlement of the Manly area first took place around 1860. In 1882 land was sold by auction for the 'Manly Beach Estate'. In 1889 a railway line was opened that provided a direct service to the state capital, Brisbane. By the early 1900s the area had become a popular seaside location.

The well sheltered coastal location of Manly has resulted it becoming a popular location for boating. In 1958 Manly Boat Harbour was built. Large tidal walls were constructed to the north and south with dredging being undertaken to deepen the harbour. The silt that was recovered in this process was brought ashore and used in the construction of the parks and parking areas around the harbour. These areas are now the subject of a major redevelopment project by the Brisbane City Council that is due to be completed in 2008. The Manly Boat Harbour is now the largest boat harbour facility in Queensland.

A number of boating clubs are based in Manly including the Brisbane Sailing Club (now the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) which relocated to the area in 1964
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