Tannum Sands is a coastal town and locality on the central east coast of Queensland, Australia within the Gladstone Region. At the, Tannum Sands had a population of 5,145. 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 and joined by a bridge.
Geography
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.
History
The area south of the Boyne River was originally known as Wild Cattle Creek 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. A bridge connecting Tannum Sands to Boyne Island was constructed as a result of the construction of the Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter. It was opened on 11 October 1980. Tannum Sands State School was opened on 24 January 1983. Tannum Sands State High School was opened on 22 January 1998. St. Francis Catholic Primary School was opened in 2005.
Events
Boyne Island and Tannum Sands are also home to the Boyne Tannum Hookup, Australia's largest family fishing event held on the Queens Birthdaylong weekend. The event is held at Bray Park. This event is very popular with more than 3,000 entrants.
Tannum Sands hosts a number of schools including a public primary school, a public high school, and a Catholic primary school. They draw students from both the local areas but also from the wider region including from Miriam Vale, Benaraby, and Calliope. Tannum Sands State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at Waratah Crescent. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 736 students with 49 teachers and 27 non-teaching staff. It includes a special education program. St Francis Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school for boys and girls at Francis Way. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 231 students with 21 teachers and 15 non-teaching staff. Tannum Sands State High School is a government secondary school for boys and girls at 65 Coronation Drive. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 1,066 students with 86 teachers and 44 non-teaching staff. It includes a special education program.
