Southport General Cemetery

Nestled in the heart of Gold Coast is the historic Southport General Cemetery. The cemetery contains the graves of many of the original settlers who arrived in the area during the 1850s. The first burial took place in 1858. Today, the cemetery is a popular tourist destination for those interested in local history and culture. In later years, it became the final resting place for many of the area’s early settlers and their families. Today, the cemetery is home to over 1,000 graves, making it one of the largest public cemeteries in Queensland.

The cemetery is also home to many notable gravesites, including Joan Elizabeth Hetherington (1896-1976), an Australian aviator and one of the first female pilots in the country. Hetherington was born in Brisbane but moved to Southport when she was six. After taking up flying lessons in her twenties, she became a respected member of the local flying community and even set some world records for altitude and distance. Her grave is marked with a small plaque that reads “Joan Elizabeth Hetherington – Australia’s Aviation Pioneer”. Jump on over to our website to know more!

Another notable gravesite at Southport General Cemetery is that of Frederick Charles Daniell (1861-1930), a gold prospector who played a significant role in developing the gold industry in Queensland. Born in England, Daniell arrived in Australia in 1884 and soon began prospecting for gold in the Palmer River region. In 1886, he struck it lucky, finding a large nugget that weighed over 4kgs! He worked as a gold prospector for many years before settling in Southport in 1915. His grave is marked with a simple headstone bearing his name and dates.

Southport General Cemetery is a beautiful, historic cemetery on the Gold Coast. With over 1,000 gravesites dating back to 1872, it is one of the largest public cemeteries in Queensland. The cemetery is also home to some notable gravesites, including Joan Elizabeth Hetherington and Frederick Charles Daniell. If you’re ever in the area, take some time to explore this fascinating piece of local history.

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