Esplanade Headland

Centaur Memorial

King's Beach bathing pavilion was constructed in 1937 by the Landsborough Shire Council. The pavilion was built as part of a larger scheme to improve the facilities at Caloundra, which was growing in popularity as a seaside resort. The pavilion was designed by CE Plant, and was constructed for a cost of £3030. The building comprised a small kiosk, entrance vestibule and open air change rooms exhibiting Spanish Mission architectural influence.

The construction of the Bruce Highway and a connecting road to Caloundra was a catalyst for Caloundra's growth in the late 1930s. This building is one of the few which survive from the period which demonstrate this pattern of growth. The King's Beach Bathing Pavilion demonstrates the development and expansion of Caloundra as a seaside resort in the 1930s. The building is also significant as an example of a 1930s public bathing pavilion with its open air change rooms and with the exterior exhibiting Spanish Mission architectural influences. The building continues to be used as public toilets and change rooms.

Significance Statement from the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Page SC6-102

King's Beach Bathing Pavilion state listing, local listing

From the State Listing

Criterion A

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.

The bathing pavilion is evidence of the development of Caloundra as a holiday resort, and provides one of the first examples of the local council's provision of public facilities to enhance the growth of the region as a holiday destination.

It has a strong association with the Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club.

Criterion B

The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland’s cultural heritage.

The building is a rare example of the built environment at Caloundra of the 1930s.

Criterion D

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.

The pavilion has evidence of the layout of a 1930s changing and open air toilet facility. The building is an example of the work of Brisbane architect Clifford E. Plant, and of Spanish Mission architectural influence.

This one storey masonry building was constructed in 1937 by the Landsborough Shire Council to provide public bathing and kiosk facilities for those using Kings Beach. The architect of the pavilion was Clifford E. Plant and the contractor was RA Lind. It was built at a cost of £3,030.

The Landsborough Shire Council built the pavilion in 1937 as part of a large development scheme designed to make Kings Beach, the principal beach in Caloundra, a premier holiday attraction. During the 1930s several local councils in south east Queensland, including the councils at the South Coast and Redcliffe, were developing their foreshore areas to encourage holiday makers, thereby increasing trade and land value. Resources were made available by the state government for these schemes through the unemployment relief initiatives. Unlike the councils at the South Coast who were developing already popular and long established beaches, the development at Kings Beach was the first major effort by the local council to establish Caloundra as a sea-side resort.