Nerang, Queensland
Nerang is a suburb of the Gold Coast, that lies upon the Nerang River. Nerang, like Mudgeeraba, is the very remnant of those townships that characterise the rural hinterland of the Gold Coast. Together with Advancetown and Tallebudgera its settlement was brought together with the construction of the Gold Coast railway in the later years of the 19th century. It was not until this century that the coastal lands became dominant. Subdivision was conventional and buildings were traditional rural or rural commercial. Nerang has focused very much on the river crossing and the head of navigation. Land was first sold in 1871 and coach and river transplant to the settlement became more regular. Sugar and maize were grown by farmers along the upper reaches of the river. The arrival of the railway in 1887 gave added impetus to the town. Recent years have seen the early Nerang flourish as an administrative centre for the growing Gold Coast. The construction of the 'new' Pacific Highway on the old railway reserve has helped to focus development in the town in a manner which has extended and indeed largely swamped the early township. Its character is however still dependent upon the river and the early subdivision and commercial centre survives. Nerang is a regional hub, containing several shopping centres and Nerang Station.
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