Located west of Southport, Molendinar compromises the industrial estate of the Gold Coast, dotted with retail shops and featuring many residential acreage homes.
With commercial development of the Molendinar Industrial Estate coming alive in 1969 the area has since flourished.
One historical treasure which remains is the abandoned railway tunnel surrounded by gardens and tucked away on Ashmore Rd.
The Ernest Junction Tunnel dates back to 1964 and is a landmark for the suburb.
Harcourts Coastal Gold Coast sales agent Julie Reid says the Commonwealth Games Village will draw a lot of attention to Molendinar.
“Quite a few investors are snapping up land because the area is positioned beside the Gold Coast Hospital and the parkland will be home to the Commonwealth Games Village,” Julie says.
Julie describes the area as a secret for acreage land on the Gold Coast.
“Molendinar is a well-kept secret behind Southport,” Julie says.
“There are a lot of beautiful acreage homes here that people seem to forget about. It is such a big suburb divided into industrial and residential and the homes are tucked away at the back.”
Julie says a lot of retirees are opting to live in the area.
“I am seeing a lot of retirees settling out the back of the suburb where they can spread their wings and enjoy the bush land,” she says.
“The retirees are seeking single level homes with space for their lifestyle and a place to park their caravan.”
With the median house price in Molendinar $570,000, Julie believes the suburb is much more than just a commercial and industrial precinct.
“The suburb encapsulates new areas and it is so much bigger than just Crestwood, there is acreage just sitting behind the hub of everything,” she says.
“The area also features a private school and handfuls of local shops, which makes it a really accessible area for families.
“High density is moving into the suburb as well. The new Aldi has been a plus for families which mostly occupy the area.”
Molendinar councillor Dawn Crichlow says the suburb has changed dramatically over the years.
“It was a rough part of the Gold Coast in the 1960s and was once called Silver Bridle,” Dawn says. Dawn says the infamous Bridle Boys were notorious in the ‘60s.
“The public housing homes were on large 700sq m blocks and were appealing to home buyers in the ‘90s because there was enough space in the backyard to kick the football.
“After the university sprung up the area was in hot demand and it was a proud place to live.”
“The community has always been active and Lyn Richardson, a longtime local, was one of the key figures of helping tidy up the area and the community centre was named after her when she passed away a few years ago,” Dawn says. “She was a superhero for the area.”
Dawn says the Ernest Junction Tunnel is an attractive place for family outings.
