The town was originally called Wallu, but was changed to Tin Can Bay in 1937. The origins of "Tin Can" are uncertain, but is believed to be derived from an indigenous name, possibly tinchin meaning mangrove in the Yugarabul dialect of the Yuggera language, or tinken meaning vine with large ribbed leaves from Doombarah Clan, Dulinbara dialect, Kabi language, or Tuncanbar, thought to refer to the dugongs that frequent the inlet. European settlement began in the 1870s as the point where logs would be floated to the timber mills at Maryborough. Tin Can Bay later became, and still remains, an important fishing port, with a focus on prawns as well as recreational fishing. Wallu State School opened on 1 February 1934 and was renamed Tin Can Bay State School in 1937. The Tin Can Bay Library opened in 1985 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2005. Tin Can Bay was formerly in the Shire of Cooloola until its amalgamation in 2008 into the Gympie Region. At the, Tin Can Bay had a population of 1,994.
Visitor attractions
The seaside town is a popular holiday destination. Recreational facilities include hotels, holiday units and caravan parks, with houseboats and yachts for hire and a marina. Active sports facilities include an 18-hole golf course, two bowls clubs, tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool. The Tin Can Bay Country Club serves residents and visitors in the Tin Can Bay, Cooloola Cove and Rainbow Beach areas. An important tourist feature is the regular arrival of wild Australian humpback dolphins which usually appear early mornings next to the Norman Point boat ramp. These dolphins can be hand fed under close supervision. Bird watching is another popular activity as Tin Can Bay is home to a wide variety of birds. Each September the town hosts the Tin Can Bay Seafood Festival, a day of family fun, with entertainment, novelty competitions such as mullet throwing and prawn eating, helicopter joy flights over the bay, seafood and market stalls. Other events throughout the year include the Bay to Bay Yacht Race, Dragonboat Regatta, Cooloola Coast Flower Show and the Foreshore Family Carnival from Boxing Day to New Year's Eve.
Amenities
The Gympie Regional Council operate a public library at the park on Tin Can Bay Road. There is an excellent public boat ramp into Snapper Creek with boat-washing facilities and ample trailer parking. A vehicular ferry operates at nearby Inskip Point providing access to Fraser Island. The Tin Can Bay branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 18 Whiting Street.
Image Gallery
Heritage listings
Tin Can Bay has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
