The Gold Coast carries a deep and diverse history, with its land originally home to the Yugambeh people and their clans, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, and Wangerriburra. Indigenous communities thrived in the region for thousands of years before European explorer John Oxley arrived in 1823, navigating the Tweed River. The mid-19th century saw an influx of settlers drawn by the timber industry, leading to the establishment of small townships along the coast and hinterland.

The development of Nerang as a base for the timber trade in the 1870s marked the region’s first urban expansion, followed by the creation of Burleigh Heads and Southport, which quickly gained popularity among Brisbane’s wealthy elite as a coastal retreat.

Following World War I, the city saw the rise of seaside shacks, an affordable and sustainable way for families to enjoy coastal living. Between 1914 and 1946, these makeshift beach homes—built from recycled timber, metal containers, and even old trams—lined the shore, reflecting an early culture of eco-friendly innovation.

This early mix of Indigenous heritage, industry, and tourism set the foundation for the Gold Coast’s evolution into the world-renowned destination it is today, where history and modernity seamlessly intertwine.