The Gold Coast, now one of Australia’s most recognized coastal cities, holds a rich and varied history that stretches from Indigenous heritage to its current status as a bustling urban and tourist hub. Long before skyscrapers lined the shore, the area was home to the Yugambeh people, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, and Wangerriburra clans, who lived in harmony with the land.

European exploration began in 1823 with John Oxley's journey along the Tweed River, but it was the promise of timber from the hinterlands that spurred wider interest and settlement during the mid-19th century. By 1870, the inland town of Nerang was formally established, followed by Burleigh Heads in 1873 and Southport in 1875, the latter of which quickly gained popularity among Brisbane’s elite as a tranquil seaside retreat.

During the interwar years, the coast saw a surge in “seaside shacks,” modest holiday homes constructed from recycled or leftover materials—from disused timber and fibro cement to metal containers and even old trams. These humble dwellings laid the foundation for what would become a permanent holiday culture along the coast.

The turning point came with the opening of the Surfers Paradise Hotel in the late 1920s, which catalyzed the region’s growth. By the 1950s, inflated real estate prices and tourist demand earned the area the nickname "Gold Coast"—initially viewed as derogatory by some locals. Over time, the name stuck, and on 23 October 1958, the Town of South Coast was officially renamed the Town of Gold Coast, achieving city status on 16 May 1959.

The Gold Coast experienced a significant boom in the 1980s, evolving into a top-tier tourist destination. In 1994, the city's local government was expanded to include the Shire of Albert, bringing much of the surrounding hinterland under a single administrative umbrella.

By 2007, the Gold Coast had surpassed Newcastle, New South Wales, becoming Australia’s sixth-largest city and the most populous non-capital city. In a crowning achievement, the Gold Coast proudly hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games, marking its global presence as a major sporting and cultural destination.

From its deep Indigenous roots to its rise as a glittering international metropolis, the Gold Coast remains a dynamic symbol of heritage, transformation, and coastal charm.