HISTORY OF THE GC

Surfing

Beaches

Surfing

Tourism

Local atmosphere

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Miami

Did you know the first event of the modern world surfing tour was held at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast?

During the 1950s and 1960s, was when the Gold coast was truly forming into this 'holiday location'

The ocean and water, holds a very important place in the Gold Coast communities heart

Timeline

In less then a century, the Gold Coast has evolved from a string of seaside villages to one of the most famous holiday destinations in the world (https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/gold-coast-surfing-21050.html)

1917: Queensland's southern coastal strip was being described as a 'surfer's paradise'

In 1933: the township known as Elston was officially renamed Surfers Paradise.

1977: Stubbies Surf Classic took place with the winner being a local surfing icon, Michael Peterson.

Surfing is Taken very seriously; we are the first government in the world to formally recognise the importance of surfing.

"Surf Management Plan" & "Surf Industry Support Booklet"

1940 These seaside towns of the South Coast (now Gold Coast) became well known to the thousands of Australian and US armed servicemen who came for recreational leave during the Second World War (https://www.goldcoastinfo.net/aboutgc/history/ )

1965 The area was becoming a popular destination and in 1965 the Meter Maid scheme began topping up the empty parking meters of visitors, with Annette Welch being the first bikini-clad meter maid.

"From Southport to Coolangatta, holiday houses, motels and guesthouses were built to accomodate the droves of visitors wanting to enjoy our coast."

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1972 The first theme park opened, Sea World (formerly Ski Gardens based at Carrara). Originally developed by Keith Williams now owned by Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow.

Nobby Beach

It is documented that the Nobbies was the late nineteenth century name for little Burleigh Head- and a local reference to Fowler's head bullock, Nobby, which once went missing and was found there. (https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/nobby-beach-history-2740.html)

Named in 1946, the suburb's name came about from a survey party led by the New South Wales Surveyor-General, John Oxley, landing on the beach in the cutter Mermaid in 1824.

There are two surf life-saving clubs, Mermaid Beach and, at the south toward the Magic Mountain viewing point, Nobby's Beach. (Lion's Head Park)

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