Suburban Snippets

Search the histories of the Gold Coast’s suburbs

Florida Gardens Estate

Florida Gardens Estate

At the time, Florida Gardens was the largest land development in Queensland. Read this story
Broadbeach

Broadbeach

In 2014 Broadbeach became the southern terminus of the Gold Coast light rail connecting the area directly to Surfers Paradise and Southport. Read this story
Yatala

Yatala

The origins of Yatala's name are an Aboriginal word from the Adelaide region meaning swampy. Read this story
Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise

Jim Cavill, with the support of locals, continued to lobby until the place name Elston was formally to Surfers Paradise in 1933. Read this story
Pacific Pines

Pacific Pines

By 1917, the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney (National Australia Bank) had acquired the property and, at a late stage, some of the area was converted to a pine plantation. Read this story
Oxenford

Oxenford

The suburb of Oxenford and the original railway station on the southern bank of the Coomera River were both named after W. R. Oxenford. Read this story
Nerang

Nerang

The Nerang township grew following the development of cotton and sugar plantations on the Nerang River at Carrara, Bundall, and Benowa. Read this story
Mudgeeraba

Mudgeeraba

In 1871, the population of Mudgeeraba district was listed as 31 and the settlers lived an isolated, difficult existence. Read this story
Main Beach

Main Beach

The name Main Beach is descriptive, since it was the main surf beach for the town of Southport, the earliest surveyed town in the immediate area. Read this story
Helensvale

Helensvale

By the 1880s the Helensvale Plantation had 55 acres cultivated with sugar with five European and 32 Pacific Islander workers living on the property. Read this story
Coolangatta

Coolangatta

The suburb, originally a township, is named for the schooner Coolangatta that was wrecked on the beach to the north of the Tweed River in 1846. Read this story
Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads

In 1871 the town reserve of Burleigh Heads was declared and a survey was undertaken by G. L. Pratten with the first auction of 65 town allotments taking place in July 1872. Read this story