Gold Coast Queensland

 

So, we have looked at the capital cities of Australia, now we will look at the second largest city in each state, starting with Queensland.

The Gold Coast is a metropolitan region south of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast. It's famed for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and elaborate system of inland canals and waterways. It’s also home to theme parks such as Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild. Inland, hiking trails crisscross Lamington National Park’s mountain ridges and valleys, home to rare birds and rainforest.

The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city. It is home to over 635,000 people. It is a city known for its lifestyle and diversity, with almost one in three residents born overseas. The city boasts close to one million visitors each year from countries all over the world.

The Gold Coast's history in Queensland, Australia, spans from pre-European settlement to its modern status as a major tourist and economic hub. Archaeological evidence suggests indigenous Yugambeh people inhabited the region for at least 23,000 years.

European colonization began in the late 1700s, with the first accurate map of the area produced in 1842. The area developed into small townships like Nerang (1865) and Southport (1874), and by 1959, it was proclaimed a city.

Tourism became a major economic driver, particularly from the 1920s onwards, leading to the city's boom in the 1980s with skyscraper construction and a focus on tourism and entertainment. 

The Gold Coast is generally a safe place, but like any city, crime can and does occur. Those in charge acknowledges that crime is a concern, but also that they work to maintain a safe and liveable city. The Gold Coast is known for its relaxed coastal lifestyle, but crime is a part of life.