Coolangatta as an attraction dates back to the 1880′s when in was first discovered by travellers heading up the Queensland Gold Coast. Along with the neighbouring New South Wales town of Tweed Heads Coolangatta was established and settled around 1883. But prior to land based travellers discovered Coolangatta Captain James Cook is documented as the first non indigenous person to see the golden beaches when he passed by this section of the coast in 1770. Captain Cook proclaimed the area around Coolangatta and named them as Point Danger and Mount Warning. The Tweed River which runs between Queensland and New South Wales was developed into a port area around 1830, Its main export at the time was cedar wood.

The city of Coolangatta is situated in the south eastern coastal corner of the Gold Coast Australia and is home to the main Gold Coast airport. From Coolangatta airport travellers can fly to the Great Barrier Reef and return on the same day. To the north of Coolangatta are the popular surf and swimming beaches of Rainbow Bay and Greenmount. Other local beach favourites include Duranbah and Snapper Rocks, which is also known as Flagstaff Beach. Fishing is also popular around Coolangatta with regular reports of good sized bream, tailor and snapper being caught along the Coolangatta beaches.

The area around Coolangatta is also significant in that Greenmount was original surf life saving club on the Australian Gold Coast and was established in 1909. Point Danger is also a great lookout spot to watch for dolphins and the migrating humpback whales that pass through this area each year as well as the many seabirds which soar overhead. Scuba diving is also popular with Cook Island and Kirra easily reachable from Coolangatta.

Other attractions in Coolangatta are the markets which are held on the second Sunday of each month. Of course there are year round shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. Annual Coolangatta festivals and celebrations include Wintersun which is held each June and celebration o rock and roll music. New Years Eve always attracts a crowd with fireworks being launched from both sides of the border. In September there is also the A La Carte beachside food festival. All these Gold Coast festivals and events help make Coolangatta a great Australian holiday destination. While there are many other attractions the Captain Cook lighthouse is a significant tourist landmark that all should see.

There are a number of Gold Coast resorts, Gold Coast hotels and other Gold Coast accommodations in Coolangatta that are conveniently priced for all budgets. The Beach House Seaside Resort Coolangatta, Mango Tree Vacation Club at Calypso Plaza, Bella Mare Beachside Apartments, the Bila Vista Holiday Apartments, Beachcomber International Resort, Blue C Apartments, Bombara Resort, Greenmount Beach Resort, Mantra Coolangatta Beach and Mint Resorts & Apartments at Ocean Plaza Resort offer some of the best Gold Coast accommodations in Coolangatta.

Coolangatta is a unique experience in Gold Coast Australia and one that should not be missed. Other accommodation in the Bay Apartments and Tweed Ultima Apartments, Points North Mint Resort & Apartments is located in the heart of Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. Rainbow Commodore Apartments, Reflection Tower Two, Oaks Calypso Plaza Resort, Outrigger Twin Towns Resort near the Twin Towns Club, Rainbow Bay Resort, Reflections on the Sea and Skyline Holiday Units all offer excellent Gold Coast travel and holiday accommodation.