<P> The Royal Australian Air Force also operated a seaplane alighting area at Southport Broadwater during World War II; however, it is not known whether any particular on - shore installations were constructed as distinct from possibly floating moored pontoon landing structures . </P> <P> The South Coast region was a very popular holiday destination for servicemen returning from World War II . </P> <P> However, inflated prices for real estate and other goods and services led to the nickname of "Gold Coast" from 1950 . South Coast locals initially considered the name "Gold Coast" derogatory . However, soon the "Gold Coast" simply became a convenient way to refer to the holiday strip from Southport to Coolangatta . As the tourism industry grew into the 1950s, local businesses began to adopt the term in their names, and on 23 October 1958 the South Coast Town Council was renamed "Gold Coast Town Council". The area was proclaimed a city less than one year later . </P> <P> Specific Gold Coast areas became the holiday destinations for many who lived inland . Coolangatta had a caravan and camping park on the New South Wales border and numerous families from Ipswich spent their Christmas holidays there . In later times, many holiday rental flats sprung up in the area . The Ipswich roots remain as the Currumbin Lifesavers, share with a similar Ipswich swimming club the title' Vikings' . Many Vikings swimming club members joined the life saving squads at Currumbin during the holiday periods . </P>

Where did the name gold coast come from