Gold Coast Aboriginal History
The modern city of the Gold Coast stretches from Beenleigh in the north, south to the New South Wales border, and is cradled by the lush National Parks of the hinterland to the west.
Prior to European settlement, the Gold Coast region consisted of heavily timbered hills, river valleys, flood plains and wetlands. Local Aboriginal people referred to Queensland's south coast as 'Kurrungal', a name derived from their word for "endless supplies of timber", which they used to make boomerangs.
One local tribe was the Kombumerri, who tended to stay in the Bundall area to take advantage of the fresh water sources. The Yugambeh people also inhabited the region, settling mainly in the valleys and near estuaries, noting landmarks and naming areas such as Carrara and Pimpama.
The area had a diverse range of vegetation from swampland to subtropical rainforest, providing materials for tools, shelter and medicines. The coasts and waterways were treasured for the variety of foods that they provided, and were easily accessed from the nearby camps.
Cascade Gardens, located between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, is said to have been one of the meeting places for Aborigines travelling from as far away as Maryborough. Tribal feasts were held at Bora rings such as the ones preserved at Minjungbal Reserve, adjacent to the river at Tweed Heads. Initiation ceremonies were held at similar significant sites like the Jebbribillum Bora Ring at North Burleigh.
Middens found within Burleigh Heads National Park survive as testament to the abundance of food available in the area, and reinforce the idea that the area was used as a feasting ground.
The headland at Burleigh remains an area of spiritual significance to indigenous Australians. The headland was formed many millions of years ago by a volcanic eruption. Once the lava flow cooled, the black basalt formed what the Aborigines called Big Burleigh.
- Tallebudgera is an Aboriginal word derived from 'talle' meaning 'fish' and 'budgerie' meaning good.
Place Names Cutting Book, John Oxley Library - An Aboriginal word meaning 'a home by the sea' was given to a railway station in the area now known as Elanora.
May, S., (1958) Queensland Place Names, p.54 - Clagiraba Creek, a tributary of the Coomera River, comes from the Aboriginal name 'Kalagareebah', meaning 'young men's ground' - a place where young men were taken during their initiation ceremony.
Steele, J.G., Aboriginal Pathways in Southeast Queensland and the Richmond River, pp64-65
Longhurst, Robert (1991), The Heart of Paradise, The History of Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast.
Longhurst, Robert (1996), From Tallebudgera to the Tweed - An Early History of the Southern Gold Coast, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast.
A - Z Heritage Tours of the Gold Coast, Last Updated 16.10.06, Gold Coast City Council, Viewed 06.12.06, http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?pid=4458
