Coolangatta Beach House

Date1950

Object number00002692

NamePhotograph

MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper, silver gelatin print, pencil

Dimensions164 x 213 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPhotograph depicting a group of people gathered beneath a sign reading 'Beach House'. The Beach House was a guest house on Marine Parade, Coolangatta. HistoryGuesthouses were a popular form of holiday accommodation on the Gold Coast from the latter part of the 19th and early 20th century. Coolangatta in particular had a reputation for fun accommodation with guesthouses on Marine Parade in being well known. These were Stella Maris, Beach House, Coolangatta House, Ocean View and St Leonards. Simple but well located, these guesthouses became an inexpensive way to enjoy the Gold Coast. Proprietors of the properties organized social activities for guests and encouraged a 'friendly rivalry' between the different venues with competitions on the beaches. Guesthouses such as the Beach House in Coolangatta faded in popularity by the 1960s and were gradually replaced with apartments and motels.