1 English explorer John Oxley (1784 -1828) was thought to be the first to colonise the Gold Coast area in 1823.

2 The name Gold Coast was given to the city by real estate investors.

3 The city has 35 miles of beach, with some of the best surfing in the world.

4 In the past 50 years it has grown from a small beachside fishing town to the sixth biggest city in Australia.

5 The tropical forest inland of the city is famous for its huge stands of Red Cedar trees.

6 The city's 348 metre Q1 building is the fifth highest residential towerblock in the world.

7 Bikini-clad meter maids in nearby Surfers Paradise buy motorists more parking time instead of issuing parking tickets.

8 Scooby Doo, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and House of Wax are among the many movies that have been filmed there.

9 Olympic gold medal swimmer Grant Hackett was born in the city.

10 Lifesavers use nets and baited lines to protect swimmers from sharks.