Introduction to the History of Coolum, QLD
Welcome to Coolum, Queensland! A coastal town with a history stretching back more than 100 years. From its humble beginnings as a small farming and fishing community, to the modern-day tourist destination it is today, Coolum has grown and changed over time. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Coolum and how it has become the popular holiday spot that it is now.
Indigenous History
The area now known as Coolum has been inhabited by the local Indigenous peoples of the Kabi Kabi nation since time immemorial. The traditional owners of this land were the Maroochy people, whose oral histories tell stories of their ancestral connections to this area spanning back thousands of years. The Dreamtime stories speak of giant stingrays and whirlpools which are said to have created features in the landscape such as Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright.
Early Settlements in Coolum
The earliest recorded settlers of the area now known as Coolum were Aboriginal people, who had lived there for tens of thousands of years prior to Europeans arriving in 1770. The area now known as Coolum has been inhabited by the local Indigenous peoples of the Kabi Kabi nation since time immemorial. The traditional owners of this land were the Maroochy people, whose oral histories tell stories of their ancestral connections to this area spanning back thousands of years. The Dreamtime stories speak of giant stingrays and whirlpools which are said to have created features in the landscape such as Mount Coolum and Point Arkwright.
World War II Legacy
During World War II, Australian defence forces established a number of military installations around Coolum including an airfield which was used as an emergency landing strip for fighter planes during air raid exercises over Brisbane and Moreton Bay. After the war ended these installations were abandoned but remain an important part of Coolum’s history today, providing visitors with insight into how decisive these sites were during Australia’s wartime efforts.
Development of Railways and Tourism in Coolum
Since World War II ended, there has been extensive development of both residential neighbourhoods and tourist attractions within the town’s boundaries. The Northern Beaches area continues to be one of the most popular holiday destinations along Queensland’s Coastline while developments such as Parklands Shopping Centre have added much needed retail outlets for locals who need access to essential goods and services without having to travel out of town too far for them. Other attractions such as Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium have also contributed significantly towards making Coolum an attractive tourist hub for those looking for exciting activities without having to venture too far away from their accommodation spots or beachside getaways.
It was only 16 years later that trains started coming through the area with construction of the North Coast Railway Line from Brisbane to Gympie starting in 1892. This allowed for tourists to travel further north than before and many stayed along the coast near what is now known as Coolum Beach. The railway line also helped with transportation of goods like timber, sugar cane and fruit which allowed for more farming activity around the region.
A Growing Community
Coolum continued growing with more people moving into the area, mostly farmers or those working in orchards or on boats fishing off shore. By 1920 there were enough people living in Coolum to merit having a school built which was called “Coolum State School” (later becoming “Coolum District State High School”). There was also an influx of tourists visiting what eventually became known as “Coolum Beach” during this period and by 1932 hotels had started opening up providing accommodation for these visitors.
Tourism Boom
Development of roads alongside advancements made in transportation technology such as cars saw massive growth for tourism across Australia including along Queensland’s coastlines. This growth meant that hotels started popping up all over Coolum Beach from 1953 onwards turning it into one of Australia’s most popular beachside destinations during summer holidays. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re a local looking for things to do, Coolum has something for everyone. We hope this list has inspired you to get out and explore all that our town has to offer! Let us know in the comments below if we missed any of your favourite things to do in Coolum, QLD.
Modern Day Coolum
Nowadays there are plenty of things for tourists to do when visiting Coolum including swimming at its stunning beaches, surfing, hiking trails or visiting local attractions such as The Big Pineapple or Mount Ninderry Lookout which offer amazing views out over the coast line below. There are also plenty of options when it comes to accommodation ranging from camping grounds right through to boutique resorts offering luxury stays right here on the Sunshine Coast!
Conclusion
The history of Coolum is one filled with stories dating back hundreds if not thousands of years ago right up until present day where it stands as one of Queensland’s most popular holiday spots thanks mainly to its close proximity to some really stunning beaches perfect for relaxing beneath Queensland’s shining sun! Coolum is not only renowned for its stunning landscapes but also its rich history that dates back thousands of years ago upon first contact between Indigenous Australians and Europeans settlers alike who all played their own role in shaping what we know today as this vibrant coastal community nestled amongst lush green forests against crystal blue waters lapping against powdery white sand beaches which truly make it one-of-a-kind special place worth visiting all year round!
