In 1770, Captain Cook navigated along this part of the Gold Coast and named Point Danger and Mount Warning. In 1846, one ship - the Coolangatta - didn't heed the warnings and sank, but it gave the town its name.
In the intervening couple of centuries, Coolangatta has become a popular resort town and each year families take cheap flights to Coolangatta to revel in the glorious climate - about 300 sunny days per year - and laze on the beautiful beaches (Coolangatta and Greenmount are patrolled every day, year round).
Coolangatta is the most southerly town in Queensland and forms a twin town with Tweed Heads in New South Wales. If one stands at Point Danger, the headland where the Captain Cook memorial lighthouse stands, they'll be in two states at the same time. Or, save it for New year's Eve and watch two sets of fireworks - one hour apart (New South Wales observes Daylight Saving Time but Queensland does not).
As well as family fun on the beaches, things to do include surfing (Snapper Rocks is a great point break) and fishing (Snapper Rocks is a draw for fishermen too, there for the bream, dart and taylor). Diving with the sharks on Cook Island is a must-do and whale watching is popular between June and November.