The region of Coolangatta-Tweed Heads is located at the border between Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. The area has a rich history that dates back to the Indigenous Australians who lived there for thousands of years before European settlement.

Before European settlement, the area was occupied by the Yugambeh people, who lived in the region for more than 20,000 years. The Yugambeh people practiced traditional hunting and gathering, and their way of life was closely linked to the natural environment. Archaeological evidence indicates that they lived in the area that is now the Tweed Valley.

The first European to visit the region was Captain James Cook, who sailed past the coast in 1770. However, it was not until the mid-1800s that Europeans began to settle in the area. The first European to settle in the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads region was William Collingwood, who established a cattle station in the area in 1846.

In 1866, John Boyd established a sugar plantation in the Tweed Valley, which became one of the biggest sugar plantations in Australia. The plantation was worked by South Sea Islanders who were brought to Australia as indentured labourers. However, in 1901, the Australian government passed the Pacific Island Labourers Act, which effectively ended the indentured labour program and resulted in the deportation of many South Sea Islanders.

By the early 1900s, the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads region had become a popular holiday destination for people from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The Tweed River was a popular spot for boating and fishing, while the beaches were popular for swimming and surfing.

During World War II, the region was used by the United States military as a training base. The southern end of the Gold Coast was transformed into a military camp, which housed up to 20,000 soldiers at its peak. The Coolangatta-Tweed Heads region was also used as a training ground for amphibious landings and jungle warfare.

After the war, the region continued to grow as a popular holiday destination. In the 1950s and 1960s, a number of high-rise apartment buildings were constructed along the beachfront, which changed the character of the area. Despite this, the area has retained some of its natural beauty, including the Tweed River and the nearby national parks.

Today, the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads region is a thriving tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors every year. The area has a range of attractions, including beautiful beaches, national parks, and a range of cultural activities. The region is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the Coolangatta Gold, a triathlon that attracts competitors from around the world.

The history of the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads region is a fascinating story that spans thousands of years. From the Indigenous Australians who first occupied the area, to the European settlers who transformed the landscape, the region has a rich and diverse history that continues to shape its present and future.