I've only just caught up with this thread again Pinot, I will try to answer some of your questions.
It was the place to buy and sell land in the 1940s in the real estate boom, hence the name Gold Coast. Back then it was just a lot of little towns, and eventually they all become one.
The main industry here is tourism, it's well known for it's beaches.
We do have hot summers, though most parts of Australia does, but our winters are very mild.
You might find something of interest here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast,_Queensland
I would also like to hear about your country pinot, also something about other country's from our QB members, and some of the different states in the USA.
:D