Kirra has changed considerably in the past sixty years.

Main means of travel at that time was by train which entered Coolangatta Railway Station via the south bank of Coolangatta Creek across Miles Street over a rail bridge through the Kirra cutting, over another bridge across McLean Street at Coolangatta. Coolangatta rail station was situated where Bakers Delight store is now. 

In 1950 there were few houses south of Coolangatta Road as the area was mainly Tea Tree swamp. Local fisherman Dinny Markwell told me gravel from the quarry in Miles Street was used to fill in the swamp area.

Musgrave Street Kirra consisted of houses, plus an ice works where the Centre Court Building is now located. There was a Service Station on the corner of Haig and Musgrave Streets. The ice works supplied the district particularly the Kirra camping area on the beach front which extended from Kirra Club to Coolangatta Creek at North Kirra.

Early in the 1950’s the camping area was full on Christmas Day when a storm containing hail struck. Kirra members were eating Christmas dinner when we received a call for help. The members responded to find the tents ripped apart by the hail. Most of the campers were Ipswich miners who appreciated the Club’s effort.

Houses occupied the area behind the clubhouse with a store where the Kirra Hotel is now located. The store had a hand petrol pump outside. There were no high rise buildings on Kirra Hill only houses. Coolangatta State School was situated on the top of Kirra Hill. The Police Station and the Court House plus the Police Sergeant’s house were located on the northern end of Warner Street. Coolangatta Town Council building was located

near Warner Street. The Show Case Building now occupies this area. 

 

The Coolangatta Hotel occupied land between Marine Parade and Griffith Street. It was later destroyed by fire. Shamies drink factory was located in Musgrave Street. The building is now occupied by a Medical Practice which is opposite the current Police Station.

The Sands Hotel was known as the Kirrabelle Hotel. Next door to the hotel Bill Stafford had a clothing store.

His motto was "come naked to Coolangatta and Bill will dress you".