History

Riviera B&B (formerly Gilston Retreat) was built in 1837, then consisting of just 4 rooms, the current kitchen and dining room as well as 2 bedrooms. In 1953 the rest of the house was built (upstairs only) with an outhouse and laundry sink underneath the house.

The traditional Queenslander which stands today was originally located in Paddington, Brisbane. An office block was planned for the site where the Queenslander stood solid and an offer was made on the house and secured for the sum of $14,000. An arrangement was made to have the house cut into two portions and trucked to the Gold Coast for a cost of $20,000.

The iron lacework on the bottom of the verandah was made in a foundry in Melbourne, Victoria and has been dated to have been made from 1955-1969.