Tent pitched near cliff edge on Magic Mountain

The scale of the Gold Coast’s housing crisis has been laid bare by the appearance of a tent pitched in a precarious location – but with million-dollar views.

It’s a campsite with million dollar views. And a terrifying drop.

Locals were surprised this week to see a tent pitched precariously on the edge of a steep slope at Magic Mountain.

Mermaid Beach resident Mark Deegan, who spotted the tent while out walking on Monday, said he had never seen anyone camped there before.

“It’s the best free view on the Gold Coast for sure,” he said.

“However I’d be a bit worried if he does any sleep walking, walks out the tent and goes off a cliff.”

A tent perched on the edge of Magic Mountain during wet weather on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The appearance of the tent on Magic Mountain comes amid a deepening housing crisis on the Gold Coast, which has seen the number of people sleeping in cars and tents surge in the city.

Local real estate agent and Division 12 council candidate Luke Henderson said he had been struck by the scale of the problem during his campaign.

“The cost of living is biting and we’re seeing it,” he said.

“It been the most eye-opening thing on this whole campaign. By far.”

Council candidate Luke Henderson. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Mr Henderson said people sleeping in vehicles or tents were regularly found in a number of parks, beaches and car parks in the area.

He said some had drug issues, some were tourists looking to save on holiday costs, but many were simply locals struggling with cost of living issues.

“You’ve got holidaymakers trying save a couple of dollars but most of them are decent people just down on their luck,” he said.

“Around Pizzey Park, I was chatting to a lady there with her daughter. They were living in their car.

“It was a really sad story.

“She found herself down on her luck. She was just trying to save money on accommodation, make sure that her kid can go to school and eat.”

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