Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi Guys..

I was wondering if anyone could help me with a few things.

- Me & my boyfriend are going to the Gold Coast for 7 days and i just want to find out what the best way and/or cheapest way to get to Surfers Paradise from Brisbane Airport?

- Im staying at Holiday North Apartments, does anyone know if this accommodation is any good? & also wondering if it is walking distance to walk to the main bit of Surfers Paradise? If not what is the best transport to get there?

- How far away is The theme parks from where im staying(Surfers Paradise) & which is the best transport to get there?

- How is the weather in the month of May? is it still warm/hot enough to go to wet'n'wild & the other theme parks?


Thank you so much for those taking the time to read this.

*mang0

we found it better and cheaper to hirer a car to get around as worked out to be cheaper than getting a bus from brisbane airport and to the fun parks and the oz zoo its not hard to find your way around. dream world is the place to go. have fun.

You could hire a car and drive yourself down there quite easily, it would take an hour and a half or so. Otherwise, there is a train that goes from the airport to the Gold Coast (Nerang) and then you'd probably have to get a bus or something to Surfers from there, I'm not exactly sure. The theme parks are off the highway on the way to Surfers so if you hired a car you could stop off on the way or it would be much easier to get there later on, better than having to rely on public transport timetables.

The weather should be fine in May, it's pretty good all year round there. Have a great trip!

As there is a bus going from Murwillumbah ( NSW) to Brisbane, there must be one going the other way too. At least once a day, and in the morning, as it connects to the train Murwillumbah-Sydney.
This bus comes through all those Gold Coast places.
There is a very good ...and quick...train connection from Brisbane Airport to the Roma Street Station, from where that bus leaves, if I remember rightly.
We did this trip the other way a couple of years ago, so it pays to check.

The airtrain from the front door of the airport is the easiest way. I'd wait to hire a car until you got to the gold coast as you can get a local rental heaps cheaper than Budget or Avis at the airport.

A car is a good idea though as distances can fool the young player but it also opens a range of great places to you. Check out my Gold Coast pages for some places off the beaten track.

Holiday North is fine. There a very few bad places on the coast as it is so competitive. Nothing in Surfers is too far from anything really.

The closest theme park to Surfers is Seaworld while Dreamworld is the furthest (but the best if you like thrill rides) at about a 30 min drive. If you buy your ticket to the theme park from the Surfside bus driver, the bus ride is free. May is still hot enough for the water parks. Wet and Wild is heated anyway for winter. Average daytime temp will be about 25 degrees celcius.

Hi 3 years ago we got a shuttle at Brisbane airport which took us to our Surfers Hotel, It dropped people off at the various hotels etc and you waited your turn, you could book a pick up for return to hotel, it was Au$14 per person each way.

We were back in Brisbane airport last Sept and I picked up a Airtrain Brochure, the new train can take you direct to Brisbane City $12, or Gold Coast $23 per person to Nerang and a little more to Robina, then get bus. Two trains per hour.
Web page www.airtrain.com.au
As for Theme Parks the local bus runs up and down the coast all day and into night, very cheap.
Weather in May will be "Perfect" , bring your shorts and bathers.
Good Luck, Mike

My son just stayed at Holiday North Apartments - they are low rise accommodation within walking distance to the beach and the shops at Surfers. It is an older style of apartment, but you won't be spending much time there. Balconies on all the rooms overlook the swimming pool.

A train from Brisbane to the coast is cheap but not very convenient. You will have to get the train to the city and then a train to the coast. From there you will have to get a bus or taxi to the apartments. My recommendation is to get a car - you will use it every day, you don't waste valuable time waiting for public transport and there is secure parking at the apartments. The theme parks are only a short drive away and well worth going to. Make sure you purchase the 3day passes available. The weather in May is generally warm and dry through the nights and cold at night. Have a lovely holiday.

Hi Guys.. Thanks for all your replies. They are all very useful to me =)

I would also like to know..

-Can anyone else suggest any good activities or attractions worth seeing in the Gold Coast apart from Theme Parks?

-How much would it cost for car hire at Surfers Paradise..& would anyone be able to suggest any cheap or good car rentals?

Thanks again!

*mang0

Hi Take a day trip to O'Reillys in the Lamington National Park, great scenery , rainforest, birds etc in a mountain setting, it is a fantastic day, have a look at my page.
Coach eb page www.coolcoach.com.au
Good Luck, Mike

Travel tips from Br airport are quite good except car hire is a waste of money.
Best is either shuttle bus or train to Brisbane and there to Gold Coast. Train leaves NOT from Roma station to Sydney! You change train at Southbank (riverbank just beside highrise buildings and very nice place to visit!). You have to change again in Beenleight. Don't go to Robina or Nerang as the bus connections to Surfers are poor. Leave at Helensvale and take bus number one which goes along Pasific through Griffith University, Southport and Surfers and continues far to Tweed Heads passing Goolangatta airport.

I don't understand why to go to theme parks. They are all the same everywhere. Maybe Seaword is worth seeing (it's aquarium). Tambourine Mountains and Springbrook are better (and closer) than Lamington.

If you want to see koalas and crocodiles go to Currumbin or Koala park in Brisbane. To Currumbin goes Bus number one. To Tambourine and Springbrook is better by car.

In Brisbane is nice to visit Southbank and also to take riverbus "Cat" with bus dayticket. Dayticket is also best in Gold Coast (half price). Car ride to Brisbane coastal towns Wynnum, Cleveland, Victoria Point ect. is also nice as is "hippietown" Byron Bay 100 km south from Surfers.

In seven days you can't take all so good advice is to enjoy Pasific wawes and Surf Sun and Sand! But don't miss Q1 which is worlds highest residential tower!

Hi There are car hire places which rent 10 year old cars for $20 or $25 per day, they will get you up and down the coast, stay on good roads and do not speed and you should be OK, they will get you to places where the bus does not go and give you flexability. Give it a go for a day early on in your trip, and if you like it sign up for a few more days.
Good Luck, Mike