Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi there - I will be visiting a friend in Oz soon. I am so very excited and cannot wait to experience the people and the culture.

Does anyone think or know if I will have a problem with racial discrimination? I know a little about the bad blood with the Aboriginals but as I said I am American so will that matter?

I posted on another site and someone said their black friend visited and was made to feel uncomfortable by the White Aussies and the Asians living there. People were rude and mean to her. Not sure what city.

I have an open mind and understand there are prejudice people everywhere but I just want to enjoy my time there.

Any tips or opinions will do.
thanks so much.

Do you mean for visiting or racism?

thanks

I agree with Jen, that Australia definitely has better tourist lures than the Gold Coast. Check out the Sunshine Coast - other side of Brisbane, if you are a coast holidayer.

As for your original question, Australia is a very racially tolerant country in general - of course, there are always exceptions, as in any country. However, I would have no concerns about being mistreated here. I think Aussies are quite famous for their friendly, easygoing hospitality - especially in Queensland.

LOL especially in Queensland!! We are really nice down here in SA as well...but I guess you want warm weather!!! I agree with Therese..Sunshine coast is so much better than the glitz and fakeness of the Gold Coast! It really does depend though in all fairness, what you want to do!
Again I would hope that most Aussies are not racist! It really is a case of a few making it bad for all!!! I hope you have a wonderful trip and meet some great australians!

If you're visiting your friend who lives on the Gold Coast then you can't help going there! I agree with the other comments, the Gold Coast is not as nice as other places in Queensland, but can still be fun. It is VERY touristy and a major destination for Japanese tourists. It is also a major retirement area so the only racism you MAY encounter could be from older people (sorry for the mass generalisation!) and as usual those who don't know any better. You should be fine on the whole and as previously stated, Australians are a very friendly bunch.

There are heaps of places nearby you can visit to get out of the Gold Coast - Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and perhaps a day trip into NSW to visit some of the towns there (eg Byron Bay).

I hope you have a fantastic trip and don't experience any problems.

Ohhhhhhh, I think you'll be just fine.

First off - I agree that the Gold Coast is crap. If that kind of entertainment is what you're after, just save your dollars and head to Spring Break in Florida - hotels on beaches, neon lights, etc... You haven't been to Australia if all you've visited is the GC.

Racism? Well, there can definitely be some intolerant Aussie Hillbillies just as there are in the US, but to be honest, I think the black guys (not sure if you're a guy or girl) do very, very well with the Aussie women?!?! The wanna-be hip hop culture is here in Australia, so if you can bring some of that with you, you will definitely meet some friendly girls.

You will get your chops busted for being an American...that goes with the territory. But as long as you don't spread any George W propaganda and enjoy Aussie Land with a few beers and a good attitude, I think you'll be very, very welcome here.

Enjoy!

Hey! I was an American living in the Gold Coast for a few years and boy you are in for it! lol jk, no you won't have a problems. Many of my friends really wanted to meet African-Americans. Trust me you will have an awesome time and meet great people!

Have fun!

I traveled the almost the entire East Coast of Australia and think Gold Coast is the best place for a tourist in QLD. It has everything, gorgeous beaches, night clubs, restaurants, casinos, mountains, wild life sanctuaries, just everything. I am telling you, you will love it!

Some tips:

Stay in Surfers Paradise (convient location)

Skip the theme parks (small compared to some in the US)

Drive South on the Gold Coast Highway toward Coolangatta/Tweed Heads (stop anywhere that looks nice along the way, there will be many)

Walk/Hike Burleigh Heads (gorgeous views, non-strenuous hike)

Currumbin Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary (see Australian wildlife, feed Kangaroos)

Check out some Fish Markets for fish and chips...and calamari (so fresh - I forgot their names, but one is near Surfers on the way to Seaworld, you can't miss it)

Other than that, just explore!

I just finished reading the other posts and I'm surprised by the answers.

Sydney and Melbourne were the only other cities in Australia that in my opinion beat the Gold Coast. However, you can't compare these cities for a vacation because it would be comparing New York City to Hawaii. Two completely different types of vacation. Sunshine Coast was beautiful, but a bit boring. Mooloolaba had a beautiful coastline, however for actually swimming wasn't very good. Noosa Heads is in a beautiful area, but felt more touristy than the Gold Coast. Cairns and Port Douglas are good for the Great Barrier Reef, but that's about it. Port Douglas has a beautiful coastline, but there was no one in the ocean because of shark stories and rip currents. Byron Bay, which is South of Gold Coast was also a very scenic place, but merely another good weekend getaway due to the size of the city. Brisbane is a nice city, but doesn't offer much for a tourist.

Anyways, all I'm trying to say is that you will not feel like you wasted your money going to the Gold Coast =)

One of the advantages of a site like VT is being able to gather a lot of opinions - and decide for yourself what sort of things appeal to you. So, differing opinions are not wrong - just based on different needs and interests.

I agree with Jono. Most people think of the Gold Coast as just a huge glitzy tourist destination. However it has so much more to offer. Jono mentioned quite a few things. There are also numerous day trips by car you can do like Byron Bay as already mentioned, Natural Arch, O'Rielys and the hinterland, Nimbin, Mount Warning, Hastings Point and Cabaritta beaches.
Australia is multi-cultural and you shouldn't have a problem. ...and as the other Yank said, if you are a black American, then all the better. Most Aussie girls just love you guys :o).....shhh, don't tell hubby I said that ;o)
Have fun downunder!!
Cheers, Ann.

Hi You will be fine, there are people from all over the world in Brisbane, you will have no problems.
Mike

Please go to this link and check out what Arjun a boy had to say about australia!!!!

http://www.macgregoss.qld.edu.au/aussie.htm

Please go to this link and check out what Arjun a boy had to say about australia!!!!

http://www.macgregoss.qld.edu.au/aussie.htm

Great stuff. Thats a multi cultural school fairly close to where I live - in Brisbane. And, very close to the Gold Coast!!

Hello All - I am back from Aussieland. Stayed on the Gold Coast and got to see a little bit of The Sunshine Coast and Brisbane but not much. I flew into Brisbane actually.

Well from the airplane ride to the folks in Customs to the hotel staff to the local Aussies. Everyone was WONDERFUL!! I did not get any stares or mean looks or rude comments, nothing like that. No one cared about the color of my skin. They basically made fun of George W. and the fact that I was a yank. They also thought that our $money$ looked like crap which it does compared to there colorful monopoly money :)But what a great bunch of folks I met. People were so warm and friendly. Basically everyone had the whole laid back thing going on. I freaken loved it so much I am going back by the end of the year!!

The Gold Coast was beautiful. I am a fan of fabulous skylines and boy do they have a fab skyline!!

Thanks for all of your replies, very helpful.

Glad you enjoyed our downunder hospitality!

See we told you we were nice! :-)

Well, the Queenslanders are anyway :p

hey ....enough of that!!!! thats a reportable offence! :-)

:p :p

I wouldn't recommend Gold Coast,and I have been to both, because most Aussies seem to not like blacks , the sunshine coast is very prejudice, I felt very uncomfortable, since I was the only black there and the gold Coast is more diverse and more tolerable. There is a lot to do at the Gold Coast for a vacation. The sunshine coast is more for a lazy holiday.
Good Luck

"I wouldn't recommend Gold Coast,and I have been to both, because most Aussies seem to not like blacks."


I think most Aussies seem to dislike idiots...and by your statement, you most likely are one and were treated fairly.

I'm afraid I have to agree. You can't make a broad statement like that!! A very small portion of Australians are racist - like any other country!! Majority of Australians (including myself) are open to anyone and everyone.

....and, to support the statements, the original poster actually came to this conclusion for himself from his own experience.