Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi there.
Im thinking of taking my 11yr old son to the Gold Coast in July 2008. What is the weather like at this time please. Too cold for swimming? Also would it be better for us to hire a car or is the public transport good enough? We havent booked anything yet. Im wanting nice accomodation for us (3 or 4 star). Any recommendations for somewhere central to the theme parks etc? From what Ive seen the parks to visit are movie world and sea world. Dream world looks like its all rides and I think these are already at movie and sea world anyway. So we werent thinking of visiting there. The bird santuary looks good. And Ive found a new place called 'Infinity'. Has anyone visited and can recommend? thanks in advance

it has been years since we went to Dreamworld but our kids did enjoy it.

too cold for swimming all depends on where you come from

for us from cold down south winter in Queensland seems quite lovely - they all seem to be shivering in jersies

anyway I am fairly sure that public transport still isn't great

hope others who have been there more recently can come in and help you

Agree with craic on the weather. Have been there in July from a cold melbourne and found it fine to walk around in shorts and go swimming. The public transport (bus) was adequate to get around to the theme parks, bird park and shopping so i gues you need to be near a stop. You do not want to rent a car to park it in a theme parl car park for most of the day. Have hired a car on another visit and toured around out into the countryside which i found to be a good adventure.

so there is public transport there - we were staying with my sister and they had not plumbed the mysteries of public transport

We're from New Zealand so our winter is most likely colder than Aussie's!
Im debating whether to go in April/May or July school holidays. You're right about the car being left all day mgmarcus. As long as the public transport is good then maybe we wont need one.

but how do you find out about public transport?
i asked my sister who lives in brisbane in albany creek - and she had no idea - 2 car family

Here is a link to the bus timetable. Note that you have to go about two thirds down the page to the gold coast section.

http://timetables.translink.com.au/timetables/

You can see which buses take you to the theme and bird parks. There is another link which leads to more details such as route maps and prices, you may be able to work out the best ticket for you.

Used the buses to get around and like I said they were adequate (20 minute gap between buses from memory). Pacific Fair is the shopping complex where a few buses go to that let you swap over to different routes. Apart from the theme and bird park and shopping trips already mentioned I just remembered that also went to sanctuary cove by bus.

I would go in july just to get the contrast of going from a cold melbourne winter but missing the queensland school hollidays would be good. The last buses from the theme parks might be crowded. A hotel near a bus stop would be good also.

Hi If you have good accommodation check that they have a heated pool before booking. Public transport is good, there are buses which run up and down the coast all day and to theme parks. I have been to Movie World and Sea world, both were very good , but I read where people recommend Dreamworld for teenagers.

We have visited the Gold Coast several times in recent years, I do not thik you need a vehicle unless you want to get away from the coat, then you could hire a car for the day, there are rentals everywhere, from Rent a Bomb to the Budget and Avis rentals. Last year we stayed at Ledgens Hotel, they have , rooms, suites etc, reasonable prices, balcony and small kitchen in our room. Photos on my Surfers Paradise pages.

Good Luck,
Mike

You mentioned April/May? I would do that instead of July. April/May is lovely weather for swimming. Have you checked out accommodation at SeaWorld Nara resort? That way you get access to SeaWorld included. Dreamworld was our family favourite when we used to live just south of the Gold Coast. As Mike said, hiring a car is a good idea for a day trip. If you want to visit a couple of awesome beaches then my suggestion is to head south through Kingscliff and down to Cabaritta, Hastings Point, Pottsville and Black Rock just south of Pottsville. Take a couple of boogie boards and stop at Hastings Point just before the bridge over the creek. You can ride the outgoing tide of the creek all the way out to the breakers on the beach and run back up to ride it again. Lunch at the Tavern at Cabaritta on the beach is a great idea too. Currumbin Bird Sanctuary is a lovely place to visit. My suggestion is to go for the early bird feeding session. It is lots of fun! If Seaworld Nara is too expensive then I have another suggestion for accommodation near the Bird Sanctuary and near the airport at Coolangatta. Reasonably priced 2 bedroom appartments with a balcony overlooking tugan beach on one side and another balcony overlooking the airport on the other side. If you are into planes and beaches....this place is ideal. We used to love staying with the parents when they hired it every time they came up to visit us ;o) Here's the link - http://www.wentworthresorts.com.au/pelican-sands.php
Have a great holiday!!
Cheers,
Ann :o)

we enjoy heading up to the gold coast in the winter as it is warmer there than in sydney. i would say that it is not too cold for swimming.
the theme parks are out of the gold coast. you would not want to stay near them as they sit off the highway with nothing nearby. you're better off in surfers or at broadbeach. you can stay at seaworld but it is slightly away from surfers and you would have to take a bus into surfers itself. i would not reccommend it.
how long will you be at the gold coast? even for a 4 night trip, we find that a holiday apartment gives us more room and full kitchen/laundry facilities. many places to say at...manta sun city is worth checking out as it has water slides in the pool area.
we usually hire a car for ease of getting around. we look up the internet and hire from a company that is off-airport(cheaper rates as they do not have to pay for airport rights) ie depot is 5 mins or less away, they pick us up from the airport(we call when we arrive), we go to depot, do the paperwork and set off. drop-off is in reverse with us being dropped back at airport.
do go to the currumbin bird sanctuary - it is great.
if you enjoy factory outlet shopping, try the harbour town outlet at biggera waters
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/shopping/harbour-town-outlet-shopping-centre/index.cfm
enjoy!

my son and his mates did the infinity thing...Its good. He loved it..all laser lights etc...he was 14 when he did it and found it entertaining..

the public transport is fantastic,we stayed on broadbeach which is still close to everything but not as hectic as surfers. the buses go every 15 mins and you can get on 1 and it takes you straight to which ever fun park you want to go to.
as for fun parks i think he probley would enjoy dreamworld better as i does have everything from the rides to waterpark and the animals my sons been to all of them and much prefered dreamworld at that age he is 12.seaworld has rides but more of the animal and moviesworld has a few good rides but more aimed at longer kids and has the shows and carecters walking around.you can get the 3 park pass but this doesnt include dreamworld.if you are wanting to do a day trip into brisbane thats easy aswell jst jump on a train and it taked you right into roma st staion which is right in the middle of the city i think i takes about an hour or bit more tickets for the bus and train and even the ferry that goes around the city can be bought all in 1 and jst use the same ticket have fun we will be at that time as well. mother in law shouting us all over.. yiipeee.there are some good deals going on at the moment for flights and accommadation for $800 from nz.

Thanks for all your advice. We've decided to skip some of NZ's horrid winter and go to the gold coast in the July holidays. Accomodation sorted (hopefully). We're also going to Sydney for a few days on the way home. Plus we've booked to go to Australia Zoo which my son is really looking forward to. A question for you knowledgeable people :) Would one day allowance for a theme park be enough? Or are they so big that you need 2 days to see everything? Im not sure what type of tickets to purchase so any help would be great. Also has anyone done the Currumbin Sanctuary wildnight adventure? any good? we did something similar in Singapore and it was fantastic.

Hi One day for a theme park, get there early and leave when exhausted.
Good Luck,
Mike

You can do sea world or movie world in a day and cover everthing assuming your not addicted to the rides.