Gold Coast Travel Forum

My husband and I are passing through the Gold Coast for only three days. Where is a good area to base ourselves? We know we want to visit the Australia Zoo (quite a ways north I understand) and possibly Movie World and of course, the beach. I'm not too sure what else there is to do in the area. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Do you plan to visit the Great Barrier Reef? even a day trip would be very worthwhile-

We are actually spending the majority of our trip further north, near Cairns, to see the reef. That's one of the reasons we have such a short time at the Gold Coast :)

Why not stay in Brisbane, you can easily do the Gold Coast and the Aussie Zoo from there.

Movie world is on the way from Brisbane to the gold coast so that could also be combined.

errr the Great Barrier Reef is nowhere near Brisbane unfortunatly

If you really want to stay on the Gold Coast, you will have to stay in the Northern Part, Have a look at places from Surfers Paradise to the North. If for example you stayed in Cooloongatta, on the southern tip of the Gold Coast, you would be one hour from movie world and almost 3 hours drive from Austrlia Zoo.

As mentiond it may be easier to base yourself in Brisbane especially if you are flying into or out of Brisbane. One day on the beach, one day at movie world and one day at Austrlia zoo that is three days gone.
Cheers

Hi,

Are you driving down from Cairns or Flying? If driving, you should do the Australia Zoo on the way down. You could stay a night in either Mooloolaba or Noosa and do the Zoo. If flying, then you will best served to rent a car at the airport. You can then drive north for the night and stay as recommended. You can then drive to the Gold Coast via Brisbane (the mountain drive through Montville, Malaney and Glasshouse mountains is nice if not in a hurry).

At the Gold Coast you could stay on Hope Island (the northern end of the Gold Coast). Stay either at the cheaper 4 star Marina Quays International or the 5 star Sanctuary Cove Resort. Check out:

http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/accommodation/marina-quays-international/index.cfm
tif

If you book through discount hotel providers such as /www.wotif.com/ or RatestoGo.com or www.needitnow.com.au you should be able to get the 4 star property for about $100 per night!

Movie World - well yes, that's like going to France on a gourmet trip and going to MacDonalds!

Hope this helps,
John

I agree with Winterson. Don't base yourself but rather explore as you drive.You can hire cars relativley cheaply. If youre starting at the Gold coast end and going up, there are heaps of places you can stay as suggested above.Closer to Surfers around Labrador, just over the bridge from central Surfers, you can also find overnight accomodation. This will give you an easy run to Movieworld, and easy access to wander Surfers at night. But i have to say, Movieworld is....ho hum...boring.So zip thru as quick as you can and do some other stuff. Take the road out to the pumping jetty for something different if you have time and relax by the water and rocks.Go to Mt Tambourine and do a walk in the bush. The next day head towards Brisbane, and explore Brisbane and Moreton Bay. The next day zip up to Australia Zoo. Then head off to Cairns.

Surfers Paradise has plenty of accommodation, stay in accommodation close to the beach. There is good public transport which will get you to the theme parks cheaply.

Good Luck,
Mike