Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hello! I would like to ask for help/ideas for a 3 week trip to Gold Coast. I have been to Australia already but only to Sydney.

Will be travelling by 23rd of November and will be staying with a friend somewhere in Broadbeach so my accomodations is covered already. Will the budget of US$1000 - US$1500 be good already for me to visit the theme parks and do some sight seeing and a bit of shopping as well?

I am thinking of probably going to an Island too, if the budget fits. Not Cairns and I guess not Fraser too as I heard both are really expensive. Any suggestions for a not so expensive tour operator for the island trip?

Also, my plan to spend the 3 weeks are as follows:

1st week: go to an island (for an overnight or 2 days the most) then some sight seeing
2nd week: go to the theme parks, then do the dracula show, outback spectacular (are these still ok? I visited their websites and dinner is included in the payment? )and do a bit shopping
3rd week: just relax, party, etc

but cant pick which actual places to go too.. it seems that there is so much to see in the Gold Coast.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks (",)

Hi For me 3 weeks on the Gold Coast is too much, but as you are with friends you should be OK. Your location is good for movement down the coast to Byron Bay only 2 hours drive, or take the bus.Plenty of Backpacker accommodation here and a very famous beach.

You can catch the train to Brisbane, 1 hour, for the day and stay overnight.

As for islands we were visiting Brisbane and found an offer to visit Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. We got a cheap airfare with Jetstat for $70 each way. Hamilton Island had cheap to 5 star accommodation and is a fabulous place worth the effort.

Whatever you do you will have a fabulous time. Just research your trip and have a look at VT pages, I have some pages on the area.

Good Luck,
Mike

Should read Jetstar airlines.

Fraser Island is not really expensive. However, you do need a 4WD, so I suppose if you have to rent it or go with a tour it would start counting up. For closer to home, try Moreton Island or North Stradbroke Island.
Definitely, take daytrips from Broadbeach to the Gold Coast Hinterland: Lamington National Park, Binna Burra, O'Reilly's.
You'll enjoy the theme parks.
Lots of nice beaches: have a sundowner at Tallebudgera Creek. Palm Beach is a nice walk. Burleigh Heads has nice views.
Daytrip into northern NSW: visit Tropical Fruit World (chocolate fruit)!
Daytrip to Brisbane - lots to see and do. Vibrant nightlife scene.
Go zorbing - right there on the GC!
Got some tips on my Queensland pages.
You'll have a wonderful time! Enjoy!

Ditto to Johan's comments. There's heaps to do on the Gold Coast. Do hire a car for a few days and go to O'Reillys, Byron Bay, Nimbin for a cultural experience and visit the beaches south of the border - Cabaritta, Hastings Point and Blackrock just south of Pottsville. You can go via these beaches to Byron Bay.

For an island trip, I would do Stradbroke as Johan said. It's not far from the Gold Coast so cost to get there would be cheap. Here's the site - http://www.stradbroketourism.com/

Other things to do are Currumbin Bird Sanctuary and if you are going for a day trip by train to Brisbane then Loan Pine Sanctuary is a good place to go.

Draculas is fun! You'll love it!

Have a wonderful time!! Cheers, Ann :o)