Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi All,

I will be going GC next week and will be staying at paradise resort.
Have include the following places in my itinerary:

1) Theme Parks - Movie World and Dreamworld
2) Surfers Paradise (shopping areas like cavill mall)
3) QDeck observatory deck
4) Pacific Mall / Harbour front Mall/Australia fair
5) Central Park: Billabong Factory
6) Gold Coast Hinterland - includes Mt Tamborine, Lamington park
7) Brisbane City Sights

Any other places I should go and should not miss or I should actually give it a miss?

For 6 and 7, I was thinking of signing up with tour operator. Any tour operators for recommendations? Is Scenic Hinterland Holiday Day Tours good?

Thanks

Hi,

Do you know of any good and trustworthy website / tour operators which offers a good rate for 1 ticket pass to both Dreamworld and Movieworld?
It seems that most of the online website offer 1 ticket pass to both seaworld and movieworld only.

Thanks
Cheers,

Hi,

Hubby and I will be travelling from Sydney to Gold Coast and will need one nights accomodation close to Airport as we will fly out for Malaysia following Day and also return flight too. Can anyone recommend a hotel close to airport. If they have a shuttle service that would be even better. Nothing fancy, just clean accomodation for 2 with own bathroom up to $200 a night. Thanks.

Hi
We are in a group of 15 (9 adults + 5 teenagers + 1 kids, age 12), will be staying at Plaza Apartment, Surfers Paradise in early March for 7 nights. Our arriving time will be at 9pm. We are not so much on theme parks. Our draft plan is as follows:

1) Stanthorpe (purpose to see lavender, fruit farms)
2) Moreton Island
3) Brisbane
4) Movie World + Paradise country farm (purpose is to see sheep shedding).
5) Mud-crab tour
6) Mt Tambourine
7) Tropical Fruit World
8) Carrara Market, Harbour Town

I need help here:
1) Should we stay 2 nights in Brisbane since Stanthorpe and Moreton are nearer to Brisbane. I need to confirm my accommodation at Surfer Paradise soon.
2) Do you think we should hire a coach or travel by Public Transport? Which way is more economical?
3) Should we join a tour company for the entire visitation? We will join tour for Stanthorpe, Moreton Island, Mud-crab tour. I can get a train down to Brisbane and getting around at Brisbane by City Cat, bus to Carrara Market, Casino and Harbour Town but not sure of Mt Tambourine and Tropical Fruit World.
Warm Regards,

Hi all,

My galfriend and i will be travelling to Gold Coast in 2 weeks time.
Our itinerary is mostly visits to the 3 Worlds (Movieworld.etc) and surf school in the morning.

Can anybody suggests any good locations for White water rafting or bush walking, anything else other than the zoo? We are pretty much up for anything as long as its not too far off from our hotel area in Hanlan Street.

Please kindly leave your comments as soon as possible.
Thankz in advanced :-)

Hi,

I would be going to Gold Coast in Mar'09 and will like to have a night stay at the farm hence any recommendation for Farmstay, Clean & Cheap as I would be brining my child (4 years old) along.

In mind will be Lillydale, any others?

Thks

Hello to everyone!
Thanks to all who answered my previous question, you really helped me out! :)
I have one more question though!
Has anyone every stayed at the Islander Resort Hotel in Surfers Paradise?
What was the service like?
Any comments on this hotel would be great as Im still deciding on which hotel to stay in. I've had my eye on this hotel, but I would love to hear what your thoughts are!

Thanks again!
Jasmine :)

It's been a while since I've been on VT so a BIG HELLO to all the awesome people on VT!! Anyway Im planning a trip to the Gold Coast with my Boyfriend and we are planning on going to Wet N Wild World, Sea World and Movie World and I have a few question that i'd like to ask.

1. Im taking a bag with me with lunch, money, camera etc (ive heard how expensive food can be there!) Can I leave my bag somewhere before I go on the rides? Obviously I cant take them 'on' the ride, so what should I do?

2. Im buying 2 tickets at $150 each for a 5 day pass to the 3 parks. Does this entry ticket include all rides and shows? Or will I have to pay extra at each ride I want to go on?

3. Are the buses quite easy to catch? Im staying right in the middle of Surfers Paradise and we are wanting to catch a bus to the theme parks.

4. Is one day per park enough to see everything if not, most attractions at the park?

5. We are planning to go near the end of february. Do you think this is a good time to go?

Thanks to everyone! and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hi all,

I'll be travelling to Brisbane in January and will be staying for 2 weeks. I will be working in Brisbane for the first 4 or 5 days and I have the rest of my time to do/see whatever I want, but I will be spending my last couple of days in Sydney. This leaves me with about 4 or 5 days to travel around. I would like to see the Gold Coast and Fraser Island, but am having a hard time planning the itinerary. Seeing as I will be by myself, would you suggest seeing the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast??? Also, how do I make my way to Fraser Island and is one day enough to spend there?? Can you suggest any other spots I should see while I'm in this area? I would like to take full advantage of my time there, but unfortunately have to pack it all in to a short period of time! :( Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm also on a budget, but won't be backpacking (I'm 32 years old), so I prefer to stay in hotels. So any suggests that way would be great too.

Thanks!!!

Hi

I'm going to be spending christmas at Gold Coast probably, I'm a backpacker from England, and was wondering which is the better option to stay - Coolangatta or Surfer's Paradise or not on Surfer's itself but Southport. I don't want somewhere that is quiet as I will be away from all of my family for the first time ever - can anyone recommend anywhere? I'm also on a pretty tight budget so if anyone can recommend any other cheaper areas for the festive period I am open to suggestion...

Thanks

Cat xx

Hi,

I would like to have recommendations for the following:

- Which Apartments (3-bedrooms) located near the beach (Surfer Paradise)besides, clean, balcony to view the seaside, cheap.
- Transfers contact (2-ways) (From Brisbane International Airport to Surfer Paradise)
- Cheap Car Rental. I have 10 paxs (Will like to squeeze all in one car) properly a Multi Purpose Vehicle.

Please advise!

Thank you

Hi,
I am about to leave for my holiday to the Gold Coast in 2 weeks. Any information about the situation in Surfers Paradise and surroundings?

I am also travelling to Cairns, is it affected by the storm?

Hi, Me and my sis are planning to the gold coast for 7 days but the more i read about it makes me think its really cheesy? Would Noosa be better? Looking for a relaxing holiday but also want some social activity, and to do surf lessons and visit a theme park as well. Is noosa really quiet, or is there good nightlife as well?
Thanks

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 (",)

Hello :)

I am planning a trip to Gold Coast in March '09 staying for 3 nights. My budget for accomodation is max AUD100/nite.

I am looking for a quiet place, located within walking distance to the beach, shops and restaurants and easy to get public transport. I am looking at either room with ensuite bathroom or 1-bedroom self-contained apartment.

I have shortlisted the following options :

1. Costa D-Ora Apartments, Surfers Paradise
2. The Shore Holiday Apartments, Surfers Paradise
3. Karana Palm Resorts. Chevron Island
4. Club Surfers, Surfers Paradise
5. The Shore, Surfers Paradise
6. Breakfree Rays, Southport
7. Browns at Broadbeach, Broadbeach

I would like some advice on which of the above are the best based on the requirements listed above.

Many thanks for your response.

i am from singapore. me and my bf will be visiting Goldcoast for a 7 day tour this coming 20th oct to 26 oct... as this is our first time there, we got TOTALLY no idea wat place to visit etc...

as we will be staying over at my friend's place (near surfer's paradise), so we are thinking for the first 3 days, we would spend time in those "world" theme parks... probably movie world, sea world and dream world. is there other theme parks that u guys recommend?

as for the next 4 days, we were planning to go for longer road trips and shopping trips.

so we were thinking should we rent a car from the start for the whole 7 days when we arrive in brisbane airport and drive to gold coast, or should we rent for the last 4 days only for those longer road trips and take airport transfer/public transport for the rest of the days(inclu. the airport transfer to and fro brisbane airport and goldcoast)?

is there any other interesting and must go places in goldcoast/ brisbane?

we are more into a shopping/ sight seeing trip..

really urgently need the help from any kind soul who has answers to my above questions.

thankz so much!!

Hi there we are coming to the Indy Cars next year and are looking for apartments on the track and i have found that what you see on the websites is definately not what you get. Has anyone stayed at eh Breakfree Peninsula?? We want better than average clean and safe apartments, on the indy track and close to the town end. Stayed at Morrocan, lovely but dated and expensive, just want to hear from someone who has any advice on which apartments to stay in.
Like the area of Morrocan,beachpoint etc????

Hello everyone~I'm a fresh graduate from Malaysia. Australia is always my dream land since small. Some questions regarding my (8 Days 7 nights )trip here, wish to get your help here.
1. I plan to buy "freedom pass" of Surfside busline/Shuttle for few days, any comment? I found out that some of the interesting places sa Tamborine mt, hinterland, etc can not be reached by bus...
2. I love wine, cheese and chocolate. I wish to find a tour consist of these.
3. Any comment regarding the "Green and Gold tour"? I afraid the day tour is too rush and I actually cannot enjoy every places.
4. I have a return flight from Brisbane to Kuala Lumpur airport 840am. For international flight, i should check in 2 Hour before, right? No public transport available as early as 5am to send me from Santana Resort, surfer paradise to airport, possible to stay overnight in airport?
5.It's better to book tickets online or when im in Oz?As i have been told in airport itself has a lot of discount voucher...etc.
6. My budget allows me to visit 2 themeparks, which themepark is worth for a Malaysian 25 year old lady? :) **obviously i couldn't play with water...
7. Which company provide nice Whales watching tour? Sea worlds'?
Thanks a lot!!

Hi everyone, I will be heading to Australia in March 2009. So I have a ton of questions because everything is still a blurr to me now. My travel itenary so far is touch down in Gold Coast probably spend 3-4 days on sightseeing, shopping and visiting the theme parks. Then head to Sydney for 3-4 days to do the same, then back to Gold Coast for my flight back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1) what would the weather roughly be like in March 2009? in case I need to pack warmer clothings.

2)Alternately, would it be better to take a connecting flight directly to Sydney once I arrive at Gold Coast airport so that I can save on some airport transfer. Any idea how much does the taxu cost from Gold Coast airport to surfer paradise hotels?

Thanks in advance!!

I would like to know how to cover the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays in a span of 3 days cost-effectively. Please suggest if I should take the one day trippers or plan a cruise trip. I would be starting from Brisbane and have only 3 days in hand. I am totally confused and cannot plan my itenary. As I do not find the cruises to these places directly from Brisbane. Most of them are via Airlie Beach and transport to the Airlie Beach will add cost.

Hi there,

Is there any good suggestion where I can stay cheap in Mt.Tamborine, or nearby? I have a family of 4 adults and a baby.


Thanks guys

Hi there, I'll be in gold coast for 3 days, just wonder if there's any great stops for art & craft? I'm a big Art fan, thanks!

HI again, firstly thank you so much for those who gave me great advice before. My next question would be - Where would the best place to stay along the sunshine coast with two small children (4 and 1 yrs)? Does anyone have any good accommadation recommendations? Or advice to what to do there besides sitting on the beach. (is it good swimming weather in September?).

Hi there,

I am busy trying to organise a 1 week family holiday either to Gold Coast or some where on the Sunshine coast. My children are only 4 and 1. Could anyone recommend what would be the better place for us to go? We want to give the kids a fun, exciting time but at the same time we want to relax. This is the first family holiday for us and I haven't a clue about travelling with two small children. Anyone have any advice/tips would be appreciated. We are travelling from Melbourne.

Hello,
I am planning my Honeymoon trip to Australia (Sydney, Cairns, and Gold Coast) during second half of august. Wanted to know if it is a good idea to visit Gold Coast during that time period (since it is winter in Australia). Won't be a good idea if we can't get into the waters :).
Any inputs/suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Vicky.

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!

can some1 out there give me some useful info. regarding to the luggage storage area? as everybody info. I'm going to gold coast from Brisbane & will need to store my luggage for half day before leaving to the Movie World as I'll be taking the flight to Sydney on the same day.
1) is there any luggage storage area inside the gold coast airport?
2) any recommended luggage storage services near to the airport or movie world?
3) & finally, of course, what is charges for the services?

A MILLION thanks in advance for above matter...

Hi everyone, I would like to travel to the Gold Coast in September. Can you help me with hinting to good, reasonable accomodation, not too far away from the water. I am a student from Germany and try to get to know as much as possible for my the little money I have. Thank you for your help in advance.
Oh, forgot something: What do you recommend is more worth seeing: Uluru od Kakadoo Islands?

Hi has any one stayed at xanadu main beach, could you tell me if it is a good place to stay for facilities and location to beaches, theme parks, restaurants etc

need help...i'm going 2 gold coast nex month..staying at paradise resort hotel..
can u give me a guide where is the nearby market, or is it possible that i can get a simple map. sorrounding my hotel location..