Broadbeach & Southern Beaches - Surfers Paradise - Gold Coast Accommodation

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About the Gold Coast
Accommodation and special accommodation needs
Airlines and transport
Currency and money
Government, hospitals and emergencies
Maps & visitor information.


Here you will find information about the Gold Coast, including links and further information about accommodation, transport, insurance, tourism and government services.


About the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is widely acknowledged as Australia's premier tourist destination attracting over 10 million visitors per year. The region’s wealth of attractions, from beaches and subtropical rainforests to a wide range of entertainment, plus its sub-tropical climate and quality lifestyle have made the Gold Coast one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations for nearly 100 years.

The region's scenic coastline stretches from Southport to Coolangatta and boasts more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Located 65 km south east of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is Queensland’s most popular tourism region, which can be attributed to its variety of tourism experiences, theme attractions and events, combined with nature's best.

Click here to read about | surfers paradise | broadbeach | the southern beaches | the gold coast hinterland |


Facts & Figures
    • The region encompasses 5,000 sq km with 70km of coastline.
    • The largest subtropical rainforest remnant in the world and more than 100,000 hectares of nature reserves and World Heritage sites.
    • The largest professional life guard service in Australia.
    • The largest concentration of themed attractions in the southern hemisphere.
    • Gold Coast City’s population is almost 500,000 persons, and is expected to increase to above 650,000 over the next 15 years. It is Australia’s sixth largest city.
    • The tourism destination spans Beenleigh and South Stradbroke Island to the north; Cabarita and Kingscliff in the south; west to Beaudesert including World Heritage Listed national parks.
Major Events

The Gold Coast is fast becoming the regional sporting and events capital of Australia. The City hosts yacht classics, horse races, triathlons and competitions in a variety of sporting codes, plus many national and international events including:

    • Australian Ladies Masters Golf
    • Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
    • Blues on Broadbeach
    • Gold Coast Marathon
    • Gold Coast Triathlon
    • Magic Millions Horse Racing Carnival
    • The Grand Prix
    • Pan Pacific Masters Games
    • Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
    • WinterSun Festival

 

Accommodation and special accommodation needs

Accommodation Bookings

Surfers Paradise, Main Beach & Broadwater
Our "sister site" provides accommodation bookings for postcode Qld 4217 and the northern Gold Coast.
Web: www.chevronisland.com.au

BreakFree or Mantra on the Gold Coast
Mantra Group provides an extensive range of resorts, retreats, hotels and apartments on the Gold Coast and also throughout Australia & New Zealand.

Sunshine Coast Holiday Bookings
Accommodation bookings right across Australia.
Save money - book direct - instant confirmation.
Web: www.eSunshineCoast.com.au

Resortfinder Holiday Resort Accommodation
Holiday accommodation bookings for the Gold Coast, and Peppers retreats.
Web: www.resortfinder.com.au

Nearly half of all accommodation bookings are made online, and many resorts we talk to say their percentage is even higher. Many internet accommodation providers are in fact very similar, and you can feel entirely comfortable booking online. The websites listed above are similar to www.broadbeach.net.au in that they let you book direct with the resort itself, which we believe is an obvious advantage. You may read more about the standard AAA rating system, and our views about online bookings ... (here).

Special accommodation needs

Many resorts offer Kids Club or children's facilities, but not all properties cater for the really young ones.

Finding suitable accommodation for the disabled or elderly in wheelchairs is even more difficult.

Travelers with special accommodation needs are generally advised to talk direct with the respective hotels or resorts about their requirements. We have collected some basic information on accommodation & transport which you may access .... (here).

 

Airlines and transport

Airlines

Gold Coast Airport - Domestic visitors can fly direct to the Gold Coast via the Gold Coast Airport, with Australian Airlines, Freedom Air, Pacific Blue, Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar. Direct international flights are via Japan, China, Singapore and New Zealand.

Brisbane Airport - The international Airport in Brisbane is also only an hour’s drive away, with access to 26 destinations worldwide through more than 30 airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways and United.

Car rental

The easiest and most convenient way to get around on the Gold Coast is by car. This is especially the case if you plan to do a bit of traveling, such as to the theme parks or to see the mountains and national parks. Simply book online and pick up your car from the airport.

Travel insurance
Airport transfers & getting around on the Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise is about 20-25 kms from the Gold Coast Airport, and the transfer costs about $20/adult, $11/child and $51/family of four. The distance from Brisbane Airport is 80-85 kms, and the cost is about $39/adult, $22/child and $100/family of four.

If you are arriving from the north you may consider Brisbane to the Gold Coast by Train. With two express trains each hour direct to the Gold Coast, Airtrain is a reliable and frequent option to reach the Gold Coast from Brisbane Airport.

Further details about getting around

Aside from public transport, there are dozens of rental car, scooter and other hire companies, where you can choose to experience the Gold Coast by sports car, luxury sedan, motorcycle, scooter, limousine, mountain bike or 4WD. The option is yours!

 

Currency and money

Currency
  • Australia’s currency is the dollar ($). 100c = $A1. Currency exchange facilities can be found at airports and all the key tourist centres.
  • Note denominations: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coin denominations: $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c
  • Currency conversions: www.xe.net/ucc
Money
  • Travelers’ cheques can be cashed at banks and major hotels.
  • ATMs are widely available 24 hours a day. Bank hours: 9am to 4pm (Monday to Thursday), 9.30am to 5pm (Friday). Bureau de change offer more flexible hours.
  • Major credit cards accepted at shops, hotels, restaurants. Common credit cards include American Express, Bankcard, Diner’s Club, Mastercard and Visa.
  • Australia has a Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) on all goods and services. Travelers may be eligible for a GST refund on departure through Customs.
  • Tipping is not mandatory in Australia. Some restaurants charge surcharges on public holidays.
  • Travelers must declare substantial amounts of foreign currency (valued at $A10,000 or more) through Customs.
  • The Gold Coast has some of the nation’s largest duty free stores. View Customs for allowances.
  • All shoppers in Australia are protected by consumer legislation. Some heritage items may be protected against export.

Government, hospitals and emergencies

Gold Coast City Council

The council's official website with information about council services can be found at at www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Overseas Visitors

Overseas visitors should take care to obtain their own medical travel insurance to ensure that they are covered in an emergency. Several Australian-based travel insurers have special cover for visitors which are very much less expensive than travel cover sold other countries.

Public hospitals
  • Gold Coast Hospital, Nerang Street, Southport. Phone: 07 5571 8211
  • The Tweed Hospital, Florence Street, Tweed Heads. Phone: 07 5536 1133
Private hospitals
  • Pindara Hospital, Benowa. Phone: 07 5588 9888
  • Allamanda Private Hospital, Southport. Phone: 07 5532 6444
  • John Flynn Private Hospital, Tugun. Phone: 07 5598 9000
  • Palm Beach Currumbin Private Hospital, Currumbin. Phone: 07 5534 4944
Emergency

The national telephone number for all emergency services in Australia including Ambulance, Fire, and Police is 000.

Maps and other useful links

Maps
Tourism
Visitor Information Centres

A list of the major tourist information centres on the Gold Coast is as follows:

  • Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre - Phone: 07 5541 4495
  • Beenleigh Information and Booking Centre - Phone: 07 3287 1377
  • Burleigh Heads Information Centre - Phone: 07 5535 3032
  • Canungra Information Centre - Phone: 07 5543 5156
  • Coolangatta Information and Booking Centre - Phone: 07 5569 3380
  • Gold Coast Tourism Visitor Information Centre - Phone: 07 5538 4419
  • Harbour Town Information and Booking Centre - Phone: 07 5563 7688
  • Tamborine Mountain Visitor Information Centre - Phone: 07 5545 3200

 

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