Gold Coast, Australia

Here is a brief history of the Gold Coast:

• The Gold Coast region has been inhabited by Australian Aboriginal people for thousands of years. The Yugambeh and Kombumerri people lived in the area long before European settlement.

• The first Europeans to discover the Gold Coast were British explorers in the early 19th century. They named it the Gold Coast due to the mineral riches they found in the area.

• Gold was discovered in the Gold Coast hinterland in the 1870s, triggering a gold rush. This led to an influx of miners and settlers to the region.

• The town of Southport was founded in 1875 and became the administrative center of the region. It was originally known as the “port for the south“ due to its location.

• The Gold Coast started to develop into a tourist destination in the early 20th century as people discovered the unspoiled beaches and warm climate.

• The Glitter Strip area of high-rise buildings and resorts along the beachfront only started to develop from the 1950s onward, transforming the Gold Coast into a major tourist destination.

• The Gold Coast experienced rapid population and infrastructure growth from the 1970s, fueled by tourism and development. It is now one of Australia‘s fastest growing cities.

The Gold Coast region has a long Aboriginal history but was “discovered“ by Europeans in the 19th century during the gold rush era. Tourism and urban development have transformed the Gold Coast over the last century into the popular resort city that it is today.

Here are the top 10 local tourist attractions:

1. Surfers Paradise Beach: Surfers Paradise Beach is a world-famous beach known for its golden sand and great surf. Entry is free, and it is open 24/7. Located at Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Phone: +61 7 5584 3700. Website: https://www.surfersparadise.com/

2. Sea World: Sea World is a marine park that offers various shows, exhibits, and thrilling rides. The cost of entry starts at $79.99 for adults and $69.99 for children. Opening hours vary, so it‘s best to check the website for the most up-to-date information.orld Dr, Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland 4217, Australia. Phone: +61 7 5588 2222. Website: https://seaworld.com.au/

3. Warner Bros. Movie World: Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park that combines the magic of movies with thrilling rides and attractions. The cost of entry starts at $89.99 for adults and $79.99 for children. Opening hours vary, so it‘s best to check the website for the most up-to-date information. Located at Pacific Motorway, Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland 4210, Australia. Phone: +61 7 5573 3999. Website: https://movieworld.com.au/

4. Dreamworld: Dreamworld is a large theme park that offers a wide range of rides, wildlife exhibits, and entertainment options. The cost of entry starts at $99.99 for adults and $89.99 for children. Opening hours vary, so it‘s best to check the website for the most up-to-date information. Located at Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera, Gold Coast, Queensland 4209, Australia. Phone: +61 7 5588 1111. Website: https://dreamworld.com.au/

5. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular wildlife park where visitors can interact with various native Australian animals. The cost of entry starts at $49.95 for adults and $39.95 for children. It is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Located at 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland 4223, Australia. Phone: +61 7 5534 1266. Website: https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/

6. SkyPoint Observation Deck: SkyPoint Observation Deck offers stunning views of the Gold Coast from the top of the Q1 building. The cost of entry children. It is open from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Located at Level 77, Q1 Building, 9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland 4217, Australia.

7. Infinity Attraction: is a unique and mind-bending experience that combines special effects, lights, and music. The cost of entry starts at $28 for adults and $17 for children. It is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Located at Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, Surfers Paradise Blvd & Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland 4217, Australia. Phone: +61 7 5526 8935. Website: https://www.infinitygc.com.au/

8. Gold Coast Hinterland: The Gold Coast Hinterland offers beautiful natural scenery, including rainforests, waterfalls, and walking trails. Entry to the national parks is typically free, but some attractions may have separate fees. Opening hours vary depending on the specific attraction. Located in the mountainous region behind the Gold Coast. Phone: N/A. Website: https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to–see/gold-coast-hinterland

9. Burleigh Heads National Park: Burleigh Heads National Park is a picturesque coastal park that offers stunning ocean views, walking trails, and picnic areas. Entry to the park is free, and it is open 24/7. Located at Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland 4220, Australia. Phone: N/A. Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/burleigh-head/

10. Tamborine Mountain: Tamborine Mountain is a scenic area known for its rainforest walks, waterfalls, wineries, and charming village. Entry to the mountain is free, but some attractions may have separate fees. Opening hours vary depending on the specific attraction. Located in the Gold Coast hinterland. Phone: N/A. Website: https://www.discovertamborine.com.au/

Here are the most popular day trips from Gold Coast:

1. Springbrook National Park: Located just 45 minutes from the Gold Coast city center, Springbrook National Park offers breathtaking natural beauty with its waterfalls, rainforests, and stunning lookouts. There is no cost of entry to the park, and it is open 24 hours a day. Address: Springbrook Road, Springbrook QLD 4213. Phone: +61 7 5533 3584. Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/springbrook/

2. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: A popular attraction for animal lovers, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is only a 20-minute drive from the Gold Coast. Visitors can get up close and personal with Australian wildlife, watch animal shows, and even cuddle a koala. The entry fee is around $49 for adults and $35 for children. The sanctuary is open from 8 am to 5 pm. Address: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223. Phone: +61 7 5534 1266. Website: https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/

3. Tamborine Mountain: Tamborine Mountain is a charming village located about an hour‘s drive from the Gold Coast. It offers stunning rainforest walks, boutique shops, art galleries, and wineries. There is no cost of entry to the mountain, and most attractions are open from 9 am to 5 pm. Address: Tamborine Mountain, QLD 4272. Phone: +61 7 5545 3200. Website: https://www.discovertamborine.com.au/

4. Byron Bay: Byron Bay, a popular coastal town, is located approximately an hour and a half drive south of the Gold Coast. Known for its pristine beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and vibrant arts scene, Byron Bay is a great spot for surfing, shopping, and dining. There is no cost of entry, and it is open 24 hours a day. Address: Byron Bay, NSW 2481. Phone: +61 2 6680 8558. Website: https://www.visitbyronbay.com/

5. Lamington National Park: Lamington National Park, around an hour and a half drive from the Gold Coast, is a World Heritage-listed rainforest offering stunning hiking trails, waterfalls, and panoramic views. There is no cost of entry to the park, and it is open 24 hours a day. Address: Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont QLD 4211. Phone: +61 7 5533 3584. Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington/

The Gold Coast in Australia a variety of transportation options. Here are some of the main types of transportation, along with their cost range, hours of operation, and website links:

1. Bus: – Name: Surfside Buslines – Cost range: Single trip fares start at AUD 3.20 for adults and AUD 1.60 for children (prices may vary depending on distance traveled). – Hours of operation: Buses operate from early morning until late evening, with limited services during late night hours. – Website: https://www.translink.com.au/gold-coast

2. Light Rail: – Name: G:link – Cost range: Fares start at AUD 3.20 for adults and AUD 1.60 for children (prices may vary depending on distance traveled). – Hours of operation: Trams operate from early morning until late evening, with limited services during late night hours. – Website: https://ridetheg.com.au/

3. Train: – Name: Queensland Rail – Cost range: Fares vary depending on the distance traveled. For example, a one-way ticket from Gold Coast to Brisbane starts at AUD 10.40 for adults and AUD 5.20 for children. – Hours of operation: Trains operate from early morning until late evening, with limited services during late night hours. – Website: https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/

4. Taxi: – Name: Various taxi companies operate in the Gold Coast, including Gold Coast Cabs and Black & White Cabs. – Cost range: Taxi fares are metered, with an initial flagfall fee of around AUD 3.60, and then a per-kilometer charge of around AUD 2.19. – Hours of operation: Taxis operate 24/7. – Website: https://www.gccabs.com.au/ (Gold Coast Cabs) and https://www.blackandwhitecabs.com.au/ (Black & White Cabs)

5. Ride-Sharing: – Name: Uber, DiDi, and Ola are popular ride-sharing services available in the Gold Coast. – Cost range: Fares are calculated based on distance and time. Base fares typically start around AUD 2.50, with additional charges per kilometer and per minute. – Hours of operation: Ride-sharing services operate 24/7. – Website: https://www.uber.com/ (Uber), https://www.didiglobal.com/ (DiDi), https://www.olacabs.com/ (Ola)

Please note that the cost range provided is approximate and may vary depending on factors such as distance traveled, time of day, and specific service providers. It is advisable to check the respective websites for the most up-to-date information on fares, schedules, and services.

Here are the main airports near Cold Coast, Australia with relevant information:

Sydney Airport: https://sydneyairport.com.au

• 20km from Sydney city center, about a 30 minute drive

• Train available directly to city center from the airport every 10–15 minutes. Check https://transportnsw.info for train schedule and fares.

• Taxi costs around $50–60 AUD to city center.

• Shuttle buses available from the airport to city center for around $18-$25 AUD. Check https://sydneyshuttles.com.au

Canberra Airport (CBR)- https://www.canberraairport.com.au

• 19km from Canberra city center, about a 30 minute drive

• Bus available from the airport to city center every 15–30 minutes. Check https://transport.act.gov.au for bus schedule and fares.

• Taxi costs around $50 AUD to city center.

• Shuttle buses available from $10-$20 AUD. Check https://canberraairportshuttle.com.au

Newcastle Airport (NTL)- https://newcastleairport.com.au

• 9km from Newcastle city center, around 15–20 minute drive • Taxi from the airport to city center costs around $25 AUD.

• Public bus available every 60–90 minutes. Check www.newbus.com.au for schedule and fares.

• No direct shuttle buses but multiple hire car options available.

The Australian dollar (AUD) is used throughout Australia:

• Bill denominations:

• $5,
• $10,
• $20,
• $50,
• $100.

• Coins:

• 1 cent,
• 2 cents,
• 5 cents,
• 10 cents,
• 20 cents,
• $1
• and $2 coins.

• The 1 dollar coin is the most common coin.

• The AUD dollar is subdivided into 100 cents.

• Perth uses the same Australian dollar currency as the rest of Australia. There are no separate currencies used within different cities or regions of Australia.

• Coins come in copper, nickel, silver and gold plated steel. Larger coins contain nickel and copper.

• Australia stopped producing the 1 dollar and 2 dollar coins in 1992 but they remain legal tender. Newer coins have been made of lighter metals.

Here is information to help you pack for a trip to Gold Coast, Australia:

– The climate of Gold Coast is subtropical, with hot humid summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from:

– Summer (December to February): 22 to 31 °C (72 to 88 °F), very hot and humid

– Autumn (March to May): 18 to 26 °C (64 to 79 °F), warm and sunny

– Winter (June to August): 12 to 22 °C (54 to 72 °F), mild and sunny

– Spring (September to November): 16 to 26 °C (61 to 79 °F), pleasant and sunny

– Gold Coast receives ample rainfall year–round, so you‘ll want to pack for both hot sunny weather and rainy/cloudy conditions.

– Common items to pack:

– Light, loose–fitting clothes in breathable fabrics like linen or cotton. Shorts, t–shirts, tanks, sundresses.

– Sandals, flip flops, and lightweight sneakers or walking shoes.

– Swimwear – you‘ll likely spend time at the beach or pools.

– Sun protection – hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. UV levels are very high.

– Sweaters, jacket, and pants for cooler nights/mornings and air-conditioned spaces.

– Rain gear – umbrellas, ponchos, or lightweight waterproof jacket.

– Insect repellent – mosquitoes can be bothersome during summer months.

– Consider packing multipurpose pieces like sarongs that you can use as beach wraps, lightweight shawls, etc. Less is more to avoid packing bulk.