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GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

All You Need to Travel Gold Coast Confidently

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Top Hotels

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Best Tours & Activities

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Top Restaurants & Bars

Currency and Culture Tips

Currency & Culture Tips

Hotels

TOP HOTELS

Top 3 Luxury Hotels in Gold Coast

Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise

5 star

Surfer's Paradise

$180-$386

Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa

5 star

Surfer's Paradise

$153-$369

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa

The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach

5 star

Broadbeach

$192-$423

The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach

Top 3 Mid-Tier Hotels in Gold Coast

Meriton Suites Broadbeach

5 star

Broadbeach

$63-$209

Meriton Suites Broadbeach

The Island Gold Coast

4 star

Surfer's Paradise

$71-$182

The Island Gold Coast

Rhapsody Resort

4 star

Surfer's Paradise

$95-$148

Rhapsody Resort

Top 3 Budget Hotels/Hostels in Gold Coast

BUNK Packpackers

Backpacker's Hostel

Surfer's Paradise

N/A

BUNK Packpackers

Down Under Hostels

Backpacker's Hostel

Surfer's Paradise

$55-$68

Down Under Hostels

Budds in Surfers

Backpacker's Hostel

Surfer's Paradise

$60-$76

Budds in Surfers

Activities

TOP TOURS & ATTRACTIONS

Tours

Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride from Main Beach

Zip through the scenic Gold Coast Broadwater on a high-octane jet boat ride that combines speed-driven fun with sightseeing. Hang on as your boat performs 360-degree spins, power slides and other tricks, then slow down to see Southport Yacht Club, Palazzo Versace Hotel and Marina Mirage.

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Duration:

1 hour

Jet Ski Safaris Ultimate Adventure

Make your way through watery, winding, hightide passages that turn and bend during this half-day, guided, 49-mile (80-kilometer) Jet Ski adventure. Follow your guide through hairpin turns testing your speed as you lookout at the lush, tropical plant life that flanks your watery path. Glide over the water under mangrove trees before stopping at a South Stradbroke Island bar for lunch.

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Duration:

1-3.5 hours

Beginners Surf Lesson at Main Beach

Learn the basics of surfing during a 2 hour introductory surf class at main beach!

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Duration:

2 hours

Gold Coast Sunset Cruise with sparkling wine & nibbles platter

Go sailing on the Gold Coast Broadwater at sunset aboard a luxury sailboat. Glide past landmarks such as the Southport Yacht Club, Marina Mirage, Wave Break Island and Surfers Paradise on this romantic and relaxing 2-hour sunset cruise.

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Duration:

2 hours

Attractions

Surfer's Paradise Beach

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Mount Tamborine

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Coolangatta Beach

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Kirra Beach

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Restaurants

TOP DINING & DRINKING

Fine Dining

Seascape Restaurant and Bar

Seascape Restaurant and Bar

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

$$$$

Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant

Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

$$$$

Gold Coast Gondola Restaurant

Gold Coast Gondola Restaurant

Cuisine

Italian

Price

$$$$

Casual Dining

The Glenelg Public House

The Glenelg Public House

Cuisine

Australian

Price

$$

Social Eating House & Bar

Social Eating House & Bar

Cuisine

Australian

Price

$$$

Iyara Thai Restaurant

Iyara Thai Restaurant

Cuisine

Thai

Price

$$

Bars

Last Night on Earth

Last Night on Earth

Cuisine

Craft Beer

Price

$$

The Island Rooftop

The Island Rooftop

Cuisine

Rooftop

Price

$$

The Cambus Wallace

The Cambus Wallace

Cuisine

Pub

Price

$$

CURRENCY, CULTURE, & LANGUAGE TIPS
Currency & Tipping Info
Tipping Etiquette

Tipping Etiquette

Restaurants: Tipping is not common (service charge is included) Bellhops: Not expected, but $1/bag is appreciated Housekeepers: Not expected, but $1/night is appreciated

Cash vs. Credit Rating

Cash vs. Credit Rating

5 on scale of 1 to 4 (Credit Widely Accepted)

Availability of ATMs

Availability of ATMs

Widely Available

Exchange Rate

Exchange Rate

CLICK HERE for real-time exchange rate

Purchasing Power Rating

Purchasing Power Rating

$$$ (Moderately Expensive City)

Currency Name

Currency Name

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Culture Tips
Government Safety Rating
Government Safety Rating
1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Percentage of English Speakers
Percentage of English Speakers
97%
Prevalance of Tourism
Prevalance of Tourism
3: Moderately High
Experience Level Needed
Experience Level Needed
1: Little Experience Needed
Taxi Availability
Taxi Availability
3: Usually Available
Population Size
Population Size
690,000
Airports
Airports
Main: Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
Type of Outlets
Type of Outlets
Two flat pins shaped like an upside-down "V" with a third flat pin in the center
Train Stations
Train Stations
Helensvale Railway Station
Vaccinations Needed?
Vaccinations Needed?
No
Time Zone
Time Zone
Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT+10)
Visa Needed?
Visa Needed?
Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) required with US Passport
Language & Culture
Language Assistance
English
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