C P Travel
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Australia’s Gold Coast is a diverse city, offering action packed days and fun filled nights to over 10 million visitors each year. Families, couples, business delegates and solo travellers will all find an experience to suit their needs and budget, as the Gold Coast serves up more attractions and venues than any other destination in the southern hemisphere. Get into the Gold Coast’s easy living lifestyle with 70 kilometres of sun, sand and surf at your doorstep plus 100,000 hectares of world heritage-listed rainforest just a short drive away.
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The City
This is where it happens. Excitement beckons at every corner and there is action to be had on every wave along the 70 kilometres of white sand beaches. The region is the theme park capital of Australia offering plenty of hours (or even full days) of fun and entertainment.
If adrenaline is your thing, try Dreamworld’s Giant Drop. If you fancy kissing a seal, head to Seaworld and get a smooch on the cheek. Pretend to be a Hollywood star at the Warner Bros. Movie World or fling yourself down tubes of gushing water for relief from the Queensland heat at Wet’n’Wild.
Surfers Paradise in the north has round-the-clock entertainment with glitz, glamour and heaps of nightclubs and shops. Coolangatta and Tweed Heads in the south have some of Australia’s best breaks and the area is increasingly becoming more popular with surfers. The Gold Coast is whatever you want it to be.
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Do & See
No matter if you spend one week or three weeks here — you will not get bored! The Gold Coast has more to offer than just lovely beach, best surfing and great places for a good night out. Visit, for example, the fun amusement parks, interactive museums or Tamborine Mountain.
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Warner Brothers Movie World
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Holoverse
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iFly
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Tamborine Mountain
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Surfing & Kitesurfing
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Infinity
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Burleigh Head National Park
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SkyPoint Observation Deck
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Kayaking at South Stradbroke Island
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Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
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Broadwater Parklands
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Gold Coast Skydive
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Gold Coast Cruises
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Paradise Jet Boating
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Dining
The multicultural nature of the Gold Coast has led to the delicious and successful food and wine industry, cultivating everything from soft-shell crabs and goat cheese to locally bred Wagyu beef and award-winning boutique wines. The Gold Coast has attracted prominent restaurateurs and operators from the southern capitals and around the world to progress this dynamic region. This has ensured locations such as Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Coolangatta and the Hinterland to remain highly regarded for their delectable choice of dining options. Similarly, beachside cafes, snack bars and budget priced eateries are in abundance.
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Kurrawa Surf Club
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Ginger Indian Gourmet
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Donto Sapporo
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The Cuban
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La Porchetta
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Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill
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Pancakes In Paradise
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Cafés
When you're hankering after a coffee or juice — or fancying something a tad sweeter — the Gold Coast's laid-back vibe offers a wealth of options. With a mix of top-notch coffee chains and charming, independently-owned cafés, there's a spot to suit every taste.
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The Cardamom Pod
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Elk Espresso
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Le Cafe Gourmand
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The Coffee Club
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Bars & Nightlife
That ambience of true bustling seaside culture, contrasted by a groovy night time buzz makes the Gold Coast a distinctively active area and a true party destination. Of course, a sampling of the all-night entertainment will ensure an experience to remember.
The area Surfers Paradise has a delightful range of evening activities. Broadbeach also has an expanding mall area which provides a 24-hour epicentre of activity. Here you'll find the iconic The Star Gold Coast casino and hotel, and its range of cabaret shows, gambling facilities and newly established bars and restaurants.
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D'arcy Arms
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Diggers & Sports Club
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Cocktails Nightclub
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Elsewhere
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Shopping
With some of Australia’s largest retail centres and most stylish fashion precincts, even grocery shopping on the Gold Coast is an enticing prospect. Browse the generous complexes, take a shopping tour, peruse the boutiques, wander through the piazzas and pay particular attention to the factory outlet precincts. This grand assortment of Gold Coast retail experiences will surely satisfy every taste in fashion.
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Carrara Markets
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Robina Town Centre
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Pacific Fair
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The Oasis Shopping Centre
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Miami Marketta
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Spirit Of Australia Gallery
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Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre
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Paradise Centre Surfers Paradise
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Tourist Information
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
Situated in Coolangatta — a stone's throw from Surfers Paradise at 22 kilometres — Gold Coast Airport (previously Coolangatta Airport) comes equipped with an accessible transport and information desk near international arrivals.
Key bus services include Route 777, offering a limited-stop journey to Broadbeach South tram station. From there, easy transfers to the G:link service for Surfers Paradise, Southport, and other bus routes are available. This service runs every 15 minutes, seven days a week from 7am to 7pm.
Route 760 provides a link to Varsity Lakes Train Station at thirty-minute intervals. Additional bus services from Surfside reach Kingscliff and Pottsville, starting from Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah.
The Hub Convenience store sells Go cards. As a tourist, you might want to get the 'Gold Coast go explore' pass, which grants unlimited daily bus and tram rides for just $10. Buy it right at the airport.
And lastly — if you prefer a direct ride, taxis await just outside the terminal.
Address: Eastern Avenue, Bilinga, Gold Coast
Email: info@gcal.com.au
Phone: +617 5589 1100
Website: www.goldcoastairport.com.au
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Passport/Visa
Unless you are a New Zealand citizen granted visa exemption on arrival (in most cases), you will need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Australia. Citizens of all European Union countries, as well as Andorra, Norway, Iceland, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City are eligible for an eVisitor visa, which can be applied for online. For citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea and Malaysia, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) entry permit is available, which can be applied for online and grants holders the right to enter Australia an unlimited amount of times for stays of no longer than 3 months per visit.
Citizens of all other world countries (with the exception of Somalia) are also able to apply for a visitor visa online. For more information, visit the official website of the Australian government's department of home affairs.
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Website: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/visit
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Best Time To Visit
If you travel around April and May, you will be able to enjoy the warm weather with the lowest chance of rainfall. This is also the most affordable time to visit as there are no school holidays. Another plus is that you will avoid tourists and holiday crowds.
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Public Transport
The Gold Coast has a range of public transport options including trains and buses. The local buses are operated by Kinetic Group, which provides regular services and a network covering most locations. Weekly tickets for unlimited travelling with busses are available. The company also provides shuttle buses between the theme parks.
The Gold Coast train line connects to the Brisbane suburban rail network. The main stations on the Gold Coast are Coomera, Nerang and Robina.
Ferries and water taxis connect the islands and canal estates.
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Website: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Roads-transport-parking/Public-transport
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Taxi
Cove Water Taxi
covewatertaxi.com.au
+61 419 724 630
13 Cabs
13 2227
www.13cabs.com.au/locations/gold-coast
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Post
There are numerous post offices located on the Gold Coast. You can find one of them in the Centro shopping centre.
Address: Australia Post, Paradise Centre, 65/8-10 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD
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Phone: +61 4 13 13 18
Website: auspost.com.au
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Pharmacy
In the Gold Coast, you'll find a few major pharmacy chains where you can pick up over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, personal care items, and more. The major pharmacy chains are Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart, Priceline Pharmacy and Amcal. It's always worth checking the opening hours as these can vary, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Address: Broadbeach Day & Night Chemist, 3-5/2723 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach QLD
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Phone: +61 7 5592 1005
Website: www.gcpharmacy.com.au
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Telephone
Country code: +61
Area code: (0)7
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Electricity
Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.
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