Gold Coast Travel Information

English (Australian)

555,721 as of 2016 Census. Census data is collected every few years with next one due in 2021. Population on the Gold Coast is generally growing each year.

Gold Coast is located on:
East Coast Australia in the Southern Hemisphere
It is also refered to as part of South East Queensland, which includes Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

Latitude: 28° 0' 0 S
Longitude: 153° 25' 60 E

Useful maps include: Gold Coast and Australia

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): GMT +10 hours

Queensland does NOT observe daylight savings.

NSW observes daylight savings from 1st Sunday in October to the 1st Sunday in April. Clocks move forward 1 hour in October and are moved back 1 hour in April. NSW Daylight savings projected dates.

Summer - December to February
Autumn - March to May
Winter - June to August
Spring - September to November

250 to 300 days of sunshine per year.

Seasons tend to merge during the cross over months.

Weather is also relative to where you are coming from. You need to consider the season, temperature and humidity of your departure point relative to Gold Coast, when planning your Gold Coast travel.

These weather considerations will help you work out what to pack for your visit.

Warmer months September through to May.

Cooler months June, July & August.

More detailed information can be found on the monthly pages and on the weather pages. In addition there are some tips about what to pack depending on the time of the year.

Average Summer Temperatures: 19° to 29° Celcius (or Centigrade) or 66° to 83° degrees Fahrenheit.

Average Winter Temperatures: 9° to 21° degrees Celcius or 48° to 69° degrees Fahrenheit.

Gold Coast Weather Information

Current Weather & Short Term Forecasts

Australian Dollar (AUD) Symbol $ or A$

$1 = 100 cents

Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2

Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100

Currency conversion information.

Cash and Travellers Cheques (checks) can be exchanged at banks and Bureau de Change. You will be required to bring your passport for identification.

General Banking hours:
Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 4pm,
Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm

ATMs available 24 hours various locations.

Debit cards, credit cards and EFTPOS accepted at most locations.

Major credit cards accepted are Visa & Mastercard. American Express is accepted at many locations but not as widely as Visa and Mastercard. Diners Card is now not very common. Check each establishment for exact methods of payment allowed and any charges or surcharges payable.

Metric measurements:
Weights in kilograms (kg)
Volumes in litres (l)
Distances in kilometres (km)

Limited Public Phones can be found around the cities, airports and shopping areas. International dial cards are available.

Mobile/Cell: Use GSM standard.

There are 3 main networks in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodaphone. Any other plans you see for sale will be resellers of these networks. Each network uses slightly different frequencies, so you need to check if your phone can utilise these.

If you are visiting from Japan or USA check if your phone is CMDA-only. CMDA-only phones will not work on Australian 3G (talk and text) Mobile Networks, however they may work on the 4G (data only) Networks.

Country Code for Australia: +61

Fixed lines: 000

Mobile/Cell phones: 112

220-240V 50Hz

Australian sockets have holes for two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade. Plugs may have all 3 blades, or just two flat angled blades.

Universal 110V shaver sockets are usually available in bathrooms of most accommodation.

Australian Sockets look like this below. If travelling from overseas, you may be able to use a travel plug for your electrical items, unless they are 110V.

If you are flying to the Gold Coast travel by air needs a bit of planning. There are two main airports that can be used, each has advantages and disadvantages.

Gold Coast Airport - Bilinga, Qld
Also known as Coolangatta Airport - domestic and limited international flights
Code: OOL
Distance to Surfers Paradise: 22.5kms
Information about transfers from Gold Coast Airport to Gold Coast accommodation.

Brisbane Domestic and International Airport
Full international airport
Code: BNE
Distance to Surfers Paradise: 81 kms
Information about Brisbane Airport transfers to Gold Coast accommodation.

Gold Coast travel by rail is mainly to and from Brisbane and through to Brisbane Airport.

The new G:Link Tram light rail system now connects with the Brisbane Airport line at Helensvale Station. From Helensvale you can take the tram through Southport, Surfers Paradise and down to Broadbeach. Further connections are also available through buses. Tram services run regularly through the day from approximately 5am through to midnight.

Main line to Brisbane is the QR CityTrain and Brisbane Airport AirTrain. AirTrain only runs during the day from approx 5am to 10pm. Please check times as they vary on weekends and depending on direction (to or from the airport).

Gold Coast rail stations include Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes.

G:Link Tram Connections include:

Helensvale Station to main destinations including: Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University, Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach

Bus Connections:

Coomera Station to Gold Coast Theme Parks (Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, Movie World, Wet n Wild, Paradise Country and Australian Outback Spectacular (only to there, no services to AOS for return after the show). As well as local bus routes.

Helensvale Station is a main public transport hub. Buses of interest to visitors connect to Hope Island directly and via another bus to Sanctuary Cove as well as Harbour Town and Labrador. For Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University, Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach use the G:Link Tram. You can also catch the bus from here to Sea World, but it will take quite a long time!

Nerang Station to Carrara, Ashgrove, Broadbeach, Southport and Surfers Paradise

Robina Station is closest station to CBus Stadium. You can also catch buses to Gold Coast Airport, Burleigh, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.

Varsity Lakes Station has fewer connections than Robina but is closer to Gold Coast Airport, Burleigh, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Coolangatta and Tweed Heads with similar connections.

Drive on the left hand side of road, in right hand drive cars. 

Cars usually have kilometre speedometers. All signs are in kilometres.

Residential speed limit is 50kmh. Near schools limits drop to 40kmh at certain times. Watch for signs.

Highways are usually 100kmh to 110kmh but may have areas where other speeds are enforced. Always keep to the speeds on the speed limit signs.

Seat belts are compulsory. Children must be restrained in suitable child seat, age and weight appropriate.

Strict drink driving laws apply. You can still enjoy your holiday but catch a taxi, hire a limo, walk or take the bus!

Driving whilst using mobile phone is illegal.

To hire a car you will need a current drivers licence or international licence.

Note: Driving rules are more comprehensive than those shown here, these are some of the major ones. You can find additional hints and tips here. You should ensure you understand the road rules before driving in Australia. There are also differences in road rules between the Australian states. If you plan to drive make sure you understand these before making your Gold Coast travel arrangements.

Many facilities, accommodation and tours have some wheelchair and disability access.

Check with the individual locations for more information.

The Gold Coast City Council has a range of information about accessibility on their website Gold Coast Accessibility Information.

There are many medical facilities around the Gold Coast including doctors, dentists, specialists, chemists, public and private hospitals.

The largest hospital with the latest facilities is the Gold Coast University Hospital found just inland of Southport, but there are other options.  For more information about services in Gold Coast check out Queensland Health website.

Medical and Travel insurance are highly recommended for travel in and to Australia. Medical treatments in Australia are on a user pays basis for most overseas visitors.

Legal drinking age is 18 and over.

ID is required to prove age.

Alcohol is only sold in licensed liquor outlets (bottle shops, pubs and hotels).

Alcohol is not sold in supermarkets.

Smoking is not permitted in indoor public places and in many outdoor public spaces. There are buffer zones outside buildings, so you cannot stand in the doorway and smoke. You cannot smoke in restaurants and there may be designated smoking areas where you can smoke.

There are even restrictions on smoking in cars  for example it is prohibited where there are persons under 16 years in the car.

Cigarettes, and other tobacco products are restricted for sale.  You must be 18 years old and over to purchase.

E-cigarettes (also known as personal vapourisers) are generally treated with the same rules as cigarette smoking.

Australia Post is the postal service carrier.

Australia Post shops can be found in most major centres. Stamps and pre-paid postage bags and envelopes may be found in licensed outlets.

Red post boxes are for general post, whilst the yellow post boxes are for the Express Post and Premium services as indicated on the boxes.

Australia Post outlets are generally open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with some open 9am to 12pm Saturdays.

Australia is multicultural and there are many religions represented.

Temples, mosques, synagogues, prayer rooms and Christian churches can be found across the Gold Coast.

Some restaurants and attraction venues also cater for dietary requirements including halal and kosher.

Some restaurants in the key tourist areas add halal menus during the months of July and August.

Tipping is not compulsory, but to some extent is expected within the Gold Coast travel industry and in Australia in general.

However, if you get good service then tipping 10 to 15% of the bill would be appropriate.

Obviously, if you are in a self serve establishment without table service, then tipping is not usual.

I once heard TIP described as : To Insure Perfection!

If you are looking for a great service, why not try tipping beforehand and letting them know what your expectations are!

It's not a guarantee, but the theory is they will be wondering what you might give them afterwards and so will bend over backwards to give them what you want!

Most restaurants charge a surcharge on Public holidays - this will be noted on the menu and often on the counter near the cash register.

Every traveller to Australia except (Australian and New Zealand Citizens with passports) require some kind of Australian travel visa.

Certain visitors are eligible for Electronic Visas or ETA's.

More information about Australian Visas

Australia has limits on imports and exports of certain items. Please check the Australian Customs website for more detailed information.

Some general areas to consider are:

• Customs declarations need to be made on entry to and exit of Australia.
• Quarantine declarations are also made at point of entry.
• If travelling from a Yellow Fever infected zone such as Africa or South America you may be required to have had vaccinations. Check this information.
• Some heritage items may be protected against export so check before you buy.
• There are duty-free limits on imports.
• Permits are required for commercial goods.
• Medications - make sure you bring a letter or prescription from your doctor and declare through customs.
• Foods including anything you are bringing in for your children or babies (infant formula etc) will need to be declared and may not be allowed in. Make sure you have a back up plan in case, but check the website below for more details.

Official Australian Border information including what you can bring in and any procedures.

There is a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% payable on most goods and services. Travellers from overseas may be eligbile for a GST refund on goods purchased during their visit on departure through customs.

Tourist GST Refund Scheme