The Gold Coast Airport is located at Coolangatta, which is 14 miles south of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. If you have not booked a private transfer through us there are several options for transportation from the airport to the city center including trains, buses, taxis, and rental cars.

The SkyBus Gold Coast Airport Shuttle is a dedicated service featured at the Gold Coast Airport to transport passengers to the popular Gold Coast toursist locations. The SkyBus operates daily services to Tugun, Main Beach and a central stop at Byron Bay on Jonson Street. The service departs from right outside of the terminal building and costs about $38 per adult and $22 per child. Visit www.skybus.com.au/goldcoast for more information.

The Surfside Busline route 777 offers a limited-stop service from the airport to the city center and runs every 15 minutes from 5:15 am until 11:36 pm. The route travels to the Broadbeach South tram station where a transfer can be made to the G: link tram towards Surfers Paradise, Southport, and other bus routes. Route 760 connects from the airport to Varsity Lakes Train Station, buses depart every 30 minutes.

Taxis connect passengers to the city center from the airport, the journey takes around 30 minutes and taxis are found right outside the terminal.

Transportation options are in abundance on the Gold Coast. The G: link is a light rail system that covers a 12-mile line from HelensvaleGold Coast University, Southport, Main Beach, and Broadbeach. The service runs from 5 am until midnight on the weekdays and throughout the weekend. The total 12-mile line takes 7.5 minutes to complete.

There are `go explore` day passes available that cost around $10 per adult and $5 for children, tickets can be purchased at tram stops or from 7-Eleven stores. This pass gives you unlimited travel on the Translink buses and the train. Single tickets cost about $2.65.

The Queensland Rail connects major regions on the Gold Coast including Helensvale, Nerang, Robina, and Varsity Lakes along with Ormeau and Coomera. The trains run regular intervals from Brisbane and connect with buses to Surfers Paradise, Southport, and Broadbeach.

Surfside Buslines is the main bus service offered on the Gold Coast, part of the Translink network with frequent service throughout the day. Over 60 bus routes operate in the city from 5 am until midnight and offer some 24-hour services on Friday and Saturday nights. The buses are numbered in the 700s (TX1, TX2, and TX3 are express routes to the theme parks). Fares start at around $3.31 for one zone and increase based on distance. A Go Explore Card is good for multiple unlimited trips and can be purchased at newsagents and 7-Eleven stores.

Renting a car while visiting the Gold Coast can be a good idea if you wish to travel around to nearby regions and explore the surroundings. A car will give you the freedom and ability to go at your own pace and stop off at different sights along the way. There are multiple rental car companies at the airport as well as locations on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Highway connects from the airport and passes through all the suburbs along the coast and the major holiday destinations on the Gold Coast. The Pacific Motorway connects the airport to the northern New South Wales, western suburbs and Brisbane City.

Parking on the Gold Coast is mostly found on the street, some areas have meters, others are free. Always be sure to check the signs and look for parking meters, never leave valuables in the car. There are parking lots and garages in the busier more touristy areas where you can park for a fee. The most expensive areas to park are going to be Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

Due to the Gold Coast`s strategic location, there are miles of coastline to explore and many options for taking a trip out on the waters. Visitors can explore the Gold Coast waterways and visit places such as Stradbroke Island on the ferries and water taxis offered in the region. Taking a trip out to Stradbroke Island can cost around $50 for a one-way trip, $90 for an open-ended return. Wavebreak Island is another destination that can be reached via boat and costs about the same as a trip to Stradbroke.

There are many other fun boating activities available on the Gold Coast including a Barbecue Boat Hire on board a luxury private self-drive boats where passengers can bring their food and drinks and cruise around and have a picnic. These boats even have the option for a charcoal barbeque, coolers, Bluetooth speakers and umbrellas! What a fun way to coast around.

There are ferry services that run from Southport to Surfers Paradise for a flat rate. Water Taxi companies can transport passengers to waterfront locations all along the Gold Coast from Moreton Bay to Broadbeach.

The main taxi company on the Gold Coast is Gold Coast Cabs with over 350 vehicles in their fleet. They offer a 24-hour service and can be ordered over the phone tel. 131-008 (Australian number) or hailed from the streets, there are also taxi ranks found across the city at popular locations. Taking a taxi can be expensive compared to other forms of public transportation.

Uber is also available along the Gold Coast and is a simple way to order a ride straight from your phone. Simply download their app, enter your pick up and drop off location and set up payment directly through your phone by linking your credit card.

The gorgeous, glistening Gold Coast has plenty of walkways and extensive pathways to explore the region on foot. The Gold Coast Oceanway is a 22-mile network of pathways that stretches along the coast, visitors can get to the beaches, shops, and restaurants via this popular path. There are plenty of beautiful beaches lining the Gold Coast to take a relaxing stroll along the sands. The Gold Coast boasts 43.5 miles of beaches to uncover. Burleigh Heads Esplanade is a great place to stroll along and discover the beachfront shops and eateries. The Point at Burleigh Heads is a 1.5-mile coastal walk which leads to Tallebudgera Creek offering spectacular scenery along the way.

The Gold Coast hinterland is an enchanting national park featuring charming mountain villages, wineries, waterfall, and lookout points. The 3 day Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk is great for those that enjoy hiking, it passes by ancient volcanoes and through World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest.

The Gold Coast is a great location for cycling with flat terrain in most parts and also more challenging coastal peaks and the mountainous region of the Gold Coast Hinterlands. There are dedicated bike lanes on most major roads and bicycle rentals are available at most beaches and towns. There is a 20-minute ride that takes cyclists from Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach where they can dine and shop. This route can be taken further south to Burleigh Heads and on to the Oceanview Walk through the Burleigh Headland National Park. There are 370 miles of designated bike paths situated along the Gold Coast between Surfers Paradise and The Spit (north). A daily bicycle rental should cost around $15.

Mobike is a bike-sharing company operates in the city, the program allows riders to borrow a bike from different locations without the need to return to certain docking stations. There are up to 34 bike parking areas across the city located beside key transport interchanges with easy to identify signs.

There are some 43 miles of beaches that stretch along the Gold Coast with star attractions such as Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Burleigh Heads, and Coolangatta to name a few. The main attraction here is the beaches, Surfers Paradise is world-renowned and referred to the `Hedonistic Heart of the Gold Coast` boasting the highest concentration of accommodations anywhere on the coast. There are so many beautiful beachfront neighborhoods to visit, each with its unique charm, there are beachfront bars, restaurants and shopping along the waterfront. Many of the beaches boast stunning soft white sand, crystal clear waters and an abundance of water sports and other beachside activities. Coolangatta and Currumbin beaches offer sheltered bays with water perfect for swimming and snorkeling, while Surfers Paradise and Main Beach boast some of the best waves for first-time surfers.

Gold Coast Skydive offers an exhilarating and exciting free fall from 12,000 feet for those who are brave enough to jump out of a plane! The views from above of the glistening Gold Coast skyline can be simply breathtaking.

The Gold Coast is an incredibly safe place to visit in the world, just like visiting any other city in the world, be sure to keep your street smarts and keep your items safe when you are out and about, use caution when walking in remote areas at night.

There are many shopping opportunities found spread along the Gold Coast including glitzy shopping malls, beachfront shops, and eclectic markets that are all worth a visit.

Harbour Town is Australia`s largest shopping outlet found on the Gold Coast boasting over 240 stores and name brands such as Coach, Adidas, Converse, and UGG with up to 70% off retail prices. The open-air outlet is situated just 15 minutes north of Surfers Paradise and there is a free Outlet Shopping Shuttle that runs Tuesday to Saturday departing from four locations along the coast.

Surfers Paradise is a great spot to do some retail therapy, where shoppers can find beachy stores such as Billabong, Roxy and Surf Dive N Ski for all their beach attire as well as luxury boutiques and quirky souvenir shops.

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets are a great way to spend your Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoon/evening from 4 pm until 9 pm. There are over 100 stalls here selling locally handmade goods and fun pieces of jewelry and souvenirs.

The Shopping Center at Pacific Fair is where shoppers can find a wide range of luxury brands including Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and Co, and Gucci! There are over 400 stores set in a beautiful tropical landscape at this world-class shopping center. There are some excellent dining options featured at the complex to where shoppers can fuel up on delicious cuisine.

The Carrara Markets of the Gold Coast is one of the biggest permanent markets in the country covering 10 acres of land and boasting over 350 stalls. Shoppers can pick up fresh produce, gardening materials, arts, crafts, and food from popular markets. The markets are a great place for families and feature a bounce house, pony rides, face painting, and trampolines.

The NightQuarter at Gold Coast features a mixture of different restaurants, upscale boutiques and live music in a very laid back atmosphere. Here shopping meets entertainment and provides visitors with a unique way to spend their evening with over 120 artists, performers, and entrepreneurs selling food and gift items along with great music by local bands.

The glistening Gold Coast receives over 300 days of sunshine a year and experiences a humid subtropical climate. The summers here are warm and humid with average temperatures during the summer ranging from 70-95 degrees and average sea temperatures range from 70 (July) to 80 degrees (February). The winters here are mild with warm temperatures and little rain. The best months to visit the Gold Coast are April and May with average daily temperatures ranging from 62-76 degrees, providing comfortable temperatures for sightseeing and exploring the Gold Coast Hinterlands.

The Australian dollar (AU$) is the official currency of Australia. Cash can be exchanged at many local banks, hotels and the airport. ATMs are widespread in the city but may be limited in more remote towns and the Outback.

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There is a thriving food scene found along the Gold Coast and the food options keep getting better with wonderful restaurants, quirky cafes and delicious street food options to uncover. The culinary scene is continually up and coming on the Gold Coast with new restaurants popping up all over the region. There are waterfront dining options to choose from in Main Beach around the Marina Mirage Mall, rooftop bars in Burleigh Heads and trendy cafes in Palm Beach. There are many hotspots to explore for dining in the area and plenty of different cuisine options to choose from including freshly caught fish and seafood, classic Australian breakfasts, tasty Italian fare, and high-end Japanese cuisine. The Gold Coast Food and Wine Tours are hosted by Karen Inglis-Turner, a four-hour walking tour including plenty of food and drinks at some of the hidden spots in Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. The Miami Marketta suburb is brimming with food stalls serving up delicious bites in a fun atmosphere.

The Gold Coast is dotted with craft breweries that are well worth a visit after a hot day at the beach. Balter Brewing in Currumbin is co-owned by surf pro buddies Mick Fanning (Gold Coast local), Bede Durbidge, Josh Kerr, and Joel Parkinson. The tropical XPA which debuted in 2016 won several awards including 10 prizes at the 2017 Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery offers schooner sampling, food trucks and live music with a family-friendly atmosphere.

Fortitude Brewing Co is found in the hills of the Gold Coast Hinterlands is a great location to visit for a pint and a pizza. The brewery offers two brewed onsite products; Fortitude or Noisy Minor Co along with wood-fired pizzas and crisp mountain air surroundings.

The Bearded Dragon Hotel offers visitors a beautiful beer garden to sit back and sip on their brews. The Mount Tamborine brewery serves up boutique craft beers and boasts breathtaking mountain views along with delicious pub grub.

The Gold Coast or `The Goldie` as its referred to is considered one of the top party destinations in the country boasting endless beach bars, pubs, breweries, and nightclubs to keep any party-goers satisfied. There are three main areas within the Gold Coast that are most famed for their nightlife scene. The famed Surfers Paradise and hedonistic heart of the Gold Coast boast the biggest nightlife scene of all the beachfront neighborhoods. The sparkling coastline of Surfers Paradise is packed with restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs that appeal to everyone including a few favorites such as Waxy`s Irish Pub that boasts a massive drink menu and Surfers Paradise Tavern which is renowned as one of the best live music venues in the region. The legendary Melbas On the Park is great for cocktails, dancing and gaming and the extravagant SinCity for some thumping after-hours tunes and an upscale atmosphere. The atmosphere in Broadbeach is a little more laid back with establishments like Aura which offers a restaurant serving up delicious tapas and a bar with an extensive cocktail list. The funky JaMm is an interesting hangout for some tasty burgers and quirky cocktails in a vibrant establishment. Also in Broadbeach is The Star Gold Coast, a sparkling casino featuring eight bars, a theatre and lots of gambling. There are places with world-class DJs playing and so much more.

In the case of an emergency (fire, police, and ambulance) dial 000 or 112 if using an international phone.

Hospitals:

Gold Coast University Hospital tel. 61-1300-744-284

Gold Coast Private Hospital tel. 61-7-5530-0300

Varsity Lakes Day Hospital tel. 61-7-5619-0600