Australia’s Gold Coast is a very unique city, and one of the world’s best study and holiday destinations. It has everything that is great about Australia, all in one easy to reach location.
The Gold Coast is a genuinely interesting city with friendly people and excellent weather; this means travellers and students freely enjoy all the city sights and experiences.
Natural attractions:
- 70 kilometres of beaches with an average water temperature of 22 degrees
- A large broadwater and five major river systems
- Tropical rainforest with abundant wildlife and numerous bush walks
- The Gold Coast Seaway providing safe ocean access and over 270 kilometres of navigable waterways
- Rural hinterland stretching to the west and north of the City encompassing many natural wetlands
Tourist attractions:
- Major shopping centres such as Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre, Australia Fair and Harbour Town as well as numerous boutiques, specialty shops and markets
- More than 500 restaurants and cafes offering cuisine from around the world
- Nightlife entertainment from nightclubs, restaurants, clubs, hotels and Conrad Jupiters Casino to Broadway musicals, ballet and theatre
- Theme parks including Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Australian Outback Spectacular as well as several wildlife parks such as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Fleays Wildlife Park
- World-class sporting and recreational facilities
- A huge range of accommodation from camping grounds to 5 star international resorts
2018 Commonwealth Games
The Gold Coast will host the 21st Commonwealth Games. It will be the fifth time that Australia has staged the Games and for the very first time, will be held in a regional Australian city. It will be the largest elite sporting event to be held in Australia this decade. The city will welcome 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories.
Climate
Queensland’s Gold Coast has a comfortable sub-tropical climate ideal for outdoor enjoyment all-year round. The Gold Coast averages 245 days of fine and sunny weather each year.
In summer (December – February) the average temperature on the Gold Coast is a pleasant 20-28°C. Humidity is highest but is offset by cool sea breezes. It’s one of the best times of the year to experience the Gold Coast’s glorious beaches. The cool rainforests and mountain creeks of the hinterland offer a retreat from the hot summer days. January is the perfect time to cool off with the dolphins at Sea World or enjoy the water activities at Wet ‘n’ Wild theme park
Winter (June – August) on the Gold Coast is generally sunny and dry. June marks the beginning of whale watching season. Tour boats start heading out to find the whales in early June through to the end of October. Many Australians escape the cooler weather in the southern states for a holiday in Queensland at this time of year. The humidity is lower, there is less rain, but the temperature is still warm.
Spring (September – November) has a similar climate to Autumn, with sunny days followed by mild tropical evenings. September can be windy, so great for sports such as kite-surfing, kite-boarding, windsurfing and sailing. You can experience the colourful spring flowers and gardens at the Springtime on the Mountain Festival at Mount Tamborine.
In October, see the Ironmen and Ironwomen competing at the Coolangatta Gold. Spring is also a pleasant time to visit the local markets or night markets in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.
Transport
A wide-ranging transport system of busses and trains (public transport) lets you travel easily around the Gold Coast.
For more information on public transport, please visit:
- Translink – www.translink.com.au
- Goldlinq – www.goldlinq.com.au
Use the Journey Planner to work out the best route for your regular journeys to study or work by Clicking Here.
GO CARD
Go Card is an electronic card that lets you travel seamlessly across all Translink bus, train and ferry services across South East Queensland and offers you great savings and discounts on the Translink network, including Air Train. You can buy a go card in selected news agencies, Queensland Rail Stations, some bus stations, 7-Eleven stores or by visiting the Translink website.
It’s cheaper compared to the cost of a paper ticket; is easily topped up; offers great travel benefits and you can register your card to protect your travel balance if it is lost or stolen.
Travelling with a go card is easy. Simply touch on at the beginning of your journey and touch off at the end. Your fare is automatically deducted from your card balance. There are different types of go card:
- Adult
- Child
- Senior
- Seniors card+go
- Concession
If you don’t have a go card, you can still travel using a single paper ticket. A single paper ticket allows you a single one-way journey to your destination and includes transfers between any bus, train or ferry service within two hours. You can buy a single paper ticket on-board selected busses and ferries, Queensland Rail Train stations and from fare machines.
Cars and Driving
Driving is made easy here on the Gold Coast. Many locals drive a car. If you decide to drive, make sure you know the road rules, have a valid license/permit, and have a registered vehicle.
Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland will help you with a license and registration for your vehicle. For more information, please visit:
- Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland – www.tmr.qld.gov.au
Road Rules
There are road rules covering many aspects of driving including roundabouts, parking, speeding, giving way, alcohol limit, seatbelts, etc. There are penalties for not following these rules which are designed to save lives and make sure the transport system is efficient.
Cars share the road with busses, bikes, trucks and other vehicles. The light rail also shares the road and there are specific rules that you should be aware of before driving on the Gold Coast.
Important rules to know:
- Drive on the left hand side of the road
- Wear a seat-belt while driving
- Ensure all passengers in your vehicle wears a seat-belt
- Follow the speed signs
Licenses
Your overseas license or permit may allow you to drive in Queensland.
If your license is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an English translation by an accredited source
Work while you study..
Most student visas allow you to work for up to 40 hours every two weeks while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during any scheduled course break, but before you undertake any paid work you need to make sure your visa allows you to work. Find out more at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.
Working while you study in Australia can help complement your study and living experience. There are a number of reasons you might want to undertake part time work while studying in Australia, including assisting with living expenses and gaining work experience in your study area.
Health & Safety
ustralia is generally a very safe place to live and study. The 2011 OECD Better Life Index http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/ rated Australia 9.3 out of 10 for safety, one of the highest ratings awarded to any country.
But it is still important to look after yourself and be aware of the risks that exist – and ways to minimise them. This is particularly important for when you first arrive and are adjusting to your new way of life.
Following your common sense and best practices will ensure you remain safe and healthy, whether you are handling emergencies, personal and home safety, or natural elements such as sun, water, and fire.
How to get here ?
Air
The Gold Coast Airport is serviced domestically by Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, Tigerair and Airnorth, and internationally through multiple airlines including AirAsia X, Scoot, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand.
Regular bus and shuttle services are available from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach. For further information please visit www.goldcoastairport.com.au
You can also fly into Brisbane International Airport. Visit the Brisbane Airport website for more information. Brisbane city is located is approximately 100 km north of Brisbane. It is possible to connect to bus and train services from there, and travel time is approximately 90 minutes.
