Goldcoast
Apr 25th, 2006, 08:00 PM
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Goldcoast
Hi,
We (wife, 2 kids(3 and 8), mua), have booked a return flight to Brisbane for a trip this June 2006.
Our intention is to stay in an apartment in the Goldcoast area for 8 days... we've not taken any tour packages from the travel agents as we want to take it slow...
As we'll probably eat breakfast at the apartment plus some dinners as well, we'll need to get some groceries from a nearby supermarket.
Which is the best place to stay with access to some food/cafes, supermarket, the beach?
We are on a pretty tight budget, accomodation preferbly in the $80-$140 AUD range per night for a 1 bedroom apartment...
thanks
We (wife, 2 kids(3 and 8), mua), have booked a return flight to Brisbane for a trip this June 2006.
Our intention is to stay in an apartment in the Goldcoast area for 8 days... we've not taken any tour packages from the travel agents as we want to take it slow...
As we'll probably eat breakfast at the apartment plus some dinners as well, we'll need to get some groceries from a nearby supermarket.
Which is the best place to stay with access to some food/cafes, supermarket, the beach?
We are on a pretty tight budget, accomodation preferbly in the $80-$140 AUD range per night for a 1 bedroom apartment...
thanks
Apr 25th, 2006, 08:39 PM
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couple of options for finding places, have a look at http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/qld/gold-coast . these are privately owned and rented. there's a stack to choose from - I had a quick look, beachcomber looked ok and in your price range.
also, www.realestate.com.au and look under holiday rentals.
another option would be to look up the yellowpages (www.yellowpages.com.au), search real estate agents on the gold coast and shoot them an email telling them what you require - that way they do the work for you.
At that time of year (depending on school holidays/long weekend) you should be able to get a good deal.
As for where to stay, depends on what you plan to do - will you have a car? are you planning to go to theme parks? I've stayed at surfers paradise as a kid and adult (both great fun) and also stayed at mermaid beach as a child, which is a bit more low key than that typical high rise surfers paradise look. broadbeach might be a good compromise - it's between the two.
also, www.realestate.com.au and look under holiday rentals.
another option would be to look up the yellowpages (www.yellowpages.com.au), search real estate agents on the gold coast and shoot them an email telling them what you require - that way they do the work for you.
At that time of year (depending on school holidays/long weekend) you should be able to get a good deal.
As for where to stay, depends on what you plan to do - will you have a car? are you planning to go to theme parks? I've stayed at surfers paradise as a kid and adult (both great fun) and also stayed at mermaid beach as a child, which is a bit more low key than that typical high rise surfers paradise look. broadbeach might be a good compromise - it's between the two.
Apr 25th, 2006, 10:05 PM
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I live in the hinterland of the Gold Coast and if I were you I would be looking at the Broadbeach area as there is everything and much more there in one area. You are close to the large Shopping Centre, close to heaps of good food outlets, beach is right there, entertainment for young and old is right there and even better its just a short walk to get all the busses you would need to get anywhere around the coast i,e, the free ones to the Theme parks etc. As for a nice complex in that area The Phoenician is lovely and is an apt Hotel and right in the centre of things. The mall is also about 20 mtrs away where you will find lots of things to do at night right down to just playing the large Chess pieces. There is very good cheap food outlets and also great restaurants - the Casino is over the road and there is a mono-rail to it. Dracula's Restaurant is around the corner unless they have moved.
Apr 25th, 2006, 10:15 PM
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The Phoenician at Broadbeach... thats what i figured after reading a couple of posts... but iirc they might be undergoing renovations during that period... sigh..
Buses to the theme parks are free?? Cool... is there a goldcoast local bus service which gives like a 10-day tourist/family pass?
lancefan... any areas to avoid? especially for kids...
and no, we won't be driving... not this time anyway...
the trip is mainly for the kids... so we'll probably go for all the theme parks... any other 'gems' around the area for children? how are the parks? is there like a botanical gardens for the kids to run around and have a picnic... feed some ducks/swans that kind thing?
Buses to the theme parks are free?? Cool... is there a goldcoast local bus service which gives like a 10-day tourist/family pass?
lancefan... any areas to avoid? especially for kids...
and no, we won't be driving... not this time anyway...
the trip is mainly for the kids... so we'll probably go for all the theme parks... any other 'gems' around the area for children? how are the parks? is there like a botanical gardens for the kids to run around and have a picnic... feed some ducks/swans that kind thing?
Apr 25th, 2006, 11:11 PM
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Botanic Gardens!!! You have about 60 miles of beaches and dune areas, you have parks of all sizes and kinds, you have inland areas, you have about 2,000 klms of waterways where kids can play and adults too.
If the Pheonician is undergoing renovations then there are 100 other ones to try out in that area. Broadbeach is between Mermaid Beach and Surfer's Paradise.
I have never taken the bus anywhere on the Gold Coast tho'lived there for 7 years so I cannot answer your question about the bus passes. If you google Gold Coast then you should get more than you bargained for in information.
If the Pheonician is undergoing renovations then there are 100 other ones to try out in that area. Broadbeach is between Mermaid Beach and Surfer's Paradise.
I have never taken the bus anywhere on the Gold Coast tho'lived there for 7 years so I cannot answer your question about the bus passes. If you google Gold Coast then you should get more than you bargained for in information.
Apr 25th, 2006, 11:28 PM
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actually, thats EXACTLY the problem i'm facing with when i google 'goldcoast'!!... the information makes me very, very dizzy...
thats why fodors helps alot in this regard...
i get your point about the parks thingee... a leftover from visiting the city areas like sydney and melbourne...
i'm quite interested to know why you would recommend Broadbeach instead of Surfer's Paradise... is it because there's nothing much for kids over at SP?
thats why fodors helps alot in this regard...
i get your point about the parks thingee... a leftover from visiting the city areas like sydney and melbourne...
i'm quite interested to know why you would recommend Broadbeach instead of Surfer's Paradise... is it because there's nothing much for kids over at SP?
Apr 26th, 2006, 03:07 PM
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Surfer's P does not have a Casino, Huge Shopping Centre, the grocery shops are only for visitors and therefore twice the prices. Its too glitsy and brash with Asian information in all directions, trashy tourist shops selling the same Chinese made T Shirts as the next one and the next one and no-one who lives on the coast ever actually goes there, its not a family place but more for teens who are out for their drink/swim/surf/binge and its directed to the Asian and teen market and lastly the accommodation is not as up-market as Broadbeach - they are only about 2 miles apart though and in between is the or what used to be Travel lodge hotel which has a revolving restaurant which is very good value and the best view with the exception of the newestskyscraper / accommodation place which is in Surfer's but they charge you to look at the view there.
Apr 26th, 2006, 09:30 PM
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The Broadbeach area always seems more family oriented than the Surfers Paradise area. There is a broad stretch of parkland along the beach for children to run off their energy, plus a surf club for meals. Two shopping malls (Oasis and Pacific Pair) so lots of good shops in the area plus at least two big supermarkets. There is a Sunday market on the Esplanade.
Apr 26th, 2006, 09:46 PM
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aarrghh....
i just found out that the shopping areas in Broadbeach close at around the 5pm hour... whereas Surfer's on average close at about 9pm...
also found a woolsworth at Surfer's...
hmm...
in terms of distances... what would be the average walking time from the beach at Broadbeach to Pacificfair? a 10-minute one?
reason is because there is a train station at Pacificfair, Jupiters and central Surfer's Paradise...
anyone has the link for the local transportation company for train and buses?
i just found out that the shopping areas in Broadbeach close at around the 5pm hour... whereas Surfer's on average close at about 9pm...
also found a woolsworth at Surfer's...
hmm...
in terms of distances... what would be the average walking time from the beach at Broadbeach to Pacificfair? a 10-minute one?
reason is because there is a train station at Pacificfair, Jupiters and central Surfer's Paradise...
anyone has the link for the local transportation company for train and buses?
Apr 26th, 2006, 10:06 PM
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Hi Sheldon,
we were four of us who stayed in a two bedroom apartment just off esplanade in the gold coast.It costed us 120$ (aussie)per night.guess you'll be able to get a 1 bedroom for less.It had a kitchenette,a balcony over looking the sea,rooms with attached bath very decent. Centrally located.a 10 min walk to the beach.malls,supermarkets and pubs close by.
we were four of us who stayed in a two bedroom apartment just off esplanade in the gold coast.It costed us 120$ (aussie)per night.guess you'll be able to get a 1 bedroom for less.It had a kitchenette,a balcony over looking the sea,rooms with attached bath very decent. Centrally located.a 10 min walk to the beach.malls,supermarkets and pubs close by.
Apr 27th, 2006, 01:25 PM
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No there is not a train station at Pacific Fair nor in Surfer's Paradise but there is a mono-rail at Broadbeach which goes to the Casino.
Why are you asking about shops when there are heaps of shops in Broadbeach which are open late and that includes Woolworths. Shopping centres close at 5.30 or so except for Thursday nights but that does not mean that there is nothing else open.
You do not need to walk to Pacific Fair for anything other than clothes shopping and that sort of thing.
You will have to stop thinking in UK terms.
Why are you asking about shops when there are heaps of shops in Broadbeach which are open late and that includes Woolworths. Shopping centres close at 5.30 or so except for Thursday nights but that does not mean that there is nothing else open.
You do not need to walk to Pacific Fair for anything other than clothes shopping and that sort of thing.
You will have to stop thinking in UK terms.
Apr 27th, 2006, 10:02 PM
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Hi Sheldon
We (self and two teenage sons) went to Gold Coast over the New Year period. We stayed at Broadbeach at an apartment complex called Breakers North. It backs on to the beach, has a very nice clean and well kept barbeque area at the back of the property, tennis court, heated pool, spa. There is a boardwalk from the property straight on to a patrolled section of the beach. We had a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a full kitchen (oven, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, fridge) laundry with washing machine and dryer, cable TV and airconditioning, lounge and diningand an outdoor terrace. The bus to the the Theme Parks and the Oasis Centre/Pacific Fair stopped opposite, ran approximately every twenty minutes. It is about two blocks from the Gold Coast Highway on the beachside(obviously). On the opposite side of the highway was a quite large public pleasant park called Cascade Gardens (I think, Liz can correct me). Easy walking distance to Northcliffe SLSC, we also walked to the Gold Coast restaurants in the Cavill Avenue area as well as to the restaurants down in central Broadbeach. Pleny of shops for groceries, wine etc close by. There are several complexes in this area and I would recommend if you want close proximity to the beach that you look for Old Burleigh Rd or Garfield Terrace locations. Also BreakFree resorts have a number of properties in the area.
I booked through wotif about 10 days in advance, however they now have a facility to book up to a month in advance.
Trust this is helpful
We (self and two teenage sons) went to Gold Coast over the New Year period. We stayed at Broadbeach at an apartment complex called Breakers North. It backs on to the beach, has a very nice clean and well kept barbeque area at the back of the property, tennis court, heated pool, spa. There is a boardwalk from the property straight on to a patrolled section of the beach. We had a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a full kitchen (oven, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, fridge) laundry with washing machine and dryer, cable TV and airconditioning, lounge and diningand an outdoor terrace. The bus to the the Theme Parks and the Oasis Centre/Pacific Fair stopped opposite, ran approximately every twenty minutes. It is about two blocks from the Gold Coast Highway on the beachside(obviously). On the opposite side of the highway was a quite large public pleasant park called Cascade Gardens (I think, Liz can correct me). Easy walking distance to Northcliffe SLSC, we also walked to the Gold Coast restaurants in the Cavill Avenue area as well as to the restaurants down in central Broadbeach. Pleny of shops for groceries, wine etc close by. There are several complexes in this area and I would recommend if you want close proximity to the beach that you look for Old Burleigh Rd or Garfield Terrace locations. Also BreakFree resorts have a number of properties in the area.
I booked through wotif about 10 days in advance, however they now have a facility to book up to a month in advance.
Trust this is helpful
Apr 27th, 2006, 10:19 PM
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The Gold Coast has a great bus service. There are buses running between Broadbeach and Southport (which is actually north of Surfers) every 15 minutes. Coaches to Coolangatta (South) and Labrador (North) are less frequent, but at least once each hour. I think they run until about 10pm or so.
You can get multi day passes, but the buses are so cheap it's hardly worth it. Surfers to Broadbeach is about A$1, and to Southport perhaps $1.50.
You can get multi theme park consession tickets. Not sure of the price, but a good discount on the regular price. I think it works out that you get one admission free. My daughter, who is right into this discount thing swears by it. Personally one theme park is enough for me.
My wife has a thing about Surfers, and we have visited every year for the past 18 years. If I gave her the slightest encouragement she would move there in an instant, so I keep my mouth shut.
Agree with lizF that Broadbeach is probably the best choice, particularly with kids. You are likely to meet Aussies in Broadbeach, whereas in Surfers you will be rubbing shoulders with mostly foreign visitors (must be careful what I say here). It is very hot in Kuwait in June, July & August, and Southern Queensland has the best climate in the world at this time.
If you decide on Surfers rather than Broadbeach, the Breakfree Beachcomber is very central, and quite acceptable. Not 4 star, but good none the less. It's opposite the Paradise Centre, which is on Cavil Mall, in the centre of Surfers. There is a Woolworths Supermarket in the basement of the Paradise Centre. Prices are the same as anywhere else. Even though we stay in Surfers, we go to Pacific Fair (Broadbeach) or Australia Fair (Southport) for shopping The Oasis shopping centre at Broadbeach is not large, but it's OK. They had a great Bar/Bistro there called Joes, but it got shut down for hygene irregularities. OOPS, and I thought it was just the flu.
You can't go wrong with the Gold Coast. What do they say? Beautiful one day, Fabulous the next, something like that. Good Choice.
You can get multi day passes, but the buses are so cheap it's hardly worth it. Surfers to Broadbeach is about A$1, and to Southport perhaps $1.50.
You can get multi theme park consession tickets. Not sure of the price, but a good discount on the regular price. I think it works out that you get one admission free. My daughter, who is right into this discount thing swears by it. Personally one theme park is enough for me.
My wife has a thing about Surfers, and we have visited every year for the past 18 years. If I gave her the slightest encouragement she would move there in an instant, so I keep my mouth shut.
Agree with lizF that Broadbeach is probably the best choice, particularly with kids. You are likely to meet Aussies in Broadbeach, whereas in Surfers you will be rubbing shoulders with mostly foreign visitors (must be careful what I say here). It is very hot in Kuwait in June, July & August, and Southern Queensland has the best climate in the world at this time.
If you decide on Surfers rather than Broadbeach, the Breakfree Beachcomber is very central, and quite acceptable. Not 4 star, but good none the less. It's opposite the Paradise Centre, which is on Cavil Mall, in the centre of Surfers. There is a Woolworths Supermarket in the basement of the Paradise Centre. Prices are the same as anywhere else. Even though we stay in Surfers, we go to Pacific Fair (Broadbeach) or Australia Fair (Southport) for shopping The Oasis shopping centre at Broadbeach is not large, but it's OK. They had a great Bar/Bistro there called Joes, but it got shut down for hygene irregularities. OOPS, and I thought it was just the flu.
You can't go wrong with the Gold Coast. What do they say? Beautiful one day, Fabulous the next, something like that. Good Choice.
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