Urgent: Surfer's Paradise or Byron Bay or what?
 

Hi there,

we're abroad students and have on 23. Sep one week off. As we're definetly going to travel around Australia after our studies we just want to have something really relaxing but quite cheap. Our thoughts were about going to Surfer's Paradise or Byron or somewhere at least this north, since we don't wanna have bad wheather.

We are pretty unsure now where to go exactly, cause we're afraid that Surfer's Paradise or even Byron Bay are too touristical (i.e. coastline just full of hotels, drunken teenagers). We feel more like lying on a non-overcrowded beautiful beach and going to a hinterland which offers nice nature. Nice parties in the evenings wouldn't be too wrong.

As we're students it shouldn't be too expensive (to be perfectly honest: it should be cheap). We're coming from Melbourne and going by bus, so we have actually only 5 days.

So, can anybody help us finding a right place in this area or are our demands set too high?

It does not need to be one of the both places mentioned above, as long as it's not farer than an about two hours drive north.

Thanks a lot!

Hang on there!

2 hours drive north - from Melbourne! Absolutely nothing fitting your description in that range! Have you checked the map?

Byron Bay is roughly a 10 hour drive north of Sydney; Surfers Paradise a bit further.

Fitting your time frame - see if you can get cheap flights from Melbourne to Surfers Paradise. Plenty of apartments for rent - some good beaches and things to do.

Second option - are there cheap flights to Cairns?

You need to be at least in Queensland to get beach weather in September.

On review - somewhere around Surfers / Gold Coast probably fits your requirements best.

Have a look at Qantas, Virgin & Jetstar websites - heaps of cheap flights Melbourne to Gold Coast/ Cairns. They also do accommodation packages. Also check www.travel.com.au and www.lastminute.com.au
Flightcentre.com.au also has good specials.

Forgot to say - Gold Coast & Cairns both have beautiful & easily accessed hinterland areas. G.Coast is big enough to get away to a less crowded beach very easily.

Sorry guys, but you got us completely wrong.

One week holiday including two weekends makes nine days altogether. Going by bus to golden coast takes us about two days and two days back. So five days are left, and thus, it wouldn't matter going further two hours to sunshine coast, if it's worth it. And that's where my question begins (not how to get there): Depending on our expectations would we feel more comfortable in Byron Bay or in Surfers or somewhere else (Noosa?)?

Thanks again.

"As we're students it shouldn't be too expensive (to be perfectly honest: it should be cheap). We're coming from Melbourne and going by bus, so we have actually only 5 days."

Byron & Noosa are both v.nice but (a) more expensive than Gold Coast, which, incidentally, is much more extensive than just Surfers Paradise. (b)enjoyed by lots of tourists. Just like you (LOL).

Given your timeframe (whether 9 or 5 days) and desire for cheap holiday; I'd still look at flying as you can often find a cheaper fare/package than on a bus. Unless, of course, you would like to take the bus for the journey - and it probably goes through Byron Bay. If so, you could probably stop there for a day or so.

If bus/coach is your preferred option, check the itineraries of some of the popular companies. (Sorry, can't help here - don't use 'em myself).

Google Gold Coast tourism & I'm sure you will find lots of towns along there which would appeal to your requirements for space/low cost beach holidays.

Here's a link that may be useful to you:

http://www.yha.com.au/traveldeals/de...m?ProductID=19

Aha! Now a bit clearer.

But still - bus may not be the cheapest way to get to the Gold Coast - do check for cheap flights. It also avoids about 2 days of numb bumb each way - and near-terminal boredom .

Here's a great link for students.
It's for a subsidiary of Flight Centre - called Student Flights" and they are offering Gold Coast & Byron Bay (from Sydney) for $69 one way. (Not restricted to students.)
www.studentflights.com.au or freecall 1800 069 063.

Thanks a lot for all these options!