When’s best to visit the Gold Coast?

Anytime!

With a sub tropical, temperate climate year round, Australia’s Gold Coast is the perfect destination every day of the year. Australia’s Gold Coast averages 300 days of sunshine a year. Cooler temperatures in the hinterland and rural areas are all year round, particularly in winter.

• Spring: September to November 15-25C (59-77F)
• Summer: December to February 20-28C (68-83F)
• Autumn: March to May 16-26C (61-77F)
• Winter: June to August 11-21C (52-70F)

Choose your favourite time for fun

School holidays and Australian public holidays http://www.dest.gov.au/

Gold Coast Events

Check out our events page

Getting to the Gold Coast

Travelling to Burleigh Heads is easy as is getting around once you are there.

From Overseas

• Some international flights fly directly into Coolangatta with buses or car hire to Burleigh.
• Most airlines fly directly to Brisbane International Airport where taxi, car hire or the train is available (which runs every 30 minutes from the airport to the Gold Coast, the trip is about 1.5 hours).
• Buses run from the train station at Robina on the Gold Coast to Burleigh.

Interstate

• Domestic airlines have regular flights to Coolangatta. Interstate train and country trains run into Brisbane with connecting trains to the Gold Coast.
• Coach lines have country and interstate services to Burleigh.
• Burleigh is conveniently close to the M1 Motorway which extends to the border and to Brisbane and beyond. The Gold Coast Highway runs the distance of the Gold Coast and easily connects with the motorway.
• Travelling around Burleigh by car is easy with streets and major shopping centres well signposted well in advance of any necessary turns. There are local bus serviced which connect Burleigh to neighbouring suburbs, train stations and theme parks.
• Taxi services run in the area and are a good way to get to unfamiliar places in a hurry or when door to door service is required. Limousine hire available.

Getting around the Gold Coast

Scheduled services http://translink.com.au/

• Buses
• Trains
• Trams
• Community transport
• Complementary services

Health & Safety

Surf Safety

Only swim or surf at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags which mark the safest area for swimming.
Information on swimming or surf safety: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au or www.lifesaving.com.au

Emergencies dial 000 for police, ambulance and firefighter services.

Insurance

• All travellers to Australia should consider health insurance.
• Check for reciprocal health care agreement with your country www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

What to pack

Feel free to be yourself!

Clothing is dependant on your activity – casual or sophisticated.

Local knowledge

• You will get sunburnt even on cloudy days. Respect the sun and surf. Wear sun protection year round, a broad brimmed hat, shirt with collar and sleeves and maximum sun screen to exposed skin.
• Casual is the Gold Coast norm, some golf courses have dress codes so check when you book.
• Men may need a jacket when fine dining, or enjoying a sophisticated evening at a club or restaurant.
• Hinterland areas may be cooler and wetter. Take a jacket and a heavier coat in winter. Christmas in July with log fires and early morning mist sets the scene.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes in national parks and farms.
• Pack swim wear year round – winter offers pleasant warm weather during the day.
• Bring a light suitcase – you’ll need room to stock up on all those gifts and new clothes.
• Layers are always safer.

Currency and payments

• In Australia our currency is Australian Dollars (AUD).
• American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, JCB and their affiliates are generally accepted.
• Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels, international airports and major shopping centres like Robina Town Centre, Pacific Fair and Australia Fair.
• Australia has a goods and services tax on purchases (10%) claimable along with the Wine Equalisation Tax upon departure.

Travel Tips

• Alcohol: Legal drinking age is 18 years and older. Always bring ID to prove your age. Alcohol can only be purchased in liquor outlets and hotels (not in supermarkets).
• Electricity: 240/250 volts AC 50Hz Universal outlets for 110 volts (shavers only) standard in hotels, apartments, motels.
• Emergency: Dial 000 from a fixed line or 112 from a mobile phone. Police, ambulance, fire.
• Language: English. Translation and multi-lingual tours available. Telstra’s Foreign Language Service offers telephone assistance in 9 languages.
• Measures: Metric system. www.onlineconversion.com
• Post Offices: Australia Post offices are open 9am to 5pm weekdays, 9am to 12pm Saturdays. www.australiapost.com.au
• Religion: Australia is multi-cultural. Discrimination is an offence. Christian churches, prayer rooms, mosques, synagogues and temples are located on the Gold Coast. Specific dietary requirements are available (halal, kosher).
• Road Rules; Driving is Left hand side. Speed limit: 50kmh applies in most residential areas; highways 100-110kmh. Adhere to speed limit signs. Seat belts mandatory. Strict drink driving laws apply. Bring your current driver’s licence if you want to hire a vehicle. www.transport.qld.gov.au
• Safety: Common sense approach to personal safety encouraged. www.transport.qld.gov.au
• Smoking: Strict tobacco laws exist in Queensland. There is no smoking in indoor public places and no sales to children under 18 years. www.health.qld.gov.au
• Sun/Surf Safety: Only swim between the red and yellow flags in a patrolled beach and take lifeguards’ advice. The powerful Pacific Ocean should never be underestimated. Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches are patrolled by professional life guards and volunteers (weekends). www.health.qld.gov.au. Be safe. SLIP SLOP SLAP! Sun protection is essential– wear maximum sunblock, a hat & shirt with sleeves and collar. Avoid the hottest time of day 10am – 2pm. www.whs.qld.gov.au
• Swimming: No nude bathing permitted in Queensland.
• Telephones: Australian international code 61. Public telephones, international dial cards are available.
• Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST): GMT + 10 hours. No daylight saving in Queensland.

PASSPORTS, VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Passports and Visas

All visitors to Australia need a valid passport and an Australian visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

Visa types depend on length of stay and the visit’s purpose. Lodge online applications for ETAs or acquire forms from more than 300,000 travel agents, 75 airlines and Australian diplomatic offices worldwide. If you do not hold a passport approved for ETA, get a ‘label’ visa from Australian embassies, high commission offices or consulates. The Immigration Department’s website offers an Event Co-ordinators’ Network to help event managers. View Immigration website. www.immi.gov.au

Duty Free and Quarantine

Australia has a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Travellers may be eligible for a GST refund on departure. Incoming visitors may bring in limited quantities of duty free products. Business travellers need permits for carrying commercial goods through Customs. If you enter Australia with doctor’s prescriptions or medicines, get a permit. View Customs. www.customs.gov.au

Australian Customs enforces strict controls. Australia is the largest island in the world which is free of many diseases. Please declare animal and plant material, herbal medicines, food, eggs, seeds and wood. Coral, shell, reptile and whale products are banned. Restrictions may or do apply for currency, firearms and ammunition, heritage items and defence and strategic goods. Ask officers if you are not sure. The future health of Australia’s native animals, plants and primary industries depends on your honesty. View Customs. www.customs.gov.au