What sort of accommodation is there for the holiday maker on the Gold Coast?
Australia’s Gold Coast is unique in its mix of holiday and resort accommodation with something for everyone, from backpackers and campers to five star luxury hotels providing everything the most fastidious holiday maker could ever want. Regardless of the level of luxury, they all represent exceptionally good value when compared to other holiday destinations, either in Australia or the rest of the world.

Principally there are five categories of accommodation styles. They are:

Self Contained Apartments
Hotel / Motels
Backpacker hostels
Caravan / camping parks
Cottages and B&Bs


What is meant by the term Self Contained?
Self Contained Apartments are the most common form of accommodation for the holiday maker and have everything you expect to find in a normal home. They all have fully equipped kitchens, a laundry with washing, drying and ironing facilities and all the normal electrical and entertainment appliances you would expect to find in a modern home. All linen and towels are supplied; however they are generally serviced only on a weekly basis. If you would like more frequent servicing it can usually be arranged, but will involve an additional cost.

How many bedrooms do they have?
They come in a range of one, two and three bedroom configurations (please note that three bedroom apartments are generally in short supply during peak seasons so if you need one it is wise to book early) with the master bedroom having a queen size bed and ensuite bathroom. If there is a second or third bedroom they generally have single beds and there will be another bathroom.

How many people can stay in each?
A one bedroom apartment normally sleeps two (and an infant if you provide your own porta cot), but may be able to have a third person, generally subject to an extra person charge.

A two bedroom will normally sleep four but may take five and a three bedroom will allow six, but again may allow seven. In each case an extra person charge is applicable.

What facilities do they have?
They are normally complexes of apartments grouped together to form a resort and have on-site managers who operate a reception office during normal business hours and are available for out of hours check in / out. Most have resort facilities (all have swimming pools) with tennis courts, out-door entertaining and barbeque facilities, some have gyms and kids clubs or child minding facilities. Nearly all have underground security car parking. However very few have restaurants or room service, but there are many take away food restaurants that will deliver just about every sort of food imaginable (even breakfast) and details are available in the apartments.

What is the difference between ‘High Rise’ and ‘Low Rise’ Apartment Blocks?
Low rise apartment blocks are limited to three levels and normally do not have lifts and the complexes tend to be spread out over a large area with most of the apartments opening onto or overlooking the outdoor entertainment areas. This is often an advantage for families with young children who are likely to be spending most of the day in the swimming pools or games areas as they have access to these areas without having to use lifts and the need to pass through reception areas.

High rise blocks are usually ten levels or higher with lift access and their principal advantage is that they have balconies and spectacular views.

Can I specify what level or what views I want if I choose to stay in a high rise resort?
Generally no, however most places will attempt meet your requirements if you have a specific request, but not guarantee a particular level or view. There are a few resorts that will, for the payment of an extra fee, provide that service.

Is all accommodation air-conditioned?
No. The Gold Coast, although being subtropical, is a mild maritime climate all the year round and many of the apartments are designed to be opened up to take advantage of the cooling sea breezes and to allow out door living, so do not have air-conditioning. As a general rule air-conditioning is not needed between the months of April to October. However if you are planning a holiday during the warmer months and think you would like air-conditioning, it is wise to specify this when you enquire about or make a reservation.

Are there holiday homes?
There are very few holiday homes of the type common to country, seaside holiday towns, available along the Gold Coast seaside strip and those that are, are booked out as much as twelve months in advance and are generally expensive. However there is a number of quality, good value, Bed & Breakfast (B&Bs) cottages in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland mountains.

If we choose to cater for ourselves do we need to choose an apartment handy to a shopping centre?
Not necessarily. Although the gold Coast is over 70 Kms long, there are major shopping centres every few kilometres and no accommodation is more than a few hundred metres from smaller shopping centres which have shops specifically catering for the holiday maker’s needs.

What sort of transport options are there from the airport to our accommodation?
There are two airports servicing the Gold Coast, Brisbane which is 100Km to the north (and the main international airport for the region) and the Gold Coast Airport (previously named Coolangatta) which is situated at the southern end of the Gold Coast.

From Brisbane, the transport ranges from rail, through scheduled bus services (for those on a tight budget and are prepared to accept a slower journey in the interest of saving money) and door to door mini buses (which are slightly more expensive, but will deliver you to the door of your accommodation and pick you up for the return journey, however can take two hours or more, depending on the frequency of departure), to taxis and chauffeured limousines which are the quickest (around one hour from pick up to accommodation).

Surprisingly, for a family of four travelling, a chauffeured limousine is only around $20 per person, more expensive for the round trip than the other forms of transport, which for many holiday makers is not a great expense for the sake of a quick, comfortable journey (around one hour) to their accommodation.

For those holiday makers who might be planning to get around during their stay, the option that provides the best combination of convenience with economy is a hire car. For a family of four or more the cost of transfers can be the equivalent of three or four days car hire and as it is all freeway from the airport entrance to the heart of the Gold Coast, navigating to your accommodation should pose no problems even to first time visitors.

From the Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) the transport options are the same, except that there is no train service. For those travellers holidaying at the southern end of the Gold Coast it is only minutes from the airport to the resort areas and bus or taxi is probably the easiest solution. However for those staying from Burleigh Heads north, chauffeur driven limousine or hire cars are worth considering, depending on your circumstances. As a general guide it is approximately thirty minutes by car from the airport to Surfers Paradise and about an hour to the absolute northern end at Sanctuary Cove.

Most forms of transport can be arranged on arrival, but for a seamless transfer and peace of mind (particularly if you flight is either an early or late arrival) it is wise to book your transfer at the same time as your accommodation and / or flights.

Is there accommodation near the theme parks?
With the exception of Seaworld in the heart of the Gold Coast at Main Beach (which has its own adjacent resort) and the Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary, the theme parks are all located at Coomera, which is about ten minutes drive north of the northern outskirts of the Gold Coast coastal holiday strip and there is no convenient accommodation except for one small motel near Dreamworld. If visiting the theme parks is one of the major reasons for your holiday on the Gold Coast we recommend that you consider accommodation at the northern end of the coast from The Broadwater through Main Beach and Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach.

If we want to be near restaurants and night life do we have to be in Surfers Paradise?
No. Where ever you stay on the Gold Coast you will not be far from entertainment centres and there are so many quality restaurants that you are never more than a short walk from a selection of dining options. The Broadwater, Main Beach, Broadbeach, Miami, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, Tugun and Coolangatta precincts all have a wonderful array of wining, dining, partying and entertainment options to suit all tastes.

What times of the year are classed as High Season?
As a guide, the times of the year when the Australian mainland schools are on holiday is the busiest on the Gold Coast, consequently accommodation is in short supply and these are classified as high season and rates are generally higher. However there are no specific dates and the seasons vary from resort to resort. A general rule for the high seasons is from Christmas until the third week in January, a week either side of Easter, the first three weeks of July, the last two weeks of September and the third week on October, which is Indy race week.

What is the best time to visit the Gold Coast?
There are four low season periods, February and March, May and June, late July to mid September, and November. They are a special time on the Gold Coast as accommodation houses and resorts often offer extra special deals, you can have the beaches and other attractions to yourself, walk into restaurants without having to book, visit theme parks, shopping centres or the fabulous hinterland without the bustling crowds and also the most comfortable climate occurs during the ‘shoulder’ seasons. The days are generally clear and warm without the steaminess of summer, and the nights are balmy but mild.