No worries bro. Glad to assist. From my last trip, we only bring Brahim (http://www.brahimsfood.com/) instant rice. Just boiled it for few minutes and tasted good enough to eat. But kinda pricey IMHO. This instant Brahim's nasi goreng cost about RM8+, briani about RM10+ & etc2 per package. Serving wise, I think just good enough for 1 person meal. The good thing is that it can last up to 3 days after u boil the package.

But there's plenty of halal food at surfers paradise. Kebab's stall is everywhere. Some even got package kebab with rice & etc2... so feel free to choose. The cost is between AUD8-AUD12 per set and it's big - Well, big enough for 2 ppl to eat if you're small built like me.. hehehe..

This post has been edited by awiekupo: Oct 21 2011, 12:01 PM

awiekupo, some pic please
anyway how's the weather? like genting?

hehe.. pic tonight or this weekend baru upload.. need to filter sexy2 pic first.. ekeke..

weather just nice when I went there.. u can put on t-shirt for daylight activities.. dun really need baju tebal2.. only night time a bit windy..

Hi!

If you're heading to theme parks its better to head there during weekdays. Less people and you don't have to queue very long. Try to avoid school holidays. As for harbor town, if you like to shop, I don't think 2 hours is enough. I usually spend 3-4 hours there and I only go into selected shops. Depends on individual. There are tons of shop there and time flies. Haha. Pacific fair is big. I think you'll enjoy it. It's pretty different. Remember to try Hazel Tea bubble tea if you're into bubble tea. The pearls are really good. You can get them at surfers.

Hi guys. Im thinking of going to gold coast for a short holiday as im currently studying in melbourne.

I'm planning of going there for 3 days as the flights are cheaper. or should i go for 4 days 3 night? Not too sure, wat do u guys recommend? This is our rough itienary:

Day 1
Arrive and go to Surfers Paradise for a walk, probably go to Harbour Town for shopping. How can we get to there btw, is there a bus or tram available?

Day 2
whole day at theme park. Can I go to two theme parks in 1 day?

Day 3
Pack up and go home.

From what i've read in page 1 - 17, it seems that alot ppl suggest to go brisbane since we're at gold coast. But the cost to rent a car is quite expensive right. It' only me and my friend so we thought of going to gold coast just to enjoy the post-semester celebration. We only thought of going to the theme parks.

Can anyone suggest which place should I stay? I'm looking for some cheap accommodations but nearby to beach or theme park, or if there is public transport also can. I am trying to avoid to rent a car to travel around.

Also is going on the 2nd week of november recommended? Do u guys know when is the school holidays starting?

And anyone bought the theme park VIP ticket from this site, http://myfun.com.au/? Does this mean that if i pay 109 AUD i can go to the theme park as many times as i want until june 2012?

Thanks in advance.

Hello.

1. For harbour town, you can get by bus. But the journey's gonna take you about 20-30 minutes from Surfers. Check out Translink. You can plan your journey there. Since you're not a student from Brisbane, your fare would be quite pricey i.e. 2 times the price of a concession ticket. Then use google map to check out where to grab the bus. You can always ask the local people for help if you're lost but the map is usually quite clear.

But I would not recommend you to go down to Brisbane cause the fare is quite pricey. The journey down to the city by train takes about 1 hour 20-40 minutes, depending where you board the train. But if you want to go to the city anyway, I would suggest 4 days. One day for City tour. The last day you should just spend your time relaxing IMHO. You don't wanna feel rushed and tired by the end of your holiday right? Haha. Just pack the night before and just head to the beach and take a stroll and relax. Enjoy the sea breeze and the soft sand.

2. You can spend your whole day at the theme park. Depending on which theme park you want to go. If you're planning to go on all the rides, you'll spend quite some time there. You'll be exhausted by the time you're done. Seaworld wouldn't take you long. Lots of aquatic animals and some rides. Nothing much. Wet n' Wild and White Castle World are water parks. Just to remind you, some of the theme parks are far away from each other. Might take some time to get to another theme park.

And yes, I bought the VIP Pass. Unlimited entry until the card expires. But I'm not sure if it's only available for people who live in Brisbane or around Australia. You need to check that out.

3. School holidays. Check this page out. Oh, you might want to know when schoolies start as well. If I'm not wrong different state starts different time. The theme park/beach will be crowded. Try looking at backpacker place for cheap accommodation.

Hope this helps!

This post has been edited by KON-KON: Oct 22 2011, 06:37 PM

Yeah, thought of avoiding weekend for themepark.
2 hours definitely wont be enough for Harbour Town so may need re-arrange my itinerary.
Hope the weathers great next week & rain pls stay away

Have fun over there!

Hi there, thanks for your reply!

Firstly, im not sure where should i stay. Gold coast seems like a very big place (at first i thought gold coast will be just a place where everyone stays at), I didnt know there are so many other places to know. Is staying at Surfer's Paradise the best option? I just want a place that is cozy, have nice beach, affordable, have night activities and near food areas (going with my gf, so maybe some nice bar or pub? not clubs, haha).

I saw vibe hotel having 130 AUD per night without breakfast, is this price ok-ok or expensive for a night? Im not sure of what price to expect.

Also, im thinking of going to theme park on Day 2 (will only be there for 3 days). Will there be bus from Surfers Paradise to the theme park? And I'm considering which park to go, either Movie World or Dream World, which 1 do u recommend? Only choosing 1 since i will mostly be spending the whole time there to make full use of the ticket (its 80 AUD...omg expensive )

As I saw some forumers here wrote that the best rides in Movie World is Superman and Scooby Doo, the 3 days im going (8 Nov - 10 Nov) Scooby Doo ride will be closed for maintainance. So, wat other great rides to expect in Movie World? I saw alot rides are closed too, just scared not worth the money going there haha.

Last time i went to Sg universal studio and they closed the battle star galaxica, so not worth my ticket price since it was the best ride there

P/S: my gf and i are young adults.

Thanks in advance.

This post has been edited by iamcow: Oct 23 2011, 09:58 PM

I still got 2 piece of Go card.
Preloaded with AUD$10 value each. Card itself worth AUD$5.
Should be enough to get u from airport to surfers paradise.
Anyone interested to buy lemme know...

ps/ If not mistaken, the latest ride would be green lantern ride... but not sure if its open yet or not.. huhuhuh..

Hehe, when they say GC, they usually mean Surfers Paradise - cause that's where the beach is and all the shopping places are there la. Er, night activities? Er, what sort of night activities are you looking for? There will definitely be restaurants and pubs around. You can get some beers/etc from BWS and chill out in your room.

Tbh, I don't know the price for hotel/backpackers but usually backpackers are cheaper (way cheaper - maybe around 40-80/night?). The downside is that you have to share the room with other people - yeah, I mean strangers. So, I can't help you there. Sorry!

Yes, there are buses from Surfers to Movie World/Dream World. Take TX2. You can always go to Translink, then fill in the Journey planner e.g. from Surfers Paradise (landmark/station/stop) to Movie World (or Dream World) (landmark/station/stop). Put in the time. They will generate the buses that you should take and the time to get there.

I've only been to Movie World because I'm a scaredy cat. Dream World is more 'wild' as compared to Movie World. There are more exciting rides at Dream World. Haha. But yeah, Superman is a must if you're going to Movie World. I always look forward to the stunt show. Probably Wild Wild West Fall ride. Then again, since I've only been to Movie World, I can't tell you which is better. Dream World thrill rides. If you're not into coasters, I would say Movie World. If you're into coasters, Dream World.

I see, thanks so much for the clarification. The night activities i meant is like pubs n restaurants only, nth else, haha. Thanks for sharing your experience on the theme parks, I think i will be going Movie World, since it will have a lot of performances/stunt shows from what I see in their website. Scared me and my gf cant tahan the thrill, if we vomit during rides then not fun experience di. haha.

BTW, i found a few hotels, any of which you heard before or would recommend?

Vibe hotel - King or Twin view room, 2 nights, 130 AUD per night.
Enderley Gardens Resort - 1 bedroom apartment, 2 night, 109 AUD per night.
Top of the Mark Holiday Apartment - studio room, 2 night, 119 AUD per night.

I just found another one, Mantra Legends Hotel - hotel studio room, 109 AUD per night. This one looks the most promising from the guest reviews, but need to pay 200 AUD bond lol.

This post has been edited by iamcow: Oct 24 2011, 12:13 PM

I've stayed at Mantra. It is quite okay. You do get back your bond right? I don't think they will telan your $200.

Never heard of Vibe, Enderley or Mark. Sorry ah.

This post has been edited by KON-KON: Oct 24 2011, 03:29 PM

No worries, is Mantra near to take buses and walking distance to Surfers Paradise? I'll most probably going to stay in this hotel di, haha. Yeah should be able to get back the bond

It's 10mins from the shopping area. Wouldn't get lost because you just need to walk straight to head to the main shopping area/main beach. Bus maybe 15 mins.

Alright, cool. thanks alot mate, u r really helpful btw any recommendation on what to eat there? Like any local dish that is a must try or something? I guess im pretty set, this is my schedule:

Day 1
Arrive at Gold Coast on 12PM.
Check in.
Walk around Surfers Paradise, beach, shopping area, go to Harbour Town.

Day 2
10AM at Movie World
Evening walk around the beach side.

Day 3
Check out at 10AM
Maybe going Dreamworld till 4.30-5PM
Flight back at 6.10PM

As my flight back will depart at 6.10 PM (according to Tiger Airways website), what time I should be in the airport ya?

If I'm not mistaken 30-45 minutes for Domestic flights. Read your terms and conditions? Btw, how are you getting to the airport?

Gold Coast? Nice food? Nayyyyyyyyyyyy.

Coolangatta airport quite a long queue and u have to go thru 2-3 different gate.. So btr stick to 2 hours before flight.. Btr safe than sorry...

If u happened to be there at friday or wednesday night, u could also try their beachfront market. Like their pasar mlm version of beach market.

Cheers!

Will do, thanks. U mean getting to airport from Mantra Hotel? I'll be taking bus 702 from Legends Hotel to airport. Can we purchase the Go Card at the airport?

Thanks mate, i'll stick to the 2 hours before flight then just incase. Cuz right now i'm not sure how to get to the hotel from airport and how to get back to airport from hotel.

unfortunately im leaving on wednesday because of the flight fares. thurs flight is 30 AUD more exp lol dont know why... Thanks for the suggestion!

This post has been edited by iamcow: Oct 25 2011, 04:26 PM

Okay. Cause I thought you'll be taking the train to varsity lakes then take a bus. Go cards can be purchased from 7-eleven, train stations. I got mine from train station. Try news agent at the airport. They should carry them as well. Can top up at news agent or 7e.

Stick to 2 hours then. last time I arrived bout an hour earlier for my flight to Sydney. No lines. Hee. Self check in through internet. Hand luggage means less hassle.