Guys, just wanna ask. is it necessary to apply for international driving license when u want to rent car in Gold Coast?

a friend of mine said he cannot use his malaysian driving license when getting the rental car at the Airport. He rented the car from Hertz.

luckily his friend has an international driving license.

can someone verify this? am going to GC this nov for 10 days and planning to rent a car for at least 2-3 days.
Thx.

No, not necessary. Rented from East Coast Car Rental.

Thank you!

get it from your travel agent else google it and get it online

Hi Guys,

i am probably heading to GC for 10 days in November. What are your recommendations for the following:

1) Accommodation (Looking for apartment, want to cook save cost)
2) Activities

Info:
I am travelling in a group of 4-5. Budget is quite tight, minus flight tickets is around RM 2.5K. I know its tight but willing to cut expenses on food. Plus any tips and tricks are really needed. Thanks!

in my case, no problem renting a car at gold coast "east coast car rental", last july, but i renew my licence recently.

they even have pickup service to and from the airport if you booked earlier, and cheaper too.

10 days is kinda long for gold coast alone. RM2.5k? not a big problem.

1) Theme Parks (i spent 1 day at each theme park, 2 at dreamworld, separated wet and dry for 2 days)
a) Warner Bros movie world
b) wet and wild (water park)
c) Sea World
d) Dreamworld (they have both wet and dry, their extreme rides are supposedly one of the best)

2) Beach & City
You can do it during late noon and evening, it's a city, no big deal. and the beach, so and so la. You don't need one day to visit the beach in GC

3) Accommodation
You can get cheap apartments. Few areas you can look into, Mermaid Beach, Surfer's Paradise, Broadbeach, Palm Beach. Let's not stay too near the airport, cause it will be too far away from SP. SP is the supposedly city centre i suppose. Convenient but not necessary to stay there.

My recommendation? Palm Beach Holiday Resort

I booked a 2 BR apartment, under $100 per night (in 2011). 1 double bed room, 1 room with 2 single's bed, plus living room, easily can house 4-5 ppl if no one minds the living room or triple on a double bed.

Pros: near to supermarket, big and cheap, it's just next to the beach. bus pick up point is only across the road. see 4)
Cons: slightly further away from SP compared to Mermaid Beach or other areas. and you will be one of the first tourist to get on the bus, cause the bus starts from south to north then to theme park, see 4)

4) Transportation

Rent a car... or just buy their 'bus' pass. unlimited travels on their special bus and public bus.

australians know what they are doing, so they arrange these buses, which will bring you from your accommodation to the theme parks. these are not exclusive buses, but they will have certain pick up points (strategic points) then pick up all the passengers that they are supposed to pick, and drop you at the theme parks, whichever you requested. all you need to do is call the bus company the night before you want to go to the theme parks.

5) out of GC, north to... brisbane? or south to... byron bay?

Brisbane, been there, some city, not too interesting. Just a city.

Byron Bay, never been there, you can do your research. that's the furthest most interesting place you can go.

This post has been edited by adele123: Aug 5 2014, 08:34 PM

Visa, apply online. cost like only AUD10 or 20.

If you are a fan of theme parks, do get the vouchers from myfun.

Thanks so much?

Why would you say 10 days is too long? just wondering

Also,

1)just wanted thought on the wildlife parks there? which one is best value? or is not worth it at all? like currumbin etc

2) Which beach is the best in GC?

3) Any experiences with the nature trails?

to me, the main attraction in GC is the theme parks. so for me, it's like 1 day 1 park, probably another day for city and beach, though it can be squeezed in before/after you depart to the theme parks anyway, early morning and late evening stroll on the beach. if i would to recommend a trip... 7 days max. also because the bus pass comes in 3 days, 7 days, and some other combination.

1) I have no idea about wildlife park in GC. if it's a first trip to australia, yes, it's only right that you go to a wildlife park to hug a koala and feed a wallaby/kangaroo.

Well, based on the location, Currumbin is easily reachable. The few things you might want to take note is, if they charge extra for ‘extra’ activity. Example, some parks will charge for taking photo with koalas (they don’t allow you to use your own camera), some totally up to you and free.

I can provide another option, which is Australia Zoo which is Steve Irwin, crocodile’s man zoo. That is north of Brisbane, which is far-ish but again, not a problem if you REALLY want to go there. I’ve never been there myself, so you have to do your own comparison.

2) Beach… I have no idea. The best beaches in Australia aren’t in GC. Though I once overheard a China Man uncle saying… ‘Now I know why it’s called, Gold Coast. When I was on the helicopter, moving along the coast, I can see that it is Gold Coast.’

The place I stayed, well, the beach was decent. You know, sand and sea water. Haha… I think GC beach is normal. I’m sure redang/perhentian wins. But still a good place to relax and enjoy.

3) Nature trails in Australia tend to be described in a way that doesn’t justify paying for it and going for it. Coming from a tropical country, nature trails in Australia tend to be normal. Just need to make sure it is really special. I’ve not done any in GC.


This post has been edited by adele123: Aug 6 2014, 11:14 AM

Thank you so much on your perspective. Gave me a clearer picture of aussie. And yeah it would be my first time in Australia. Thats why there is some emphasis on the outback. haha

Guys

Would be in GC for 4d3n, would visit Movieworld, WetNWild & Seaworld other than that just strolling in GC. WOuld it be advisable to use public transport or just rent a car to go to these places? Would Waze apps works well in Aussie?

Btw, got good deal for combo from http://www.experienceoz.com.au/gold-coast/...ttraction-combo

Is there any other better deal than this?

Thanks.

try to check from Myfun
http://myfun.com.au/

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Aug 6 2014, 12:26 PM

Depending on your headcount, you can do your own comparison between the bus and car

GC Shuttle Bus

i explained above for someone, how the bus works, very convenient. The price, is about right, cause it's australia, even shuttle from/to airport in a major city cost at least $15 one way.

This bus is not a public bus, designated to bring you to theme parks. You can also use public bus with those pass.

So... it's pretty convenient, flexible. but still not as flexible as a car, obviously.

Thanks Adele & HN....

Btw if you rent a car, does it comes with those GoVia similar to our SmartTag? I'd presumed if driving on Gold coast highway is toll free and i cold actually plan my trip to MovieWorld without having to pay toll....No?

Thanks again

This post has been edited by GuyM: Aug 6 2014, 06:09 PM

I have absolutely no idea on any of those things. I'm the budget traveller and the last and only time i rented a car in aussie, never had to pay toll. you can check on the car rental websites. or when you reach, just ask them.

but i would have to say... it's not a big problem. should be easily dealt with, when you are there.

my understanding from my brother about the car he rented was that, the toll paid will be subsequently charged from his credit card (the car rental company keeps the cc information and charged later, i think). which apparently he did have to pay a few dollars of it, but that was in melbourne.

From surfers paradise to movieworld, the highway is toll free

Got myself an Almera for A$149 for 3 days used incl pick up to & fro airport from East Coast.... good deal? No? Anyway it comes with no cancellation should i change my mind upon arriving

i have a very pleasant experience with east coast company