Hi everyone,
I'm heading to the Gold Coast with the family in August this year for 9 days. I have some tips to offer, and i'd appreciate any tips you might have for me!
Travel
* We got flights directly from ADL to OOL for $250pp return on Jetstar. We avoided certain days to make the flights cheaper, baggage for one person, direct deposit to avoid fees, etc.
* We purchased a 7 day family (2A/2C) pass with gcshuttle.com.au - for $290 via RAA. This includes airport transfer, unlimited bus trips on the Gold Coast for 7 days, and unlimited theme park transfers for 7 days. We don't have to use the return airport shuttle service within the 7 days!! The only bummer is that the 7 days for unlimited bus/theme park MUST start the day you arrive… so i'll use that for food shopping!
Accommodation
* We've booked Jupiter's Casino because there was a function in the hotel.
* Jupiters offer a free "Absolute Rewards" card that lets you see new movies on the big screen for free on Monday nights. You get it at the hotel.
* We used Google and searched through the first 20 results for "jupiters casino accommodation". Only ONE website offered a great deal, Qantas. It was almost half the price of WotIf, Agoda, Hotel Club, etc. We saved about $900 on the "discounts" from the others. You really need to look past the first few search results.
Shopping
* We plan to make our own breakfast, lunch and (sometimes) dinner. We're intending to shop for food at Coles and Woolworths, both are a short walk from the casino.
* We intend to use the bar fridge to store milk, juice, etc. We'll take bowls, plates, cups and cutlery ourselves.
* We're not likely to shop for clothing, jewelry, art, etc.
Entertainment
* The hotel has a good swimming pool and it's close to the beach (no surprises there)
* We got the Super Pass for 28 days for Movie World, Sea World and Wet-n-Wild for $90pp through RAA. We went for the 28 days rather than the 3 days because the 3 days has to be 3 consecutive days - and that didn't work for us.
* We are most probably visiting Currumbin bird sanctuary for the day.
Weather
* Find out the average temperature for the time of year you're visiting. eg. http://www.accuweather.com/en/au/gold-coast/13978/august-wea…
* Find out the average rainfall for the time of year you're visiting. eg. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040764.shtm…
* According to the links i've given, there is less rain in July, August, September than most other months!!! It's also slightly cooler than any other time too.
General tips
* We will look at shop-a-dockets
* We most probably won't buy an entertainment book for one week's worth of use
Help!!
* Do you have any places you can suggest for breakfast / lunch that is suitable for the family and a cheapskate?
* Is there a fresh produce place near Jupiters that anyone can recommend? I'm considering Marina Mirage (Sat 7am-11am). Is that cheap-skate friendly?
* Do you have any other Jupiters casino tips, or Gold Coast tips?
* Do you have any tips for the theme parks (eg. locker tips, food tips, clothing tips for water rides, etc)?
* Do you have any tips for Currumbin bird park (eg. take bird seed with you)?
* Is there anything else we really should see/do while in the Gold Coast?
If you have tips that might benefit others (eg. Harbourtown for shopping, Car Hire, etc) please feel free to add them because that information might be useful for someone else, even if it doesn't help me.
I hope my comments are helpful to you… and thank you for any helpful advice you might have for me.
Cheapskates Unite!!
DeWalt
No need to go to Marina Mirage just for produce only. Broadbeach Markets is on every other sunday mornings eg. April 5, April 19, May 3, etc.
Inside the casino is Bites Restaurant that offers $7 meals. But to go inside the casino must be at least 18y.o.
As you arrive in Harbour Town go to the Tourist Office and register for the discount card.
The shop-a-dockets from your grocery shopping from Broadbeach will give you more options to family restaurants in the area.
Wear polyester type clothing when going to water rides. Weather here atm is still 30deg daytime.