Hi!
Traveling to Gold Coast for 4 nights! What would be the ideal accommodation for two people? Not looking for anything fancy, just something private/cheap but close to the theme parks.
Thank you!
And if you were at the Gold Coast for 4 days, any recommendations on theme parks we have to do?
Hey YTW!
Thank you for your very descriptive reply! After reading this we have opted to check in at surfers, after a bit of research (oz bargaining) it appears we can get 1 Bedroom place at Beachcomber Resort for $325/4 Nights. Have read mixed bag of reviews but personally not really fussed on it so much as we're just after a convenient location - will be booking tomorrow.
Any advice you can provide on transport? From your experience has it been cheaper to Rent a Car or Public transport the go-er, considering we'll need to travel from Airport to Surfers..Surfers to Theme Parks etc
Thank you!
Have a look on a map - the majority of major theme parks are out on the highway, in the middle of nowhere. About 25 minutes drive from where the majority of hotels are on the Gold Coast. Sea World is the exception to this. There are regular buses out to the theme parks if you aren't planning on hiring a car. So if you want to stay near the theme parks then that is all you'll be near.
If you want to see other Gold Coast attractions (beaches, shopping etc) then you'd probably be better staying somewhere closer to all that. We always enjoy the big hotels (Jupiters, Sea World Resort, Watermark etc) when they're stupidly cheap on ratestogo or something - but we have a lot of flexibility with dates and book fairly far ahead etc). I find that the difference between a budget place and a good hotel on special isn't an awful lot on the Gold Coast (especially with kids - you may find it easier with just 2 people). We'll be paying an average of $106/night for the Queens birthday long weekend when our family of 4 stays next week at the Watermark.
As to which theme parks - it depends on your ages and likes/dislikes. For rides I would say Movie World. Dreamworld is good too for lots of different rides. Sea World has a couple of rides but is more about the animals (polar bears, penguins, dolphins, sharks, fish etc) and shows. Good for kids as it has a big playground and lots of rides orientated towards them (although I heard they are shut down for renovations at the moment). Movie World also has a lot of shows/rides for young kids. Wet and Wild is fun - but bit chilly this time of year. The plus side of that being that it's quieter.