Budget Family Holiday Tips (Brisbane/Gold/Sunshine Coast)

Blackbook on 04/05/2018 - 20:15

Hi there - First time posting.

My wife and I are taking our 3 kids (ages 16, 5, 2) to the Brisbane in January and are looking for budget friendly places to stay! We don't have a massive income so are looking for good ideas or recommendations for places to stay close to things to do. We prefer a hands-off approach when it comes to staying somewhere (a clean room, with a good view and being left alone is perfect!)

The gold coast is obviously looking attractive with all the theme parks and beach and what-not, but at that time of the year it's also looking quite expensive (especially when you look at adding car hire, ticket prices, food, etc on top).

Does anyone know any good places or tricks to scoring great cheap self-service apartments or hotel rooms - or any other tips for a budget conscious family holiday in qld?

Travel

Comments

  • altomic on 04/05/2018 - 20:46
    +1

    sunshine coast (north of bris) is really nice.

    it's more chill. great beaches.

    check out airbnb

  • martyn on 04/05/2018 - 20:51

    I generally find stayz or airbnb better value than hotels

  • minniethemoocher on 04/05/2018 - 21:19

    See if one you know have timeshare. My friend managed to get me a cheap stay through her timeshare in Victoria but Gold Coast was also definitely available. From my understanding it didn't use any of her timeshare credits, it was just an offer she had available.

    • thatonethere on 05/05/2018 - 08:05

      But dont sign up for a timeshare. The sellers are everywhere in the Gold Coast with their scratch lottery scams.

      • minniethemoocher on 05/05/2018 - 12:19

        Good point, the deal I got through my friend is different, you don’t get the sales pitch and there is not requirement to sit through any presentations. But some definitely do.

  • theHMASfriendship on 04/05/2018 - 21:50

    Some good tips for the theme parks here https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2278083

  • inherentchoice on 05/05/2018 - 01:04

    A day exploring and sightseeing from the car is cheaper than the theme parks and arguably can be a lot better if you plan it out a little. Take the kids for a hike up Mount Ngunngun, then drive up to Mary Cairncross Park for some Pademelon spotting.

    I am a Sunshine Coast local I could tell you about plenty of places you can go exploring. Feel free to pm me.

    There's endless holiday rental apartments in Caloundra, many with amazing views, and quite cheap too. January is usually the most expensive month though.

    Gold Coast hinterland is very good too.

  • ShannonN on 05/05/2018 - 01:34
    +1

    Depends on what you want to see and do? You do mention you like being left alone so maybe some hotel complexes will be kinda full of teens running amok at the school hols not all that peaceful.

    The Gold coast theme parks aren't much really, Seaworld is getting really dated and Movieworld is expensive for what you get and with 2 smaller kids Dreamworld rides may be a bit much for them. Also dragging the little folk around for miles walking will take it's toll.

    As someone mentioned Caloundra is a nice place with river, beaches and within a 1hr drive to other areas and such. Just you are choosing the worst time to rent accomodation. Wish you luck and a happy trip

  • Eeples on 05/05/2018 - 07:32

    Are you flying or driving up?

    • Blackbook on 05/05/2018 - 07:48

      We are flying, and looking at renting a car with East Coast Rentals.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2018 - 09:46
    +1

    If you are going towards Sunshine Coast, please go to Australia Zoo. It’s just such a wonderful attraction, better than any of the theme parks. Really immersive and more authentic than your typical zoo. Given the ages of your children, all will get something out of it, as will the parents.

    Usually RACV/RACQ enable you got buy discounted tickets to Australia Zoo.

  • hamwhisperer on 01/06/2018 - 16:38

    I'm also going here in about 2 weeks, any tips on discounting stuff? We might do some theme parks (1 or 2) and love to drop the darn price, they ain't cheap.

    We will have a car, accomodation taken care of.

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