Hi guys. Sydneysider here with a family with lots of young kids.
Recently took the family up to Queensland (Labrador and Southport) for a holiday and we all absolutely loved it.
After considering it we are looking at potentially moving up there in the next year or two. Unfortunately while I earn a decent amount now we have lots of debt and don't own our home.
What are your thoughts on moving to Labrador/Southport? Are technical/Managerial jobs really as hard to get as I am reading?
Thanks all!
Haha thanks champ! Just want to grow old with the wife and kids and provide for them you know. GC seemed like a great place to do it! So over Sydney.
Gold coast as very few jobs outside call center and tourist jobs. Look at Brisbane for work but be ready to drive I live in GC before lack of work is why I left. I love GC and go there lots.
How is traffic congestion on the Gold Coast?
@Scrooge McDuck: Compared to Sydney, laughable, but it is getting worse. If you are doing the drive up to Brisbane for work it only takes one decent crash to double your commute though, which does happen semi-regularly.
@Scrooge McDuck:
The main highway is being upgraded. You could catch the train. However, as tryagain mentions all it takes is a crash or train related issue and your 1hr drive can take 3 or 4 hours.
@tryagain: I don't see the point in living on the GC and working in Brisbane. You're going to spend 90mins each way getting to and from work. You're not going to enjoy your new location because you'll always either be in the car or at work during daylight. You're better off finding somewhere that you can get a job, and then spending your weekends going places you enjoy.
@macrocephalic: I don't either, but I would say I would say though best is getting a Job where you also want to spend your weekends, best of both worlds.
Probably better quality of life but technical jobs are hard to get and even if you get then pay is well below average in your industry. Most technical people live in GC and work in Brisbane so if you love traveling long hours in train then good for you.
I would usually say go for it, but I really hope you have given more thought to it than you have outlined above. A holiday is completely different to permanently living there.
Things to consider (obviously):
Yes absolutely, all of those and more, and to be honest the only concern we have is with income (me getting a decent paying job haha).
We are stuck bad in the debt cycle and Sydney isn't doing us any favours, with our rent just being increased again (and I pay ALOT for rent already).
On top of the other benefits we are hoping a move to cheaper rental accommodation in QLD would be the kick-start we need.
I moved to the Gold Coast from Wollongong about 25 years ago. Everything is less on the GC compared to Sydney. Including wages. So while rent and living expenses may be cheaper, you'll probably find it all balances out. My pay is about $50k a year less than my colleagues in Sydney. But my colleagues in Sydney live to work, not the other way around.
Move for lifestyle reasons, not to try and get ahead of debt.
edit forgot to mention. I know it is $50k less as work keeps trying to get me to move to the Sydney office as they need my skillset down there. I refuse to leave the GC. No amount of money would get me to move to a cold concrete congested jungle. If anything I'd want to move to the sunshine coast.
GC is nice to visit but if you want the QLD sea change there are better places to go IMO. I can see how the GC would appeal coming from Sydney though.
Do you have any recommendations? Yeah GC really shocked us with how perfectly, on the surface, it seemed to fit how we live our lives.
Do you prefer beach or country?
I'd say go, but try & secure a job before you move rather than hope to find one after you get there.
Absolutely. Can't imagine it would be easy to get a full-time job in QLD while still in Sydney haha. Might need to go down and live there for a few weeks on my own and try get employed quickly, but I hear that's almost impossible…
One way around it is if you know somebody up here who is happy to let you use their address is to give their address and say you are in the process of finishing up your current employment and moving north, will likely get you viewed as a local without actually being one.
I secured a job in Qld from where I was living in SA. Wasn’t too difficult, but I guess it depends on the industry.
As Ugly said get a job first. There's lots of cheap accommodation in the Gold Coast so you can live there and work, and look for a house, while your wife sorts things out at home for the move. You could go down for the weekend to help pack up for the movers then drive the whole family up.
Agreed, thanks mate.
Love Gold Coast too, Sydney is shit. I have too much family here otherwise I would've migrated north ages ago. One thing to consider is, if you do move you don't need to earn as much as living is cheaper.
Living is cheaper just in terms of accommodation?
accommodation is cheaper, but not by much. Also, food seems to be more expensive, I was shocked to see tropical fruits like Bananas cost more in Queensland than Victoria
Exactly! Thanks mate.
does brisbane has better job oppo ?
can go down the coast or up the sunshine/noosa on the weekend anytime
there are people who commute from GC to BN each day i heard. the train kind of OKAY to do that.
housing at GC is so cheap….. water view or walk distance to the beach for what $500k? possible
I know! Labrador is so damn beautiful and the prices are so reasonable compared to Sydney. I don't want to make the usual Ozbargain 'bikies' joke lol but I heard there are a few there, so not sure how safe it is.
I wouldn't consider either Sydney or the GC unsafe, but I've definitely experienced more problems in Sydney. Typically just with the odd druggy or drunk person in the city at night picking fights or trying to impress their mates.
Bikies were more common on the GC a few decades ago. More of a rarity now.
labrador is a ghetto mate sorry to say.
what industry do you work in?
plenty hospitality work on the goldie.
real money is in brisbane, i left the goldie to get a better paying gig in brissy
Completely agree.. the real work and money is in BrisVegas.
I lived on the Gold Coast for a couple of years (also lived in Syd, Bris and now Melb)..
My impressions
- It lacks community/culture
- Its run by bikies and real estate developers
- Crime/drugs/alcohol/police are part of life
- Wealth inequality (mix of wealthy retirees/holiday makers and working poor/party kids/junkies)
- Lower education level
- Awful drivers
Personally I would move to Brisbane if I had a young family and was looking to get out of Sydney (great move). Wages wont be as high, but neither is your cost of living/real estate.. so you can actually end up better off on a significantly lower (20-30%) salary.
All the best.
How is the gym/bodybuilding scene on the Gold Coast?
Is it easy to get a prescription for testosterone?
It's funny you should ask. The only friend I still know up there is a roided up gym junkie with biceps bigger then his head.. and to top it off he's a proud member of Queensland Police Force.
So to answer your questions: Strong and yes
Find me a house with w after view for 500k
The train rise will suck the life out of you, your day will be 7 to. 7
Although there's always something happening in Sydney, I think the overall quality of life on the GC is soooo much better.
I've lived and worked in SYD and GC, so hopefully some of this info will be useful if you're considering moving there:
- Both Southport and Labrador are great suburbs to live. One advantage Southport has though is that the light rail runs through it.
- There would be a bigger variety of managerial positions on the GC than tech positions
- You could also consider living on the GC and commuting to Brisbane (which would be a shorter commute than a lot of people I know travelling from Sydney's western suburbs to the CBD). If you're thinking of doing this, it might also be worth looking at the Helensvale area. That's where the GC light rail connects to the heavy rail that goes to Brisbane. Downside is that it's further from the coastline than Southport and Labrador.
- Seeing you're earning a decent amount in your current job, try to pay off your debt and save as much as possible for a home deposit. That way if you take a pay cut moving there, you'll at least have a head start.
- For the price of a 1 bedroom apartment in Sydney, you'll buy a decent house on the GC.
Mate that's some sage advice, thanks heaps! I wish we could save for a deposit, but the debt is so high that the interest alone eats into any possible savings. Thanks again for confirming much of my thoughts champ.
Just wondering, what could you have such a large debt for that isn't a house? Get that paid off ASAP
Heaps of kids, single income, taking care of parents, very expensive wedding (long story but kind of had to, but it was worth it), all our fault so no complaining, but we really want to stop paying near $3,300 in rent a month and thoroughly loved everything we saw in GC.
Labrador and Smackport are ghettos
Is it bad at night or something? I have been in the dodgy areas of Sydney many times and always felt like I could get into a punch up any second but not once did I feel uncomfortable in these areas in GC. It's so weird…
@ensanguined: yeah it's dodgy at night and day
you got a centrelink and plenty of methadone support places there so you really get to see a real variety of scum to be honest. i lived there a while back and have to admit it was one of those suburbs i couldn't wait to move away from.
Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Mermaid Waters are a better option, closer to the beach also.
@myusername: how long ago? I know going back about 10 years ago it was a hole, but thought more recently, since the tram and revitalisation of the foreshore it is a lot better. I don't feel unsafe when I go in for dinners or to take my kids to the foreshore down there.
What are everyone's thoughts on the 'bikies' and 'drug problems' in the GC? Is it as bad as it used to be?
Stay on their good side and it is all good.
According to multiple polls, OzBargain is the largest employer of bikies in Australia.
Just wear your OzBargain colours/T-shirt and you'll be safe.
i grew up on the goldie and honestly i think it's getting worse. they used to be a bit underground like 20+ years ago, but nowadays they're more in your face and out and about
Currently live on the Gold Coast - it's non existent. Sure there can be some issues late at night at Surfers, but if you aren't a big clubbing person - the Gold coast is safe as anywhere else in Australia.
I say make the move - it's a great lifestyle. Accommodation is extremely reasonable, the beaches is arguably some of the best in Australia, the restaurant and bar scene is booming, massive amount of job opportunities, plenty for the kids to do (I mean, where else can you drive 10 minutes down the road and go to 3 theme parks?), schools are world class, amazing shopping centres, and Brisbane is an hours drive. It's perfect.
Some nice suburbs to look at: Carrara, Emerald Lakes, Mermaid Waters/Beach, Burleigh Waters/Beach, Currumbin, Elanora, Ashmore.
I've lived all over Australia - Brisbane, Toowoomba, Townsville, Sydney. Gold Coast is the nicest place I have lived. My wife and I found work very easily, and both have permanency. It's a great lifestyle. I live in a great neighbourhood, all families, great parks, and 10 minutes to the beach. I have now lived here for 5 years - have not set eyes on a bikie or illicit drugs, that includes hitting the pubs and bars in Surfers and Broadbeach. I saw more in one night out in Kings Cross.
The theme parks get a bit old real quick though.
Argh! You're killing me haha, making the move even more tempting! Thanks heaps mate!
I second that about not seeing any bikies etc and I live on the Gold Coast.Family life not nightclubs!
Also wouldn’t pick Labrador.
I did work in a motel in Miami and there was druggies and drunks on sat nights.
I would pick just 10 mins from beach Varsity,Merrimac,Carara,Emerald Lakes,Robina are bit closer to station or a few less stops if u get a job in Brisbane,like Helensvale.
Lots of great schools,many near Robina and Varsity.
We have lived here for 12yrs and before that in melb.
I’m in melb now to visit family and I’m missing the weather,my bike and the beach after a few days!
There is heaps of fun things for the kids not just theme parks,but they don’t get old in the kids eyes,just the parents!
Heating bills are non existent,if u get a rental with a pool,most complexes have a pool, the kids would love it!It will save u on air con too.
The traffic is bad to bris prob better to train in, but if u want the lifestyle esp for the wife and kids it’s here.If u commute to bris first u could always try to get a job closer when u can.
If u live in bris u prob wouldn’t bother coming to beach much. I love being able to ride to the beach and can be a last min decision to just go for a hr,or at sunset on a hot night, not pack the car for the day trip.
Just some thoughts. I used to live on the gc
Labrador is called stabrador. They aren't the nicest suburbs, plenty of gronks, just due to it being cheaper.
The commute from gc to Brisbane is painful and expensive.
Thanks mate. So weird how I never saw any of the gronks during my two weeks there, and we honestly we spent most of the time around the area.
oh you mean scabrador that suburb near smackport?
What's even funnier is the suburb arundel which everyone pronounces wrong.
You know how we joke about bikies on ozbargain? In GC the bikies are real.
Job market is also shit.
Yeah, both things are worrying me hard. Is it that much worse that Sydney though?
I lived in GC for a while. It's quite a different world. The beaches, weather are amazing, but huge divide between the rich and poor. Lots of rich baby boomers and retirees and lots of scum on the other end. I havent been to Labrador in a while but it used to be bogan central. Job market is fairly crap except for retail and hospitality. Most I knew commute to Brisbane and eventually moved there.
You need to make a list of the things that appealed most to you. Was it just the sunshine and weather? You can get that in a lot of other far better places.
The one thing I do agree, Sydney is shit unless you are rich.
As I see it the only painful part is finding a job before moving. I am not very aware of the job market around GC but there are plenty of people living decently so there must be jobs to be had, if you work hard at finding them and work hard at keeping them. Where I come from (USA) most jobs are posted online now a days, not sure about here in Australia. But you really should have a job before you move permanently.
Maybe you can get hold of a paper or two from The Gold Coast area. Or use these to help: https://www.seek.com.au/jobs/in-All-Gold-Coast-QLD https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/classifieds/gold-coast/… https://au.indeed.com/jobs-in-Gold-Coast-QLD http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/council/council-jobs-222.htm… http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Jobs
Nice, thanks very much!
I moved from Canada to Newcastle and didn't like it. Thought of moving to Sydney but it was way too expensive. Moved instead to Ipswich, QLD after visiting Southport (GC), Southbank (Brisbane) and various kid friendly places in Ipswich. Love it here. I can afford a house but drive to Gold Coast for work every day (1 hour with toll). Lots of people drive back and forth between Gold Coast and Brisbane. You get used to it. So many kid friendly parks and activities here. Very family friendly and much more affordable compared to Sydney.
Traffic from GC to Brisbane is heavy in the morning. Not sure how easy it is to commute by train. Its probably better to buy a house in Brisbane. Gold Coast is only an hour away and you can drive there on weekends for the kids.
What didn't you like about Newcastle? I've lived in GC and Newcastle they seem fairly similar. The coastal area of newcastle city is nicer than GC but the suburban area isn't that great.
I'm more of a rainforest person, not so much of a beach person. My husband grew up in Newcastle and loves the beach. Gold Coast/Brisbane/Ipswich is a nice mix for our family. Everything is within an hours drive. The Hinterland or the beaches. Ipswich has a bad rep but it has lots of free activities for kids. Great mini zoo for next to free (gold coin donation), lots of splash pads, parks, the river and a free pool with light shows and weekend events (similar to Southbank in Brisbane and Southport in GC). Newcastle lacked the free kids entertainment besides the beach. I did like Newcastle to start of with but after a few months it got a bit boring. Maybe it was also because I was homesick and my son wasn't doing well in his school. Or too close to in-laws who enjoy too much alcohol on a daily basis :) Newcastle isn't bad. I just prefer where I am now.
Have you considered Russell Island? Houses are cheap if you can stand the mozzies, and you could commute by tinny to work :-)
and midges!
Yes the weather and beaches are fantastic, but the job market is no so great.
It's easy to fall for a place when on holidays, but its totally different when you actually live there.
As pointed out by others, bogans and scum, with really bad attitude are prevalent as evident from the high unemployment rate. I would seriously reconsider. In my opinion, Brisbane would be much better.
Thanks!
don't forget to get a neck tattoo and claim to have bikie affiliations, be a part time dj and sell ice on the side
Since you have many kids, suggest to look at more child/teenager friendly areas. Away from hassles and bustles, vice and temptation. Perhaps inland, hinterland rather than living next to beach. Definitely avoid Scholies area.
Personally I prefer Brisbane where I live. My house is only 45 minutes to GC.
I did exactly same 8 yrs ago, ditched a high paying job in Sydney, and moved with whole faimily to GC (Runaway bay)
Job market pays significantly less than Brisbane, and Brisbane pays noticeably less than Sydney
expect to earn 15-30% less than Sydney if you get a job in GC (thats IF you can)
As there was no job that covers my expense and family, I took the job at Brisbane.
I commuted to Brisbane CBD and Fortitude Valley from Runsway bay for 4 yrs. (Drive to Helensvale station 10-12min, take 6:30 or 6:50 train, 70 80min train ride to CBD, 5-10min walk from Central station)
Train fare is over $11 one way with Go card. , so it will add up very quickly at your wkly expense.
Get rent in Brisbane and enjoy wkend at GC or something. Job in GC is hard to get and very rare. (pay is low too)
Overall, were you happy with the change champ?
i found a local job that pays well, i guess i was lucky.
Labrador = Lock your door.
Nerang = nerangatangs.
LOL, I was going to mention the "lock your doors Labrador" saying …
And Southport is no sanctuary either with frantic housing (cheap units) popping like mushrooms.
It is just my opinion but Gold Coast City is no longer "cheap" nor plentiful. Traffic congestion is becoming an issue and roads are not being build. Only "buildings" are being built … no new infrastructure.
I know Sydney resident will disagree and, by comparison, is not nearly as bad. But 20 years ago traffic congestion was unheard of (other than Bermuda St around Bundall area). It is getting worse by the day.
I think the time has passed and, come to Queensland by all means, but aim north of Brisbane.
And if you and your family are brave enough, go real north. Real north. Real up north.
Still paradise there. A bit underdeveloped but quality of life is better. A lot better for a quiet life.
But overall and regardless, do as the ad says: JUST DO IT!
Lol all these Labrador jokes are making me so worried haha. Is it still that bad right now?
once a ghetto always a ghetto
@myusername: Catchy phrase, but i'm not sure it's true. It's called gentrification and it happens in a ton of places.
it is an expensive move,
make sure you do your sums,
cost of removalists and storage until you find a property,
car rego change, including cost of roadworthy,
accommodation while looking for rental property, bond
you will need to allow up to 3 months to get a job, so budget for all living expenses with no income.
New school uniforms? enrolment costs?
I did it 21 years ago, to Brisbane anyway, best thing I ever did, but I did the above calculations and moved when I could afford it.
I have seen others try and end up going home, usually caused by financial stress.
So true. Thanks mate.
Good advice. Moving costs alone cost us $7K (canberra to adelaide). Luckily my wife works for the government and they ending up paying it, but not everyone is so lucky. If you do look into it, look into hiring a 20" container and getting it shipped.
It all depends what you do for work. I cam imagine it'd be easier for a doctor, nurse, teacher, or even a tradie, etc to make such a move then say an investment banker.
Considering your job description, I don't think the Gold Coast is that suitable. I guess you can commute to Brisbane but that's like commuting from the Central Coast or Wollongong to Sydney CBD. Tiring, draining and you'll spend less time with your family on weekdays.
Brisbane would be much better than Gold Coast in that regard. House prices are extremely reasonable in Brisbane as well considering you're coming from Sydney. Just visit the Gold Coast on weekends.
Also having a holiday is very different to actually living there.
What about Melbourne? Obviously, the weather sucks but the real estate is cheaper than Sydney, wages aren't that much different to Sydney and job opportunities are what 85%-90% of Sydney overall? Sydney and Melbourne by far have the most job opportunities in this country with Brisbane a distant 3rd.
I made the move and regret it, running back to Melbourne with my tail between my legs, cost of even your humble groceries will set you back a lot more, beer prices are ridiculous!, qld doesn't allow aldi to sell alcohol, so the existing retailers don't discount, great place for a holiday but when you live there the glossy exterior soon vaporises, not sure about brisbane but to commute would be a nightmare on the m1.
Salt water crocodiles… beaches look great until you see the no swimming signs
Doesn't really apply that far south, but that was frustrating up Cairns way.
You've obviously never been to the Gold Coast.
Re Jobs. Few simple notes:
Brisbane:
* Less jobs available in general than Sydney. (NSW has nearly 8mil ppl compared to QLD on 5mil) ABS
* For management, depends on what sort of management you are. Only one way to really find out, and that is to search and apply.
* Unclear what "technical" means… but construction rates in NSW are 50% higher than QLD ABS
* From an income perspective, incomes in Sydney are 10% - 30% higher in Sydney (based on my own experience and that of friends in Finance).
I'm going to be a bit of a devil's advocate here (but hey, everyone's in support, so why not). There's a few things you need to consider:
You're living in Sydney right now. Yes, there are many things about Sydney that are really bad, frustrating and not ideal, but it's still the biggest city in Australia. With it being a big city comes a lot of benefits - job opportunities, good schools, great universities (when your kids reach that age), lots of friends and family, everything is (generally) cheaper, you get a better selection of most things, you're closer to more destinations (more central)…etc. and the list goes on.
When we live somewhere, we always have the "grass is greener on the other side" feel, where a place we visit always seems to be better than where we currently are now. That's because when we go somewhere on holiday, we almost always never see the bad side of things, whereas when we live somewhere permanently, we deal with the daily hassles like traffic and forget about its benefits.
I'd say think about it carefully - I'm from Melbourne and I wanted to move to Hobart after going there just because of how quiet it was. It's a lovely place that rarely has any heavy traffic, properties are really affordable and it's just a really great, laid back, lovely place to live. But I realised that there were a lot of people from Tassie moving up to Melbourne. When I spoke to them, they all said the same things - kinda boring, not a lot of opportunities in terms of jobs, better promotions here in Vic, access to more things…etc. It's not that they didn't like Tassie, it's that there are things that you don't realise until you spend all of your days in some place.
I think these are the sorts of things that you need to think about carefully. Maybe you haven't even thought about it yet, but there's only one uni in the GC (Griffith), not counting Bond. How old are your kids - will they all have to move away to go to uni? What about your job - maybe you can find a job now in the GC, but what about the opportunities for promotion and development? What if you move to the GC, you get a job and you're all happy and a few years down the track, your boss gives you a nice promotion, but the job's in Sydney? You know what I mean? Those are things you need to think about.
Moved from Sydney to GC about 15 years ago. Not one regret. None of my friends in Sydney own a house and most of my GC mates own a house or unit.
Moved from Sydney to the GC about 10 yrs ago, have no desire to move back. I have known some people who have though, I think a lot of how much you like it will be determined by how much you get involved with things, chances are you are leaving friends and family behind so it can be a bit lonely if you don't get involved in something, the good thing is, is there is plenty to get involved in.
Employment is going to be the biggest challenge, personally one of the reasons I moved away from Sydney was the commute, so I didn't want to get work in Brisbane, I also find the humidity a lot worse in the majority of Brisbane in summer, it seems to be tempered on the GC with the Sea breeze so I have no desire to move to Brisbane either.
In regards to Labrador and Southport, they have traditionally had a bad name but I think there is a reasonable amount of gentrification going on in them as the urban sprawl continues and what was once considered fringe in now becoming central. There are plenty of area's in Sydney I would avoid before them.
I think the GC has also grown up and matured a lot in the last 10 years and it seems to be gaining a fair bit more "culture" and I think its extremely family friendly always with plenty of things to see or do. So comments about a lack of culture when I lived there years ago were probably valid back then, but probably not so much now.
If you can get work on the GC and get involved in something that will help you meet people like sporting clubs/playgroup/church/4WD club/whatever it is you like to do, I don't think you will regret it for a second.
Are there good sailing clubs around?
There is the Southport yacht club, only one I know of off the top of my head though.
agreed …times have changed and i have noticed a big shift in just 3 years in attitudes.
I'm local to the GC.
Find a job first. Then move.It is not easy to find a job here.
Southport is excellent and central. Stay away from Labrador if you can.
GC local here.
Brisbane is much much cheaper than the Gold Coast now. It is extremely hard to find a decent job on the Gold Coast unless you're in hospitality or retail. Traffic congestion is becoming unbearable at all hours of the day, not just peak hour now. The M1 is a carpark and dangerous. Be prepared for the life (and money) to be drained out of you if you have to regularly commute to Brisbane. The M1 has about one fatal accident every month, if not more. The train is ludicrously expensive - you're looking at $100+ per week to travel on the train 5 days per week. The train is also very slow - it will be about 1.5 to 2 hours door to door from GC to Brisbane CBD.
Gold Coast property is still very expensive for what it is, unless you're living in the ghetto new development areas of Pimpama and Upper Coomera. Cheap houses there, but no amenities and you'll be using your car to get absolutely everywhere. Compare what a house in a good area of the Gold Coast costs to a good area of somewhere like Brisbane or Perth (where there's a lot more employment opportunities) and you'll be shocked at how much more the Gold Coast is.
Population is also growing too fast here - the roads cannot cope with the influx of people moving here. Don't expect to be able to go anywhere without running into traffic jams and crowds. Very different to what life was like here just 5-10 years ago. It's sad.
Everyone that is escaping Sydney to move to the Gold Coast is just turning it into the next Sydney - all the problems you have in Sydney will soon emerge on the Gold Coast if the population growth continues.
I couldn't have detailed all and each point any better. Good job!
Regarding the obscenely expensive and overcrowded train, using two GoCards may mitigate the cost (but not the overcrowding). Get a friend to clock 10 cheap (minimum) trips in one GoCard and then further trips are free for that week. One GoCard for Monday at full fare and then use the "travel free" GoCard for the rest of the week. Just an idea (not new, by sure), it worked for me.
Unfortunately that scheme is no longer - I used to take advantage of it a lot. It's now 'Make 8 journeys then travel half price' - "Make 8 paid go card journeys on the same card in a week (Monday to Sunday) then receive half price travel on every additional trip made during the rest of the week." Definitely not as good as the old scheme.
Bugger!
Thank you for the update.
Nothing good lasts …
Ah yes, I used to do scheduled bus runs on Monday and tuesday, even saw a high ups from qld gov depts doing them.
The Gold Coast is a great place to relax. Sydney is a great place to be driven insane.
I'd say do it!