Gold Coast
From Halal Explorer
Note: eHalal Travel Guide is about a city in Queensland, Australia. There is also a Florida Gold Coast. For the African country known as the Gold Coast in colonial times, see Ghana. |
The Gold Coast is a coastal city in the southeast corner of the state of Queensland in Australia. The year-round warm weather and positioning as a large coastal city just south of Brisbane has made it a popular destination with travellers. Surfers Paradise forms the glitzy hub of tourist activity. Each year thousands of Australian students complete their secondary education by indulging in Schoolies Week by travelling to the Gold Coast for a week of partying.
The XXI Commonwealth Games were held on the Gold Coast between 4 and 15 April 2018.
Contents
- 1 Districts
- 2 Gold Coast Halal Travel Guide
- 3 Travel to Gold Coast
- 4 Get Around
- 5 What to see in Gold Coast
- 6 Top Muslim Travel Tips for Gold Coast
- 7 Muslim Friendly Shopping in Gold Coast
- 8 Halal Restaurants
- 9 eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Gold Coast
- 10 Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Gold Coast
- 11 Muslim Friendly Hotels
- 12 Telecommunications in Gold Coast
- 13 Stay safe
- 14 News & References Gold Coast
- 15 Travel Next
Districts
-28.0|153.43
{{Regionlist | regionmap= | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize=332px
| region1name= GPS -28.0,153.43 Gold Coast/Surfers Paradise|Surfers Paradise | region1color=#e2c48c | region1description=The most commercialised tourist suburb, with the highest concentration of lodging and touristic attractions.
| region2name= GPS -28.03,153.43 Gold Coast/Broadbeach|Broadbeach | region2color=#ae93a8 | region2description= The second busiest tourist suburb and quieter than Surfers Paradise. It has a casino, 2 shopping complexes and some Halal restaurants and highrises.
| region3name= GPS -28.1360,153.4830 Gold Coast/Currumbin|Currumbin | region3color=#dc8371 | region3description=Largely residential area dotted with apartments, popular with families and local residents. Convenient to the airport and motorway.
| region4name= GPS -28.1817,153.5471 Gold Coast/Tweed Heads|Tweed Heads and Coolangatta | region4color=#8fb859 | region4description=The southern end has several high-rise apartments with a small, but popular, shopping and entertainment area.
| region5name=Gold Coast Hinterland | region5color=#92c4c4 | region5description=A rural area away from the coast. It begins west of the Pacific Motorway, and consists of mountain ranges covered with rainforest, much of which is national parks.
Other neighborhoods include:
- Paradise Point, Hollywell, Runaway Bay and Labrador - northern suburbs, largely residential.
- Southport - The commercial centre with shops, hospitals, business, industry and government offices.
- Main Beach - An upmarket suburb with high-rises and resorts.
- Mermaid Beach and Miami - Largely low-rise residential suburbs with motels and restaurants along the highway.
- Burleigh Heads - Numerous highrise apartment buildings and a small commercial area. The beaches are popular with surfers and families.
- Palm Beach - Largely residential area.
Gold Coast Halal Travel Guide
How is the Climate in Gold Coast
{{Climate | units = Metric | janhigh = 29 | febhigh = 29 | marhigh = 28 | aprhigh = 26 | mayhigh = 24 | junhigh = 21 | julhigh = 21 | aughigh = 22 | sephigh = 24 | octhigh = 25 | novhigh = 27 | dechigh = 28 | janlow = 22 | feblow = 22 | marlow = 21 | aprlow = 18 | maylow = 15 | junlow = 13 | jullow = 12 | auglow = 13 | seplow = 15 | octlow = 17 | novlow = 19 | declow = 21 | description = Source: [https://.
The climate of the Gold Coast ensures that travellers are able to enjoy the area year round. It has a mild, sub-tropical climate, with an average high of 29°C in January and 21°C in July. The winter months tend to have little rainfall, while the summer has frequent storms originating from the west.
Predictions of rain often equate to brief and intense afternoon storms, rather than extended periods of gentle rain.
Geography
The Gold Coast is a large urban area with a population of 550,000. The Gold Coast shares its infrastructure, facilities, services and labour market with Brisbane to the north. Workers commonly commute between the two by rail and road.
Many tourists believe the highrise buildings and crowds of Surfers Paradise make it an overdeveloped 'tourist trap'. However, most of these buildings are residential ones populated by local residents. The city also has many services and industries not directly related to tourism.
The Gold Coast, that visitors are more familiar with, stretches along the coastal suburbs from Paradise Point to Tweed Heads (about 35 kilometers). Surfers Paradise, towards the northern end, is the hub of the leisure activity.
History
Lieutenant James Cook became the first European to chart the region when he sailed along the coast on 16 May 1770. Captain Matthew Flinders, an explorer charting continent north of the colony of New South Wales sailed past in 1802. Escaped convicts from Moreton Boy penal settlement hid in the region. The region remained uninhabited when John Oxley landed at Mermaid Beach, which was named after a cutter named Mermaid.
Commonwealth Games
The XXI Commonwealth Games were held on the Gold Coast between 4 to 15 April 2018. The British_Empire#Commonwealth_Games|Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event with competitors from around 70 countries.
Travel to Gold Coast
Buy a Flight ticket to and from Gold Coast
Currumbin Beach, Queensland, Australia - Looking over the Gold Coast from Currumbin Beach
Gold Coast Airport (IATA Flight Code: OOL) is widely known as Coolangatta Airport, even though it is in Bilinga. It may be unique in the world in that, because it straddles the NSW and Queensland borders, you land in one state and arrive in another. It is a fairly small terminal but handles around 3.5 million passengers per year with frequent connections from major Australian cities and some international Flights from New Zealand and Asia. It is not a 24-hour airport and closes at night, so don't plan on spending the night before an early morning flight. It is around 30 minutes drive to Surfers Paradise.
The 777 bus runs every 15 minutes connecting the airport to the southernmost tram station at Broadbeach South, from where you can easily transfer to Surfers Paradise.
Public transport from Gold Coast Airport to Brisbane city: Take public bus No 470 (Robina) to Varsity Lakes Train Station. Then take the train to Brisbane City. Bus 470 picks up and drops off passengers inside the terminal complex, and not (as Google Maps will tell you) 800 meters from the terminal. The cost is about $19.50 (August 2023). You only need to buy one ticket from the bus driver. Using the express train Varsity Lakes to Brisbane, total traveling time is about two hours.
Brisbane Airport (IATA Flight Code: BNE) is used by many overseas visitors because it is larger and served by many international air carriers and has direct air Flights to many Australian cities. However and the transport to the airport is more tedious and inconvenient. Options include:
- Rental vehicle - 80 minutes drive along the Gateway and Pacific Motorway but the most viable option.
- Direct Airport Transfer - about 1hr 40 min, can drop off at lodging, fares from $40 to $50.
- Train with vehicle transfer package
- Train with connecting local bus at Nerang or Robina
- Train with connecting local tram at Helensvale
Travel by train to Gold Coast
Queensland Rail runs a train service from Brisbane to Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang and Robina. Trains run half-hourly 06:00-23:59 daily taking just over an hour from Brisbane Central to Helensvale, Nerang and Robina. The trains can get crowded at peak times, but it's unusual to have to stand. The tram connects to Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach at Helensvale. Buses connect Nerang and Robina to Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta, and into northern New South Wales.
NSW Trainlink in NSW runs trains from Sydney with bus connections at Casino for services direct to Surfers Paradise or Tweed Heads. However, thit is a slow (11½ hr) and expensive service. Set aside a whole day for the trip.
Get Around
By car
All attractions around the Gold Coast are accessible by car, and there are large parking lots at the theme parks and other attractions. Parking meters are found in the busiest streets of Surfers Paradise, Southport and Burleigh Heads, but free parking can be found a few street blocks away. There are paid parking areas in Surfers Paradise and Southport operated by Shopping Centres and the city council that charge about $1 per hour and the largest is the Bruce Bishop Car Park adjacent to the transit centre.
The Gold Coast doesn't suffer from the same congestion as Brisbane, largely because it has several business centres. The morning peak hour is 07:00-08.30, while the afternoon peak is 15:30-17:00. Roads to avoid at these times include Bundall Road, Southport-Nerang Road, The Gold Coast Highway at Surfers Paradise and the Pacific Motorway between Nerang and Palm Beach.
Most vehicle rental dealers are in the main business neighborhood of the suburb, between the Gold Coast Highway and Surfers Paradise Boulevard. The following major automobile rental services are available in the Gold Coast(Surfers Paradise): Budget, Avis, Thrifty, Europcar, Hertz. There are also local automobile rental services such as Costless Car Rental, Brian's Auto Centre & East Coast Car Rentals which may also offer competitive pricing.
While most automobile rental services hire to people 25 years of age and over, some all-age automobile rental services do hire to younger drivers over 18 years of age with an additional extra charge. To avoid delays, check with your vehicle rental provider beforehand if you are under 25.
By tram
The Gold Coast Light Rail, or "G:Link" service runs a route from Helensvale Station via Gold Coast University Hospital and Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach South. The trams run from 05:00 till 00:00 on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends running every 15 minutes or less in the hours of 05:00 till 00:00. You cannot buy a ticket once on the tram so you must arrive early enough to buy your ticket on the platform. Another option you can purchase a Go Card giving you cheaper fares and allowing you to swipe as you enter and exit the tram platform and they can be purchased from most 7-Eleven's throughout the city.
Travel on a Bus in Gold Coast
Surfside Buslines provide the main form of public transport around the Gold Coast and stops are located on most primary streets. Buses run 24 hours a day, but are more frequent in the daytime. All the main tourist attractions are serviced by bus. The frequency of services up and down the coast along the beach between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise is very good at least every half hour. For other routes, and theme parks, it is best to check the timetable in advance.
Surfside Buslines uses the Translink GoCard Ticketless system which allows you to deposit funds into the card and use them up as you travel.
Airport Transfers (shuttles) operate 'door to door' between Coolangatta Airport and lodging along the coast and are a popular alternative to taxis. They cost roughly $21 per person
Best way to travel in Gold Coast by a Taxi
Expect to wait up to an hour or more for a taxi on busy nights: Taxi services. A taxi fare between the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise costs around $55 and a sedan limousine is about the same. Stretch limousines are another option for groups of more than four with a cost of $100-110.
By bike
The Gold Coast Oceanway is a 36 km pathway for pedestrians and cyclists linking Point Danger to the Gold Coast Seaway, stretching along most of the city coastline. It can be a little crowded with pedestrians in parts.
What to see in Gold Coast
Ocean (or surf) beaches
Surfers Paradise Beach Queensland - Nobby Beach looking north toward Surfers Paradise
There are over 52 kilometers of ocean beaches maintained by the local council. In addition to this there are (largely un-patrolled) ocean beaches in the Tweed Shire of Northern NSW and numerous waterway beaches.
List of beaches (north to south):
Beach Name | Length (km) | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Stradbroke Island | 22 | The longest and least crowded but also the most remote and inaccessible beach. Accessible by private boat, cruises from the Broadwater or Surfers Paradise and the ferry to Couran Cove, or by surfers paddling across the Gold Coast Seaway (which is challenging especially without local knowledge). | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Spit | 3.5 | Another long and uncrowded beach, easily accessible from Seaworld or by driving up to the Seaway. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Main Beach | 1.5 | One of the first beaches to be used on the coast due to its proximity to Southport. The cosmopolitan Tedder Ave is nearby. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Narrow Neck | 1 | Thit is very popular for those who would like to observe the beach without getting out of their vehicle or tour bus, and also for taking photos. Not surprisingly almost every tour will stop there, but the beach is fairly uncrowded. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Surfers Paradise | 1.5 | Flags and patrols every few hundred metres along the beach. You can be sure to find a place to swim, but the beach right opposite Cavill Ave is generally very busy and packed with tourists. Just walk north or south along the beach to find a (slightly) less crowded alternative. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Northcliffe | 1.5 | Almost indistinguishable from Surfers for most visitors, but a little quieter and popular with families due to its proximity to apartments and other lodging. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Broadbeach (Kurrawa Beach) | 2 | Often the same surf conditions as Surfers Paradise. The upside, however, is that it's not that far away and nowhere near as busy as Surfers. Just in from the beach is Kurrawa Park, a Shopping Centre full of cafes, restaurants, and Jupiters Casino. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mermaid Beach | 2 | Along what is locally known as 'millionaires row'. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Nobby Beach and Miami | 2 | A quiet beach very popular with local residents due to its ample parking and barbeque facilities. Its at the southern end of a continuous stretch of sand from the Gold Coast Seaway. | |||||||||||||||||||||
North Burleigh | 1 | Separated from Miami by a small headland known as South Nobby. The headland provides outstanding views of the beaches to the north and south. North Burleigh is a good place to go if there are winds blowing from the north, as the headland also provides a bit of protection. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Burleigh | 1.5 | A nice beach with a large park and a hill that is good for picnics. There are cafes surrounding the beach and the hill cover means that this beach is usually pretty nice when the winds are blowing from the south (when Surfers and other beaches will be exposed and horrible). | |||||||||||||||||||||
Palm Beach | 3.3 | Includes Tallebudgera Surf Beach and Pacific Beach. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Currumbin | 1.4 | A fantastic lagoon-cross-beach, if you can get there it's well worth a trip. Mostly inhabited by local residents learning to surf, easiest waves on the coast. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tugun | 2 | A pleasant local beach. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Bilinga | 2.5 | One of the few beaches in the world within 5 minutes walk of an international airport (OOL). Perfect as a short walk for those who check in early. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kirra | 2 | Famous surfing spot and the beach has become very wide due to the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project | |||||||||||||||||||||
Coolangatta and Greenmount | 0.8 | Offers the most spectacular scenery and views up the coast, and is also a fantastic place for a picnic. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rainbow bay | 0.4 | The world renown Snapper Rocks is right next to Rainbow Bay and is the home of the Quiksilver Pro . | |||||||||||||||||||||
Duranbah | 0.4 | Right on the New South Wales border, it is very popular for surfing.
Other (calm water) beachesThe Gold Coast also has numerous beaches in calmer, more protected water away from the surf, ideal for families with small children.
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