Travel: Australia - Gold Coast

[Mamo]

I am thinking of going for the Catch a crab cruise. Not sure if my DS (6 and 12) will enjoy. Did anyone go for that? Please share your experience.

[Otah]

Mamo:

I am thinking of going for the Catch a crab cruise. Not sure if my DS (6 and 12) will enjoy. Did anyone go for that? Please share your experience.

Hi Mamo, am going also in early Nov. Am also thinking of Catch a crab cruise. How did you book this activity? Are u going on your own or thru tour package? Am going on my own arrangement, still unsure if should to sea world. But will definitely visiting Movie world and Dream world. Can share where you will be visiting. Which apartment/Hotel hv u booked?

[superbmothers]

Hi, I spent my honeymood in Gold Coast & Brisbane in Aug 2009, we also drove when we are there. My husband has been study there for a few years so getting around there is very a breeze.


Gold Coast is not flooded in the early part of the year as my husband friend who lives there told him. If you are in Gold Coast, just watch kids carefully as there are triads war few months back. Parking is generally free in all shopping are expects for Gold Coast town, Brisbane Town. Harbourtown, Pacific Fair, Movie World, etc all foc. Check if your apartment offers vault or free parking. Go to the worlds early, else you will be missing a lot ride

1) Nov is usually hot and dry. Do prepare spf and plenty of water in your vehicle. Water sports, go kart, visit pineapple, strawberry farms are good. If you have time, a night a fraser island is good for family. In Brisbane, the city cat ride is very enjoyable, swimming @ indoor beach South Bank or eating ice cream at mt cota is nice at night to enjoy night city views and stars.

2) Resorts, Apartment near Holiday Inn is the best it is at the heart of surfer paradise. For grocery, shopping, go Pacific Fair (Free Parking), you can also get discount 3 worlds tickets around there, shop around, there are at least 3 booths there. We booked our hotel thru wego and agoda

3)We book our car at Hertz, If you book online, you can apply promotion code. (Passion card i think is 15% discount) my husband source for promotion code online (citi bank 25%) and we get quite a fair bit of discount, don't pump your petrol on monday, they are ex. We drove Carmy and last 700km for our 7 days trips.

Seriously 7 days is not enough, we planned to go back for more. Do you fly directly to Gold Coast? If not you need to purchase highway pass at the petrol kiosk near the Brisbane airport before you head Gold Coast. The traffic police is notorious, don't speed. If you have your own GPS, load the map and bring along. Loaning one is not cheap in Australia, we recommends Garmin. Also bring along some CDs to keep the long car ride (1 hour to gold coast) occupy.

PS. If you have time, petrol and adventurous enough, set the GPS to take native road instead of highway, you may explore a lot of nature path. Also keep your stirring wheel steady if you are renting MPV on highway/motorway, there are a lot of cross wind along highway that will stir you off course.

Have an enjoyable journey

[Mamo]

superbmothers:

Hi, I spent my honeymood in Gold Coast & Brisbane in Aug 2009, we also drove when we are there. My husband has been study there for a few years so getting around there is very a breeze.


Gold Coast is not flooded in the early part of the year as my husband friend who lives there told him. If you are in Gold Coast, just watch kids carefully as there are triads war few months back. Parking is generally free in all shopping are expects for Gold Coast town, Brisbane Town. Harbourtown, Pacific Fair, Movie World, etc all foc. Check if your apartment offers vault or free parking. Go to the worlds early, else you will be missing a lot ride

1) Nov is usually hot and dry. Do prepare spf and plenty of water in your vehicle. Water sports, go kart, visit pineapple, strawberry farms are good. If you have time, a night a fraser island is good for family. In Brisbane, the city cat ride is very enjoyable, swimming @ indoor beach South Bank or eating ice cream at mt cota is nice at night to enjoy night city views and stars.

2) Resorts, Apartment near Holiday Inn is the best it is at the heart of surfer paradise. For grocery, shopping, go Pacific Fair (Free Parking), you can also get discount 3 worlds tickets around there, shop around, there are at least 3 booths there. We booked our hotel thru wego and agoda

3)We book our car at Hertz, If you book online, you can apply promotion code. (Passion card i think is 15% discount) my husband source for promotion code online (citi bank 25%) and we get quite a fair bit of discount, don't pump your petrol on monday, they are ex. We drove Carmy and last 700km for our 7 days trips.

Seriously 7 days is not enough, we planned to go back for more. Do you fly directly to Gold Coast? If not you need to purchase highway pass at the petrol kiosk near the Brisbane airport before you head Gold Coast. The traffic police is notorious, don't speed. If you have your own GPS, load the map and bring along. Loaning one is not cheap in Australia, we recommends Garmin. Also bring along some CDs to keep the long car ride (1 hour to gold coast) occupy.

PS. If you have time, petrol and adventurous enough, set the GPS to take native road instead of highway, you may explore a lot of nature path. Also keep your stirring wheel steady if you are renting MPV on highway/motorway, there are a lot of cross wind along highway that will stir you off course.

Have an enjoyable journey

Thanks for the information.

[Mamo]

Otah:

Mamo:

I am thinking of going for the Catch a crab cruise. Not sure if my DS (6 and 12) will enjoy. Did anyone go for that? Please share your experience.

Hi Mamo, am going also in early Nov. Am also thinking of Catch a crab cruise. How did you book this activity? Are u going on your own or thru tour package? Am going on my own arrangement, still unsure if should to sea world. But will definitely visiting Movie world and Dream world. Can share where you will be visiting. Which apartment/Hotel hv u booked?

Hi Otah,

Have not decided to go for the crab cruise or tangalooma dolphine tour. We will be on our own. Plan to drive up to Sunshine coast first, explore the towns there and visit Steve Irwin's zoo. Stay for a night there then head down to Gold Coast. Will definitely visit Sea world and movie world but not dream world cos might not suitable for my 6 yrs old. Might go for the australian outback spectacular too.
Have booked windsurfer resort. Haven't been there but it has quite a number of good reviews and the rate is good.

[Tresille]

Mamo:

Otah:

[quote=\"Mamo\"]I am thinking of going for the Catch a crab cruise. Not sure if my DS (6 and 12) will enjoy. Did anyone go for that? Please share your experience.

Hi Mamo, am going also in early Nov. Am also thinking of Catch a crab cruise. How did you book this activity? Are u going on your own or thru tour package? Am going on my own arrangement, still unsure if should to sea world. But will definitely visiting Movie world and Dream world. Can share where you will be visiting. Which apartment/Hotel hv u booked?

Hi Otah,

Have not decided to go for the crab cruise or tangalooma dolphine tour. We will be on our own. Plan to drive up to Sunshine coast first, explore the towns there and visit Steve Irwin's zoo. Stay for a night there then head down to Gold Coast. Will definitely visit Sea world and movie world but not dream world cos might not suitable for my 6 yrs old. Might go for the australian outback spectacular too.
Have booked windsurfer resort. Haven't been there but it has quite a number of good reviews and the rate is good.[/quote]
Hi Otah and Mamo,

Our family of 4 will be travelling to GC in November too We will be driving and is still sourcing for car rental. Mamo, do you have any idea how long is the drive to Sunshine coast? Have the 2 of you bought the passes for the 3 world, is it cheaper to get it online?

[Mamo]

Hi Otah and Mamo,


Our family of 4 will be travelling to GC in November too We will be driving and is still sourcing for car rental. Mamo, do you have any idea how long is the drive to Sunshine coast? Have the 2 of you bought the passes for the 3 world, is it cheaper to get it online?[/quote]


I think it's abt an hr or so, can't remember exactly how far cos the last time we went was 8 yrs ago. Only remember that it's not far. Haven't buy the pass yet but I think it's cheaper to get it online.

[Otah]

:thankyou: for sharing superbmothers and mamo.

[Tresille]

Mamo:

Hi Otah and Mamo,


Our family of 4 will be travelling to GC in November too We will be driving and is still sourcing for car rental. Mamo, do you have any idea how long is the drive to Sunshine coast? Have the 2 of you bought the passes for the 3 world, is it cheaper to get it online?

I think it's abt an hr or so, can't remember exactly how far cos the last time we went was 8 yrs ago. Only remember that it's not far. Haven't buy the pass yet but I think it's cheaper to get it online.[/quote]


:thankyou: Mamo

[Puffer]

pojo:

pojo:

Hi Puffer


I think you have most places covered.

See my earlier posting. We stayed at Victoria Square apartment on Broadbeach. You should look for an apartment at Broadbeach or Surfer's Paradise which are ideal for going around and near major shopping malls and food places. Victoria Square apartment is OK. There is also pasar malam on certain nights in front of the apartment. You can check out Victoria Square apartment at the link below. Also read my advice on booking above.

http://www.vsapartments.com.au/

When I was there, I rented a car from Hertz. Believe there was a 10% discount as I was an AA member. Also recalled making a reservation here. As for parking, if I am not mistaken, its free in most places.

Thank you so much for the inputs. My DW and I have more or less decided on Victoria Square although we're awaiting the quotes from Windsurfer Apt (which is located further north but nearer to Sea World). With regards to Victoria Square Apts, could you share your experience on the apartment, in terms of comfort and accessibility? I've read from its website that there's something like 'no traffic zone' in the apartment vicinity, and that we have to park somewhere first before check in? How far is the apartment to Surfers Paradise region? Many thanks.