Travel: Australia - Gold Coast

[Zann]

Thanks mamo for sharing the valuable tips.

[Tresille]

Mamo:

The kids enjoyed Wet n Wild the most. It's double the size of Wild Wild Wet. DH and I enjoyed it too. They also favoured Movie World but it's pretty small compared to Tokyo Disneyland. With the VIP passes, we went Wet n Wild 3 times, including the day we came back cos my older one never had enough. Went to Movie World twice.


Sea World is not bad too. The dolphines there are very playful. You get to see them really close, unlike the ones in Sentosa. There is a Shark bay with a underwater view which is very much like Sentosa underwater world, just that there is no conveyor belt around. If you have young kids, bring along extra clothings and towel as they might want to play at the water park there. Very importantly, don't forget the sunblock lotion.

The outback is quite a good experience. The food is good but the show is so so only. It's cheaper to get the tickets there. I paid AUD220 for 2A and 2C. However, need to buy earlier for weekend shows.

I would recommend you to make time to go to the Carrara Market. It is only open on Sat and Sun. Many stalls there to shop. Though Pacific Fair is big, it is just like any ordinary mall. Nothing much and things are expensive. I will skip that if I were you.

If you are driving on your own, can spend a day to drive to Mount Tamborine and O'Reilly. If you have not booked the glow worm tour and would like to go, it's cheaper to buy there too. Adult $11 and Child $5.50. Glow worm tour is nothing much, just go into a man made tour to watch a short video about glow worm and look at them. It's good experience for the kids though. Collect those tour booklets/maps at your holiday apartment or hotel lobby. There is discount voucher in there.

Thanks Mamo for sharing
Did you go Dreamworlds? What can we do in Mount Tamborine and O'Reilly? How long is the drive? Seems like tickets are cheaper there as compared to online :rant: :stompfeet:

[Zann]

Seems that all the Worlds are close on Chiristmas. What can we do on Christmas day in GC? Are there any activity?

[Mamo]

Hi Tresille, we didn't go to Dreamworld. My sons are not adventurous enough to take those roller coaster rides so we decided not to go. It's further away from Surfers Paradise than Movie World and Wet n Wild (they are close to each other, outback is between them) but not too far. It's next to Whitewater world, another water world. Since we have the VIP passes, we made full use of them and went to Movie World and Wet n Wild a few times instead. I will recommend those who are going F&E to buy the passes, it's worth the money.


Zann, maybe you can drive to Mount Tamborine and O'Reilly for Christmas. They are very near to each other. It will be one day trip. The drive up to Mount Tamborine is easy. There are shops and cafes up the Mountain (not very high). There is a shop selling cuckoo clocks imported from Germany and we bought one home. The glow worm cave is in Mount Tamborine too. There is a skywalk (tree top walk) but need to pay and a few waterfall. We went to one of the waterfall and had a dip in the cool water. I am not sure if the glow worm and skywalk are open on Christmas. Better check first before going.

As for O'Reilly, it's like driving up to Genting but more scenic. We saw wild kangaroos along the way. You will drive pass by many farms and the cows are just along the roadside. Be sure not to knock any of them down.

The drive up to O'Reilly took us about an hour or so, be sure you have enough petrol before heading up and down. At the top of the mountain, there is a holiday resort and tree top walk too (free). My kids (even my DH) enjoyed feeding the colourful birds (can't remember the name, look like parrots) there. They will just fly onto your arms, shoulders and head.

Else, head to the beach to relax.

[Mamo]

Money saving tips:


1. Buy the mineral water/soft drinks at the supermarket. A bottle of soft drink/mineral water cost AUD3.50 to 5. It’s very expensive.

2. BBQ and tomato sauce cost $0.60 each at the theme parks. Either you secretly bring some in from here or ask for extras when you dine at Hungry Jacks or MacDonalds (FOC at these places) there. It is displayed at the entrance of the them parks that you are not allowed to bring in food from commercial fast food rest. so better not ta bao there though they don’t check your bags.

[Mamo]

Btw, there will be beachfront night market at the main beach at Surfers Paradise on Wed and Fri nights, from 5 pm to 10 pm. About 50 stalls or less.


However, I would still prefer Carrara Market at broadbeach. Hundreds of stalls there, including fresh fruits and veg.

[Zann]

Mamo:

Zann, maybe you can drive to Mount Tamborine and O'Reilly for Christmas. They are very near to each other. It will be one day trip. The drive up to Mount Tamborine is easy. There are shops and cafes up the Mountain (not very high). There is a shop selling cuckoo clocks imported from Germany and we bought one home. The glow worm cave is in Mount Tamborine too. There is a skywalk (tree top walk) but need to pay and a few waterfall. We went to one of the waterfall and had a dip in the cool water. I am not sure if the glow worm and skywalk are open on Christmas. Better check first before going.

As for O'Reilly, it's like driving up to Genting but more scenic. We saw wild kangaroos along the way. You will drive pass by many farms and the cows are just along the roadside. Be sure not to knock any of them down.

The drive up to O'Reilly took us about an hour or so, be sure you have enough petrol before heading up and down. At the top of the mountain, there is a holiday resort and tree top walk too (free). My kids (even my DH) enjoyed feeding the colourful birds (can't remember the name, look like parrots) there. They will just fly onto your arms, shoulders and head.
.

That sounds great. :thankyou:

[Mamo]

Hi Zann


You are welcome!

[Puffer]

Whao! Thank you so much for the precious tips and advice Mamo! We will be travelling on 28th (29th midnight flight) and arrive at 10+am in Brisbane. We will also be staying at Windsurfers too!


Did you all stay in a 2-room or family-room apartment? Can you please share your experience at Windsurfers and its surrounding? Is the beach there condusive for kids to swim in, and are there any water activities such as snorkelling?

I’m still a little worried about the toll charge. If you were on self-drive, then may I find out how you actually paid through the toll?

My itinerary has just been worked out by my kiddos but has not included Tambourine and o’Reillys. From what I’ve read, the places sound great - so I may include them into this 7-day trip. The night market @ Broadbeach on weekends also sound appealing, especially for wifey. Thanks so much once again!

[Mamo]

Puffer:

Whao! Thank you so much for the precious tips and advice Mamo! We will be travelling on 28th (29th midnight flight) and arrive at 10+am in Brisbane. We will also be staying at Windsurfers too!


Did you all stay in a 2-room or family-room apartment? Can you please share your experience at Windsurfers and its surrounding? Is the beach there condusive for kids to swim in, and are there any water activities such as snorkelling?

I'm still a little worried about the toll charge. If you were on self-drive, then may I find out how you actually paid through the toll?

My itinerary has just been worked out by my kiddos but has not included Tambourine and o'Reillys. From what I've read, the places sound great - so I may include them into this 7-day trip. The night market @ Broadbeach on weekends also sound appealing, especially for wifey. Thanks so much once again!

Hi Puffer,

We took a night flight too and didn't get to sleep well cos of the children. DH and I had problems keeping our eyes open during our drive to Sunshine Coast. Hence, we checked in and took a rest before going out. Safety first so if you feel the same, better take a rest.

We stayed in a family room. It's double storey, dining and hall downstairs and room upstairs. There is a Queen size bed in the room and 2 single beds in a separate area. The apartment is air-conditioned and with fans. If you intend to cook or wash your clothings, remember to bring your detergent. They only provide sponge and one satchet of dish liquid detergent (only enough for washing cups and plates). I had to buy a small bottle there cos we did some cooking. Btw, there is a place called Charios Seafood, about 200 m away. Turn right when you drive out of the garage (towards Surfers Paradise direction) and go straight. It will be on your left, next to the beach and a hotel. You will not miss it. They sell fresh and cooked seafood. The price is reasonable.

I find the place pretty secured - you need the key to go into the garage and main building. Do remember to inform them early if you are checking in after 5 pm cos the reception will be closed. They will then instruct you how to access to the building and collect your key in a safe next to the door. However, please still locked up your valuables before leaving the apartment to be safe.

There is a big supermarket down the road (the host will give you a map of the place), about 3 mins drive. Takes about 10 mins to walk. The beach there is not suitable for swim. You can go to the beach where Charios Seafood is. There is a small man made beach and a playground. I think you need to go elsewhere for snorkelling. There are many tour booklets at the apartment lobby, including the maps and information on Mount Tamborine but none on O'Reilly. So, you have to find out more on O'Reilly here before going there.

The night market is at Surfers Paradise, not broadbeach and it's on Wed and Fri nights only. The weekend market is at Carrara (near Broadbeach). Great shopping there for me.

As for the toll, it's very simple. Call 1300 046842 (Australia govt toll office) within 3 days you have passed any toll. The toll is mainly from Brisbane to GC, there isn't any GC as far as I know. If you are not sure, just call to create a new account. They will ask you for the day of arrival and departure, car plate no. and credit card no. They will then give you an acct no. and if you need to pay any toll, they will just charge to the card. Only need to call once. Your car rental company will advise on that too, I guess.