Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Brisbane and Gold Coast

I am planning on spending 5 days in Gold Coast and several friends have advised that we stay at apartments vs. hotels. Any suggestions on apts? Are they significantly more expensive?

We're flying into Brisbane and will be renting a car. Our flight out of BNE is around midnight. We will be picking up our car in the afternoon, but in order not to rack up another day's charge, we have about 9 hrs to kill (3pm to 12 midnite) at BNE car rental agency. Is there anything that one can do during that time? I guess if there is a left luggage facility, we could dump out luggage and take a subway or bus into town? Any suggestions what to do during that 9 hrs?

Lastly, a quick check with avis yields about AU$50/day for a compact auto. Is this a good deal?

Any suggestions on Gold Coast/Brisb (what to do, eat etc...)is appreciated.

Thanks!

My advice on the Gold Coast....don't go http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Just kidding. However, you didn't say what time of year you would be there and that can make a huge difference in costs.

Check out www.qttc.com.au (http://www.qttc.com.au) for some ideas

The Gold Coast in many ways is similar to Miami Beach. The coast is comprised of several beaches, stretching from Surfers Paradise in the north to Coolangatta in the South. Surfers Paradise is the hub of the Gold Coast. It is a very popular destination for honeymooning Japanese couples. Many stores and street signs in Surfers Paradise are in Japanese and English.

There are many hotels and serviced apartments vying for the tourist dollar. The serviced apartments tend to be located right on the beach so they make for a relaxing stay with a great view. Prices are comparable with hotels.

Apart from the wonderful beaches (swim between the flags!!) you must explore the hinterland to the west. There are lots of nature walks and some stunning scenery.

You will not be able to store your luggage at BNE due to the new security rules implemented post 9/11. Depending on your carrier, you may be able to check you luggage at around 3:00.PM.

There is very little to keep you occupied at the airport for nine hours. I suggest you catch the Airtrain (http://www.brisbaneairport.com.au/trav/getting.asp#2190555) to the city and explore South Bank Parklands (http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/brisbane/501028/index.cfm). Once the sun sets however, there will be very little to do downtown.

A rental car should cost around $45-$50 a day including CDW and taxes.

Enjoy!

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Latitudes.

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)

[This message has been edited by Latitudes (edited 05-31-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ws8n:
I am planning on spending 5 days in Gold Coast and several friends have advised that we stay at apartments vs. hotels. Any suggestions on apts? Are they significantly more expensive? </font>

If you haven't got any accommodation booked as yet, I'd be heading within the last 14 days before your trip to www.wotif.com.au (http://www.wotif.com.au) and you'll definately get something nice at a reasonable price.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">[B]We're flying into Brisbane and will be renting a car. Our flight out of BNE is around midnight. We will be picking up our car in the afternoon, but in order not to rack up another day's charge, we have about 9 hrs to kill (3pm to 12 midnite) at BNE car rental agency. Is there anything that one can do during that time?

Any suggestions on Gold Coast/Brisb (what to do, eat etc...)is appreciated.
[B]</font>

If you have that much time to kill and want to see some great areas, head to Dayboro [bout 40 minutes from the Airport] and take the Tourist Drive to D'Agular. The road follows a mountain range, passes wineries, national parks, farms, and starts and ends in small towns with a few little shops and pubs [a 'counter Lunch' at the Dayboro or D'Agular pub is a must].

Takes about 2 hours to drive for "we locals" but would say it's a good 3-4 hour drive for first timers [blind corners down hills through mountain ranges aren't the best fun for people who haven't driven it before].

If you are going anytime soon you shouldn't have a problem finding accomadation on the coast. Just walk (or drive) around for an hour or so, stop at all the apartment buildings you like and ask for a quote.
My favorite is The Baronnet where I used to live for half a year. It's about a 5 minute-walk from 'downtown' so you are a bit away from the noise but still can walk home after a few drinks easily. The beach there is never crowded (unless you consider having 50 sqm of space on the beach to yourself being crowded).
Another option is The Sands. It's fairly old though and a bit run-down but very central and not too expensive.

We are spending two nights at O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse and three nights at Paradise Centre Apartments in Surfers Paradise. Has anyone been to these places? Any reviews?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cathaana:

Another option is The Sands. It's fairly old though and a bit run-down but very central and not too expensive.</font>

Thanks, I think that's where we're going to stay for our week in GC. I hope it comes with a full kitchen, cuz we plan to do some cooking.

On the other hand, we might eat out on a couple of nites in GC or Brisbane, so any recommendations?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ws8n:
On the other hand, we might eat out on a couple of nites in GC or Brisbane, so any recommendations?</font>

In Brisbane, you MUST go to the Breakfast Creek Hotel. Best steaks in Brisbane.

On the Gold Coast, for a "True Aussie Meal" take a drive up the highway [half way between Brisbane and the GC] to the Yatala Pie Shop. Take the Yatala North exit and [coming from the gold coast] it'll be straight in front of you. Best pies in Australia and a true Aussie meal.