1.Get Multi-Attraction Passes
Whether it’s your first time or your nth, deciding which attractions to visit on the Gold Coast can be overwhelming with so many to choose from! Multi-attraction passes can help you save on tickets and take the stress out of planning your trip.
2. Use your convenient public transport
Many say it’s much easier to drive on the Gold Coast than in Singapore, but if you don’t have a driving licence like me, you might immediately think – “Wait, will I have to keep spending money on taxis?” Not at all! The Gold Coast has a great public transport system called TransLink, which makes getting around the city without a car easy and convenient.
By bus
There are three ways to get around the Gold Coast: by bus, train or the G-Link tram. Gold Coast buses run throughout the city. While the tram is a great option for central parts of the city, buses can take you further and to more outer suburbs than trams or trains. For example, you can hop on the Theme Park Express TX7 bus if you’re heading to Warner Bros. Movie World. The typical cost of a private hire car to Warner Bros. Movie World is around AUD$38, compared to the bus, which costs around AUD$4. Check the TransLink website for a full list of bus timetables and routes.
By train
If you’re going to Brisbane, there’s a direct train service between Varsity Lakes Station and Brisbane Airport that gets you to Brisbane Central Station in about an hour. We spent 2 days in Brisbane after our Gold Coast trip, check out our experiences here!
G-Link
If you’re heading to Brisbane, the train offers a direct service between Varsity Lakes Station and Brisbane Airport and can get you to Brisbane Central Station in about an hour. We spent 2 days in Brisbane after our Gold Coast trip, check out our experiences here!
3. Jump on their Hop-On-Hop-Off ferry service to explore the Gold Coast’s top attractions.
The Hop On Hop Off Ferry (HOPO) has two ferries running between 5 major stops in the GC including Surfers Paradise, Home of The Arts (HOTA), Marina Mirage, Broadwater Parklands, Seaworld and the Spit. With a one-way ticket starting at around $4 and an adult day pass starting at around $27 (children under 5 travel FREE!), HOPO is an affordable and relaxing way to get around. Compare this to a $18 one way private hire from Surfers Paradise to Sea World. The whole trip takes about an hour and you can hop off at any station.
4. Check out the free activities!
Have fun in the sun, swim in crystal clear waters or learn to surf on one of the Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches! You can even make it a whole day at the beach – pack a lunch and lay out a picnic mat. There are also a number of walking trails to explore, such as Burleigh Heads National Park, which has stunning views of Surfers Paradise in the distance. We went here on our first day and it was raining heavily, but the tracks were still safe for an easy hike. The trails are perfect for beginners (I’m not the fittest, trust me) and can be completed in 30-45 minutes!
5. Choose accommodation with kitchen facilities
Why not cook instead of eating out? If you’re travelling with a large group, book accommodation with kitchen facilities – imagine how much you can save by not having to cook!