Best Time To Visit

If you travel around April and May, you will be able to the enjoy warm weather and the lowest chance of rainfall. This is also the most affordable time to visit as there are no school holidays. Another plus is that you will avoid tourists and holiday crowds.

Passport/Visa

Unless you are a New Zealand citizen granted visa exemption on arrival (in most cases), you will need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Australia. Citizens of all European Union countries, as well as Andorra, Norway, Iceland, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City are eligible for an eVisitor visa, which can be applied for online. For citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea and Malaysia, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) entry permit is available, which can be applied for online and grants holders the right to enter Australia an unlimited amount of times for stays of no longer than 3 months per visit. Citizens of all other world countries (with the exception of Somalia) are also able to apply for a visitor visa online. For more information, visit the official website of the Australian government's department of home affairs.

• Web:

  immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/visit

Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

Situated in Coolangatta — a stone's throw from Surfers Paradise at 22 kilometres — Gold Coast Airport (previously Coolangatta Airport) comes equipped with an accessible transport and information desk near international arrivals. Key bus services include Route 777, offering a limited-stop journey to Broadbeach South tram station. From there, easy transfers to the G:link service for Surfers Paradise, Southport, and other bus routes are available. This service runs every 15 minutes, seven days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. Route 760 provides a link to Varsity Lakes Train Station at thirty-minute intervals. Additional bus services from Surfside reach Kingscliff and Pottsville, starting from Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah. The Hub Convenience store sells Go cards. As a tourist, you might want to get the 'Gold Coast go explore' pass, which grants unlimited daily bus and tram rides for just $10. Buy it right at the airport. And lastly — if you prefer a direct ride, taxis await just outside the terminal.

• Web:

  www.goldcoastairport.com.au

• E-mail:

  info@gcal.com.au

• Address:

  Eastern Avenue, Bilinga, Gold Coast

• Phone:

  +617 5589 1100

Public Transport

The Gold Coast has a range of public transport options including trains and buses. The local bus operator is Surfside Buslines, which provides regular services and a network covering most locations. Weekly tickets for unlimited travelling with busses are available. The company also provides shuttle busses between the theme parks. The Gold Coast train line connects to the Brisbane suburban rail network. The main stations on the Gold Coast are Coomera, Nerang and Robina. Ferries and water taxis connect the islands and canal estates.

• Web:

  www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Roads-transport-parking/Public-transport

Taxi

Cove Water Taxi covewatertaxi.com.au +61 419 724 630 13 Cabs 13 2227 www.13cabs.com.au/locations/gold-coast

Electricity

Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.