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I will be traveling from the U.S. in May to Gold Coast to get married. We will be there and probably Brisbane for a couple of weeks. What is public transportation like? Can you walk many places? Are taxis plentiful in these cities? Would you suggest renting a car? Also, are there any must see or do things in these cities that you could recommend? I have been researching the cities for things to do, but I think the locals probably could give me the best advice. Thanks in advance for all the answers! I cant wait to visit your beautiful country!
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Originally Posted by MTFan
I will be traveling from the U.S. in May to Gold Coast to get married. We will be there and probably Brisbane for a couple of weeks. What is public transportation like? Can you walk many places? Are taxis plentiful in these cities? Would you suggest renting a car? Also, are there any must see or do things in these cities that you could recommend? I have been researching the cities for things to do, but I think the locals probably could give me the best advice. Thanks in advance for all the answers! I cant wait to visit your beautiful country!
I'm not sure what public transport is like in the Gold Coast, I think they have one train line and a bus system.
Renting a car would be worthwhile if you intend to travel to places 'off the beaten' track like the Gold Coast hinterland, or some of the places in northern NSW like Nimbin or Byron. If you don't mind going on tours though all your transport is arranged. The Gold Coast really pushes itself and the tourist bureau is always pushing the attractions in your face so you'll have no trouble finding out what to do; it comes down to what you want to do. It's an entertainment/tourist place - that's it's purpose, really - so that's mostly what you'll find. There are of course the theme parks, and many Disneyland type attractions on the strip.
I've only been once, and that was five years ago, and I liked it. Not sure if I'd want to live there but it's a top spot for a holiday!
If you do, driving in Australia is like learning to drive again because you're very attentative to your surroundings. The drivers seat is on the wrong side and you drive on the wrong side of the road, good luck!
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,388,515 times
Reputation: 11862
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Originally Posted by MinuteMan
If you do, driving in Australia is like learning to drive again because you're very attentative to your surroundings. The drivers seat is on the wrong side and you drive on the wrong side of the road, good luck!
Ah most Europeans and North Americans seem to manage ok...it's more things like driving too fast on Fraser Island they have a problem with!
Definately rent a car, as it can be part of the experience and changing to RHD is not that big of a deal, as most people adapt to driving on the opposite side quite quickly. Just remember that it's "Keep left/Give way to the Right" and you should be okay?
Last edited by Kangaroofarmer; 02-24-2010 at 09:21 AM..
I've just got back from a week in the Gold Coast and I think you'll have a great wedding over there. The weather is stunning (but when it rains, it rains) and there's heaps of activities.
The public transport is really good. The buses go all the places you need to go, where they go is really clear, the bus stops are everywhere and you can get an all day pass for $12 AUD. There's plenty of taxis also and they're really easy to order and not overly expensive.
I definitely recommend Dracula's Restaurant and Cabaret, it's a truly hilarious night out with a wonderful set of stage performers. Really a lot of fun and they have magnificent alcoholic beverages! Not cheap but they are absolutely delicious. Pop over to Jupiters Casino after that to try your hand at some of the pokies or poker tables. Go up to the Q-Deck for some astonishing views of the city.
And if it's you and your partner's kind of thing, go to all of the theme parks, they're great fun. Go early in the morning to avoid some of the lines. DreamWorld/White Water World and MovieWorld are the best. Skip Wet n Wild - the lines are massive any time of the day, and the rides aren't worth the lines you wait in.
Also, drop in at the Pink Poodle bar and restaurant during the week and get two beautiful meals and a bottle of wine for only $50AUD. It's on the Gold Coast highway.
And you can't go past the great beaches - just be careful in those really strong currents.
You can easily spend a whole day at Sea World at Surfers Paradise. We had a great time there from viewing all the beautiful marine life in the worlds largest salt water lagoon, dolphin shows, water themed rides and more.
Yes, good idea to hire a car (for a few days at least, if not the whole time) - there are some great places to drive to - Mt. Warning, Byron Bay, Nimbin, Brunswick Heads and Gold Coast Hinterland, to name just a few. None of these places are more than an hour or so's drive away from the Gold Coast - easy driving and great countryside.
Wet and Wild is another fun park well worth going to. You should love the Gold Coast and yes def. rent a car if finances aren't an issue.
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