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Visitors Guide To The Gold Coast Hinterland

Sep 9th, 2010
by Partner 4 Travel.
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The typical Gold Coast holiday will always involve lots of sun, sand, sea and surf. Sometimes it’s good to have a change of pace, and that’s when it’s time to head for the beautiful 206km stretch of Great Dividing Range known as the Gold Coast hinterland (aka “the green behind the gold”). Just 30 minutes drive inland from the coast lies the elevated plateaus of the Lamington National Park and Mt Tamborine , a 100,000 hectare World Heritage region of magnificent panoramic views ,

rain-forests, an extensive network of National Parl walking trails , the scent of native vegetation and silence broken only by cascading water and birdsong.

This peaceful setting is a must-see destination for all Gold Coast visitors and is an extremely popular destination for day trippers. Exploring the hinterland can be the reason for making a Gold Coast car rental an essential part of your holiday , but there are numerous bus companies and Gold Coast tour operators with scheduled trips throughout the region.  

Peaceful villages dot the green landscape and attract creatives, with their wares being sold in arts and crafts shops and local markets. Roadside cafes and tea houses flank the narrow lanes and the ever popular favorite of tea and scones will usually get most visitors to stop. The rich , rolling pastures have supported many generations of farmers and the region still supports a thriving farming community of banana plantations, dairy farming and beef production. 

With the arrival of new, hardy grape cultivars and the modern trend for producing wine in areas once considered unsuitable, the hinterland has seen the recent development of a boutique wine industry. Wine tours are now an established part of the hinterland scene and wine tasting, cellar door sales and on-site restaurants now compete for the tourist dollar. This market is bolstered by harvest festivals, dinners , musical events and celebrity chef promotions throughout the year. If you fancy a spot or three of wine tasting without the problem of the drive afterwards , then try one of the number of available tours.

One of the recommended driving routes is to take the circuit from Coolangatta,  south to Murwillumbah and then swing north through Crystal Creek, Chillingham, Numinbah, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Mudgeeraba and then back to the coast.

Another popular route involves taking a detour from Nerang, then head west through Tamborine National Parks taking in Wilson’s Lookout, Thunderbird Park and Cedar Creek Falls before rejoining the highway at Beenleigh.

Down on the coast, almost all Gold Coast accommodation consists of self catering, apartment style lodgings in high rise buildings that follow the shore line. On the hinterland plateau, the emphasis is on lodge style suites focusing on peaceful tranquility with an appreciation of your surroundings and a spot of pampering thrown in. Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, O’Reilleys Rainforest Retreat and Ruffles Lodge are some of the more popular accommodation providers in the region. There are other types of specialty accommodation that ranges from budget camp sites to upmarket villas.

So there you have it…. a brief introduction to some of the reasons that make the Gold Coast hinterland special and a few reasons why it definitely should be part of your Gold Coast holiday plans.  

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Everything You Need to Know About Gold Coast Transfers

Aug 29th, 2010
by Partner 4 Travel.
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Most visitors headed for the Gold Coast will require an airport transfer (aka shuttle) to and from either the Gold Coast airport (domestic) or the Brisbane airport terminals (domestic and international). Transfers always involve an expense because Gold Coast holiday accommodation prices do NOT include the costs involved in Gold Coast transfers, nor do the accommodation front desk staff make transfer bookings on behalf of their guests.

It is recommended that visitors should pre-book all transfers, both to and from the airports as well as to and from the Gold Coast theme parks. A minimum of 48 hours notice is recommended when making the booking. .

Motor Coach Shuttle Services

This transfer option is the most commonly used as it provides a door-to-door service to all the hotels, resorts and apartment properties along the Gold Coast. Travel is usually in mini vans and small buses with a trailer for luggage. Airport pick-ups and drop-off are in the designated coach zones at or adjacent the airport departure doors .

For a family (2 adults + 2 children) to get to and from the Gold Coast airport and a central location such as Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach , a mini bus transfer will cost at least $110 for a family return ticket. To get to and from the Brisbane airport will incur a cost of at least $170 for a family (prices as of May 2010).

The transfer costs to and from the theme parks will add an extra $55 per trip for the family. Add to that any day trips and tours and the transport costs are starting to become significant.

For travel to and from the Brisbane airport allow the following times (airport and city hotels):

1hour 15min to/from the northern Gold Coast (Southport, Labrador, Runaway Bay area )
2 hours to/from the central Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach area )
2½ to 3 hours to/from the southern Gold Coast ( Tweed Heads and Coolangatta area )

Car Rentals

A medium size 4 door sedan can be rented from around $27-$30 per day so those transfer costs would certainly pay for several days of car rental. If you plan to travel up the highway for some entertainment at the theme parks and to see all that the region has to offer, such as the hinterland and National Parks, then a Gold Coast car rental option makes a lot of sense. All Gold Coast apartment and resort accommodation includes a secure underground parking spot for their guests.

There are lots of local rental companies offering everything from small compacts, family sedans and wagons, to open top sports buggies and luxury sports cars. All the major rental companies are represented on the Gold Coast.

Airtrain Connect

This train service transports Gold Coast visitors to and from the Brisbane airport terminals (domestic and international) to rail stations on the Gold Coast. Boarding is via elevated platforms at the front of the airport terminals and the service runs every 15 minutes from Brisbane and every 30 minutes from the Gold Coast. The service connects to stations at:

Helensvale: for the northern Gold Coast – Runaway Bay, Biggera Waters, Labrador, Southport
Nerang: For Surfers Paradise accommodation, Main Beach and central Gold Coast
Robina: For Broadbeach accommodation and all areas south to Coolangatta

Tickets can be booked in but it makes a lot of sense to pre-book online.

Limousine Services

There is always the option of a limousine for that special occasion , with choices ranging from stretch limos and sedan cars up to a Rolls Royce . Limos provide a service from the airports at Brisbane and Coolangatta, and many also provide a pick-up from the Airtrain stations. Limousines can be booked online and should to be booked well in advance.

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Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Gold Coast Accommodation

Aug 11th, 2010
by Partner 4 Travel.
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When arranging a Gold Coast holiday, the most important thing to get right is your choice of Gold Coast accommodation. Making the wrong choice can upset the whole holiday.  There are three major factors that influence availability and price, namely:

1) advance bookings are absolutely essential at all times of the year
2) school holiday periods always create a heavy demand for lodgings
3) there are big differences in prices depending on the seasons… which are:

High Season: The Xmas – New Year holiday period , usually around Dec 20th to Jan 20th. Dates vary between different location and individual properties. Minimum stays of 7 nights are usual at this time. It’s advisable that bookings be made at least 4-5 months in advance.

Mid Season: Usually the Easter long week-end plus school holidays in April and Sept – Oct. Minimum stays of 5 nights are usual at this time and bookings should be made at least 3-4 months in advance.

Low Season: All other dates outside of the high and mid-seasons. 3 night minimum stays are required at this time although some properties accept 2 night stays. Make bookings 3-4 weeks in advance.

The Gold Coast has numerous events, festivals and conferences etc throughout the year that generate a demand for beds at several locations all along the coast such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta

Note: For stays of just one or two nights, Gold Coast hotels are the best accommodation option.

 

Occupancy Numbers & Sleeping Arrangements

The most common bedding arrangements in resorts and apartments consists of a King or Queen size bed in the main bedroom and 2 single beds in each of the other bedrooms. Most main bedrooms in the more modern properties will have it in suite.

Prices are quoted per apartment per night where:

  • 4 bedroom apartment sleeps 8
  • 3 bedroom apartment sleeps 6
  • 2 bedroom apartment sleeps 4
  • 1 bedroom apartment sleeps 2

Most apartments will allow one extra person on a roll-away divan or a pull-out sofa bed. This set-up allows a 2 bedroom apartment to accommodate 5 persons and a 3 bedroom apartment to accommodate 7 persons. When an extra person is involved, an extra charge will be added to the standard tariff. Studio apartments/suites are rare and these will only accommodate 2 persons with no option for an extra person.

Note: Don’t make the mistake of booking your accommodation with the intention of putting extra children on the floor on blow-up mattresses. This contravenes the Fire Regulations and management is entitled to cancel your booking.

High Rise vs Low Rise

High rise apartments usually offer great views plus cool ocean breezes that can eliminate the need for air conditioning. There are no stairs to climb because elevators service all levels. But is a high rise right for you? Most guests prefer “the higher the better” for the views, but heights are not to everyone’s liking. Another factor to consider is possible safety issues involving younger children being on high rise balconies.

Low rise apartments are usually “walk up”, meaning there are no elevators and guests have to climb stairs to reach their apartment. Going to and from the 3rd floor several times a day may soon become a nuisance. Persons with restricted mobility may not be able to manage the stairs. Low rise properties may not get cooling ocean breezes if they are dwarfed by adjacent high-rise. Having an air conditioned apartment in summer can be more important in a low rise building.

Tickets For Shows, Tours & Attractions

All Gold Coast resorts and apartments have a reservation desk that has a booking service for tours, the theme parks, local attractions, cruises and entertainment. There is no extra cost to the guest as the booking service is complimentary. However, it is becoming more common for holiday makers to pre-book their entertainment tickets online before they leave home.

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