Travel information
Ambulance
For an emergency dial 000 and for non emergencies call 131 233.
For an emergency dial 000 and for non emergencies call 131 233.
Gold Coast Banks
Banks are located all across the Gold Coast and near most accommodation. All major credit cards are accepted in nearly all establishments. From Monday to Thursday they operate from 9.30am until 4pm and Friday close at 5pm. Gold Coast Banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Banks are located all across the Gold Coast and near most accommodation. All major credit cards are accepted in nearly all establishments. From Monday to Thursday they operate from 9.30am until 4pm and Friday close at 5pm. Gold Coast Banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Child care
Professional child minding service is offered by Gold Coast Baby Sitters (1800 064 192)
Professional child minding service is offered by Gold Coast Baby Sitters (1800 064 192)
Churches
All denominations are found.
All denominations are found.
Climate
The climate on the Gold Coast has an average of 300 days of sunshine and is sub tropical in nature. Spring the temperature is 15 25C; Summer 20 28C; autumn 15- 25 C and in winter 11 21C. Winter days are mild making them perfect to explore the Gold Coast and the hinterland.
The climate on the Gold Coast has an average of 300 days of sunshine and is sub tropical in nature. Spring the temperature is 15 25C; Summer 20 28C; autumn 15- 25 C and in winter 11 21C. Winter days are mild making them perfect to explore the Gold Coast and the hinterland.
Clothing
Locals and visitors enjoy the casual atmosphere of the Gold Coast and generally wear shorts, sarongs, short sleeved shirts and sandals. Casual chic is in style for the finer restaurants and if on business be surprised if you see a jacket and tie.
Locals and visitors enjoy the casual atmosphere of the Gold Coast and generally wear shorts, sarongs, short sleeved shirts and sandals. Casual chic is in style for the finer restaurants and if on business be surprised if you see a jacket and tie.
Communications
There are a number of Post Offices on the Gold Coast. Post Offices are open from 9.00am - 5pm Monday to Friday and provide a range of services including electronic banking and passport interviews. Most post offices these days have extensive Post Shops. For local telephone directory assistance dial 1223. For international calls dial 0011 followed by the number. The area code for Gold Coast (07) is not needed when dialing locally.
There are a number of Post Offices on the Gold Coast. Post Offices are open from 9.00am - 5pm Monday to Friday and provide a range of services including electronic banking and passport interviews. Most post offices these days have extensive Post Shops. For local telephone directory assistance dial 1223. For international calls dial 0011 followed by the number. The area code for Gold Coast (07) is not needed when dialing locally.
Electricity
The current is 240V and 50HZ and uses a three pin plug (not the same three pin plug as the UK ). The converters are available in The Gold Coast. If you are appliances are 110V check to see if there is a 240/110 switch. Most hotels have 110 or 240V shavers.
The current is 240V and 50HZ and uses a three pin plug (not the same three pin plug as the UK ). The converters are available in The Gold Coast. If you are appliances are 110V check to see if there is a 240/110 switch. Most hotels have 110 or 240V shavers.
Fire Service
For emergencies call 000 and for non emergencies call 131 114.
For emergencies call 000 and for non emergencies call 131 114.
Gold Coast Health
Gold Coast is a healthy place, just watch out for the sun and remember to apply plenty of strong factor sun screen. The Gold Coast has a high standard of health and hygiene and it is unlikely that you will face any problems. The water is safe to drink but bottled water is very popular in Australia and you should drink a lot of water. The greatest danger is the sun and slip on a shirt, slap on sunscreen, and slop on a hat.
Gold Coast is a healthy place, just watch out for the sun and remember to apply plenty of strong factor sun screen. The Gold Coast has a high standard of health and hygiene and it is unlikely that you will face any problems. The water is safe to drink but bottled water is very popular in Australia and you should drink a lot of water. The greatest danger is the sun and slip on a shirt, slap on sunscreen, and slop on a hat.
There are a number of hospitals and for information call them.
Allamanda 07 5591 9400
Gold Coast 07 5571 8211
John Flynn 07 5598 9001
Pindara 07 5588 9000 --- This hospital has an Emergency section and is nearest to you (5 minutes by car) and is open 24hours
Tweed Heads 07 5536 1133
Gold Coast 07 5571 8211
John Flynn 07 5598 9001
Pindara 07 5588 9000 --- This hospital has an Emergency section and is nearest to you (5 minutes by car) and is open 24hours
Tweed Heads 07 5536 1133
There are pharmacies all over the Gold Coast and the nearest is Benowa Gardens Pharmacy (07) 5597 3977 (5 minutes by car). If you need a late night pharmacy Surfers Paradise Day & Night is open 7 days from 7am to 11pm on (07) 5592 1321 they also have a night Medical Centre on (07) 5592 2299
Language
English is the main language. Multilingual staff are normally available at major hotels and the airport. A free telephone interpreting service operates 24 hours a day with communication assistance in over 100 languages. Call 131 450.
English is the main language. Multilingual staff are normally available at major hotels and the airport. A free telephone interpreting service operates 24 hours a day with communication assistance in over 100 languages. Call 131 450.
For overseas visitors we list some of our Aussie slang words that you will hear and enjoy using. The meaning is normally guessable. Some are also used in UK but not USA .
Arvo (afternoon); barbie (BBQ); bloke (male); esky(icebox); fossick (search for something); mate (good friend or used as a greeting); outback (interior of Australia); petrol(gas); flog (sell); footpath (sidewalk); loo(toilet); ratbag (dishonest person); shout (pay for someone); sickie (a day off work due to illness); stubby (small beer bottle); ta (thanks); yakka (hard work).
The term Pom or Brit is used to describe persons of British origin and Kiwi for New Zealander. These are used in a friendly and accepted manner. Australians are friendly people. It is important to greet and the local term g'day mate will be heard on occasion.
Gold Coast Police
Crime is not a serious problem, however with such a large number of visitors, incidents do occur including theft .
Crime is not a serious problem, however with such a large number of visitors, incidents do occur including theft .
There are four main police stations on the Gold Coast at Southport (07 5571 4222); Surfers Paradise (07 5570 7888); Coolangatta (07 5536 2444); Broadbeach (07 5581 2800). For emergencies dial 000.
Public Holidays
Everything closes on Christmas Day. Some of the other public holidays are New Years Day; Boxing Day; Australia Day (26 January); Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday; Anzac Day (25 April); Queen's Birthday (12 June).
Everything closes on Christmas Day. Some of the other public holidays are New Years Day; Boxing Day; Australia Day (26 January); Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday; Anzac Day (25 April); Queen's Birthday (12 June).
Radio
Gold Coast Community Radio broadcasts on 101.3fm 24 hours a day and has local news, local views and great music. (07 5449 7166)
Safety
Beaches can be dangerous and every year there are incidents involving visitors to Australia . Swim between the red and yellow flags at all times and observe the signs on the beach. If you see a red flag do not enter the water, if you see a yellow flag swim with caution. Ask the lifeguards on duty for information.
Beaches can be dangerous and every year there are incidents involving visitors to Australia . Swim between the red and yellow flags at all times and observe the signs on the beach. If you see a red flag do not enter the water, if you see a yellow flag swim with caution. Ask the lifeguards on duty for information.
Beach safety hints:
1. Always swim at beaches that are patrolled by lifesavers
2. Always swim between the red and yellow flags
3. Always obey all warning signs displayed on the beach
4. Do not swim when the beach is closed
5. Do not swim if you are unsure of conditions
6. Do not swim alone if inexperienced in surf conditions
7. Do not swim whilst under the influence of alcohol
8. Do not panic if caught in a current stay calm raise your arm and wait until help arrives
9. Do not struggle against a rip swim diagonally across it.
Crime is not a major problem but like any big city with lots of tourism take care and leave valuables in the hotel safe.
Speed limits
Gold Coast is within the area that operates a 50 km /hr restraint in all built up areas and side streets unless marked otherwise where it may increase to 60km/hr. Police are very strict and speed traps are common. Regular drink driving patrols are active in all areas of Gold Coast and operate random stopping at any time of the day and at any location.
Gold Coast is within the area that operates a 50 km /hr restraint in all built up areas and side streets unless marked otherwise where it may increase to 60km/hr. Police are very strict and speed traps are common. Regular drink driving patrols are active in all areas of Gold Coast and operate random stopping at any time of the day and at any location.
Telephone
The code for Queensland is 07 but leave off the zero if calling from outside. The country code for Australia is 61.
The code for Queensland is 07 but leave off the zero if calling from outside. The country code for Australia is 61.
Time
Queensland follows Eastern Standard Time all year. The Gold Coast is ahead of Japan and Korea by on hour. Singapore , Hong Kong and Taiwan by 2 hours. Africa and Greece by 8 hours and 10 hours ahead of the UK . Queensland does not operate daylight saving during summer like other states in Australia .
Queensland follows Eastern Standard Time all year. The Gold Coast is ahead of Japan and Korea by on hour. Singapore , Hong Kong and Taiwan by 2 hours. Africa and Greece by 8 hours and 10 hours ahead of the UK . Queensland does not operate daylight saving during summer like other states in Australia .
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory but appreciated for good service. It is typical to tip a hotel porter and taxi driver if they help with luggage
Tipping is not compulsory but appreciated for good service. It is typical to tip a hotel porter and taxi driver if they help with luggage
Gold Coast Tourism info
The Gold Coast Tourism Bureau is located on Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise and can be called on 07 5538 4419 and at Coolangatta Warner Street (07 5536 7765). The Queensland Travel Centre has information on Gold Coast Tourism and contactable on 13 88 33.
The Gold Coast Tourism Bureau is located on Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise and can be called on 07 5538 4419 and at Coolangatta Warner Street (07 5536 7765). The Queensland Travel Centre has information on Gold Coast Tourism and contactable on 13 88 33.
Tourist seasons
The high season is the Christmas period until the third week in January and the Easter school holidays. The low season is after the Easter holidays until mid September and the shoulder season from mid January until Easter. The low season is becoming an increasingly popular time to come as the days are sunny, the climate very pleasant with just a chill in the evening, and still possible to swim all year.
The high season is the Christmas period until the third week in January and the Easter school holidays. The low season is after the Easter holidays until mid September and the shoulder season from mid January until Easter. The low season is becoming an increasingly popular time to come as the days are sunny, the climate very pleasant with just a chill in the evening, and still possible to swim all year.
Water
Water is safe to drink from the taps.
Water is safe to drink from the taps.
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