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Gold Coast Travel Guide

Gold Coast Tourist Traps

Polar Bear at Sea World - Gold Coast
Polar Bear at Sea World
by CandS
Tips and photos of Gold Coast tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and Gold Coast locals.
Local Time 2:09 am Thursday, July 10, 2008
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Gold Coast Tourist TrapsTips 1 - 10 of 17  
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Beware the inbound tour guides!!
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  • By goldcoaster on March 21, 2004
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  • If you come into the Gold Coast on a package tour, be aware that the guides are not paid very well and top up their income by taking tourists to highly overpriced stores that pay a commission. Many will take your passports and tell you the local shopping centres are unsafe. They are really just trying to get you into the shops that pay.

    Jump into a cab and go to any of the three big shopping malls on the Gold Coast, Pacific Fair, Harbourtown or Robina Town Centre, and save yourselves alot of money.

    Don't buy anything!!! I have seen a 12 pack of Tim-Tams, an Australian chocolate biscuit, sell for over $40. The are less than that in the supermarket. The only way this will stop is if you don't buy at the shops you are taken too.

    Go where the locals go. Harbourtown is a large factory outlet mall and has a Nike store, many fashion labels as well as homewares.

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    Surfers Paradise.: Time Share Scams !!!
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  • Updated By grantravel on November 11, 2005
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  • Gold Coast Tourist Traps
    by grantravel
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    Watch out for people in Surfers Paradise (namely at the Chevron Renaissance) who offer you "free" prizes. They are just time share scamers trying to get you into their seminars. You have to sit through a 2 hour session with a salesman trying his best to suck you into handing over alot of money, before they will give you your prize, which is not worth it anyway (a bottle of wine or a "holiday"). Trust me, I've been there and done it!!

    If you don't mind wasting 2 hours for a bottle of wine or some dodgy holiday, go for it.

    I suggest to just say no to the prize, and just keep walking.

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    Surfers Paradise.: SHUTTLE SERVICE TRAP
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  • Updated By ickee on June 2, 2006
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  • Be careful. You might buy a shuttle ticket to and fro the airport when you arrive. if you do and you're staying for a while it's fine. But if you're in for a quick trip, it's a scam. You need to book 48hours prior to your departure so if you weren't immediately aware of that (it's written somewhere in the brochures they give you but considering your mind will be too busy trying to get as much done in a short span of time, this may escape you as it did me) you won't get to book a service for the day you are leaving. to be safe, just get a cab to the airport when you leave if you're just staying for a few days. less headaches and no money wasted.

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    The Light at the End of the Tunnel
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  • By ATXtraveler on July 12, 2005
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  • Lahey's Tramway - Gold Coast
    Lahey's Tramway
    by ATXtraveler
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    On our trip to the Gold Coast, we ventured out toward Lamington National Park for the day, and were sad to find this heavily advertised historical park, Lahey's tramway to actually be little more than a dug out cave in the middle of nowhere!

    Although there is a rich history of the tramway, there really is nothing left of it to see. Its last use was as a weapons depot during WWII.
    Check out the following webpage if you would like more on the history...

    http://www.canungrainformation.com/page9.html

    Keep heading into Canungra, and have lunch instead.

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    Surfers Paradise.: Nearly every tourist shop in...
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  • By timtrina on August 26, 2002
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  • Nearly every tourist shop in Surfers Paradise - by tourist shops I mean: Opal Shops, Souveniour Shops, etc. They are just such a rip-off. Places charging a fortune for little stuffed koala toys, etc - if you want some real Australian mementos - please visit the markets - either the Carrara Markets on Saturdays and Sundays, or the Markets along Surfers Paradise on a Friday night.

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    Surfers Paradise.: Surfers Paradise - I put this...
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  • By Jez79 on August 26, 2002
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  • Gold Coast Tourist Traps
    by Jez79
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    Surfers Paradise - I put this here because a lot of tourists go to Surfers and thing that's what the Gold Coast is all about. Surfers is very commercial and unless you want shopping, clubs and lots of tourists, don't make it the only stop on the coast. Surfers Paradise beach is fairly average, so make sure tyou venture further south to see the beauty of the Gold Coast. this pic is taken from Point Danger on the Tweed Coast.

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    Organised Tours. I've seen it...
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  • By timtrina on August 26, 2002
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  • Organised Tours. I've seen it happen. So many overseas visitors do the organised tour with their tour group (won't name any particular Tour Companies). They charge AT LEAST DOUBLE the entry prices to the Theme Parks and to Shopping Areas, etc. If you can, do it yourself. You will find that you can organise a Theme Park entry ticket along with a bus transfer - will save you heaps of money!

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    Surfers Paradise.: Well, from my intro it is no...
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  • Updated By JenniferS on August 25, 2002
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  • Well, from my intro it is no secret that I think Surfers Paradise is a TOURIST TRAP. Full of overpriced shops maily owned by Japanese and Asian people, Surfers is slowly beginning to become a 'nicer' place to visit.
    Although the night life is supposed to be its highlight, it can get pretty dirty, nasty and down right scary after 1am. Best to stick to one of our many lovely resturants and a fling at the casino.
    I must admit, Surfers now has Friday night markets along the esplande and there is a new shopping complex called the Rennaisance that is quite beautiful.
    I guess it is the place to stay due to all the hotels, but if you want my advice stick to Broadbeach or some of the lovely apartments at Main Beach.

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    Surfers Paradise.: Surfers Paradise-It's not the only thing here.
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  • By jimmy2 on January 7, 2003
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  • A lot of people think that the Gold Coast stops with Surfers Paradise but there are so many other better places to see. Please get a map and see as much as you can.

    There is plenty to see in Surfers Paradise so have lunch or something there are quite a few nice cafe's and reataurants.

    Head down south towards the border there isn't as much down there in the way of shopping centers and highrises but the scenery is a lot better.

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    Surfers Paradise.: The pistol shooting place on...
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  • Updated By hatter10_6 on August 25, 2002
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  • The pistol shooting place on the Cavill Mall is way too expensive. Don't do too much touristy stuff with the touristy organisations. They overcharge. Ask the locals where to go, the surfies are usually friendly.

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    More Gold Coast Tips
    Overview
         		General Tips
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    Restaurants
    Tips: 78 - Photos: 57    		Hotels and Accommodations
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    Things To Do
    Tips: 350 - Photos: 317    		Nightlife
    Tips: 41 - Photos: 28
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 51 - Photos: 42    		Tourist Traps
    Tips: 17 - Photos: 5
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 32 - Photos: 15    		Transportation
    Tips: 47 - Photos: 32
    Local Customs
    Tips: 25 - Photos: 22    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 6
    Shopping
    Tips: 33 - Photos: 26    		Sports Travel
    Tips: 17 - Photos: 14
    Flights
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 10

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