Getting Around Gold Coast

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Get a bird's eye view of Sea World from the Sky High Skyway which takes you from the top of the park right in the heart of all the attractions.

It is also an excellent way to see features including the Polar Bear Shores, Cartoon Beach and the Dolphin Nursery Pools.

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For group transfers why not go in style by a high speed fast catamaran. These fast cats can pick up your group at a waterfront hotel and take you to a favorite restaurant or island destination. There is a great canal system on the Gold Coast a little like Venice !

One ferry can hold up to two busloads at once.

For a unique and fun way to explore Gold Coast's landmarks and waterways, go on the amphibious aquabus "Aquaduck".

The one hour round journey travels along the beachfront Esplanade, Narrowneck surfing beach to the Spit, viewing, Palazzo Versace, the Sheraton hotel, Sea World and Nara resort before driving straight into the Broadwater, Marina Mirage, Australia Fair, Mariners Cove, The Yacht club, then under the bridge to observe the spectacular millionaire homes, canals and more!

Don't get the bus from Coolongatta to your hotel. It stops about 100 times. it took ages.

Avoid the courtesy bus to the theme parks as well. Again, they stop everywhere and take ages.

I didn't realize how far the theme parks were. about 20km to Movie World and WentNWild, futher to DreamWorld. SeaWorld is only about 1km from central Gold Coast.

I recommend a hire care. or a public bus.

ALL international flights have to land at Brisbane International Airport... and from there, you make your way to Gold Coast... slightly over an hour's drive from Brisbane.

You can hop onto a shuttle van (check for details at the Info Counter, Brisbane International Airport).

Zipping around Surfer's Paradise and the other parts of Gold Coast is not difficult.

You can either take a shuttle bus (tickets are available at your hotel concierge) or a cab.

Cab fares aren't expensive either. I remembered we overslept one morning and missed the LAST shuttle bus service from Conrad Hotel to Dreamworld. We then had no choice but to hail a cab from our hotel in Broadbeach to Dreamworld.

For a 20-minute ride, it costs about A$30. That would be approx. US$20+.

From Brisbane there are buses (about $14) or trains ($5 on weekends). Its about a 45 minute drive by car and same by train. Buses fart around as usual and take longer. Flights can land in Coolangatta and there are shuttle buses up to Surfers Paradise or catch the regular bus system on the highway just outside the airport. Though Coolangatta is my favourite beach (and if you drown - I may just try to save you!!), so stick around for a bit. If you land in Brissy and decide to head straight down the coast (tut tut) there are shuttle buses from their to Surfers for about $22.
The Gold Coast (well parts you'll be visiting anyways)runs along the first 3 streets from the beach really. A bus runs up and down the coast (all the way to the Tweed) 24 hours a day ad I think it costs up to $3 - depending on how far - not sure.? Walk the beach, ride a bike or rollerbalde (there are bikeways running along alot of the beach). Car rental is about $35 a day an dyou can get some cute topless cars and minibubble things. Heaps of tourist go the scooter option, though unless you have good insurance and strong knees I'd avoid them - somehow they just attract accidents.