Gold Coast
Living on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has a population of around half a million people and is an area of Queensland situated on the eastern coast, about one hour’s drive south of Brisbane. But unlike Brisbane, this place really is on the beach. And right in the centre of those beautiful beaches is Surfers Paradise, probably the area’s main attraction.
But the Gold Coast is not all about beaches. The area is also enriched by the surrounding hinterlands, mountains and spectacular national parks, all of which are breathtaking. Tambourine Mountain is especially worth a visit. The Gold Coast also boasts over 400 km of canals and is home to a spectacular array of sea life and wildlife.
The Gold Coast also has a cluster of theme parks, it’s Australia’s theme park capital; with Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Sea World, White Water World, Dreamworld as well as the Australian Outback Spectacular and for nature lovers, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
So, you see? It’s not all about beaches. But the Gold Coast does still have beaches aplenty, over 40 km stretching from Southport all the way down to Coolangatta on the New South Wales border. And these beaches are just perfect for surfing.
I’m not sure, but the already mentioned Surfers Paradise may well be the most commercial Beach in Australia, that’s what I am told. But I am a guy who has been to Blackpool and I was born in Southend. Both of those beaches resorts ARE commercial. To me, Surfers was quiet by comparison.
But I am told that late nights over the weekend it can get quite boisterous. But if Surfers is still too busy for you, there are plenty of other beaches to choose from in the area that are even quieter.
So beaches, mountains, hinterland, theme parks, canals, surely this has got to be the best place to live in Australia? Perhaps, but it is very much a tourist area and it is also probably one of the most expensive area in Australia to live in. It’s a close call between it and Sydney.
You can get flights to the Gold Coast, they have their own airport.
What’s the weather like?
Being only around 70 kilometres south of Brisbane, the weather on the Gold Coast is not too dissimilar from that of the city.
Although it does boast even more sunshine, getting around eight hours each day. Again, winters are very mild so you can make use of the beaches all year round.
Possible severe weather around the Gold Coast are, again, as in Brisbane, cyclones and some flooding.
The Gold Coast can be broken down into four main areas:
- North Gold Coast – including Outer North and Inner North
- Central Gold Coast – including both North Shore and South Shore
- South Gold Coast – the South Coast area
- The Hinterland – including the Central Hinterland and the South Hinterland
Fancy a trip to The Glitter Strip? You can book cheap flights here.
The areas of the Gold Coast:
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
i really want to live here more than anything in the world. it looks like a great experience and…. all i can say is wow ! i absolutuly love it ! ps: im 12
Well I hope you achieve your dream, you certainly have plenty of time to plan. Maybe you should start by convincing some adults around you?
Good luck Tabitha!
Hi Bob,
My 175 visa has now been granted! woooohoooo, I will be heading here ASAP, just gotta sell the house and fold up my life here in the UK.
Im sure your site will prove invaluable to us, like finding a school for our 6 year old daughter, work for mrs chris etc.
Only an hours drive from Brissie so may hook up for a beer or a barbie!
Congratulations Chris, hope to see you in Australia soon. I wont put the snags on the barbie yet, sounds like you still have a bit to do before you can leave the UK.
Hope everything goes well.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob, WE’RE HERE!!!!
landed in brisbane last week and are now in Coomera on the gold coast in temporary accommodation, have not stopped since we got here! full on and loads of form filling etc, not really had time to enjoy it yet although im sure i will soon enough. I start work on monday, im sure that will be an eye opener!
your site is prooving very useful, thanks mate!
Chris and family
Hi Chris
Welcome to Australia! Get those forms filled in and get down to the beach! Not much time left, it’ll be winter soon and you’ll have to put some socks on.
Hope you settle quickly and get to love this place as much as I do.
Cheers
Bob
Me and my twin bro are planning to move to the gold coast in about a years time! We’re only 21 so can anyone recommend the best place for us to go? All we really need would be a nice house or bungalow to rent not to pricey, a beach, a job but most importantly a good GYM!!! Any thoughts? Cheers !
Kris
Most of the Gold Coast is quite expensive, but check out my page about the Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia and search through the rentals, see what you can find.
I wouldn’t worry too much about gyms, there are loads of them almost everywhere in Australia.
me and my partner are wanting to move to surfers paradise we want 2 get an apartment 2bedroom close to cbd the only thing is we havent been there before lol im wondering how easy employment is there i work in hospitality however my partner is a construction worker, also we are just starting off and i dont know if we will survive some where we dont know . please help
Too hard to answer, but you should check out….
Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia
and Getting a Job or a Sponsorship
Could you wear jeans here?
I’ve not tried it myself, but I’ve seen others wearing them and getting away with it. So I say yes, go for it!
It has been my dream ever since I was 11 years old to live in the Gold Coast.
Sometimes dreams come true Lucy, I hope yours does.
Hi BobinOz, we are from sunny Chelmsford not too far from southend. Currently living in SA but moving to Qld, can you help on suburbs, we like the look of Springfield lakes, seems to have everything for families and us adults and isnt a flood zone but we were hoping to be a bit closer to the beach. We also like Gold coast, can you suggest any suburbs with the same newish housing, shopping centres, good schools etc but 15 mins approx drive to a beach???
I think anything 15 min from the Gold Coast would probably be quite expensive, although I am not a property expert from that area. So maybe somebody else can help you out with this one?
Springfield Lakes won awards I think, it’s all very pretty and well laid out, but I don’t know what it’s like to live there. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Hi Bob,
I am moving to the gold coast with work (Bond Uni) and I have no idea where to live! I’m looking for somewhere a bit hip & cool, a bit more like Brighton than Blackpool! Any ideas? Also, will I definitely need a car or is there any other way I could commute to work?
Thanks Bob!
Sarah
Hi Sarah
I don’t really know the area well enough to advise you specifically, although Surfers Paradise is the place where it all happens. Anywhere close to that would probably work for you. Not sure whether you’d get by without a car though.
Wherever you choose to live, I hope it works out good for you.
Hello Bob
Can I apply for apprenticeship from UK and get an Australian qulification there?
First of all wanted to say that you’re doing a great job.All info. about OZ is very helpfull and gives me extra motivation.I am security officer in London(Westfield shopping centre:-) Security officers not in Demand list as far as I know
Thanks
I don’t really know about that one, maybe someone else reading this can help. Anybody?
Hello Bob
).Never mind ‘This time next year’:-) Your site is still great source of information .
Thanks for answering anyway.We all got diferrent situations and it’s not easy to answer.Looks that this summer “sunny”(if any) weekends I’ll spend in no further than Sothend
Best regards
Dmitrij
Thanks Dmitrij!