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May 17, 2024 22:49:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 13:21:59 GMT
I've just booked 3 weeks in July/August in Australia. We spend a week in Port Douglas, then fly to Brisbane for a week. Our last week will be in Sydney.
So, would you recommend the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast? I have two kids 16 and 9.
I've been looking at hotels/apartments and they all seem nice. I'm just not sure which area might be better. We also have a very early morning flight out of Brisbane to Sydney so we don't want to be more than a couple of hours max from the airport.
I would love any recommendations for areas to stay, things to do, etc
Thanks:)
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Post by rainangel on May 1, 2015 13:41:57 GMT
I used to live near Brisbane, and I have great experiences with Gold Coast. Things to do at the Gold Coast are Wet n' Wild waterpark, Warner Brother's Movie World and DreamWorld. The three parks lie next to one another along a highway, so if you want to visit the parks, it could be good to stay somewhere in the vicinity. We stayed at a motel close to the beach, and it was maybe a 20 minute drive to the parks, and we could walk from the motel down to the beach in five minutes. Be aware that the Gold Coast has a lot of tourists, not only from other countries, but also Australians. The night life is very active, the beach at Surfer's Paradise is usually crowded. At the Sunshine Coast, there is still a lot of tourists, but less than at the Gold Coast. The best thing on Sunshine Coast is Australia Zoo, the zoo that was founded by Croc Hunter Steve Irwin. It's a great zoo, and you can handfeed kangaroos and pet koalas. But even if you stay at the GC, it would only be a daytrip to drive up to the zoo and back. And I love Brisbane! The botanical gardens are very pretty, and you can get lost shopping at Queen Street Mall  Here are some links to the three big theme parks if you want to check it out: Warner Brother's MovieworldDreamWorldWet n' WildGreat parks to take both a 9 year old and a 16 year old. All the parks have areas for smaller children, younger children and big children. There is something for everyone! In Australia, obviously the beaches are important to visit. What time of the year are you going? I remember going to Wet n Wild in April, and it was slightly overcast and about 20C. It wasn't a scorching day by any means, so there were hardly any people at the waterpark. It was great! We hardly had to stand in line for any of the slides, which made the experience extre good for the kids we had with us. I also went with two other adults in January once, the height of Aussie summer, and the waterpark was filled to the brim! It was actually hard to find space in the pool. Both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast rely heavily on tourism, so it shouldn't be difficult to find things to do once you go down there. There are billboards and flyers for activities everywhere. I went snorkelling at the Gold Coast, great way to spend the day. But that was with adults, and not children. Man! I miss Australia!  |
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Post by jmurray on May 1, 2015 15:16:50 GMT
July / August are middle of winter in Australia. Not sure how warm it will be for waterparks etc?
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Post by KiwiJo on May 1, 2015 15:27:04 GMT
It's currently 1:30am where most live in Australia; I suggest updating this thread in 7 or 8 hours time.
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Post by gonewalkabout on May 1, 2015 16:47:29 GMT
Both are nice but the gold coast has a lot of activity. As jmurray mentioned though, it's coming on winter now July/August.. Well it's already getting a little cooler. Personally, I'd stay clear of surfers paradise at night on the weekends. It can get a little crazy.
The Sunshine Coast has a lot to offer, tons of fine restaurants, only an hour from Brisbane, I think it's more toned down than the Gold Coast which can be nice, but still a lot to do. Though again in winter, I'd probably research and see what is open and available in both areas.
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Post by mdpea on May 1, 2015 18:49:24 GMT
I'm in Brisbane but still bleary eyed 4.45am
I'll come back later
Have you been before?
Where are you from?
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May 17, 2024 22:49:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 23:05:06 GMT
Bumping for Aussie daytime peas:)
Thanks for all the info so far. We decided to come in August to avoid box jellyfish season at the GBR and so we could spend 3 weeks instead of 2 at Christmas. How cold will it get as we move further down south?
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 22:49:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 23:07:42 GMT
I'm in Brisbane but still bleary eyed 4.45am I'll come back later Have you been before? Where are you from? Thanks mdpea This will be my first trip to Australia, but my DH has been to Brisbane very briefly on a business trip. We're English, but we live in Japan. |
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Post by AussieMeg on May 2, 2015 2:22:46 GMT
July / August is the perfect time of year for North Queensland (where Port Douglas is). They don't have 4 normal seasons, they only have Wet and Dry, and you'll be there smack bang in the middle of the dry season. You do NOT want to be there between Oct and April, unless you love tropical rain and lots of it!! The temperature should be around 30 C. It will be quite a bit cooler down towards Brisbane (but not a cold as it will be right down south here in Melbourne!!). So probably not great beach weather.
Gold Coast - great for the theme parks, very touristy. Your kids would most likely prefer this. I know mine would. You might run into some bogan Aussies, but luckily you will miss the end-of-season football trips and "schoolies" by a month or 2 so it might not be too bad!
Sunshine Coast - I love the Sunshine Coat, especially Noosa. Very pretty. I'd prefer to be there later in the year, from end September onwards, when the weather is warmer. But I guess you'll be getting your fair share of beach weather up north.
I've been to Brisbane many times, I had friends and family who used to live there. It's central to both the Gold Coast (one hour south) and the Sunshine Coast (one and a half hours north). Nice and easy day trips, so you can do both if you are hiring a car. |
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Post by chrissypie on May 2, 2015 9:50:27 GMT
I've been to the Gold Coast in July and it was quite pleasant. Not too cold, despite being mid-Winter. Because it's Winter, the tourist crowds weren't nearly as bad as Summer (when I've also been), and hotels were cheaper.
I would choose to go there in Winter over Summer, so you should have a good time!
Sydney will be significantly colder. But still not too bad - no snow or anything!
I hope you have a great time!
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Gillyflower
Full Member
Posts: 129
Location: QLD, Australia
Jul 16, 2014 12:06:56 GMT
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Post by Gillyflower on May 2, 2015 11:13:00 GMT
The gold coast has a lot more activity than the sunshine coast so it depends what kind of atmosphere you are after. It will depend on where you are from as to how you view the weather but QLD has some humidity so July/August may not be an issue for you (winter). The days are usually sunny and the skies are blue. We have less rain in winter - all our weather issues are in summer. The gold coast has the the big theme parks - Seaworld, Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet N Wild and The Outback Spectacular (a dinner show) and the hinterlands are close with rainforests, glow worms (natural bridge - don't miss it) and paddymelons to see. It has has some nice beaches and you could go to Tropical Fruit World and sample some less common fruit if you wanted as it's not far into NSW. The sunshine coast is quieter but it does have Underwater World which isn't big, but is nice to visit. It has beaches and some nice drives in the Blackall Ranges up through Nambour and into Montville and Maleny - very pretty. You can see some black cockatoos at the glasshouse mountains lookout if you hit it around dusk. It also has Australia Zoo, but honestly, you could travel there from the Gold Coast if you didn't mind a 1.5 hr drive (roughly). If it's your first time here, I'd probably hit the gold coast and do the theme parks. We like heading to the sunshine coast for a few days of quiet time.
Gilly.
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Post by mdpea on May 5, 2015 7:26:54 GMT
I am so sorry. Mum landed herself in hospital, so I've had to take care of Dad. I did intend to come back, promise.
I agree with what a lot of the others have said.
The Gold Coast is more vibrant/busy/more people/more shops/more restaurants (& variety of restaurants). All the theme parks (Sea World, Dream World & Movie World are on the Gold Coast. So is Wet'n Wild, but to be honest both Dream World & Sea World have water parks, so we don't tend to go there.
The Sunny Coast is more laid back/casual/relaxed, less busy beaches & lots of great restaurants. Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin) is on the Sunshine Coast, although apart from seeing huge crocodiles being fed, there is nothing to recommend it.
If you want to see Australian animals, I prefer Currimbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Gold Coast) or even Lone Pine (Brisbane)
In July/August, although it is winter, it is often warm enough to have a swim during the day. The beaches will not be at all crowded.
In Brisbane, you can climb the Story Bridge & on the Gold Coast you walk on the outside of the top of the Q1 building.
As far as jellyfish go - box & Irukandji, you can wear a protective suit to guard against being stung.
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Post by mdpea on May 5, 2015 7:29:21 GMT
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Post by AussieMeg on May 5, 2015 7:34:44 GMT
I just checked the Bureau of Meteorology site for weather in July/August 2014. The average temp in Brisbane was 22 C, and in Cairns 26 C.
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