Queensland - The Gold Coast

Stretching 35km (22mi) north from Coolangatta at Queensland's southern border, the Gold Coast is the most aggressively developed stretch of land in Australia.

High-rise condominiums, restaurants, theme parks and airport-sized shopping malls line the shore, enticing fun-seekers to consume and party.

Based at Coolangatta, the Gold Coast airport is serviced by Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar.

Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle operates door-to-door transfers from Coolangatta airport to most Gold Coast accommodation.

It also offers a 'Freedom Pass' which includes return transfers to your accommodation plus unlimited theme park transfers and unlimited Surfside Buslines travel for three days.Find out how to get around Queensland's Golden Coast.

When to Go
Queensland seasons are more a case of hot and wet or cool and dry than of summer and winter. November/December to April/May is the wetter, hotter half of the year, while the real wet season, particularly affecting northern coastal areas, is January to March.

This is also the season for cyclones and, if one hits, the Bruce Hwy can be blocked by the ensuing floods. In the south, Brisbane and Rockhampton get about 450mm (17in) of rain between January and March, and temperatures in Brisbane rarely drop below 20°C (68°F).

Climate on the Gold Coast
Queensland doesn't really experience 'cold weather', except inland or upland at night from about May to September. Inland, of course, there's a lot less rain than near the coast.

Tourism Events & Transport
The Gold Coast is always heaving during the summer months but gets brim full during Schoolies Week (mid-November to mid-December), the Australian leg of the IndyCar series (early October), and the Billabong Pro surfing competition in February.

The state's sporting obsession rivals Victoria's; recently, the Queensland Government announced that they would spend $100 million on a new, 25,000-seat stadium for the Gold Coast to support the newest team in Australia's National Rugby League, the Gold Coast Titans.

They debut in 2007 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

You can find out more about the Gold Coast at The Gold Coast Destination Guide. For travel agents try Virginholidays.