Travel Guide
Gold Coast Australia

Gold Coast Weather
The Gold Coast has so much to offer come rain or shine. Generally, you can’t go too wrong with the weather here.  It is important to know how hot and humid it can be at times. Best to be prepared.

Gold Coast Weather covers the seasons, average and extreme temperatures, rainfall and humidity plus variations in weather along the coast and into the hinterland.


Australian School Holidays
It's very important to know when school holidays are on!  

School holidays mean:

• accommodation tariffs are their highest
• best accommodation deals book out early
• flights can be difficult to book especially at either end
• best deals on hire cars are often booked out
• tours are booked up
• not all Australian States take their holidays at the same time

Generally, peak accommodation periods are during Queensland School holidays - check before you book.  

Some quick tips...

• Move your holiday to avoid the school holiday and save on airfares and accommodation.

• Tourist hotspots on the Gold Coast are busy during school holidays - but compared to Europe or USA you'll always find a spot somewhere on the 57 kms of incredible sandy beaches!

• Christmas and New Year through to late January are the busiest times - it's summer holiday time!  It's a great time to really experience the buzz in the Gold Coast.
  

Follow this link to the travel guide section detailing major Australian school holiday dates.


Major Gold Coast Events
You may be planning your trip to coincide with an event on the Gold Coast, or equally, you may want to avoid Main Beach during Gold Coast Indy Week either way, it’s best to know in advance!

This part of our travel guide gives you an idea of what's on - in and around the Coast.

Please check event dates with organisers as dates can change due to unforseen circumstances.  The information here is for guidance only.

Magic Millions Horse Carnivals - January & June
Yearling Sales, Race Days and lots of associated events are held during the Carnivial. Yearling Sales are held at the Magic Millions Sales Complex which is next to the Gold Coast Turf Club Racecourse. Races held at the Gold Coast Turf Club in Bundall - other venues host lunches, golf days etc. The Horse Racing fraternity from all over Australia turn out with all the usual glitz and glamour.

Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show - May
The village at Sanctuary Cove comes alive.  The marina is transformed into an amazing boat show - what an incredible venue.  Stay at Sanctuary Cove for the full experience.  Or if you just want to nip in for a day buses or helicopters transfer you quickly and efficiently.  A great boat show, lots of atmosphere and the boats - well they are incredible.  The latest is usually on show - go on treat yourself!

Gold Coast Marathon - July
One Sunday usually early in July with road closures along the Coastal Highway from Coolangatta (near the airport) to Labrador (just north of Southport).

Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race & Regatta - March/April
Sometimes called the Sydney Southport Yacht Race because the Gold Coast host club is the Southport Yacht Club. SYC will be bustling with a great array of Australian Ocean racing yachts - many of which also compete in the world famous Sydney to Hobart Race. The boats race from Sydney to Southport around Eastertime. They also take part in the SYC's Commodore's Cup Regatta. Overall, a great excuse to ogle top class ocean racing yachts or even get out on the water yourself!

Gold Coast Indy - October
The Gold Coast Lexmark Indy 300 is staged on the streets around Surfers Paradise and Main Beach. Work starts on the track in September and causes some traffic congestion particularly going through Surfers. Each year it seems to get slightly better but it’s good to be aware that it may impact travel times in the area from September through to late October.
The whole area is pretty much sealed off just before, during and straight after the Indy Carnival days.

Best Accommodation if you are going to Indy is either in Surfers Paradise or in Main Beach – then you’ll be right in the middle of all the action.

If you want to spend a bit of time at Indy but plan to see more of the coast as well – best to stay outside Surfers Paradise and Main Beach.

We've a whole section on the Indy as a travel guide including information about ticketing, where to stay, how to get there and some other great tips in our travel guide.

Indy is such a BUZZ! Our family lived in South Melbourne right next to where they staged the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix – and the noise was just so enticing! We all loved the cars and the atmosphere. It’s just the same with Indy.

Schoolies Week - November
The Australian School Year wraps up in November for school leavers.

In 1997 we holidayed in Surfers Paradise in November. Our travel guide (aka our travel agent) didn't tell us that Schoolies Week started on the last night of our stay. Our apartment was right in the heart of Surfers Paradise where the main action was. As a family, I have to say, we were glad it was our last night. We didn’t get much sleep!

Unless you are a 16 to 18 year old Australian Schoolie, probably best to find accommodation outside Surfers Paradise during this week.

That said, Schoolies is very well organized and they have some great activities and entertainment for the young adults. All Schoolies must be registered to enter events and the organizers and Police are understandably very strict about this.

Major Gold Coast Events 2007
Major Gold Coast Events 2008