Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a city located in the south east corner of Queensland, 93 km SE of Brisbane. It has a population of around 530,000 people making it the 6th largest city in Australia. The entire Gold Coast is under the authority of the Gold Coast City Council which includes districts such as Surfers Paradise, Broadwater, Currumbin, Gaven, Southport and Burleigh. The Gold Coast stretches from up north in Beenleigh, south to the border of New South Wales and west to the Great Dividing Range. The main source of revenue for the regions economy is tourism followed by finance, retail and property. The Gold Coast area is characterized and well known for its long stretches of beach accompanied by modern high rise apartment buildings running down the coast with concentrated commercial areas mainly in the Southport and Surfers Paradise areas.

Education:

There are a number of private and public schools in the region as well as a selection of universities. The Gold Coast attracts students from around the world because of the quality and abundance of education options. The city currently (2008) has approximately 400 training and education providers.

Griffith University is the largest campus in the city as well as the fastest growing. Another well known educational institution is the private Bond University that has been producing professionals since 1989. Southern Cross and Central Queensland Universities are the other two large campuses that are located in the region. The Gold Coast also has numerous other options for education like private colleges and apprenticeships.

Public, non-denominational, independent and special needs schools are all available throughout the Gold Coast City Council area. The Council has a committed program of providing first class education to all its residents and visitors at all levels of education.

Infrastructure:

The main way for people to travel in the Gold Coast is by car. There are major transport roads which help to move the residents of the region to their destinations. A number of roads connect the Gold Coast with Brisbane and other major hubs. The Pacific Motorway which goes through inland Queensland eventually becomes the Pacific Highway which leads through to New South Wales. The Gold Coast highway services the parts of the region that are on the coast. This road is a vital arterial road for the region.

The main public transport options in the area are the taxis, buses, trains and ferries. Trains run constantly between the Gold Coast and Brisbane with bus connections from the stations to commercial areas. Buses service all areas of the Gold Coast along with taxis with ferries only servicing limited routes.

Gold Coast International Airport services the region with regular flights to and from other major cities in Australia and New Zealand and some select destinations in Asia whilst Brisbane airport covers those visitors from America and Europe.

The Gold Coast Hospital is the main hospital in the region however there are several other smaller private and public hospitals throughout the area.

Attractions:

The Gold Coast is packed with numerous world class attractions that appeal to all ages and tastes. With approximately 10 million tourists visiting this region every year, it is one of Australia’s leading destinations. There is a wide range of activities to get involved in whether it be going to the beach, riding a rollercoaster or going shopping.

Beaches: Beautiful beaches stretch down the coast offering spectacular marine life and great waves.
Theme Parks: Wet N’ Wild, Warner Bros Movie World, Sea world and Dream World provide an abundance of options for families.

Shopping: Pacific and Australia Fair, Chevron Renaissance, Oasis Shopping Centre and many more shopping locations

Outdoors: Mt Tamborine, Canungra, Lamington National Park, Beaudesert and Springbrook National Park are all world class places to go bushwalking and sightseeing.

Trendy clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants are located all over the city. Some of the main areas to go out for a bite to eat or a few beers are Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Sanctuary Cove and Main Beach. If you like to gamble, visit Jupiter’s Casino or if you wish to see a show, be entertained at the convention centre for some of the city’s great annual shows.

The Gold Coast has it all and will not disappoint. Residents can live the cosmopolitan busy city life, relax in a beach house or live in one of the wonderful suburban areas. The region remains one of Queensland’s premier places to live and visit and will continue to be in the future.