Hostelworld Guide for Surfers Paradise

Eoin White

The Essentials Getting There

By plane: The nearest airport is Coolangatta Airport which is approximately 22km south of Surfers Paradise. There are regular shuttle links between the city and the airport. By train: The only way to get to Surfers by train is to get the Gold Coast QR Train from Brisbane Airport and disembark at Nerang Station which is 12km from the city. By bus: This is the preferred mode of public transport along the east coast among budget travellers. If you arrive in Surfers by bus you'll be dropped off at Surfers Paradise Transit Centre in the centre of town. Most hostels offer pickup from the transit centre.

Climate
Boasting 287 days of sunshine annually, Surfers Paradise is an ideal escape at any time of the year. The sub-tropical climate boasts warm summers between November and February when temperatures stay between 20C and 30C, while the water is a comfortable 22C on average. During the winter you can expect to see temperatures from 9C to 21C while the wettest months are January and February.

Good to know...
Language: English Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) Electricity: 240 volts, 50 cycles. Plug: v-shaped flat prongs. Telephone Code: +61 (Australia), (0)7 (Surfer's Paradise) Emergency Code: 000 Time Zone: GMT +10 hours Central Post Office: Centro Shopping Centre, Cnr Cavill Mall and The Esplanade Main Tourist Office: Cavill Avenue

Getting Around
It's gaudy, it's flashy, it's loud and it's exhausting, but above all it's great fun in the sun. This is what makes Surfers Paradise a hugely popular stop-off for nearly every single backpacker exploring the east coast of Australia. Part of the country's breathtaking Gold Coast, Surfers is party central and Australia's most popular holiday destination thanks to its seemingly never ending beaches, glorious weather, great shopping, world-class theme parks and nightlife to rival any other city in the country. It's a concrete jungle and maybe not the most pleasing location on the eye, but that's not what it's about; an early morning stroll to the surf with your board, some time bronzing on the beach, an afternoon riding rollercoasters, an evening of food and drink and a night spent dancing like a maniac...that's Surfers Paradise. On foot: Surfers Paradise isn't huge so walking is the best way to get around. It's good to note that most of what there is to see is stretched out along the beach meaning you can explore from the beach and not from the pavement. By bus: Surfside Buslines operate a service which runs up and down Gold Coast Highway which cuts right through Surfers Paradise, 24 hours a day. If you're going to a theme park look out for the regular TX2 service which do same day return tickets for $10. By taxi: Catching a cab is never a problem in Surfers. They can be slightly expensive so if you're getting one cab try to travel in groups to lessen the damage on your wallet.

Embassies / Consulates
USA: +61 (0)2 9373 9200* UK: +61 (0)2 9247 7521* Canada: +61 (0)2 6270 4000** South Africa: +61 (0)2 6273 2424** Ireland: +61 (0)2 9231 6999* Germany: +61 (0)2 6270 1911** Spain: +61 (0)2 9261 2433* Italy: +61 (0)2 9392 7939* New Zealand: +61 (0)2 8256 2000* France: +61 (0)2 9261 5779* *Number is for embassy in Sydney **Number is for embassy in Canberra

In this Guide...
Useful Information After Dark Places to Eat Top Attractions Budget Tips Where to Shop

Surfers Paradise facts

Name: Originally named Elston after an area of Nottingham in England, Surfer's Paradise got its current name in 1933 when the popularity of 'The Surfers Paradise Hotel' led locals to adopt the much more marketable moniker. Population: Surfer's Paradise is home to approximately 20,000 people. Founded: Elston, as it was known then, was founded in the 1870s by a European farmer called James Beattie.

Hostelworld Guide for Surfers Paradise

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Cheap Eats
MEC, 2787 Gold Coast Highway When you want something greasy and delicious, this kebab joint is just the ticket. True, it's all fast food but the meal deals are the cheapest in town. So if you're low on cash but big on appetite, drop on in and leave stuffed. Open daily 12 noon-10pm.

After Dark
The Bedroom, 26 Orchid Ave If getting someone between the duvet is the priority on your night out then this club is the perfect place for you. The dancefloor is surrounded by beds, which is a fun and comfortable way to take a breather in between your favourite tunes. There are also regular guest DJs and dance performances. Open nightly 9am-5am. Waxy's, 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd Choosing between Irish pubs here isn't easy as there seems to be one on every street but Waxy's is the only place in town that has live music 7 nights a week. And with food and drink during the day, sport events in the evening and an upstairs nightclub, there's something for everyone here. Open daily 10.30am-close. Strike Bowling Bar, 35 Cavill Ave Is it a bird? Is it a bar? Is it a bowling alley? Well it's not a bird, but this is pefect for a fun night out as it's a bowling alley, bar and nightclub all in one. Full of things to keep you occupied, this might be the perfect place to begin your night out. Open daily 10am-close.

Don't Miss
Q1 Observation Deck, Level 77 of Q1, Surfers Paradise Boulevard For the best views of Surfers you'll have to enter one of the world's fastest elevators and climb to the 77th floor of the Q1 Tower. Once here you'll enjoy 360-degree views above everyone else in the world's tallest residential tower. Open Sun-Thurs 9am-9pm, Fri & Sat 9am-midnight; admission $19. South Stradbroke Island Take a trip to South Stradbroke Island and you will enjoy its undeveloped beaches, sand dunes and curious local wallabies. To get there all you need to do is take bus #706 from Surfers to Runaway Bay, and from there catch a ferry to the island. It's best to make an early start of it to ensure a full day's adventure.

Budget Tips
Buy theme park tickets in bulk There are all sorts of money saving deals on theme park tickets if you buy them in sets of three or more. Depending on your length of stay in Surfers, you could even fit a few theme parks into a single day if you start early enough. Ask at your hostel for the latest and greatest theme park deals. Go on a pub crawl Dotted around Surfer's you'll see stalls during the day advertising pub and nightclub crawls which are a great way to guarantee an epic night. On top of that you can take advantage of massive concessions thanks to their popularity. They're the perfect way to start off your time in the area and get to know new people.

Life saver

Thrill Rides

Recharge

My Oliver's Kitchen, Corner of Hanlan St and Esplande This extremely popular eatery does great deals on breakfast and lunch with nothing costing more than $10. As part of the Surfers Paradise Life Savers Club, you have to sign in at the bar before ordering. Queues can be quite big but don't let them put you off - they move quite quick. Open daily 8.30am-10pm. Pancakes in Paradise, 3046 Gold Coast Highway Every pancake your heart desires and service with a smile has made this place a big hit. The all-you-can-eat pancake special is a challenge worth taking and great value for money if you've got the stamina for it. Probably best to loosen your belt before visiting though. Open daily 8am-9pm. The Clock Hotel, 3282 Surfers Paradise Boulevard For good value, backpackers should look no further than the Clock Hotel for its fantastic lunch and dinner deals. Buzzing day and night, the chefs here serve up delicious steaks for half the price of everywhere else along with an assortment of other hearty dishes. A good place to start your night. Open Sun-Thurs 10am-12am, Fri & Sat 10am-3am. The Surfer's Beach Caf and Takeaway, The Esplanade Just off the main beach and perfect for an all-day breakfast or big lunch, this place is just the ticket the morning after the night before. Hangover-busting meals will have you feeling right as rain in no time - just watch out for daring seagulls stealing your grub. Open daily 8.30am-9pm. Hostelworld Guide for Surfers Paradise

Night safari

Swingin Safari, 2945 Gold Coast Highway The funkiest bar on the Gold Coast looks more like a series of living rooms than a bar, but in between the books, coffee tables, and sofas people lounge, chat and dress up in wedding dresses and similiar items from the clothes racks. Watch our for salsa nights, table quizes and more which are organised regularly. Open daily 5pm-midnight. Sin City, 22 Orchid Ave Sin City is one of the most popular nightclubs on the Gold Coast and is the place to be seen in Surfers. Playing a hypnotic mix of dance and chart hits, the dancefloor is heaving with the who's who of local names and faces and if you're not there early expect a long queue to get in. Open nightly 11pm-5am.

Theme Parks Just minutes from Surfers Paradise lie a selection of world class theme parks that are fun for kids of all ages. There really is something for everyone - from tame water slides to white-knuckle rollercoasters, live action shows to encounters with movie stars. A must do for all visitors to Surfers. Extreme Jetboating If you think your stomach can handle hurtling along the Nerang River at 70kph before being launched into a full 360 spin at the hands of highly professional, yet lunatic drivers then this is the activity for you. If that sounds a little nauseating don't worry, you're not alone. Surfing lessons Despite its name, Sufers Paradise isn't the greatest place for surfing. That is, if you're a decent surfer. If you're a novice then it's the ideal place to make your first tentative and ultimately unsuccesful attempts at the popular sport. For information on booking tours in Surfers Paradise visit the tourist office.

Go to the beach Of course there are countless things to do around Surfers Paradise that will drain your bank account, but what better way to spend a day than on its famous beach, taking it easy, playing in the sea, checking out the surfers, reading a book or recovering from the night before. Take a breather...you deserve it. Catch a movie on the beach During school and public holidays Surfers Paradise plays host to Australia's one and only beach cinema which is totally free to attend. All you need to do is bring your own snacks, drinks and chairs before settling down for the night and enjoying the sights and sounds from the big screen. Visit the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame Located just 6km from Surfers Paradise in nearby Southport, the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame (Owen Park, Queens St) is Queensland's first dedicated sports museum. It honours over 33 Gold Coast sporting champions who have reached the highest possible level in their sport. These include cricketer Craig Mc Dermott, swimmer Andrew Baildon, and rugby league legend Mick Veivers. www.hostelworld.com