Editing Gold Coast

The '''Gold Coast''' is sunny all year round! It is a great place to go hang out in the beach, party and be a tourist! The area is highly developed and is populated with retirees, tourists, celebrities, as well as wealthy vacationing families from [[Australia]] and around the world. Here you can find every tourist attraction you can imagine from Horse Riding to Extreme Sports or Day Spas and Retail therapy! There is always something for every body.

== About the Couch Surfing Community ==
The Couch Surfing community in the Gold coast is only just coming alive, with a great group of people who are very interested in participating and organizing different events, games and trips. Check out our posts on the Gold Coast group to see what we’re up to. And give us a shout out so that we know you’re here!

== Meetings and Events ==

=== Couch Surfing ===
The local Couch Surfers are currently well on our way to achieving a regular Gold Coast Meeting Event. We are going to start with having it fortnightly. We kicked the 2010 year off with a New Years Event followed by our legendary '''"Frisbee Summer Series"''' Meeting on [http://couchwiki.org/en/Gold_Coast#5.1.3| Broadbeach] every Saturday at 4pm 

We have ideas for loads of meetings, trips, events and party nights! So keep an eye on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=1413|Gold Coast Group] and our posts. Also, check out your [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html Events Page] and do a search for events in the Gold Coast area, join in and check your attendance, so we can look out for you!
[[File:FrisbeeMeeting.JPG|thumb|left|alt=AGroup of Surfers at Broadbeach.|The Frisbee Meeting ''[[Gold Coast]]''.]] The Gold Coast has travellers coming through from all over the world, many are here for some days, but quite a lot are here to stay longer periods of time, working and/or studying. Our 'locals' are also people from all over the world who have lived in Australia for several year.

=== Gold Coast Events ===
[http://www.magicmillions.com.au/ Magic Millions]

[http://www.summafieldayze.com/ Summafieldayze]

[http://www.bigdayout.com/ Big Day Out]

[http://www.goodvibrationsfestival.com.au/ Good Vibrations]

===== Surfing Competition =====
…

== Location and Orientation ==

The Gold coast is part of the state of Queensland. We’re between the border with New South Wales and the city of Brisbane. The Gold coast covers more than 1400 square Kilometers. From the top just south of Beenleigh all the way down to Coolangatta. The city includes South Stradbroke Island and part of Moreton Bay. Also gifted with the beautiful hinterland of Mount Tamborine and the Lamington and Darlington Ranges inland.

Brisbane is about 80km away, depending of where you are. And New South Wales is also not too far.


=== Getting There ===
There are many ways you can get to and from the Gold Coast…
==== By Train ====
====By Car====

==== By Plane ====
You can use two airports to get here, either you fly into Brisbane and commute down via Train or a rental. Or you fly straight to the Coolangata Airport and take a bus in to Surfer’s or Burleigh or wherever you are going. 

=== Getting Around ===
==== Buses ====
The buses are not our favorite, but it is not bad to get around when you’ve got time. 

Here is the link for the bus’s routes and timetables: http://www.translink.com.au/tt_results.php

== Things To Do ==
There are plenty of things to do and see in the Gold Coast…


=== The Beaches ===
The Gold Coast is famous for it's beautiful beaches. Here is a list of the most popular beaches in order from North to South:

===== Main Beach =====
=====Surfers Paradise=====
The most popular and heavily touristed beach and highest sky scrapers in the Coast.
===== Broadbeach =====
The Fancy beach with the Monorail
===== Mermaids Beach =====
More family oriented
===== Miami Beach =====
More 'local' pubs

===== Burleigh Beach =====
Burleigh Beach is an awesome place to hang out at. Every Sunday afternoon, just as the sun is setting, the community gathers, informally; to play their bongo drums, perform dancing, Hoola hooping and Fire Twirling. Every week there is something new to watch, awesome people to meet and good vibes to experience. Come along and enjoy the free show, and if you have the talent, you can even join in!
===== Coolangata =====
Next to the airport, a Beautiful beach and simpatico town with amazing view to enjoy of the northern Gold Coast beaches. Coolangata beach is long and beautiful like a postcard!

=== The Theme Parks ===
===== Wet n Wild =====
=====Movie World=====
===== Sea World =====
=====Dream World=====

===== Tips for special Deals =====
=== The Farmer's Markets ===

===== Surfer’s Paradise Beach front Market =====
=====Carrara Markets=====
===== Nerang Markets =====


== Places to Eat ==

=== Traditional Australian ===
===Cheap Eats===

== Last Minute Accommodation ==
=== Hostels and Hotels ===

== Long Term Accommodation ==
Share accommodation is one of the most popular way of living around Gold Coast for young people. Looking for a flat on your own can be often difficult and expensive. That's why most people decide to share a place with few flatmates. The best places to look for share listigs are online flatmate websites and real estate portals.
* [http://au.easyroommate.com/queensland/gold-coast-share-accommodation share accommodation Gold Coast] - EasyRoommate.com, the biggest flatmate site in Australia, might require a paid subscription to see all contact details
* [http://www.flatmates.com.au Flatmates.com.au] - free and quite popular
* http://www.realestate.com.au - biggest real estate portal with dedicated Share section

== Local Couch Surfing Ambassadors ==

== Other Links and Information ==

* http://www.goldcoastinformation.com.au/
* http://www.goldcoast.com.au/
* http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/qld/goldcoast/
* http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/qld/goldcoast/directory/natural-attractions
* http://www.translink.com.au/
* http://www.myweekend.net.au/qld%20events.htm
[[hitch:Gold Coast]]