greggoestravelling: Day 2 - 4 Queensland Australia (Gold Coast)

Day 2

Hertz Downtown Brisbane Car Rental

Hertz has a downtown branch at the central of Brisbane city. It is within walking distance from the Meriton Apartment at Herschel Street. Expecting to incur only AUD230 for 7 days rental, the amount increase to AUD480 after adding in the excess cover and related fees. I was booked on a full sedan but was given the equivalent: Nissan Altima.

Hertz offers day passes for multiple entries for tolls at a high price around AUD20. It is generally not worth it unless you will pass through the toll roads at least 5 times since per toll is AUD4. I did not encounter any toll from the journey from Brisbane to Gold Coast. There are no visible gantries for tolls. Hertz charges an administration fee of AUD16 to process any tolls encountered by the car. (A AUD4 toll will amount to AUD20).

I have encountered one toll when I was travelling from Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast. Unlike Singapore, there are no toll in Brisbane City and tolls can be avoided by passing through the Brisbane city rather than using the highway. Plan your journey well.

For location, click here

Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is a full sedan that has a huge boot that is capable of putting 2 large luggage and a small luggage. You hardly feel the bump on the road and is highly recommended to get a full sedan for long distance journey.

Comfort:

9/10

Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout

Opening Hours:

24 hours

For location, click here

If you are heading down to Gold Coast from Brisbane City, stop by Mount Coot-tha summit outlook to enjoy the panoramic view of Brisbane City. There are also restaurants and cafes at the lookout.

Drive to Gold Coast

The M1 motorway is a direct highway that brings you to Gold Coast from Brisbane City. It is about 83km and journey time is approximately 1 hour. The speed limit increases slowly from 80km/h in the city to 110km/h when you are outside of the city.

Meriton Apartment at Broadbeach

Comfort:

8/10

The Meriton at Broadbeach offers the same product as the one at Herschel Street. This apartment is conveniently located opposite the Jupiters casino and has many food choices in the vicinity. I have chosen this area for its quiet and relaxing nature compared to the busier streets at Surfer's Paradise. Car parking costs AUD10 for 24 hours parking with multiple entries.

I have booked this apartment for 3 nights through Agoda. Agoda was running an additional 12% off if you were to pay using a UOB credit card. Total cost inclusive of the discount is SGD280.

Surfer's Paradise

Car Parking is very expensive at Surfer's Paradise. However, you can park at Chevron Renaissance to take advantage of their 2 hours free parking scheme. Simply exit before the 2 hours mark and no minimum spending is required in the mall to qualify.

Caution: Do take note when your 2 hours are up.

You can take a slow stroll or feed the birds on the beach. There are plenty of shops in the area too. As it was the sales period, there are many items that are of a bargain.

JTB Travel Agency

Opening Hours:

0800 - 2000

For location, click here

If you are visiting attractions like the 3 worlds (Movie World, Dream World, Sea World), Tropical Fruit world or even the Australia Zoo, you can purchase the tickets from the travel agents here at a discount. I got a AUD6 off per person for the Tropical Fruit World and AUD2 for Australia Zoo. If you are a student, you can purchase the discounted student pass for some attractions. So, remember to bring your local student pass!

If you are not driving, you can take the G:link that runs the whole of Gold Coast, connecting Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

Dinner at Envy Bistro (Broadbeach)

For location, click here

AUD 12 for ribs and chips platter

Taste:

7/10

Nearby Woolsworth at Oasis Mall

Day 3

Lunch at Harbour Seafood Market

Opening Hours:

0900 - 1930

For location, click here

Day 3 plan is shopping at Harbour Town Gold Coast. If you are in the area, do drop by at the Harbour Seafood Market that is located diagonally opposite Harbour Town. You can select your own fish and they will help you cook them (Batter or Crumbs). I personally prefers the batter version. Their calamaris are also a must order item from their menu.

Taste:

9/10

Harbour Town Shopping Outlet

Opening Hours:

0900 - 1700

For location, click here

You have to visit this outlet mall if you are a shopper as they have really good bargains. Most of the shops here have discounts over discounts (E.g. take a further 40% off the already discounted items).

First thing you do when you are there is to head to their customer service centre to get the tourist card. That card will entitle you additional discounts on top of what they are offering.

There is also a lounge there where you can help yourself with the complimentary coffee and tea to recharge yourself for the shopping trip.

Bought a pair of Nike Air Jordan Shoe for AUD80 after an additional 30% off the discounted price

Bought a Ben Sherman Tees for AUD13.50

Bought a pair of jeans for AUD35 and 3 underwears for AUD20. The prices are before an additional 10% off when you present the tourist card.

Polo Ralph Lauren

Bought a polo tee here for just AUD38!

Bought a pair of shorts for AUD10

Shopping Experience:

9/10

Dinner at Harbourside Market

Dinner was once again at Harbourside Market. The craving for the calamaris were too hard to resist. Also, this is one of the place that do not close at 5pm.

The box contains 2 types of fish, 1 fish roe, calamari rings, fish bites, seafood sticks, whitefish fritters, and lots of fries. Total cost around AUD30. Its a feast!

Late Nights at Jupiters

Opening Hours:

24 hours

For location, click here

Parking is free at Jupiters

Do not bring too big of a bag if you are intending to enter the casino area. They might require you to deposit them at the customer service counter.

Although the casino is free to enter, it costs me AUD75 at the end of the day :/

Day 4

Breakfast at Mcdonalds

Opening Hours:

0630 - 2100

For location, click here

Build your own burger. We have a few of this machines back in Singapore too.

They use real beef chunks for the wrap. One meal will set you off at around AUD9. Pretty expensive for a Mcdonalds.

Taste:

8/10

Superbee Honey World

Opening Hours:

0900 -1700

Admission:

Retail Shop - Free

Live Beekeeping Show - AUD11

For location, click here

Superbee Honey World is close to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Short term parking (<1 hour) is free when you visit Superbee honey world. You can park at the express parking lots outside of the main parking lots. The main parking lots are attended by a parking attendant and are chargeable (AUD10 per entry)

Free sampling of the different honey available for sale

Tweed Head

Opening Hours:

24 hours

Admission:

Free

For location, click here

Visit the border of Queensland and New South Wales at the Captain Cook Memorial in Tweed Head.

I am in 2 states at once!

View from Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse (Tweed head)

Tropical Fruit World

Opening Hours:

1000 - 1600

Admission:

AUD45 (AUD39 from travel agent)

For location, click here

The tropical fruit world used to be a pure research lab for avocado

Our ride for the tour

Fruit Tour:

The first fruit that we tried is the banana. It tastes harder than the ones in Singapore.

Macadamia Nuts

The guide brought us to the macadamia trees where there are raw nuts available for eating. There is a simple tool to crack open the nuts or you can simply use a large rock to crack the nuts against the ground.

Animal Feeding

Next stop is the animal feeding experience. We were brought to feed the cows in the shed. There are also other animals such as the donkeys, horses and kangaroo in the area as well. Hidden on the roof of the shed is a python. But it appears to be sleeping.