Travel info

All international visitors to Australia will need a valid passport and an Australian visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) which you will need to apply for before you arrive. Visa types will depend on the length of stay and your visit purpose, but please check before departing your country of origin if you need a visa to visit Australia. If you are arriving via a domestic service into the Gold Coast, you are not crossing any international borders and won’t be required to pass through customs. As a domestic arrival, you’ll have flown from one town or city within Australia to another, but it is still advisable to carry your passport and have your photo ID ready for identification purposes which may be required for flights, accommodation and tours.

All international visitors to Australia need a valid passport and an Australian visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Visa types depend on your length of stay and the visit’s purpose, but your application for a Visa can be lodged online as well as your ETA. You can also pick them up at select travel agents, airlines and Australian diplomatic offices worldwide. If you don’t hold a passport that is approved for ETA, you will need a ‘label’ visa that you can apply for at Australian embassies, high commission offices or consulates. The Immigration Department’s website offers more information on what you will need to enter Australia.

Australian Dollars (AUD) are the currency of Australia and are widely accepted, with Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express, Bankcard, JCB and their affiliates accepted too. Currency exchange services can be found at the Gold Coast Airport and in popular tourist spots including Surfers Paradise, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and Australia Fair along with most Australian banks. Australia has a goods and services tax (GST) applicable on purchases of 10%, - but if you keep your receipts, you may be able to claim this and the wine equalisation tax at the airport when departing.

Tipping is not required in Australia but is always appreciated should you feel the service received was exemplary. Tip jars may be present on counters at some cafes, restaurants and tour operators, but it’s discretionary rather than expected to provide a tip and is usually spilt at the end of the day with all staff who have worked that shift. Most Australians leave the change if it’s under a few dollars, which is optional also.

The Gold Coast is an inclusive and welcoming destination for all, and accessibility is an integral part of the Gold Coast visitor experience. Upon arrival at the Gold Coast Airport, you’ll find an Eagle Hoist to assist passengers with special needs, accessible parking close to the airport entrance and transport options available across both private and public sectors just outside the terminal too. Most Gold Coast hotels, resorts, apartments, private homes and caravan parks offer accessible accommodation options. Public facilities include accessible toilets and change rooms, you’ll find local parks with accessible playground equipment and public swimming pools with hoists and chairlift access, and shopping centres, cafes, restaurants and theme parks all provide level accessible areas, ramped access, automatic doors and lift access. Many of our beaches are wheelchair friendly, with some offering mobility-conscious walkways. Find more information in the official Queensland Government Accessibility Guide to the Gold Coast.

In an emergency, call 000. If you need urgent help from the police, fire or ambulance service while visiting the Gold Coast, you should call 000 immediately and Australia’s Telecommunications provider Telstra will answer the call and transfer you, along with information about your location, to the emergency service you request.

Surrounded by waterways, and with the open ocean lapping our Gold Coast shores, it’s essential to know how to stay safe when visiting our beaches. Always choose a beach to swim at that is patrolled by Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) lifesavers and only swim between the flags. Flags represent the area that is patrolled by surf lifesavers (they wear red and yellow) and indicate the safest place to swim at the beach. Read the safety signs located between the flags before entering the water, and if you’re unsure, ask a surf lifesaver for advice on local swimming and surfing conditions. Inexperienced swimmers should not swim alone, and children should always be supervised by an adult, even when surf lifesavers are present. Don’t forget to put on plenty of SPF 50+ sunscreen also, and choose a reef-safe brand if you can too, which protects not just your skin, but our marine life also.

The Gold Coast is a friendly and relaxed place to visit but knowing a few local tips before you arrive is a good idea. We’d recommend you pack high-protection sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, and if you plan to go swimming, a rash shirt to protect you from the sun while you are enjoying the water. Pack your swimwear for all adventures, as there are plenty of places to take a dip, but remember, it’s safest to swim at patrolled beaches and only swim between the flags. Dress codes do apply at some establishments, including public bars, surf clubs, hotels, golf clubs and nightclubs and you may be asked to provide ID. Pack a light jacket during cooler months or if you plan to go out at night.

The Gold Coast has two Visitor Information Centres conveniently located at the Gold Coast Airport and in Surfers Paradise. You’ll find all the information you need for exploring the Gold Coast including maps, brochures and itineraries and endless options for things to do. Friendly assistants will help with advice on how to make bookings for local tours, purchase tickets for theme parks, book accommodation, restaurants and more, plus give you local insights from what to wear, where to eat, how and where to catch public transport and how to make the most of your time on the Gold Coast.

There are so many ways to enjoy the Gold Coast, and you could stay for weeks and still not see and do all that is on offer. But we recommend spending at least five days on the Gold Coast to experience our world-class beaches and iconic surf culture, sample some of our fresh local cuisine, do a spot of shopping, take a few tours and still have ample time to relax and enjoy our laid-back coastal lifestyle.