Its subtropical climate and wonderful surfing beaches allow you to enjoy Australia’s most visited tourist destination all year round.
Gold Coast, also known as Australia’s Gold Coast, is a city located on the east coast of the country, within the state of Queensland.
When you visit the city for the first time, you will be quite surprised by the contrast of tall skyscrapers and kilometers of white sandy beaches.
Summer is the high season in Gold Coast. Many young people decide to visit attracted by its beaches and lively nightlife. That is why tourism grows considerably during this time of year, also increasing job opportunities in the service sector. This is a great advantage if your intention is to live in Gold Coast while studying and working.
Tranquility reigns throughout the year on the Gold Coast, so if you are looking to live in a larger city, you can decide to live in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.
If you want to receive more information about the city of Gold Coast, write to us or keep reading!
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The most popular neighborhoods are Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach (which we could consider the downtown). They are also the neighborhoods with the most tourist offer in terms of restaurants, shops, and hotels in Gold Coast.
Other neighborhoods not to be missed are Burleigh Heads or Mermaid Beach. Burleigh Heads has a bohemian atmosphere, an exceptional surfing beach, and its own natural park. Mermaid Beach is a charming neighborhood inhabited by many locals and students who have been living in Gold Coast for a while. This neighborhood also offers you a variety of leisure plans due to its proximity to Nobbys Beach, where you will find many of the city’s restaurants, cafes, and trendy places.
Other neighborhoods worth visiting are Paradise Point with many green areas or Runaway Bay with its canal system, marina, and reefs.
Weekly accommodation prices in Gold Coast based on location are:
Price range between a more peripheral and central area.
For your first days in Gold Coast, you won’t have to worry about anything because your Dingoos Integration Coordinator will manage accommodation for your first days. Where, in addition, you will meet other students and Work & Holidays, because we know how worried you come when you embark on this great adventure. Remember that you will always have us and our great community so you never feel alone.
Here we review the best neighborhoods to live in the city. Choose yours!
Basically, the downtown is Surfers Paradise, the most populated area full of everything; restaurants, hotels, bars, beach nearby, etc. Living here or not will depend on two main things; finding a job nearby that you can walk to and enduring the stress of urban centers well.
It is a bit north of downtown but very close. It is a more affordable neighborhood than others to rent and has a lot of green areas. Also, you won’t need a car because besides being a residential neighborhood, it is also commercial.
There are a lot of international students and quite a nightlife (so it’s not very quiet). To go to the beach, you can go to Main Beach if you don’t mind walking, otherwise, you can easily take public transportation.
It is a fairly touristy neighborhood, with lots of hotels, restaurants, etc. So if you live here, you will probably find work nearby.
It is a quiet neighborhood of about 5,000 inhabitants. It’s great for outdoor sports and living quietly. And you’ll find very cool houses!
Just 20-25 minutes from Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads is perfect for international students looking for a vibrant yet laid-back vibe. You’ll find a young, energetic atmosphere here, with plenty of bars, cafés, and places to go out.
It’s also a fantastic spot for surfing, with a scenic hill for sunset views and a beautiful natural park for walking or exercising. If you’re looking to improve your English, BHLC is a great local school to consider.
Located 20 minutes south of Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta is a peaceful gem that offers a taste of authentic Australian culture, perfect for surf lovers. Its beaches, like Duranbah, Snapper Rocks, and Kirra, are world-famous and home to surfing champions.
With fewer skyscrapers and a mostly local community, Coolangatta has a relaxed, welcoming vibe. You can also study English at the nearby BHLC school while fully immersing yourself in the Australian lifestyle.
The most used means of transportation is the tram. It has a 13 km line that connects the most populated neighborhoods although it is true that it does not reach all points of the city. Also, since life in Gold Coast is lived in a very relaxed way, it usually takes a while between trips. Buses are also a good means of public transportation in Gold Coast, operating 24 hours a day and reaching the main points of the city. With the “Translink” system, you can use the same ticket to travel both by bus and tram.
Upon your arrival in Gold Coast with Dingoos, your integrator will accompany you personally to get your transport card and explain how it works. Our Gold Coast team will make it super easy for you to adapt as soon as possible.
Another way to get around in Gold Coast is by bike. You have the option to buy a second-hand one or you can also rent it. In addition, the city council is building bike lanes. There is already a completed section which is the Ocean way that runs 36 km parallel to the coast.
Still, the quintessential means of transportation among our students is the motorcycle or car. In Gold Coast, the prices of these vehicles in the second-hand market are very affordable. Thus, they can move more comfortably around the city and even help them look for work in a much more effective way. If you want to know how to buy a car in Australia, here is a post where we explain everything about it.
The price of an average weekly shopping basket in Gold Coast is not as expensive as in other Australian cities. If you shop smart and brands are not your priority, you can do your weekly shopping for $80 – $100 AUD.
As advice to save money on your weekly shopping, we recommend that you do not buy fruits and vegetables at supermarkets. In Gold Coast, there are many greengrocers where you will find much cheaper prices. The best known is in the Pacific Fair shopping center.
The price of leisure is quite permissive in this city. For example, on Tuesdays, you can go to the movies for about $16.5 AUD, a coffee can cost you $4.70 AUD, and you can eat at a fast food restaurant for $13 – $20 AUD.
If you enjoy partying, you’ll find it in Gold Coast, and if you prefer daytime activities and sports, it’s also the place for you. This Australian tourist city combines a multitude of leisure activities, parties, outdoor events, surfing, and markets.
There are very popular activities in Gold Coast such as beach or green area yoga, outdoor picnics, or having a good barbecue with friends. At Dingoos, we organize meetups every week to keep you active and make sure you enjoy the adventure to the fullest. You won’t be short of plans!
Gold Coast has a very international character. Proof of this are the different Facebook groups of foreigners where they also inform about parties, plans, and interesting getaways.
The city of Gold Coast is very active, and you can also stay informed about everything that happens through the most relevant Facebook groups. They are very useful for leisure plans, finding cheaper accommodation, job offers, buying and selling vehicles, and much more. Here is one of the most active in Gold Coast:
Living in Gold Coast means being able to enjoy pleasant weather almost all year round. With its subtropical climate, you can have around 245 sunny days a year. The average temperature in summer (from December to February) is 25ºC. The atmosphere is somewhat humid but balanced by the cool sea breeze. In winter (from June to August), the average temperature is around 16ºC, with a cool and dry atmosphere.
Thanks to this ideal climate for outdoor activities, at Dingoos, we host a bunch of events that are also free: barbecues, surf lessons, yoga, soccer, and much more. With so many weekly plans, you won’t have time to get bored. Check our Facebook page if you want to see all our monthly events in advance.
Its temperate climate, multicultural environment, low cost of living, and endless leisure options, combined with the quality of schools to study English and VET courses, make Gold Coast a great destination to study and live a unique experience in Australia. Also, with the student visa, you can work part-time (24 hours/week) during classes and full-time (48 hours/week) during holidays.
To study in Gold Coast, you will have to meet some requirements, such as enrolling in a course approved by the Australian Government or applying for your student visa. At Dingoos, we help you in all phases of your experience, not only before your arrival but also throughout your stay in Gold Coast.
Write to us, and a Dingoos Guide will contact you to advise you and help you plan your Australian adventure.
Gold Coast offers a high and constant job offer throughout the year, especially in the service sector. If you manage well, it’s possible to cover your expenses with an average salary of $480 AUD per week working part-time with an average salary. So, if you’ve decided to live in Gold Coast with a student visa, you can work 24 hours a week with an average salary of $480 AUD.
To be able to work in Gold Coast, in addition to having your student visa, you will have to apply for the Tax File Number before starting to work. It’s a simple procedure, and you can do it once you have arrived in the city, but don’t worry because if you travel to Gold Coast with Dingoos, your integrator will help you apply for your TFN.
In Gold Coast, you can find all kinds of jobs, although the most demanded for international students are mostly related to the service sector. However, if you have a good CV, you can always apply for more qualified jobs.
Studying in Australia isn't the hardest thing in the world, but it's not as easy as waking up one day with crossed wires and saying "today I feel like going to the other side of the world for six months, I'm going to pack my bags."
Australia is a very safe country, with unstoppable economic growth for over 25 years and where there are plenty of opportunities and advantages for those who want to come to grow professionally and personally.
Our goal is to make everything clear from the beginning so that you know at all times what you will find on the other side of the world and you won't be surprised. Ready?
At Dingoos, we are experts in Australia and we will accompany you at every step to help you decide which visa suits you best. And once you have made up your mind, we will help you with all the procedures to make it so easy that you won't even notice.
If you finally decide to live in Gold Coast, here are some places you shouldn’t miss:
You can’t miss the experience of going up to Skypoint, the tallest building in Australia and one of the tallest in the world at 230m high and 1331 steps from the ground to the 77th floor. It only takes 42.7 seconds to reach the top in one of the fastest elevators in the world. The best part: the 360º views of the entire city. The worst part: the entrance fee is $27 AUD. And if you want, you can enjoy a drink or a meal with those wonderful views in the cafeteria on the 77th floor.
A must-visit if you come to Gold Coast. Burleigh Heads is a national park with amazing views. You can explore it along a trail by the sea with a 1.2km route, or hike up to the hilltop lookout. It’s an ideal place for sports, disconnecting, enjoying nature, and watching the sunset with your friends.
Saturdays and Sundays guarantee an Australian atmosphere. You can enjoy Burleigh Pavilion, one of the trendiest venues in Gold Coast for partying. And if you want to do sports, here you’ll find some of the best waves in the world for surfing. However, if you’re a novice in the surfing world, we don’t recommend it due to its rocky bottoms and strong currents.
Coolangatta is one of the top areas for surfing. Not only in Gold Coast but also worldwide. In mid-April, one of the WSL (World Surf League) circuits sponsored by Quiksilver takes place here due to its incredible and powerful Snapper Rocks wave. It has a surfer vibe and endless outdoor possibilities. Don’t miss it, you’ll soak up its relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
Springbrook National Park is about 45 minutes from the city center. It’s a magical place with spectacular waterfalls, tropical rainforest, and ancient trees, where you can relax and connect with nature. If you come to Gold Coast, Springbrook will be on your checklist, we’re sure of it.
Check out this video of our Hiking events around these wonderful rainforests. Don’t miss it!
Coombabah is a natural park of 1,200 hectares with green areas, eucalyptus forests, and, best of all, kangaroos and koalas, among other animals, in their natural habitat. It’s a preserved area ideal for walking, biking, or spending a pleasant time with native animals living freely.
Take a look at this video to see how beautiful this place is and how much our students enjoy it.
Learn about Adrian Ramirez’s experience studying English in Gold Coast to discover the Australian golden coast before arriving.
Many of our Dingoos choose Gold Coast to study and work because there are plenty of educational options and many opportunities to find seasonal jobs in the service sector.
If you feel like starting your Australian experience in Gold Coast, don’t hesitate to contact us, we will advise you and accompany you on this wonderful journey.
If you’re thinking about living for a while in Gold Coast, take a look at the following video and discover what it would be like to do it in 2024. Because the moment is now or too late. We’re waiting for you!
Since we know it’s very difficult to choose a destination in Australia, we want to help you by sharing the advantages and disadvantages of living in each city.
Sydney is the most universal Australian city, a bustling metropolis that never sleeps and where you always discover something new that leaves you in love.
Melbourne is one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world. The only downside to going is coming back, but you can always find a way to stay forever.
A haven of peace on the shores of the Pacific, the cradle of Australian bohemia. A place that is more than a place, it's a way of living life.
The capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia with two million inhabitants. A very manageable city with good weather all year round.
The great capital of the west coast, a city that, not being as touristy, perfectly preserves the essence of Australia. The best sunsets in the country are here.
An urban tropical paradise, surrounded by nature and with only 120,000 inhabitants, which is also close to a thousand places you can't miss.
A subtropical paradise without tall buildings or urban overcrowding, perfect for walking while seeing koalas and surfing near dolphins.
Life on the beach, life is better! The Australian sunshine coast is perfect for you if you're a calm person and can't imagine living in a big city.
The fifth largest city in the country located in the capital of South Australia. Beautiful, organized, and full of culture.
Hobart is one of the oldest cities in Australia. A place full of life, with breathtaking landscapes and many hidden corners to discover.
Darwin is the perfect place for those who want to study and work in Australia away from the hustle and bustle and with a very tropical style.
Canberra is the capital of Australia. A quiet, family-friendly city, very well integrated and surrounded by a lot of nature. It's also the seat of the Australian Parliament.
Amanda De Mingo, Events Manager at Dingoos, shares how every activity she organizes turns your international adventure into a unique experience filled with fun, learning, and friendships that last forever.
