Gold Coast for International Visitors

The Gold Coast has all of the services and infrastructure to make your vist a safe and comfortable one. There are banks where you can get international currency exchanged and shopping centres offering a variety of goods services.

Time

10 hours ahead of GMT (GMT/UTC +10 hours). The Gold Coast does not have daylight savings.

Postage

A local postage stamp is 50c which will get a normal letter to anywhere within the country. Overseas mail generally goes via air unless specified otherwise and it takes around 4 to 5 days to get to most international destinations. As a general guide you can send a postcard to the UK or the USA for around $1.

There are a number of Post Offices on the Gold Coast. Post Offices are open from 9.00am - 5pm Monday to Friday and provide a range of services including electronic banking and passport interviews. If you're wanting to send a letter or take advantage of any of the other services Australia Post offers, then visit one of the following Post Shops:

Ashmore City Shopping Centre
Australia Fair, Southport
Southport Park Shopping Centre
Habour Town Shopping Centre
Oasis Shopping Centre - Broadbeach
Burleigh Town Market Place - Burleigh Heads
Robina Town Centre - Robina
Paradise Centre - Surfers Paradise
Tweed Mall - Tweed Heads

Banking

Most major banks offer full service banking facilities on The Gold Coast. Visa, Mastercard, Bankcard and other major credit and debit (EFTPOS) cards are accepted in most establishments throughout the Gold Coast.

Banks on the Gold Coast

BANK OF QUEENSLAND - Phone: 1300 557 272
BENDIGO BANK - Phone: 1300 366 666
COMMONWEALTH BANK - Phone: 13 2221
HSBC BANK - Phone: 1300 308 008
ST GEORGE BANK - Phone: 13 3555
NATIONAL - Phone: 13 2265
SUNCORP - Phone: 13 1155
WESTPAC - Phone: 13 2032

Telecommunications

The area code for the Gold Coast is (07). International dialers need to dial the international access code for the country they are in, then 617 followed by the local number. Services include an international direct dial, Internet, Voice/Data/Facsimile and Operator, International Toll-Free, and payphones. The basic 'local-loop' telephone service (POTS, PSTN) is provided to almost every location by Telstra. Most telephone connections are the standard RJ11 ("modular") plugs, however, there is a proprietary Telstra connector (TAS) that is also used on some circuits. You can pick up a converter at most electronics stores.

Electricity

240 volts AC, 50 cycles (50Hz), three (sometimes two) flat pin plug.

Currency

Australian currency is used with bank notes for five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred dollars. The cost of the Australian dollar (AUD) does fluctuate, but is about $0.55 US Dollars. You can use this currency converter to get a more accurate conversion from 180 different currencies.

Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at the Sydney & Brisbane International Airport. Changing foreign currency can be done quickly and efficiently at most banks and at Bureau de Change outlets.

Tipping

As a rule, tipping is not expected on the Gold Coast, however, it is customary so if you are happy with someone who has tried that little bit harder and gone the extra mile, then a tip is in order and always appreciated. Giving a small tip (10% of the bill) in a restaurant is in order if the service is good.

Getting Around

There are a number of taxi services available on the Gold Coast, taxi ranks are common and you can usually flag one down along the street - you can also book a cab in advance.

Cars drive on the left hand side of the road. If you're not used to it, take care when crossing the road - you should always use a "zebra crossing" to cross safely. Visitors driving in Queensland must observe the licence requirements for visitors. Drive at or below the posted speed limit. The general speed limit in cities and towns is 60 km/h but many local and suburban roads have a 50 km/h speed limit.

Seasonal Information

The temperature on the Gold Coast, on average, ranges from 19 to 29 °C in the height of Summer and 9 to 21°C in Winter.

The Seasons

Spring : September 1 through November 30
Summer : December 1 through February 28 or 29
Autumn: March 1 through May 31
Winter : June 1 through August 31

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in most public buildings buildings including restaurants, in busses, taxis or on any domestic flights. Smoking is still permitted on licensed premises.

Emergency Services

In a life threatening emergency dial 000 for the Ambulance, Police & Fire Emergency Services.

Non-emergencies and General Enquiries

Queensland Police Service 68 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise ph 5570 7888
Queensland Regional Fire & Rescue Service 32 Tansey St, Beenleigh ph 3287 8500
Gold Coast Hospital 1108 Nerang St, Southport ph 5571 8211
Non urgent Ambulance ph 13 12 33

Health Services

The Gold Coast Hospital is at 108 Nerang St in Southport, John Flynn Hospital is on Boyd St in Tugun and Tweed Heads District Hospital is on Florence St in Tweed Heads. For general enquiries, call the Gold Coast Hospital on (07) 5571 8211.