Cheap flights to the Gold Coast’s Coolangatta Airport will get you to Surfers Paradise. Direct flights are available from most major airports and some regional airports across Australia. Flights exiting Perth have a flight time slightly over 4 hours and 30 minutes. Cheap flights are available from both Sydney and Melbourne. Virgin Australia offers direct flights from Canberra while cheap flights from Darwin with Airnorth transfer through Mt Isa. Departures from Hobart or Launceston will typically include a stopover in Sydney or Melbourne. The Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle services will connect directly with your accommodation. A taxi rank is located directly outside the terminal, as is the public bus stop. Surfside Bus 702 runs services into Surfers Paradise accommodating all flight schedules. There are a number of car rental companies operating from within the terminal and this is the most convenient way to take full advantage of a Surfers Paradise experience.

Navigating Surfers Paradise is easy. The well-signed roads and slow (but thick) traffic make for a relaxing driving experienced. Purchase a GoCard for cheap travel on Surfside Buslines. These extensive public bus services cover the length of the Gold Coast. Most attractions in Surfers are within walking distance, hail a cab for a reasonably priced fare. The Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle will transport you to any of the theme parks and the area is saturated with places to hire scooters. Hire bicycles to travel distances a little further than you’re prepared to walk – the flat landscape makes for a pleasurable, summer ride all year round.

Surfers Paradise is much more than sun, sand and surf. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a quirky museum of odd and unruly objects. Navigate illuminated walk-through maze Infinity, or the putt putt course at King Tutt’s. Learn to surf at Cheyne Horan Surf School, get behind the wheel at racing simulation RaceCentre or churn your stomach with a jerky catapult on the Slingshot. Completing the SkyPoint Climb will see rewards of spectacular panoramic views of the Gold Coast. Take an Aquaduck tour through the streets and waterways of Surfers Paradise and swim with dolphins at Sea World. Day trip to theme park offerings Dreamworld and Movie World or water parks Wet ‘n’ Wild and Whitewater World. Purchase a super pass for the best deal on multiple park entry. See Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in style with a Segway Safari. For a cheap and perfect day, laze on the golden beaches and always swim between the flags.

The Carrara Markets play host to an extensive list of stallholders, along with Luke’s Reptile Kingdom. Open-air mall Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has over 130 department, chain and speciality stores and Marina Mirage has high end fashion offerings. Head over to Harbour Town for a cluster of over 100 discount outlets. Fine diners relax at Seaduction. Critique at the Marriott has an extensive buffet and Deja View has a beautifully selected seafood buffet. Dine in spectacular fashion at Four Winds Revolving Restaurant or try zucchini flowers and tea-smoked trout at Samphire Bites. Themed restaurant Dracula’s is a great dinner, burlesque and theatre show – for the best experience treat yourself to a VIP pass. Club promoters are stationed on every street corner in Surfers, occasionally with a cheap club crawl deal. If not, start at trendy Black Coffee Lyrics or keep it casual at The Clock Hotel and Titanium Bar. Sip colourful creations at Cocktails & Dreams or party hard at Shooter’s, Vanity, 1 two 3 and of course SinCity Nightclub.