Gold Coast Information
Important Numbers & Websites
Police, Fire, Ambulance: 000
Taxis: 132 227
Transport Information: Click here
Internships Down Under: 02 93865441
Lost Credit Cards: Visa-1800 450346
Master Card: 1300 462273
American Express: 1300 132639
Tax File Number: Required to work in Australia
RSA Certificate: Required to work anywhere that serves alcohol.
Tourist Information
Gold Coast Visitor Centre ( Surfers paradise )
Open: monday – saturday from 8.30 am – 5.00 pm & sunday from 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Location: 2 Cavill Ave (Cavill Mall), Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
Phone: 1300 309 440 E-mail: [email protected]
For other Tourist Information Offices in Gold Coast please visit this website.
Mobile Phones
Month-by-Month Plans include both phone and data for all sim card sizes. Make sure that your phone is not locked to any network.
All the major communication companies (Vodafone, Optus, Telstra and Virgin) have pre-paid mobile packages. You can buy a prepaid card in one of their shops and recharge it easily. You can buy the recharge-codes in almost every supermarket, news agency or convenience store.
Opening a bank account
There are four major banks in Australia; Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac and National Bank. To open a bank account in Australia, you will need to identify yourself so make sure to bring your Passport. Walk into any bank office and let the staff open an account for you. It is very easy and depending on which package you will get, you pay around A$4 per month for your bank account. Make sure to bring a little bit of cash with you since you will make your first deposit right away to get the account working. Opening a bank account at National Bank (NAB) won’t cost you anything monthly.
From Brisbane Airport to Gold Coast
You will be likely to fly to Brisbane since this is the nearest International Airport. It is about 90 km away from Gold Coast but very easy to reach. For instance you can take the Airtrain from the Airport. This train departs every 15 minutes (5 am – 10 pm) from Brisbane Airport – Brisbane City – Gold Coast. This will cost around A$35.00. Visit the Airtrain website for more information. You can also book a transfer from the Airport to your Hotel/ Hostel, prizes start at A$50.00, read more about this option on the website. A taxi is very expensive and will cost around A$200-A$300.
To plan your journey go on to this website.
Getting Around
Gold Coast has the same public transport system like in Brisbane.
You can purchase a Translink Card and use it on all public transport in Queensland. Just simply top up your Translink Card online, supermarkets, at bus/train stations and selected newsagents.
For all detailed information on timetables for train, bus and tram please visit this website.
Note: International students are not entitled to purchase a student concession ticket.
Click here for assistance with all public transport services in Queensland .
Accommodation
Internships Down Under can offer assistance with finding suitable accommodation:
• Furnished Student Accommodation ( More information )
• Homestay
• Hostel
Click Here for more information
Warning: Do not send money to anyone until you’ve seen the room!
Flights
Domestic flights can be booked with:
• Jetstar
• Virgin Australia
• Tigerair
• Qantas
• BYOJet & Webjet (compares all airlines and their prices)
Weekend Trips
There are many websites for organizing fun weekend trips. Make sure to also visit the information centre. Trips organized by Internships Down Under will be announced in our newsletter.
For your safety
We would like to remind you to take the same safety precautions in Australia as you would in your home country. Although Australia is generally a safe and friendly country, there are the usual dangers and annoyances which can be found in most cities around the world;
•Please try to avoid dark empty streets at night.
•Watch your drinks when you’re in a bar. People have been known to drop in dangerous substances.
•Try not to carry too many valuables with you.
•Make sure you know the number to disable your credit card if stolen or lost.
•Lock your windows and doors when you leave your house
•Take care when you cross the road. You may not be used to cars driving on the left.
If you need any advice then please phone Internships Down Under: +61 (0)2 93865441
If you have an emergency requiring police, ambulance or fire brigade then please call the National Emergency Number: 000