Gold Coast Travel

When going to Australia, tourist visa holders would definitely want to know all about the place they are heading to. And one of the most popular places that many visitors go to yearly is the Gold Coast in Queensland. And so, here are all the things that you need to know when getting into and going around the Gold Coast. 

Heading to the Gold Coast from overseas is very much straightforward, as the city is serviced by the Gold Coast International Airport, also known as the Coolangatta Airport, located in the Billinga suburbs. The airport is serviced by a large number of major international airlines, like Qantas and Japan Airlines. Also, the airport offers numerous domestic flights to and from other parts of Australia. And for those on a tight budget, the airport is a hub for many low cost airlines that service Australia.

For those who plan to go by land, there are many ways for you to get to the city. Coming from Brisbane, the Gold Coast is just a 40 minute drive if you take the Pacific Motorway. There are also several routes that will lead you directly from Melbourne or Sydney.

Buses are also another popular means of getting into the Gold Coast. And there are several companies that offer passenger a whole trip coming from as far as Sydney. Though not as popular as buses, trains also enjoy a large amount of passengers daily.

And for those that want to take a more scenic route, you can always take to the waters. Many ferries traverse the Nerang River, which is the major water system that crosses the city, on a daily basis. These ferries offer either a direct transport to several points within the city, or simply as a means of tourist cruising.

 

Overlooking the Gold Coast

Once inside the city, you have plenty of options to get around. Perhaps the most cost effective means of traveling in the Gold Coast (or any place for that matter) is by walking. This is useful if you live in the suburbs, where distances are short. Also, if you are in the central business district, where most of the hotels and commercial centers are close together, you can also easily go around on foot. And the Gold Coast's climate is rather mild, making it ideal for such travel.

But of course, you can't go all over the city just by walking. Thus, you might want to take the public transportation system. Buses and trains are the major ones that you can use to get to most of the places here. And if you are on a hurry, a taxi cab is just a call away.

For those looking for a healthier alternative, why not try cycling? The Gold Coast prides itself for having a large network of dedicated bicycle lanes that will get you anywhere on two wheels. Also, there are numerous bike rental shops that offer all kinds to suit every rider, so you really don't need to bring your own just to get around. 

Sources:
Queensland Government official site
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?PID=106
Gold Coast, Wiki Travel article
http://wikitravel.org/en/Gold_Coast
Image Sources:
http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/images.php
http://www.needtoescape.com/qld/queensland-gold-coast-8R34.html 

Enjoying Brisbane

When visiting Australia, travel visa holders would often want to head to the city of Brisbane. This one is surely a good choice, as the city has many things in store for the tourist. Here are some of the things that you might want to get your hands on when you arrive in the city.      

Since its summer this time around in Australia, many people would want to head out to the beaches. And in this regard, Brisbane doesn't lag behind other cities. Being in the Queensland coast, the city naturally has a wide expanse of beaches. One of the most popular beaches that both tourists and local residents frequent here is the South Bank Parklands. This area is very interesting in that it is located right in the center of the city, making it all the more accessible.      

If you are not into beach hopping, then there are other things that you can try here. One activity that you will definitely like is visiting the various parks found in the city. The above mentioned South Bank Parklands itself has a vast park area where you can enjoy yourself after having a dip in the beach. Another park that you might want to head to afterward is the New Farm Park in the southern part of the city. Here, you will surely enjoy the rose gardens, housing more than a thousand rose varieties. Kids and adults alike will also be very delighted when checking out the fig tree playground.    

And if you are looking for something a bit more fast paced, then why not try out motor sports? Brisbane is also home to many racetracks, including Queensland Circuit. Here, you will be able to get a chance to burn the asphalt as you get a tutorial and then a five lap track time around the course. For dirt enthusiasts, there is also the rally course beside the main track that you can try.      

Outdoor enthusiasts will also find bushwalking another good way to spend the day. Here, you will be able to explore Brisbane many natural wonders and wildlife. There are several areas in the city that is very well suited for the activity, and bushwalking clubs will guide you in learning its basics , as well as helping you in your trek.      

And as the night falls, Brisbane is still teeming with things to do for night animals. One area that film buffs definitely would want to visit is The Globe theater, where classic cult films are being shown. There are also plenty of restaurants in the city which serve very delicious meals.   

Sources: Brisbane Australia http://www.brisbane-australia.com/things-to-do.html Our Brisbane http://www.ourbrisbane.com/see-and-do Discover Brisbane http://www.discoverbrisbane.com/things/index.html Image Source: http://goaustralia.about.com/od/queensland/ig/Queensland-Islands/Heron-Island.htm http://www.ridelust.com/category/formula-1/page/2/

Why Live In Brisbane?

Brisbane is probably one of the most popular choices for people moving into Australia. Immigration information about the city then becomes very important to those planning to live in there. And here are some of the most important things that would be Brisbanites (that's what they call Brisbane residents) might want to know.

One of the first things that you probably want to know is about the climate in the city. Luckily for those planning to live here, Brisbane's climate is on the moderate side, meaning that it is not that hot or cold, though the summer days can be quite humid. Also, since the city is near the ocean, you can expect a cool ocean breeze to come by every day.

Aside from the inviting climate, the city itself also has many things that will surely attract many would be residents. For one, Brisbane is a modern city and not a laid back town, as many often think it is. Thus, you can expect all the modern comforts of city living here. Also, the city is very clean for its size, which is a good thing for those with health concerns.

And for those looking for accommodations in the city, you will likely be glad to find out that the city is not that crowded. This only means that you still have plenty of space to be able to build your own home. And as for those planning to rent a place, the rates are really not that high compared to other cities, so you will be able to secure one that is fit to your budget.

Since Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, many of the state's major businesses are located here. So you will be able to find a job quite easily in the city. And the best part of it is that the city's job market caters to all kinds of job seekers, from entry level to higher positions. Business opportunities also abound, as Brisbane continuously encourages foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the city.

And of course, living in Brisbane isn't all about serious stuff. There are many things in here to make your life in the city even more enjoyable. The beach is probably one of the first things that new residents will be looking forward to. The South Bank Parklands is one place that you might want to check out. This one is special in that it is a beach right in the middle of the city. There are also numerous attractions that adorn the Parklands, like the Nepal Peace Palace. And there are still other places to visit in the city for people staying there.

Sources:
Living In Australia
http://www.livingin-australia.com/living-in-brisbane-pros/
Queensland Government official website
http://www.bn.tafe.qld.gov.au/international/life/index.html
Image Sources:
http://or.ucr.edu/images/pictures/centers/FamilyStudies.jpg

Getting Into And Around Brisbane

When in Australia, tourist visa holders would surely want to visit the city of Brisbane. The Queensland capital definitely has many interesting things waiting for tourists to see. Thus, many travelers would want to know more about getting to and going around Brisbane. 

For starters, Brisbane is located in the southeastern coast of Queensland, in the mouth of the Brisbane River. It is known as the third most populous city in the country after the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. The city got its name from Sir Thomas Brisbane, a former governor of New Southwales from 1821 to 1825 (the city and the state itself was still part of NSW during that period).

Visitors can enjoy a year long sunny atmosphere, as the city's (as well as the state's) climate doesn't really change that much compared to other cities. However, do watch out for the summer seasons as they can be quite hot and humid. On the other hand, thunderstorms are quite frequent in the afternoon during the period from November to May.

Being the capital of Queensland, Brisbane is very accessible to visitors. Those people coming from other countries can directly land in Brisbane Airport, which is just 20 kms away from the city's central district. On the other hand, people coming from the Gold Coast can travel low cost to the Coolangatta Airport. And since Queensland has an integrated transportation system, you only need to secure a single ticket to fly to the airport and travel to Brisbane via bus or train.

Those people traveling on land also have several options to get to Brisbane. Those using private vehicles have many access points coming up from Sydney and Melbourne. There is also the public transportation system that links Brisbane to other cities. Premier Motor Services and Greyhound Australia are two of the major bus services that offer travel to and from Brisbane, these also take travelers to key points in the city.

Finally, when inside the city, are other means of travel aside from the public transportation system. Those wanting to cut down on costs can easily navigate the city's inner districts on foot. As have been said earlier, the city's climate is not that harsh, so you can enjoy traveling under the sun. And to avoid getting lost, you can easily purchase roadmaps from nearby bookstores. Another mode of transportation getting popular in the city recently is traveling using bicycles. In fact, dedicated bicycle lanes have been put up in the city's streets, so you need not to worry when going this way. Also, there are several rental companies offering bike use within the city.

And for those wanting to go around by car, rental companies are also quite plenty in Brisbane. They offer very affordable rates and have a wide range of vehicles to suit your needs. Some actually offer even scooters and motorbikes for inner city lane travel. These can be easily prearranged by the the tourist even before he sets foot in Brisbane.

Sources:
Brisbane, Wiki Travel article
http://wikitravel.org/en/Brisbane
Brisbane Travel Guide
http://www.brisbanetravelguide.com/  
Image Source:
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/913098-Brisbane_Australia-Brisbane.jpg 

Casinos In Australia

When vacationing to Australia, travel visa holders would surely want to have fun during their stay in the country. And one of the places that many tourists would go out looking for is a casino. Luckily for gamers, Australia does have its own version of Las Vegas.

Much like in the US, casino gaming is, in fact, a thriving industry in the country. And like in the States, you will be able to easily find a casino in the cities. Here are some that you might what to check out while you are on your way to your next vacation stop.

For those in the capital city, you might want to check out Casino Canberra. This one is located right in the heart of Canberra's central business district. Casino Canberra is, in fact the first legal casino that was established in the state, having been built in 1994. The casino offers a wide variety of the most popular games, like black jack and roulette. Furthermore, it is the only casino establishment in the Australian Capital Territory that is licensed to operate gambling tables.

There are also several casinos that are being operated by major companies in the country. The Skycity line is one of such companies. It operates one casino each in Adelaide and in Darwin. Both these casinos have exclusive licenses to operate gambling tables in their respective states. Skycity is also known for the many high stakes gamers that frequent their facilities yearly, some of whom are known for betting hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Another major player in the industry is Crown Casino. This is located in the city of Melbourne, and aside from operating the casino, it also runs several hotels and entertainment centers in its complex in the city's business district. The Crown Casino is noted for being the first casino to introduce an electronic roulette system in the country.

And if you are not able to get out of your hotel room, then you can always play your casino games on the internet. Australia actually also has a thriving online gaming industry. One thing that gamers need to know about online gambling in the country is the regulations with regards to it. It is interesting to note that, while it is strictly prohibited for online casinos to operate within the country, players who register here are still pretty much allowed to to go on . Also, there are now efforts to legalize online gambling in the country, which means more freedom for players.

Whichever way you go, you can still find a gaming just right the corner in Australia.

Sources:
Business Mirror
http://businessmirror.com.ph/community/blogs/entry/Australia-preparing-for-online-gambling-legalization
Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex, Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Casino_and_Entertainment_Complex
Image Sources:
http://national.atdw.com.au/multimedia/actc/outside%20signage.jpg
http://andrewscott.com/AS/images/stories/crowncasino.jpg