Make it a trip · Gold Coast, Australia
What Gold Coast costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Surfers Paradise.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Arriving
-
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Fixed
For US, CA, SG passports.
Apply in the official Australian ETA app. The charge stayed at A$20 after the July 2026 visa fee rise.
Source: Tern Visa, Australian visa fees 2026 (2026-07)
A$20 -
Bus 777 and G:link tram to Surfers Paradise Fixed
Bus every 15 minutes, 7am to 7pm, to Broadbeach South, then the tram. Tap a bank card.
Sources: Gold Coast Info, public transport guide (2026-07), TransLink, 50 cent fares (2026)
A$0.50 Book an airport pickup -
eVisitor visa, free Fixed
For GB, IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Apply online before you fly; there is no government charge.
Source: Tern Visa, Australian visa fees 2026 (2026-07)
Free -
Visa on arrival, free Fixed
For NZ passports.
New Zealand citizens get a visa when they arrive.
Source: All Blog, Australia visa guide 2026 (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
G:link tram or bus ride Fixed
Flat Queensland fare on buses, trams and trains.
Sources: TransLink, 50 cent fares (2026), Gold Coast Info, public transport guide (2026-07)
A$0.50
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$20 -
US$10.40
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$106 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$3.90 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$7.70
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$1.60 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$2.90 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Gold Coast (2026-06)
US$5.90
Doing
-
Dreamworld, one day Many reports
Booked online. Over 124 AUD at the gate.
Source: Cities Insider, theme parks and attractions (2026)
A$109 Get tickets -
Warner Bros. Movie World, one day Many reports
Booked online.
Source: Cities Insider, theme parks and attractions (2026)
A$119 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 12 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 25 AUD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Gold Coast hostels (2026-10)
A$31 to A$51 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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