Gold Coast Backpackers Accommodation

While the Gold Coast's beaches and hinterland mountain regions are astoundingly good, they don't compare with Thailand or Nepal, so for many backpackers who've seen the world the Gold Coast is a party town for re-fuelling the beer cells, learning how to surf and earning some cash in the bars and restaurants.

There are a few dozen reputable backpacker hostels on the Coast (mostly in Surfers Paradise) and more than enough tours and attractions to keep even the deepest wallet occupied for an entire summer — Surfers Paradise has the highest concentration of attractions and if you don't want to walk far you can go bungy jumping, ice skating or surfing on the same block. The Coast has 40km of beaches so the chances of leaving without a suntan are minimal.

Drinks and nightclub cover charges are reasonably cheap ($5 for a decent beer and no more than $10 to get in the best clubs) and 18-35 year olds make up a huge portion of the tourist market so you're never going to get lonely at night.

Surfers Paradise is the backpackers capital of the Coast and has the majority of nightclubs, but if you want to party with the locals it's worth a trip down to Quest at Broadbeach ($10 by taxi from Surfers, $10 cover charge to get in).

More Information

• Check out Aquarius Backpackers Hostel for Gold Coast backpacker accommodation
• Search Lonely Planet's Thorntree forum for backpacker information on the Gold Coast