Gold Coast, Australia 🇦🇺
#88
,
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Gold Coast is a coastal city located in Queensland, Australia, famous for its surf beaches, vibrant nightlife, and theme parks. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is 700,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50-100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency used is the Australian Dollar (AUD). 1 AUD ≈ 0.65 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include ANZ, Westpac, and Commonwealth Bank. Mobile banking apps like Revolut are also popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and local rental websites like Flatmates.com.au offer housing options. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Stayz, and local rentals are available for short term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Budget hotels and hostels like Surf Hostel offer affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are highly recommended locations for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta are great areas for longer-term stays with quiet work environments. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coco Collective in Burleigh Heads is a popular coworking space. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Emporium in Broadbeach is known for its excellent atmosphere for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Various tech meetups occur regularly; check Meetup.com for opportunities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as 'Gold Coast Expats' provide community gatherings and meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola are popular ride-sharing options. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike rental services like Gold Coast Bike Hire are available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is Surfers Paradise Beach, located within walking distance. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Virgin Australia operates flights in the region. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qantas and Jetstar offer international flights from Gold Coast Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to M1 Pacific Motorway provides easy travel to Brisbane and northern cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Nerang Train Station serves as the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Go Card allows easy access to buses and trams. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains operate from Gold Coast to Brisbane regularly through Queensland Rail. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Gold Coast University Hospital is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Pure Yoga in Surfers Paradise offers a range of classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Snap Fitness and F45 Training centers are available for fitness enthusiasts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services like Suds & Duds are available in various suburbs. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo service the Gold Coast. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try local seafood dishes such as barramundi and Moreton Bay bugs. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Places like Greenhouse Canteen & Bar offer great vegan options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cocoa Bliss in Burleigh Heads is renowned for its desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like Miami Marketta are good for budget food shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local retailers offer e-commerce shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Woolworths and Coles provide grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Surfers Paradise is the epicenter for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Balter Brewing Company offers brewery tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Barrel in Burleigh Heads is a great spot for wine lovers. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The HOTA Night Markets on weekends features various street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Dining options like Spice Temple offer Asian fusion cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Q1 Building offers stunning views from the observation deck. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Gold Coast Arts Centre hosts various exhibitions and performances. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Gold Coast Historical Museum is worth exploring. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. John's Anglican Cathedral is a notable religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Gold Coast Film Festival takes place in April every year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Gold Coast Cultural Precinct includes the HOTA and surrounding parklands. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Star Gold Coast is a popular venue for various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets occur on Wednesday and Sunday nights. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like The Coolangatta Hotel have live music regularly. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Burleigh Heads area features vibrant street art and murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Gold Coast Collective Markets often offer pop-up cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Gallery at HOTA showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old Courthouse in Surfers Paradise is a notable historical building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Significant Indigenous culture is present in the region, with many heritage sites. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Nearby nature reserves include Burleigh Head National Park. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Lamington National Park offers stunning scenery and hiking trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Gold Coast Oceanway provides scenic cycling and walking paths along the coast. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Lookouts at Burleigh Hill provide breathtaking views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | David Fleay Wildlife Park is excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas of North Burleigh Beach allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Australia Post provides comprehensive delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Geek Mobile offers on-site tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Public parks often have table tennis tables, such as Miami's parks. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Gold Coast Language School offers diverse language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Gold Coast City Library in Southport is a quiet study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Community hubs in places like Burleigh Heads provide various programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Café 50 in Surfers Paradise is great for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Star Gold Coast offers gaming options and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 200,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 160,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 288,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 228,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 360,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 256,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 27.5% for small businesses. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Australia uses a progressive income tax system based on residency. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 45% for incomes over AUD 180,000. |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Australia has strict CFC regulations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Varies by local government; typically between 0.1% to 2% of property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Varies by state; typically around 3-5% of the purchase price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Australia does not have a specific tax incentive for digital nomads, but some may benefit from the tax-free threshold for income under AUD 18,200. |