5 Money-Saving Tips While Staying in Gold Coast

As a tourist, you may realise that you must stretch your every dollar, especially with all the beautiful and amazing things to buy. These are our 5 tips to take good care of your budget when you're in the amazing city of Gold Coast.

1. Currency Exchange – It is better to exchange your currency from your country of origin if your country’s exchange rate is lower than the Australian Dollar (AUD). An example is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). If you’re coming from Singapore, it is better to change your currency from there.

2. Aussie SIM Card – There are a few mobile phone operators, such as Telstra, Optus, Virgin and Vodafone. Once you have the local 3G network, you can call back home at a cheaper rate than using your original SIM card. If you want to save more, use free communication apps to send messages and call. An example is Viber. If you don’t have Viber, you can download it from the app store. Viber is free to download and you can make calls and messages all for free with the app. It’s better to download it using Wi-Fi as it may cost extra for you to download it via 3G.
 
3. News – Hotels may provide newspapers, but if they don’t, there are a couple of free ways to find out about news. You can use free Wi-Fi from places which offer them and read the news online. Another way is to grab a copy of the local free newspaper, where one of the stands is at the information booth in Cavill Avenue. You can also head down to Hungry Jack’s to read the newspapers which they provide, however, they are not free and you have to return them after reading. There is also a flat screen TV in the restaurant which airs Sky News.

 

4. Coupons – Coupons are readily available in Gold Coast. Most of them are printed on tourism brochures and other brochures about local events and businesses. There are coupons on local maps as well. Places where you can get the brochures are Coolangatta Airport upon arrival and the Information counter in Cavill Avenue. If you shop at Coles Supermarket, keep the receipts as there are coupons printed behind them. Some examples of these type of brochures are Hello Gold Coast, Gold Coast Guide and Gold Coast Tourist Magazine.

Behind a Coles Supermarket receipt

5. Gifts and Souvenirs – The most precious and cost-free souvenirs to share with your loved ones is seashells from the beaches in Gold Coast. There are plenty of beautiful seashells and sea rocks around. These souvenirs are really special as they are one-of-a-kind. They are more meaningful as gifts for your loved ones and souvenirs for yourself, as a reminder of your amazing memories in Gold Coast.

Seashells and sea rocks in Surfers Paradise Beach

Now that you have acquainted yourself to these tips, you need to remember that there’s one golden tip which is budgeting your expenses daily. It helps a lot as there are so many beautiful things to buy and exciting places to visit. 

Exotic long-beaked bird in Gold Coast

The bird near Nerang River.

When you first enter Ferny Avenue, you may realise that there are many interesting birds walking around. One of them is a black-headed bird with a white body and a beak which is quite long. This bird can be found along the Nerang River. In fact, it can also be found on Cavill Avenue! It walks around peacefully, observing the hustle and bustle of the day. It is ironic because even though it eats food scraps from nearby cafes, people never disturb it and in return, it never disturbs people and both man and bird live in harmony.

With birds like this walking around, you don’t have to head over to the zoo to see them. You can see them for free!

Do not disturb this bird as it is from the wild. Enjoy observing them, but do not anger them.

Nature can’t get as pure as this in Gold Coast.

Outside Hungry Jack's in Cavill Avenue.

 

The bird in Cavill Avenue.

Gum Removal Machine

It looks small. Definitely something that is unique. It looked like it came out from Inspector Gadget. The question that crosses the mind is 'What is this green thing?'. Well, it is a Gum Removal Vehicle. Tourists may not have seen or heard anything quite like it, so it's quite interesting to inspect and observe it in action.

The vehicle on Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise at around 9.20 in the morning.

 

 

The vehicle's generator.

Basically, the gum is removed one at a time by a vacuum-looking equipment. Water particles (the mist) is generated from the nozzle of the long equipment when the person attempts to remove the gum from the pavement. Do be warned that the process generates some noise.

 

 

Gold Coast is an exciting place, but remember to keep it clean!

Broadbeach Jazz Festival 2013

Gold Coast is always alive with activities for one and all. If you are a music lover or want the local vibe to sink in, you can visit the jazz festival in Broadbeach. This annual festival attracts many people and celebrates home-grown Aussie jazz favourites as well. The festival is on until 18 August. Enjoy the music and experience!

Visit http://www.broadbeachjazz.com/ for more information.

P.S. Admission is FREE!