Gold Coast 2-Day Trip (No Theme Parks) Travel Notes 📝

🥳 Solo trip to the Gold Coast 🍑 There are cheap combo tickets for the five theme parks online (cheaper than buying locally), but each park is smaller than those in China. Originally planned to stay for two days over New Year's, but didn’t want to rush—opted for a more relaxed "P-person" trip, visiting free spots instead. 🚌 Public transport is super convenient! Buy a Go Card at the airport—all trips cost $0.50, and transfers within 2 hours are free. On New Year’s Eve, rides were completely free at night! For a 2-day trip, no need to top up much—you can refund the card deposit and remaining balance to your Visa before leaving. Pro tip: Wave at the bus to stop it (or the driver might skip you!). Say thanks when getting off—introvert-friendly but appreciated. 🌞 The sun is BRUTAL! Don’t assume it’s fine just because locals don’t use umbrellas—ended up sunburned and now I’m olive-skinned. WEAR SUNSCREEN, NO EXCUSES! 🦘 Day 1 Free Pelican Show – Pelicans swimming with people on the beach! At 1:30 PM, staff from the nearby seafood shop feed them. Surfers Paradise Beach – Too crowded, not recommended. The coastline is long—plenty of quieter spots! 🦘 Day 2 Burleigh Heads Park – Note: This is a sunrise spot, NOT sunset! (Got fooled by a guide—Burleigh Heads doesn’t face sunset! 🌅) For sunset, go to Robert Sowter Lookout instead. Missed it but still chilled on the grass with friendly locals. New Year’s Eve Fireworks 🎆 – "Sea Fire" shows at 8 PM, 9 PM, and midnight. Too lazy to move, so watched from afar lol. #GoldCoast #AustraliaGoldCoast #BudgetTravel #SoloTravel #TravelMistakes