190 replies to this topic

[Uncle Dave]

Booked my flights a couple days ago and noticed that some of the cheaper flights are already full. Thought I'd give a heads up for people who might be wanting to do it.

Has anyone else booked this early or am I just a bit strange?  

[richie]

I have just booked my flight as well. This is my first Gold Coast - can anyone recommend cheap accomodation within walking distance of the start line. Thanks

Uncle Dave, on Dec 21 2006, 01:51 PM, said:

Booked my flights a couple days ago and noticed that some of the cheaper flights are already full. Thought I'd give a heads up for people who might be wanting to do it.

Has anyone else booked this early or am I just a bit strange?  

[ladyjove]

reserving this post so i can add list of names/links later.

[SMC42K]

richie, on Dec 22 2006, 03:12 AM, said:

I have just booked my flight as well. This is my first Gold Coast - can anyone recommend cheap accomodation within walking distance of the start line. Thanks

You can try the Broawater tourist Park, which is a caravan park adjoining the start/finish area. It has cabins ranging from about $120 per 4 people/night. Ph number is 0755817733 or bwater@gctp.com.au . Otherwise check out anything in the Southport area.

[TRAVY]

SMC42K, on Dec 22 2006, 09:54 PM, said:

It has cabins ranging from about $120 per 4 people/night.

Depends what you call cheep .
For not much more than $120 p/n you can get a apartment within walking distance from the start. But ask at the info joint.

[runizzyrun]

Any idea of names of these apartments? What is the info joint you are talking about?

[richie]

Thanks. Looking for something cheap as I'm going up alone and just need a place to crash for the night. Any youth hostels etc  (something less than $100/night)?

SMC42K, on Dec 22 2006, 12:54 AM, said:

You can try the Broawater tourist Park, which is a caravan park adjoining the start/finish area. It has cabins ranging from about $120 per 4 people/night. Ph number is 0755817733 or bwater@gctp.com.au . Otherwise check out anything in the Southport area.

[Pedanticky]

izzy1, on Dec 27 2006, 10:33 AM, said:

Any idea of names of these apartments? What is the info joint you are talking about?

Rays Resort is about 700 m from the start/finish. 1 bedroom sc appt $115 per night. Stayed there '06 and booked again for '07

hth

Dave

[laotze]

There is a backpackers hostel at Main Beach - about a 20 minute walk from the start:

The British Arms International Backpackers Resort
Mariners Cove 70 Seaworld Drive The Spit Main Beach QLD 4217
ph: (07) 5571 1776 Backpackers Accommodation
map

(Above from Yellow Pages - where there is a map.)  It can be a bit noisy, but it has done for me a couple of times, and only about $25 a night, and it has kitchen facilities.

Edited by awiseman, 30 December 2006 - 05:43 PM.

[Piriformis]

I just managed to get return Frequent Flyer tix with Qantas   (well, the return flight is with Jetstar, but that's fine with me). Up on Saturday late morning and back early morning Monday. Good luck!

[G.T.]

count me in for this one boys and girls ,,first run for me for a little while so i had better get my but into gear  

[Eagle]

This one is a long way over the horizon at the moment but have been watching the price of flights from Sydney and noticed all of Vrigins flights up on Saturday have have been incresed to $179.00 a few weeks ago some were $99.00. After years of travelling domestic flights I still don't know how the pricing works out.

Anyway on the theory of better to be safe than sorry I have booked flights up and back on the weekend with Jetstar at better prices than Virgin   which is not usually the case. Now just some accomodation, then the entry, then the training .... and just a few marathons to be run before this one. If all goes to plan it will be number 80 and the 9th Gold Coast.

[Running Gal]

Pedanticky, on Dec 29 2006, 05:44 PM, said:

Rays Resort is about 700 m from the start/finish. 1 bedroom sc appt $115 per night. Stayed there '06 and booked again for '07

hth

Dave

I rang them(rays Resort) to reserve an appt and I was told they were already fully booked for those dates  

We ended out getting a 1 bedroom appt. at 'Crystal Bay' resort for 120$ a night. Overall the prices around seem quite reasonable. Flight is booked as well, so all the technicalities are out of the way

[AzzaTas]

This year should mark my 3rd successive GC half marathon for me, and every year i have pondered with the gold coast airport sponsoring the event, then why cant they offer cheaper flights for competitors!
I was wondering if anyone can help me with this question as flights from tassie are about 200 each way, hopefully 150 soon so i can book!

thanks, Aaron

Edited by AzzaTas, 16 January 2007 - 02:51 PM.

[lvesey]

Surely there's enough Sydney Coolrunners out there to fill up a chartered plane?

The prices are going up by the minute, might have to drive at this rate!

[allrounder]

i booked my flight there in November (!) last year to do my 2nd GC Half but i won't be running as i won't have recovered from an operation at the end of March   ...

i will however still be using the flight as my brother has just moved there & will be setting his business up in the future...it's also his birthday on race day...edit: booked my return flight today with Virgin...

i will endeavour to get to the race precinct to provide some CR support on the day...  

Edited by allrounder, 18 January 2007 - 09:55 PM.

[Running Angel]

Surely Virgin will have another sale on soon? I certainly hope so!

[G.T.]

got my tickets last sat as some flites were booked and the cheap ones going fast ,,looking for some nice meduim priced accomodation nearby if any one can help ,,will be bringing the new trusty wife to a proper weekend out  

[Running Angel]

My other half told me last night that he doesn't really want to come so guess I'll be heading up on my own.

Any other single girls looking to share accomodation?

[miss_skarmel]

I just booked my flights! Cheaper coming home than going up, all those cheap flights are gorn.


Running Angel, let me know how you go, I'll be coming up on my own and am looking for accom. too.

Running Angel, on Jan 18 2007, 03:37 PM, said:

Any other single girls looking to share accomodation?

[Aunty K]

miss_skarmel, on Feb 2 2007, 12:14 PM, said:

I just booked my flights! Cheaper coming home than going up, all those cheap flights are gorn.

Welcome back MissS!!

Yep, we will be making our way to the Gold Coast again this year.  I wouldn't miss it and all the fun on the Gold Coast.

Cheers, AK

[Running Angel]

miss_skarmel, on Feb 2 2007, 12:14 PM, said:

I just booked my flights! Cheaper coming home than going up, all those cheap flights are gorn.
Running Angel, let me know how you go, I'll be coming up on my own and am looking for accom. too.

Not booked my flights yet but I am definitely up for this one. Happy to share accomodation, but don't know the area at all - do you have any ideas?

[UltimoJogger]

Hello everyone.   After the Central Coast Half Marathon, my friends and I took a seven week break from serious running.  We are back in Australia and we are definitely eyeing the Gold Coast Half Marathon in July.  This will be our very first Gold Coast event and our second half marathon.

[rodo]

For those in NSW and VIC looking for cheap airfares to GC, I'd say the chances of finding one are very slim . I'm afraid NSW & VIC school holidays start on 30 June...

[Running Angel]

rodo, on Feb 2 2007, 07:14 PM, said:

For those in NSW and VIC looking for cheap airfares to GC, I'd say the chances of finding one are very slim . I'm afraid NSW & VIC school holidays start on 30 June...

Thanks for the tip rodo. I am looking at flights now and the ones back on the Sunday are much cheaper than the Saturday out. Think I had better book the flights now before they go!

[TRAVY]

Due to the economics of building a new house I will not be competing in the 2007 G.C. Marathon.   I have done the last 5 in a row but not this year.3 of those years I have driven the family up.And the other 2 I have grabed a flight and stayed with friends.

[Balmain_gal]

Running Angel, on Jan 19 2007, 08:37 AM, said:

My other half told me last night that he doesn't really want to come so guess I'll be heading up on my own.

Any other single girls looking to share accomodation?

Running Angel and Miss_Skarmel - I'm heading up by myself as well.  Have you arranged accommodation or anything yet?  Would a 3rd person be okay?!

Balmain Gal

[Running Angel]

Balmain_gal, on Feb 19 2007, 08:29 PM, said:

Running Angel and Miss_Skarmel - I'm heading up by myself as well.  Have you arranged accommodation or anything yet?  Would a 3rd person be okay?!

Balmain Gal

Hi Balmain Gal

We haven't arranged anything as yet, although I am thinking we should get around to it soon. Maybe we can get a family room? Are you heading up on the Friday or the Saturday?

Any ideas on accomodation? I don't know the area at all.

[Running Widow]

When do applications open?

[Running Angel]

Running Widow, on Mar 8 2007, 08:46 AM, said:

When do applications open?

The website says March so I'm checking every few days

[Rudolf]

Running Angel, on Feb 19 2007, 09:11 PM, said:

Any ideas on accomodation? I don't know the area at all.

I think anybody thinking, should get the accomodation sorted out first, looks like lots of stuff is booked out already.
It is scholl holliday.

I managed to book at Runnaway Bay (marathon second turn point), but that will fill up quickly too, they have a soccer tournament that time

[UltimoJogger]

Rudolf, on Mar 8 2007, 10:19 AM, said:

I think anybody thinking, should get the accomodation sorted out first, looks like lots of stuff is booked out already.
It is scholl holliday.

I managed to book at Runnaway Bay (marathon second turn point), but that will fill up quickly too, they have a soccer tournament that time

My friends and I will be staying at the Legends Apartments at Surfers.  We bought our airtickets a few weeks ago and managed to get some Jetstar flights from $79 each way.

[monaltrie]

Even if you get accomodation down the coast atowards Burleigh they do run shuttle buses. The tickets are available from the web site when entering. But yes a lot of people book their accomodation straight after last year if you need to be in walking distance of the start...having said that parking is not a great problem if you need to drive to the start area.

[thomo]

Rudolf, on Mar 8 2007, 10:19 AM, said:

I managed to book at Runnaway Bay (marathon second turn point), but that will fill up quickly too, they have a soccer tournament that time

So are you doing the half marathon    

Don't forget the timing chip

Are you walking it or running?  I did it many years ago with a friend(Gosford 12hr Co- R.D) and we racewalked it in about 4:30's (full marathon).

Edited by thomo, 08 March 2007 - 12:10 PM.

[Running Gal]

16 weeks to go, countdown has started!

I have two halfs and two 10ks coming up prior to it, that should keep me quite busy until then

[Rudolf]

thomo, on Mar 8 2007, 01:08 PM, said:

So are you doing the half marathon  

Are you walking it or running?  I did it many years ago with a friend(Gosford 12hr Co- R.D) and we racewalked it in about 4:30's (full marathon).

Thomo, no I am doing the full, where was the misunderstanding ?

Of course racewalking , not ready to better Your PB yet, well done  

[Running Angel]

I emailed the organisers re online entry - see reply below:

Our registration system is currently under construction and will be available from the beginning of April, this is to coincide with our media launch. To be eligible to receive the early bird entry fee you must register and pay before the 6th of June.

[Greg]

Just booked accommodation at the Focus. Middle of surfers two bed apartmens are about $135 a night and 3 bedrooms are about $180 a night. They have a reasonable amount of rooms left.

Not sure how I'll get to the race in the morning, but might drive and park in southport.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know in case anyone is stuck for booking accomm.
Telephone (07) 5538 5999, Focus apartments.

Hope your training is going well.
Greg

[Eagle]

The orgaisers usually have buses running from down near Broadbeack (I think) to the start - booked at the time you enter or if you are in Surfers itself its about a 30 minute easy warm up walk to the start.  

[Little K]

i hope you have a good experience with it Greg, but for those who havent booked yet, i'd think twice about staying in surfers. 3yr ago i stayed at the place next door to focus, and it was the worst. got about 1hr sleep because every single hoon with a car was doing laps and revving their engine past the hotel all night. then you have all the punters who come down from bris or eslwehere for a big night out. they drink on their balcony, whistle at passing chicks "show us your tits, etc". this is just a standard sat night in surfers, as i've experienced on other times i've stayed there. i hope i havent turned you off greg, i hope it works out swell and that you arent a light sleeper and have double glazed glass in the room. i always book in at Main Beach, the next suburb nth. it's a 2km walk to the startline, and extremely quiet. i book a place called Chidori Court each yr http://www.chidorico...au/location.htm but i hear Oscar On Main is also good.

Also, i'm sure the buses are good 99% of the time, but i dont want to take the gamble on the bus failing, is late etc. rather be in control and have a short walk there to warm up.

Edited by Little K, 20 March 2007 - 12:06 AM.

[Greg]

Thanks LittleK,

I understand your points 100%. Fortunatley (or not) I grew up on the Gold Coast, and was once upon a time one of those hoons doing laps with the music turned up. It seemed less sinister when I did it  

I have asked for a room as high as possible to help with the noise (and better views). Also, needing a three bed apt made it a little harder. We normally stay on the broadwater (near the Grand) but the usual placces were booked out. I'll probably just drive to the start line and drive back when I'm done.

Yes, I am a light sleeper, but having three kids under 6 will do that to you :-)

Main beach would be better, but we have someone from Korea with us, so Surfers will be nice for her to get the true tourist experience.

[Professor]

Little K, on Mar 20 2007, 01:04 AM, said:

.... i book a place called Chidori Court each yr http://www.chidorico...au/location.htm but i hear Oscar On Main is also good.

Thanks Little K, I've booked Chidori ($300 for the two nights) and the joint looks fine on the web.

I did ring Oscar on Main, (which also looked more than fine!) but they wanted $630 for the 2 nights...not hard to work out why I took your tip...

Thanks again
Prof

[Eagle]

So ..... what does that mean Professor ??

[Professor]

hehehe

That, Eagle, just means Ive got a little holiday planned, and will be on the coast around 1 July. Nothing more, nothing less....it is school holidays after all!

Prof

Edited by Professor, 20 March 2007 - 05:47 PM.

[Eagle]

Proff:
Maybe you will need to dust off that marathon running gear - just in case or I understand they do have a 5k walk as well.  

[Little K]

Greg - No worries mate. Sounds like you'll be fine. I struggle to sleep in perfect conditions the night prior, let alone with partying going on around me. I bet in your youth you werent thinking about the marathoners getting shuteye were you  as you cut your laps:-)

Proff - Yeah, i think you'll like it. Has a pool, and nice size apartments where you can cook etc, with a strip of restaurants, cafes etc, one block away, and the beach a block away in the other direction.

[plu]

Quote

QUOTE(Little K @ Mar 20 2007, 01:04 AM) *
.... i book a place called Chidori Court each yr http://www.chidorico...au/location.htm but i hear Oscar On Main is also good.


Thanks Little K, I've booked Chidori ($300 for the two nights) and the joint looks fine on the web.

I did ring Oscar on Main, (which also looked more than fine!) but they wanted $630 for the 2 nights...not hard to work out why I took your tip...

Thanks again
Prof

If I am there  I am am across the road in Spinnaker.  You have a nice pool in the centre , one block from the beach one block from Tedder Ave shops, 2km to the start and 800m to the revamped Main Beach SLSC which I assume will be post race drinks.  The manager  spotted my HRM when I was looking in there for another reason.  He used to use them to train rugby players in  New Zealand.

cheers  Plu

[Piriformis]

"I did ring Oscar on Main, (which also looked more than fine!) but they wanted $630 for the 2 nights...not hard to work out why I took your tip..."

I booked a room at Oscar on Main yesterday and they said it would be a bit more than $400 for two nights (can't remember exact cost) ...I only need one bedroom though.

[PEEKIE]

Uncle Dave you are definitely not strange, I booked late Dec last year and for two flights return with taxes it came to $444 flying Jetstar. Accomadation wise we are staying at Aquarius Backpackers in Southport, a 5 min jog to the start line, the year before last this place was full of runners so we got a good nights sleep, it's a smaller friendlier backpackers and very well maintained. Not sure if they have any rooms left, there number is : 1800 229 955 Another place called Pacific Towers in surfers in excellent as well, beach front and a family orientated and run apartment/ motel style high rise accomadation. You can catch a taxi to the start before all the congestion for about ten or so dollars, or the busses are a three min walk. Will be doing my second marathon to add to last years Canberra Marathon. See you all there

[Piriformis]

Just an update from my previous post (two up), I will be paying $410 for two nights at Oscars (and it looks v nice)