Download gold coast fact sheet

GOLD COAST
FACT SHEET
QUICK FACTS
Spanning across more than 57 kilometres of picturesque coastline and bordered by world-heritage listed rainforest, the Gold Coast is Australia’s
premier tourist destination – renowned for its surf, sand and sunshine.
Our natural beauty, relaxed lifestyle and strong, vibrant and connected community make the Gold Coast one of the most unique cities to live,
work and play. The region has not only earned its place as one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations, but proved to be an attractive option
for investors, migrants and business travellers.
The region attracts over 12 million visitors and approximately 12,500 new residents each year, making it one of the fastest growing cities in
Australia. Delegates visiting the Gold Coast spend an average 3.8 days in the region – more than any other Queensland destination.
Spanning over two local government areas – Gold Coast City and Tweed Shire Council – the region’s population tops more than 500,000 and is
expected to tip 700,000 residents by 2021. Famous for its sub-tropical climate – boasting almost 300 days of warm, bright sunshine per year –
the Gold Coast offers year round comfort with daily temperature in the mid-20s.
Summer is from December to February with an average temperature of 19 - 29 degrees Celsius (66 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit). Winter is from
June to August with an average temperature of 9 - 21 degrees Celsius (48 to 69 Fahrenheit). The subtropical climate with an average water
temperature of 22 degrees encourages an outdoor lifestyle anytime of the year.
• Population: Gold Coast City’s population is more than 500,000,
with an estimated 320,000 additional people to call the city home
by 2035. It is Australia’s sixth largest city – larger than two of the
nation’s capitals.
• Set to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
• Area: The region encompasses 5,000sq km with 70km of pristine
coastline, 270km of navigable waterways and 100,000ha of
world-heritage listed rainforests.
• Interstate visitors accounted for 55% of domestic visitor numbers,
66% of domestic visitor nights.
• Coastline: The tourism destination spans Yatala and South
Stradbroke Island to the north; Cabarita and Kingscliff in the
south; and west to Beaudesert, including world-heritage listed
national parks.
• The Gold Coast shares the title with Brisbane as one of the most
desirable places in the world to live when ranked on political,
social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and
health.
• The region welcomes more than 12 million visitors annually,
contributing more than $1.5 billion to the local economy.
• Leading international markets include China, New Zealand, UK,
South East Asia, Europe and North America.
• The Gold Coast tourism industry attracts more than $4 billion in
total visitor expenditure.
• Ethnicity: Multicultural
• Language: English
• Currency: Australian dollars and cents
• One of the highest partner participation rates in conferences in
Australia.
• International visitors per year: 7819,000 international visitors
(2014)
• One of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
• Domestic visitors per year: 3.5 million overnight domestic visitors
(2014)
• The largest subtropical rainforest remnant in the world and more
than 100,000ha of nature reserves and world heritage sites.
• Australia’s most biologically diverse city, home to more than
1,300 animal and 1,700 plant species.
• The largest professional life guard service in Australia.
• The largest concentration of themed attractions in the southern
hemisphere.
• Transport: The Gold Coast is a network hub located in south-east
Queensland, 80km from the state’s capital of Brisbane. The city is
serviced by two international airports:
Gold Coast Airport – 20 minutes drive south
www.goldcoastairport.com.au
Brisbane Airport – 1 hour drive north
www.brisbaneairport.com.au
Both airports are full international customs ports where freight
can be exported.
• Some of Australia’s largest duty free outlets and shopping centres.
TIME ZONES:
•Tokyo +1 hour
•Singapore -2 hours
•Indonesia -1 to -3 hours
•Thailand -3 hours
•Malaysia -2 hours
•Korea -1 hour
•Los Angeles -18 hours
•New York -15 hours
•London -10 hours
•New Zealand +2 hours