Australia’s Gold Coast
The region encompasses 5000 sq km with 70km of coastline.
The tourism destination spans Beenleigh and South Stradbroke Island to the north; Cabarita and Kingscliff in the south; west to Beaudesert including World Heritage Listed national parks.
Gold Coast City’s population is more than 496,000. It is Australia’s sixth largest city, and larger than two other Australian capitals.
World First, World Class
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.
The largest professional life guard service in Australia.
The largest concentration of themed attractions in the southern hemisphere.
Some of Australia’s largest duty free outlets and shopping centres.
One of the highest partner participation rates in conferences in Australia.
One of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
Tourism Statistics
The region hosted 9.6 million visitors in 2007/8 (Financial Year Ending). Domestic visitors numbered 3.4 million (15.7 million nights) and International visitors at 849,114 (8.0 million nights). There were 5.3 million daytrip visitors (YE Jun 08).
Leading international markets include Japan, New Zealand, UK, China, Europe, and the Middle East.
Interstate visitors accounted for 55% of domestic visitor numbers, 66% of domestic visitor nights.
In 2007/2008 (Financial Year Ending) domestic expenditure (including airfares and long distance transport) totalled $3.09 billion.
Further research
Social Research Gold Coast www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/socialresearch
Tourism data, Gold Coast City Council www.goldcoastcity.com.au/tourism
Australian Bureau of Statistics www.abs.gov.au
Tourism Queensland corporate website www.tq.com.au
Gold Coast Airport http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/statistics.htm
Tourism Research Australia www.tra.australia.com
Tourism Australia www.tourismaustralia.com
ATEC www.atec.net.au
Department of Tourism, Industry and Resources www.industry.gov.au/impact