Travelling in Aus - Syd - Gold Coast - Brisbane

1. From Sydney to Gold Coast, the cheapest and fastest (around 0.5 Hr) way is by air. Virgin blue offers tickets (one-way) from AUD59. They have something called "Happy Hour" daily (from 12 noon to 1pm Australia time) which offers tickets from as cheap as AUD 49! Of coz, the offers vary every day and the travel peroid is limited. Say for example, they may have cheap tickets from Sydney to Gold Coast today but not tomorrow. You have to check it out at their web site every day. Actually their tickets are still very cheap (around AUD79) even it's not Happy Hour. The earlier you book, the more likely you can find a cheap flight. I know the tickets offered during "Happy Hour" are unbelievably cheap but it's REAL because I've tried it myself. You may check it and book the ticket at http://www.virginblue.com.au/

Well I dont think it will be cheaper (and certainly not faster, around 14 Hrs) if you travel by train. From Sydney to Brisbane (I am not sure whether there is direct train from Sydney to Gold Coast so I just quote the price to Brisbane here), it costs about AUD125 (one-way) for economy seat. Still you may check that at http://www.countrylink.info/
For coach, it is not really cheap either. From Sydney to Brisbane at around AUD 100, 16 Hrs, one-way. You may check that at http://www.greyhound.com.au
I have never considered driving coz I dont even have a driving licence. What I have in mind is that driving such a long distance is really exhausting, though you may enjoy the beautiful views along the road. Daily rate is about AUD55-60 for a small car (Holden Barina, Ford Festiva, Hyundai Excel), insurance included. Big firm sometimes offer one-way rentals, e.g. You may rent a car at Sydney and leave it in Brisbane. But there are many limitations such as a substantial drop-off fee. And if you cannot endure a continuous 16-hour driving, you may need to stay in a motel at night and this will certainly cost you more.
2. From Brisbane to Gold Coast, the cheapest and most convenient way is by train. Citytrain services link Brisbane to three stations in the Gold Coast. Brisbane to Helensvale station: AUD7.6 (1 Hr), to Nerang station: AUD8.4 (1 Hr 10 min) and to Robina station: AUD10 (1 Hr 15 min). Check it at http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au

1. the above answer was really thoro.

additions: the jet is in promotion these days. it only cost u AU$79 for return plane ticket from sydney to gold coast, only if you book the ticket with a fd. say, cost u 2 for 1. ( my fds and I booked da tickets via the following web already)

the website: www.jetstar.com.au
and, go the top bottom, find out the item "sales fare".


2. if you rent a car there, it'll cost u abt 40 mins drive from gold coast to brisbane city.