[Ellaq]

Just about to book flights to the Gold Coast. We have never been and have no idea where to stay. We have 3 children, the youngest is 2. We are staying for 6 days and want to relax as well as taking in the theme parks.

There seems to be so many different suburbs to choose from. We want someplace central that is not too loud at night.

We are undecided yet as to whether we should hire a car. Would public transport be OK with 3 children, one in a stroller?

Would love to hear some recommendations.

[hjv]

We have just come back from 2 weeks which was great.

I won't recommend our hotel which was great for us but our kids are older and the pool was not really suitable for younger kids. We stayed in Labrador which is quiet and the next suburb up from Southport. Other quiet areas are Main beach and Southport.
Main beach is where Seaworld is and I think this is the best theme park for kids. It has lots of animals, lots of kid friendly rides and lots of shows including a Dora show and Spongebob Squarepants.
Southport has Australia Fair which is a large shopping centre and directly opposite is a fabulous park complete with jumping pillow and a safe wave free swimming area.
The other theme parks are about 15-20 minutes from here. If you go further south is takes more like 30 minutes which was why we chose to stay further north. Also the beach is wave free which is what our kids prefer.

I can't help you with public transport apart from suggesting you look at www.translink.com.au. Also there are some companies that have buses that will pick you up directly from your hotel.

For hotels try www.booking.com. It has great maps giving you a good idea of where you will be. Avoid anywhere that is on the Gold Coast highway as it is a very busy road.
Hope you have a great time - we did!

[charlottesmum04]

Treasure island. here Across the road from Harbourtown shopping centre ( the big outlet shopping centre that still has a woolies/butcher etc) Its a caravan parks but they have lovely cabins and its great for kids ( 3 pools/jumping pillow/pedal go-carts /playground/mini golf/tennis court ). about 20 min to seaworld in one direction and about 20min in the other to wetnwild/movieworld/the outback spectacular. Bus at your front door that will take you to almost anywhere on the coast.

[*LucyE*]

What's your budget?

[IVL]

We stayed at the Mantra Sierra Grand Appartments in Broadbeach. Location was fantastic, one block back from the beach and across the road from the best park I have ever seen (and the park is free). It had swings, flying fox, sand pits, rides, giant slides - amazing. I think our kids enjoyed that park more than Dreamworld!

The appartments were great, we got a 3 bed which slept 6 as we had our nanny with us. They had a pool, inside heated and outside. I stayed at the Hilton last year in Surfers but really didn't like to the sleazy night life and it was very loud at night with all the music thumping out of the night clubs (haha I sound like a whingey old woman).

[PrincessPeach]

Paradise resort in surfers paradise is always highly rated for family travel & has a great kids club.

It's away from the nightclub strip of Orchid Ave, the bus stop is at the front door & it's a quick walk to the beach & restaurants.

Also as PP mentioned Treasure Island, it is always very popular. Plus harbourtown seems to be the interchange stop for busses heading North/south & east/west.

[Ellaq]

Thanks for the replies.

Treasure Island is booked out but the Mantra Sierra looks good. We are looking at going in the WA October holidays. I think we will hire a car as it didn't look too expensive and it would be handy with a toddler. I did look at the Hilton and got put off when I saw there was a nightclub there.

[Eeyolet]

We always stay at Ashmore Palms, it is great for the kids. It is out in the suburbs but still close enough to everything. The prices are great too. We have been going there for years.
http://www.ashmorepalmsgoldcoast.com.au/

Since we have had kids we hire a car but before that we used Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle (surfside buslines), they do airport transfers and shuttles from your hotel to all the themeparks as well as unlimited local bus use. If you use this option you would want to stay closer to Surfers Paradise.
http://www.gcshuttle.com.au/

If you want to hire a car we use:
http://www.acerentalcars.com.au/index.php
Their prices are pretty good.