Hawaii becoming cheaper than Gold Coast for holidays

[QF WP]

Australians will find it cheaper to tan themselves in Hawaii than on the Gold Coastif the local currency keeps rising, a hotel industry leader says...

 

[straitman]

Australians will find it cheaper to tan themselves in Hawaii than on the Gold Coastif the local currency keeps rising, a hotel industry leader says...

Probably better also :!:

....apologies to the queenslanders.

 

[Mal]

Meeh. Hawaii.

More beautiful indeed, but only if you actually leave the tourist trap called Honolulu. Comparing Hawaii to the Gold Coast is incorrect. Hawaii should be compared to Queensland, or to South East Queensland or similar.

I think this "expert" is a little wrong. I doubt we will ever see Hawaii being cheaper than the Gold Coast for the average traveller. Plus of course the nickel and diming that occurs in Hawaii as soon as you leave the plane!

I think also that there are enough travellers scared of a 14 hour flight/ U.S Immigration procedures to ensure they prefer something more local.

 

[clifford]

Meeh. Hawaii.

More beautiful indeed, but only if you actually leave the tourist trap called Honolulu. Comparing Hawaii to the Gold Coast is incorrect. Hawaii should be compared to Queensland, or to South East Queensland or similar.

I think this "expert" is a little wrong. I doubt we will ever see Hawaii being cheaper than the Gold Coast for the average traveller. Plus of course the nickel and diming that occurs in Hawaii as soon as you leave the plane!

I think also that there are enough travellers scared of a 14 hour flight/ U.S Immigration procedures to ensure they prefer something more local.

Not sure if it's a 14 hour flight to HNL.

Also, the (public) bus service from HNL to Waikiki is a damn sight better and cheaper than it is from OOL to anywhere. And what about the cost of the train from BNE?

No nickel and diming in Qld, it's full-on robbery.

 

[Mal]

Not sure if it's a 14 hour flight to HNL.

Also, the (public) bus service from HNL to Waikiki is a damn sight better and cheaper than it is from OOL to anywhere. And what about the cost of the train from BNE?

No nickel and diming in Qld, it's full-on robbery.

Hmmm. Ok. Qantas only flies to HNL from Syd (Jetstar might from other locations) but you're in for a nice long trip if coming from Perth or Darwin or even Brisbane.

Looks like the flight is around 10 hours, so I was off there.

The Hawaiian Bus service is great. I think $2US from Airport to downtown HNL. But only small bags allowed, so most passengers would be cabbing or shuttle bussing it at ~$12USpp +tip for a shuttle, or around $30US +tip for a taxi (plus don't forget the dudes who'll quite happily put your bag in the back of the taxi for a small tip as well or the concierge who'll expect a tip for taking it out).

You can bus it from OOL to central Surfers for around $4.50AUS pp. Looks like the frequencies are fairly good too, I think they provide a free transfer out to the busses from the terminal. But taxi or shuttle would be better. No idea on the price but should be relatively comparable to HNL prices.

Train from BNE is expensive for what you get (maybe $20?) But for the distance I don't think the pricing is too bad.

Should we start comparing hotel prices now?

P.S I'm not a fan of Surfer's Paradise and the surrounding areas. Too touristy for my liking (ie too much Glitz and Glamour). HNL is so similar, but at a very advanced stage.

 

[NM]

And don't under-estimate the benefit of maximising the duty-free allowance .

 

[clifford]

Should we start comparing hotel prices now?

P.S I'm not a fan of Surfer's Paradise and the surrounding areas. Too touristy for my liking (ie too much Glitz and Glamour). HNL is so similar, but at a very advanced stage.

Well, yes, NM, I'm happy to compare hotel prices. I think hotels in Honolulu are better value than in Surfers, from my own personal experience.

I have spent quite a bit of time on the Gold Coast, as my daughter lived there for 5 years, and have seen the real Gold Coast, not just the tourist glitter side (and believe me, it's quite seamy).

I also visit Honolulu quite often, and I'll be going there for my second trip this year in a couple of weeks time. Likewise, I've seen the seamy side there too and it ain't that different. The point is... I am reasonably familiar with both places...

And (if you are nice to the driver), you can take a big bag on the Honolulu public bus. Still 2 USD (I think a 4 day pass costs about 20 USD)... OK if there's just one of you, but a family would be better advised to take a cab.

 

[NM]

Well, yes, NM, I'm happy to compare hotel prices.

What does hotel prices have to do with my comment about duty-free allowance?

 

[NYCguy]

Duty-free or not, in my world, neither of those destinations is an alluring option for a beach holiday!

 

[oz_mark]

What does hotel prices have to do with my comment about duty-free allowance?

Well, Mal, I would say none

 

[Mal]

Well, yes, NM, I'm happy to compare hotel prices. I think hotels in Honolulu are better value than in Surfers, from my own personal experience.
.

Better Value is a subjective opinion. Cheaper could be based on factual prices.

I tried to do a comparison between Waikiki and Surfers hotels, but a couple of online booking websites are not co-operating properly.

I think this discussion would be better over a beer/coffee/meal somewhere instead of back and forth here.

(and yes I agree the Gold Coast is dodgy all round. But the tourists love Surfers Paradise, and what can I do to stop them coming up in droves!)

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

The "its cheaper to holiday overseas" is nothing new.

For some in the mainland it is cheaper to holiday in Australia (even with exchange rate) than to holiday in say Bay of Islands. Of course that ignores how much damage shopping does to the credit card

 

[NM]

Well, Mal, I would say none

Ahh, that would be the Not Mal version of NM, perhaps?

 

[markis10]

Horses for courses, for me the GC is an hour away by car, its easy to get to as far as driving goes and a good place for me to spend my priority club points for free nights.

When I am not using points I am spending 110-140 per night at HI or CP, both are very close to the beach and our 6 year old enjoys going to Korea (we like the Korean BBQ's that are all over the place and she thinks we are overseas when we are in one lol).