Well, I live on the Gold Coast. I know little about Surfers and it's inner workings, like most other residents of the cost, I avoid it.
However, I'm happy to answer any specific questions. I'm sure I'll have some sort local advice.
Planning to stay at QT Hotel (GCI International) anyone stayed here before?
Never stayed here, although I know it quite well, the GCI is starting to show it's age. It'll probably be looking to get a makeover in the next 2-5 years. What is your reason for staying there? We have a couple of brand new hotels, have you considered looking into the Mantra?
fly out on 15th and head back on 19th! planning to visit Movie world & Wet & Wild
This is the busiest time of the year for wet and wild. Just bear that in mind. Movie World will be busy too. But since it's the Christmas holidays, everybody flocks to Wet n Wild.
Can I make a suggestion?
Wet n Wild have 'Dive in Movie' nights. Basically, the theme park stays open (and the majority of rides too), and shows a movie on a large screen at the main pool (Wave pool), there are usually very little queues for the rides, and it is still very warm.
Since Movie World and Wet n Wild are right next door to each other, you could do movie world in the morning, and then when the park closes (5pm I think?) you can head over to Wet n Wild and go on all the rides, or watch the movie if you prefer. You'll usually find there is a discount if you come after 5pm just for the Dive in Movie. (Most of the rides are still open.) The park usually stays open until 9pm ish.
It is a fair distance from surfers to the theme parks, so doing both in one day (and one night) will save a lot of time & money. (And you can beat the queues!)
http://wetnwild.myfun.com.au/Attractions/~/media/Files/Wet n Wild/Attractions/wnw1011412_Dive_In_Movies.ashx
My BF wants to visit Bris, would one day be enough to cover Bris CBD? or would we need to extend until the 20th dec?
You could easily do it in a day. Go to the Science Museum and Arts Centre if you want to do something fun. Not sure if the GOMA exhibition will still on, some of our friends up at Brisbane might know. But yeah, Brisbane in one day isn't a problem. It's about an hour drive from Surfers to Brisbane.
To taxi it from OOL to Surfers or take a bus? ........would any car hire company let a 20 year old hire a car?
Get a car. It will end up being cheaper than the taxi fare to/from the airport. It'll end up being much more useful than public transport on the coast as well. The traffic will be bad in the morning, and around 4pm. But it's much more efficient to get car. Just be careful with parking in Brisbane, make sure you get a parking ticket.
You shouldn't have a problem with getting a car if you are 20. Just look out for insurance.
still contemplating between VA & Jetstar! any other recommendations?
If they are the same price? Pick Virgin. Where are you flying in from? Virgin flights to/from Sydney have a bad habit of being delayed.
Enjoy your time on the Gold Coast, the beaches are beautiful, and Gold Coast people are very active always at the beach or going for a run, I'm sure you'll have a nice time.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
