Assuming that you want to experience the sea, the best time to hit the [wiki=6496055c81ee7976cc6fa14b217c9165]Gold Coast[/wiki] in between October and March when temperatures climb. If you don't need to immerse yourself in the water, the winter months April to September are pleasant too, often sunny and daytime highs typically above 20 C. During this time of the year, accommodation prices go down and crowds disappear, which in some respects make the place much more pleasant than in the summer.
Be aware that Schoolies lasts from mid November through to the first week of December, when the entire area is invaded by tens of thousands of 17-18 year-olds who have just finished high school and head to the beaches to let off steam and celebrate. It is a huge party - but if drunken teenagers aren't your scene then this is a time to avoid. Indeed it is probably advisable for any males who are not drunken teenagers to avoid the area-you may find yourself facing allegations of being a "Toolie" or to put a more finer point on it-somebody looking to take advantage of the younger, drunken women there.
Authentic Australian meat pies, pastries, cakes & coffee.
* The Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club offers a great lunch deal $6.50 for a large piece of crumbed chicken, chips and salad plus free basic drink. And it is right across for the beach just down from Cavil ave.
* Surfers Paradise RSL Club the staff at the sign-in desk are quite rude and the whole place feels a little seedy as you walk right in to the pokie machine lounge, however once you get upstairs it's ok. This club offers a great value roast dinner from 5:30PM till about 8:30PM for about $6.50, all the other meals are well priced. Beer is cheap and it's just a short walk to Melba’s and Cavil ave.
* Jacks Kebabs, this is a great little Kebab joint across from the beach opp. McDonalds, makes a very tasty Kebab and it's popular in the early hours of the morning as all the drunks stumble out of the clubs looking for a meal.
*King of Noodle is a great little Chinese restaurant located in the Centre Arcade across from Circle on Cavill (next to where the Hilton is being constructed). They offer cheap Asian dishes however unlike some other cheap Asian restaurants, the dish sizes are quite very good for the price (Dishes start from $8). Offer a good range of vegetarian alternatives
Middle eastern/med style restaurant. Friendly service with funky decore and great food. Belly Dancing every Friday and Saturday night from 8PM.
Plenty of the hotels around Surfers Paradise offer buffet all you can eat seafood, which is normally quite nice and around $50 - $60 per person plus drinks. Some offer lunch specials or early bird deals.
Four Winds 360 Revolving Restaurant is Queensland's only revolving restaurant offering an Asian and Seafood Buffet every day lunch and dinner. It also has breakfast on Sunday Mornings. The restaurant boasts the best views in Gold Coast with a 360 degree view from the Golden beaches of Surfers Paradise to the Gold Coast Hinterland.
6 Beach Road (cnr Surfers Paradise Bvld), is a cheap Hotel/Backpackers resort with Backpacker rooms starting from $18 for cheap rooms, $28-30 for dorms and $95 for private backpacker rooms. There is also a hotel part to the resort with studio rooms and full-fitted apartments.
* 26 - 28 Peninsular Drive, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217.
*A top-end backpacker's accommodation
* close to beach and surrounding pubs, the perfect base to explore the area.
*A backpacker accommodation
*
Recently refurbished, fully self contained apartments complete with ensuites. Full kitchen and laundry facilities, dining, lounge and balconies with views of the Gold Coast. Guaranteed air-con.
* Palazzo Colonnades, surfers paradise [http://www.palazzocolonnades.com.au/]
* Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise [http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/surfers-paradise/oolhi/hoteldetail]
Luxury resorts
** Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Surfers Paradise [url=http://http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oolsp-surfers-paradise-marriott-resort-and-spa/]]- one of the first 5 star hotels in Surfers Paradise. Features a 5 metre deep slatwater lagoon with over 400 tropical fish and recently completed a $20M refurbishment. Voted as one of the top 10 Resorts in Oceania at the 2011 Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards.
** Mantra Circle On Cavill, Gold Coast [http://www.mantracircleoncavill.com.au/[/url]
** Palazzo Versace Hotel, Main Beach [http://www.palazzoversace.com]
** Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove[http://www.intercontinentalsanctuarycove.com/]
** Conrad Jupiters, Broadbeach [http://www.jupiterscasino.com.au]
** Sea World Resort, Main Beach [http://seaworldresort.myfun.com.au/]
** Q1 Resort & Spa, Surfers Paradise [http://www.q1.com.au/]
** Mantra Legends Hotel, Surfers Paradise [http://www.mantralegends.com.au/]
** Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise [http://www.crowneplazasurfersparadise.com.au/]