Holidays can be expensive, especially in the current climate, but there are plenty of little ways to save here and there. It all adds up, leaving you with more to spend on what actually matters: the fun stuff.
If you are in the middle of planning a Gold Coast holiday, these tips will help you keep costs down without missing out on the experience.
1. Always Book Direct
Whenever possible, book your accommodation direct for the best pricing and added perks. At Wow Stay, we keep our rates competitive. If you see one of our Gold Coast apartments listed cheaper elsewhere, let us know and we’ll do our best to match it or add on extra perks!
One of the easiest ways to save on a Gold Coast holiday is timing. If your lifestyle allows, travelling outside of school holidays (even by a few days) is one of the easiest ways to save.
Peak periods include:
Travelling outside these dates can significantly reduce both accommodation, flight costs, car hire etc.
Fridays and Saturdays are typically the most expensive nights no matter where in the world you stay. If your schedule allows, booking Sunday to Thursday can often mean lower nightly rates while still enjoying the same apartment, views, and location.
It might sound counterintuitive, but a longer stay can sometimes be cheaper per night. When booking your Gold Coast accommodation, try adjusting your dates to see if adding an extra night unlocks better overall pricing.
Prices can increase quickly when major events are on. Before locking in your trip, search your dates to see if there are significant events on the Gold Coast. Look for things like:
This helps you avoid unexpected price spikes, that you may have thought was simply 'standard pricing'.
The cheapest flight isn’t always the best value. For example, arriving early morning on a red-eye flight may mean waiting hours for check in - leading to extra spending on food, transport, activities and generally a headache if you've got the kids in tow. Sometimes a slightly more expensive flight can actually save you money (and sanity) overall.
Something that is easy to forget, but don't forget to check with all your insurance and other providers to see if they have affiliation discounts available. Car, travel, health insurance providers often offer discounts on care hire, attractions, theme parks etc.
If you’re visiting theme parks, always book ahead. Multi day passes are usually always cheaper than buying tickets at the gate, and you might discover other places to visit that weren't originally on your radar.
We've partnered with ExperienceOz to help you save - check out our link below:
We know when you're on holiday you don’t want to cook every meal, BUT eating out three times a day adds up fast. Even having breakfast or simple lunches at home can make a big difference over a few days. All our apartments come equipped with kitchen and laundry facilities, so you can settle in and make yourself at home.
As a major tourist hot spot, there are endless fun activities you can add to your itinerary. Just don't forget that some of the best experiences on the Gold Coast are completely free— our beaches, parks, and coastal walks and famous for a reason.
Check out our guides here:
If you’re not a frequent traveller, it’s easy to let points sit unused because they’re not enough for flights or upgrades. What a lot of people haven't realised is that Qantas FF or Virgin Velocity often allow you to convert points into vouchers (like Coles or Woolies), which can help cover everyday costs during your trip. You can double up by setting your FlyBuys or Woolworths Rewards memberships to convert into frequent flyer points, and make every grocery shop work for you as you count down to your trip.
Stay, and then please stay again! We offer a return guest discount because our goal is simple: to be the place your family chooses every time you visit the Gold Coast.