Gold Coast 600 V8 Race

[Dee Tee]

Guys, i'm finishing off a 3 week visit to Australia at the Gold Coast 600 Race. Any advise about accommodation/where to watch the Racing from/etc would be appreciated.
I get into Brisbane on Thursday 18 or Friday 19th October and Fly from Brisbane on Sunday evening at 20.45. Should i;
Stay in Brizzy and take the train to and from Surfers ?
If i stay around Surfers,is it easy enough to get the Train Direct to the Airport ?
I'm hiring a Car so should i hand it back at Surfers then Train to Airport or hand it back at Airport before Departure ?

TIA

[Hasbeen]

Dee Tee, the train won't get you very close to the race track on the Gold Coast, so staying on the coast, near the race track would be best.

There are a number of transfer bus es running from the Brisbane air port to the coast. Some of these are I think, run by the resort hotels. Inquire about transfer from the Brisbane airport with gold coast accommodation houses.

I live in the Gold Coast hinterland, & have a couple of kids who regularly fly home from distant parts of Oz. My son now always flies into Coolangatta, the Gold Coast air port, after some troubles with traffic, getting to the Brisbane airport. Traffic could be a real problem on race night. The train would be safer.

My daughter flies into Brisbane, as there are no flights into the Gold Coast from Darwin. She has troubles with the train, as it stops running before her flights get in, so check what time it runs, to be sure.

That's the best I can do, I never go near the place if I can help it. Having driven into the place for 10 years, in worsening traffic, [my commute went from 35 minutes to 55 minutes], you're welcome to it.

Still for a holiday, or to enjoy a wild race, it's great. I'm sure you'll have fun.

[Rex Ironstone]

Hey I've been heading to the GC600 for the last few years. I find it doesn't have quite the party atmosphere it once did when the indycars came down and they used the larger track. But it's still a great fun event. I wouldn't bother with track-side accom. Go for a place around or just south of Cavill Ave. Last year I stayed at http://www.mantralegends.com.au/ and it was fine. 10 minute walk from the southern part of the track and a reasonable titty bar over the road.
My favorite grand stand is 21 at the back of the track backing onto the beach. You get some great action around those chicanes. Last year however I went a bit cheaper and got a flexi pass which lets you in various stands around the track but these are not reserved seats and are uncovered. I spent most of my time in stand 22 with the flexi pass. I love the train from Brisbane airport. you can basically walk out of the airport onto the train that takes you right down and you can get a bus or cab from Helensvale or Nerang to your hotel. There are train and limo deals that work out ok with 2-3 people. Your GC600 ticket may cover transport costs.

You must go and have a buffet breakfast at the cafe under www.chateaubeachside.com.au/
It's cheap and awesome and get a table by the road and watch some great cars and women cruise by.

Also don't forgot dark sunglasses are an absolute must. The perve factor is not as high as it once was. A few years ago there was tits out on every second balcony. But there was still some fantastic sights. Also a top tip. Don't use not having cash as an excuse to not give the meter maid chicks anythings. They carry Eftpos....

I think that is all my thoughts for now. Enjoy it. I may still go this year but I'm heading to Vegas next week and quite possibly will be broke when I come back

[Dee Tee]

Cheers,Guys. Some,errrr,interesting ideas. Thanks.