QLD holidays etc

[mark387mw]

I'm in New Zealand and in need of a holiday - the family are wanting to go to Movie World, Australia Zoo etc. Looking at around 10 days in July. Are there any dates to avoid - school holidays etc, and where is recommended as the best location to stay for access to the theme parks and with things to do on the down time days. I'm also going to need a minivan/6 seater hire car, any recommendations for this?

Cheers
Mark.

Edited by mark387mw on Thursday 18th June 11:50

[mark387mw]

After some research, the best flights seem to be the new service by Jetstar from Auckland to Coolangatta. Are Jetstar any good or do you get what you pay for?
As far as accommodation goes, Viscount on Surfers looks good.

Any advice??

[Colonial]

DO NOT FLY DEATHSTAR

I flew from Sydney to Gold Coast and then back again. Apart from being massively delayed they designated the return flight an international flight without telling any passengers.

As I was away for the weekend I had carry on baggage only. So I had to leave behind a whole heap of stuff, and I landed at the international terminal at Syd meaning I had to go through iimmigration and customs without a passport and then pay $10 to get a bus from int to dom where my car was parked.

Never again

[mark387mw]

Thanks for that, Jetstar come out cheaper but Emirates aren't much more so will look at that option, unless you can recommend an airline? Other airlines fly to Brisbane rather than OOL so a bit further travelling I think.

[Colonial]

I think Pacific Blue/Virgin do the Auckland-Coolangatta route daily.

And I'd fly with them over deathstar anyday of the week.

[ajg31]

Found Jetstar to be as good as any other lower cost airline. Had much worse service on BA and quantas than ANY of the low cost airlines i have used.

[mark387mw]

ajg31 said:

Found Jetstar to be as good as any other lower cost airline. Had much worse service on BA and quantas than ANY of the low cost airlines i have used.

Thats encouraging.
Possibly looking at flying into Brisbane now so more choice!

[PomBstard]

Recently flew Syd-Chch on Jeststar, and the return leg on Air NZ. Difference in service and ease of attendance was enormous - so much better on Air NZ, and the Air NZ flights were AU$60 more, in total for three of us, than the JS flights. I've also used Air NZ to go to the States, and reckon they're pretty good. Must be able to get to Brissie and then drive to Gold Coast with more flexibility than flying direct to Coolangatta???