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About the Gold Coast, Australia Program

The Gold Coast program is a USAC partnership program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.

About the Gold Coast

Gold Coast

City skyline view of Gold Coast, Australia.

  • Distance from Cairns: 1,903 miles
  • Distance from Sydney: 532 miles

The Gold Coast is about one hour's drive south of Brisbane. It is a popular holiday destination, offering international cuisines, a wide range of cultural entertainment, cinemas, local and international theatre, theme parks, and sporting facilities. At the same time, it maintains its original natural beauty with sandy beaches, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Gold Coast is famous for its miles of surfing beaches and rain forest and is considered “Australia's playground.”

Brisbane

Areal view of the coastline and city of Brisbane, Australia.

  • Distance from Gold Coast: 45 miles
  • Distance from Sydney: 569 miles

Queensland, known as the “Sunshine State,” averages 300 days of sunshine a year. It is the most northern state on Australia's east coast with a landscape ranging from outback deserts to lush tropical rain forests to the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The capital, Brisbane, is located in the southeast corner of the state and is a beautiful, modern city with a perfect mix of hustle and bustle and relaxed outdoor living. Set on the Brisbane River with gardens and entertainment areas located on the riverbanks, it has a subtropical climate of mild winters and warm summers and is surrounded by forests, surfing beaches, national parks, and mountain resorts. Brisbane regularly hosts national and international cultural and sporting events including exhibitions and live performances at the South Bank cultural precinct. Queensland offers exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities including bushwalking, water sports, and adventure activities as well as easy access to other parts of Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

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