First Night Accomodation

The reason I just say "first night accomodation" is because it is so easy to get accomodation in Australia. All you really have to set up is the first night, then you can most likely stay in the same place for the following nights if you choose or find another hotel, hostel, or backpackers. For more information on accomodation see the Travel Australia link.

In Champaign the students have created a rental agency's dream. As students we start looking for apartments in October for the following August and sign binding leases that far ahead of time. The rental agencies have all the security because we, as students are so insecure and scared of "getting stuck" with an apartment that isn't exactly perfect. In Australia students and backpackers do not really set up accomodation that far ahead because they do not know if they will be there then. This means that there are places that will be open when you are looking. It is not a case of everything being booked for the next year, but a case of new flats coming on the market daily. Actually new flats are on the market so sporadically it is best not to worry about it until you get there.

My girlfriend Jamie and I simply looked around for the first couple days that we were in the Gold Coast. The biggest obstacle was beating the heat. (Remember it is hot in Australia in January and February. If you get there in July, then no worries, mate.) As for our first night accomodation, Griffith University set us up at the Harbourside Resort, a backpacker in Southport. We were greeted at the airport by a taxi driver in Brisbane and wisked off directly to our accomodation. It is amazing how well they take care of you. Some universities have dorms on campus if you speak to your International Affairs office at the University where you will study then they should be able to set something up.

If they cannot set something up then that's no drama either. Check out the sites that I have listed at the Travel Australia link.

Back to Getting to Australia