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Common Ground News

Is the Gold Coast safe?

Author

James Craig

Updated on March 01, 2026

Is the Gold Coast safe?

Crime rates in Gold Coast, Australia
Level of crime46.39Moderate
Crime increasing in the past 3 years64.41High
Worries home broken and things stolen41.38Moderate
Worries being mugged or robbed38.06Low
Worries car stolen35.05Low

Hereof, is the Gold Coast of Australia safe?

East coast Australia is a relatively safe place to visit – in terms of crime and war, at any rate – but take reasonable precautions. Sydney, the Gold Coast, Cairns and Byron Bay all get dishonourable mentions when it comes to theft: don't leave hotel rooms or cars unlocked, or valuables visible through car windows.

Secondly, is Gold Coast a good place to live? The Gold Coast is a great place to live for families. I never feel unsafe, and my children have access to a wide variety of experiences, opportunities, plenty of activities and facilities, and a good-natured upbringing by the beach.

Also know, is the Gold Coast safe from fires?

Queensland state capital Brisbane's air quality is currently ranked "moderate" by AQI. All of Queensland's major attractions, including Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Gold Coast are not affected by the fires, according to Tourism Australia.

Are there crocodiles in the Gold Coast?

Saltwater crocodiles are not known to live in the wild in south-east Queensland. But this is the second crocodile found on the Gold Coast in the past two years and it is suspected to have escaped from captivity.

Is Gold Coast expensive to live?

Cost of Living in Gold Coast. Rent in Gold Coast is, in average, 65.72% lower than in New York. Cost of living rank 121st out of 477 cities in the world. Gold Coast has a cost of living index of 68.80.

Could a tsunami hit the Gold Coast?

In Sydney, the risk of a tsunami is classified as high, but other disasters are considered low or very low risk. The only tsunami event recorded for the Gold Coast in the past decade was on February 28, 2010, when the Coast experienced a 42cm wave following an earthquake in Chile.

Which is better Brisbane or Gold Coast?

Beaches in Brisbane are limited and unexciting on an Australian scale. But it does Offer a better job market than the Gold Coast. You could also consider the Sunshine Coast. The Gold Coast is much smaller with a transient population of around 530,000, with it's economy based around tourism.
Famous for its beaches, surf, theme parks, shopping, nightlife and hinterland, it has been attracting Australian families for many decades. The region has 70 kilometres of uninterrupted coastline and is fringed by rainforest hinterland, including world heritage-listed national parks.

Is it safe to swim in Australia?

The safest Australian beaches for swimming are the beaches patrolled by Lifeguards and Surf Lifesavers so always research the local patrolled beach closest to where you are staying. Always swim between the red and yellow flags on beaches with lifeguards and surf lifesavers.

What is the crime rate in Gold Coast?

Crime rates in Gold Coast, Australia
Level of crime46.01Moderate
Problem people using or dealing drugs64.80High
Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft53.47Moderate
Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery44.33Moderate
Problem corruption and bribery33.60Low

Where should I live on the Gold Coast?

Australia's Gold Coast: The Best Areas to Live
  • The North: Southport, Main Beach.
  • The Central Strip: Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach.
  • The Hip Hub: Mermaid Beach, Nobby's Beach, Miami, Burleigh Heads.
  • The Lower 'Hoods: Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Bilinga.
  • The Far South Stunner: Coolangatta.

How long should I stay in Gold Coast?

In a nutshell and from a local's point of view, you'll need at least five days to cover your interests. Each theme park you visit easily takes a day, especially during holiday seasons when lines for rides and attractions are very long.

Can I go to Australia to help with the fires?

Both the Red Cross and Salvation Army are also fundraising to provide aid, housing, and more to fire victims, though in both cases, your donation will go into their general disaster relief fund, rather than being earmarked just for the bushfires.

Is Australia still burning?

Fires are still burning south and west of New South Wales, and to many, the recent rain near Sydney felt as biblical as the infernos the storms put out — some areas got more than two feet, flooding rivers and parched earth hardened by years of drought.

Are the Australian fires over?

Heaviest rain in 30 years puts out bushfires
(CNN) The Australian state of New South Wales is officially free from bushfires for the first time in more than 240 days, according to the area's fire service. Now, all bushfires in the state have been extinguished.

Is Sydney Australia on fire?

Raging bushfires have razed properties in Australia and briefly spread to suburbs of Sydney, officials say. Scores of fires are still burning in New South Wales amid temperatures of 35C (95F) and winds of 80km/h (50mph).

Is the Gold Coast affected by the fires in Australia?

Bushfire. Bushfire is one of the most devastating threats facing our community every year. The annual bushfire season on the Gold Coast runs from September through to December, although seasonal changes can extend or shorten this period.

How long will Australia fires last?

The short answer is: the fires and smoke will continue. For the next three months, the below-average rainfall means no relief from the drought, and not enough to put out or prevent fires.

Is there smoke in Gold Coast?

Gold Coast clouded in thick smoke haze from bushfires. Gold Coasters are being urged to keep a close eye on their friends and family today, with scorching hot, smokey conditions gripping the region. A thick smoke haze is lingering across the city due to the bushfires burning in South East Queensland and NSW.

Is Sydney airport affected by the fires?

At present, no flights in or out of Sydney airport have been affected by the fire, although a spokesperson told local media that there might be disruption. “Two fire units from the airport have attended the scene to assist the NSW fire brigade,” the spokesperson told 7News.

What percent of Australia is on fire?

'Unprecedented' globally: more than 20% of Australia's forests burnt in bushfires. More than 20% of Australia's forests burned during the summer's bushfire catastrophe, a proportion scientists believe is unprecedented globally, according to new research.

What are the worst suburbs in Gold Coast?

The worst suburbs for malicious damage claims from 2014-2016 are:
  • Toowoomba.
  • Fortitude Valley.
  • Cairns.
  • Caboolture.
  • Surfers Paradise.
  • Maroochydore.
  • Nerang.
  • Rockhampton.

Where should I not live on the Gold Coast?

As others have posted avoid Southport, Labrador, Nerang, Molendinar and Palmy. As for suburbs to stay in Parkwood, Arundel, Pacific Pines, Coomera, Ashmore, Benowa, Bundall which are all on the northern part of the Gold Coast. Southport, Labrador, Nerang, Molendinar and Palmy.

Which is better Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast?

the Gold Coast has more high rise and more nightlife and "glitz and glamour"; the Sunshine Coast is more laidback and quiet. the Gold Coast is quite a flat plain; the Sunshine Coast is quite hilly. the Sunshine Coast has more natural parks for bushwalking than the Gold Coast.

Is Gold Coast better than Melbourne?

The Gold Coast is a much smaller city than either of the other two. Melbourne and Sydney are way way way better for careers and job opportunities than the Gold Coast is unless of course you want to get into the hospitality and tourism industry then of course the Gold Coast is reasonable.

Why Gold Coast is the best?

The Gold Coast was originally known as the South Coast (because it was south of Brisbane). However, inflated prices for real estate and other goods and services led to the nickname of "Gold Coast" from 1950. South Coast locals initially considered the name "Gold Coast" derogatory.

How much does it cost to live in Gold Coast Australia?

Goldcoast is of one the top city in Australia, the city is also known for its culture, traditions and job opportunities that welcomes expats & students for jobs and education. However average Cost of living in Goldcoast for family and couple is $1740 for students is $1335 and for bachelor is $1335.

What is the best suburb in Gold Coast?

Best suburbs in Gold Coast
  • Bundall. 5/5. Ranked 1st best suburb in Gold Coast.
  • Molendinar. 5/5. Ranked 2nd best suburb in Gold Coast.
  • Broadbeach Waters. 4.5/5. Ranked 3rd best suburb in Gold Coast.
  • Labrador. 4.5/5. Ranked 4th best suburb in Gold Coast.
  • Biggera Waters. 4.5/5. Ranked 5th best suburb in Gold Coast.
  • Coombabah. 4.5/5.
  • Robina. 4.5/5.
  • Helensvale. 4.5/5.

Is it expensive to live in Byron Bay?

Byron Bay costs $4,725 per month to live and work remotely with 12 mbps internet speed, is a bad place for digital nomads to live. Today it's 23°C with very good air quality (20 µg/m3)..

Is Brisbane expensive to live?

Cost of Living in Brisbane. In 2019, Mercer's Cost of Living Survey ranked Brisbane as the world's 103rd most expensive city out of the 209 cities surveyed. Though Brisbane is ranked as cheaper than Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, it is more expensive than Adelaide.

Is it safe to swim in Gold Coast?

Gold Coast Beaches Safe for Swimming. While the Gold Coast is famous for its beaches the reality is that most of them are not great for swimming, especially for little kids. This is because most of the beaches, including the famous Surfer's Paradise, have beach breaks, which means you are pounded continually by waves.

Does Murray River have crocodiles?

A freshwater crocodile has been found in the Murray River near the New South Wales-Victoria border, thousands of kilometres south of home.

Does Fraser Island have crocodiles?

Saltwater crocodiles are exclusively tropical reptiles and usually found in Far North Queensland (several hundred kilometres north-west of Fraser Island), however, occasionally during the warmer season (December through March, when water temperatures reach consistent tropical temperatures) crocodiles may appear in

Can a crocodile mate with an alligator?

Crocodiles and alligators are two different species. This means that they are unable to mate together to produce offspring. This is largely because the DNA counts of each animal are different.

How far south do crocodiles come?

A crocodile nicknamed Hector once lived in the river at Lismore in northern New South Wales — more than 800 kilometres from the usual habitat of the aquatic reptiles.

Can you outrun a crocodile?

The short answer is yes. “Most crocodiles can achieve 12–14kph for short periods,” says crocodile specialist Adam Britton, “which is slower than a fit human can run. So if you're in reasonable shape, you could definitely outrun a croc.”

Does Brisbane have crocodiles?

For people in north Queensland, crocodiles aren't just some unsightly nuisance, like the ibises which irritate the residents of Brisbane. Crocodiles are single-minded man-eaters that inhabit every river, creek, dam, and even the stormwater drains, of tropical Queensland.

Do crocodiles live in the ocean?

No living crocodylians (alligators, crocodiles and kin) can live out at sea. Some species, such as the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, and the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, live in estuaries and may be found swimming out at sea, but they can't live out there in the way that a marine turtle can.