Where is the best place to spend Schoolies? Byron Bay or Goldcoast?
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We did a bit of research on this.
First thing you need to know about dates:Traditionally Schoolies is held over three weeks, with each week attracting students from a different Australian state - namely Queensland, NSW and Victoria - with up to 35,000 visiting over the course of the festival.
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The event is predominantly held on the Gold Coast but destinations such as Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Airlie Beach, Tropical North QLD and Magnetic Island are also popular with school leavers.
Gold Coast
If you want a raucous time with lots of partying, alcohol, police, lines and nightclubs, then Gold Coast is your best bet. But watch out – it’s really crazy out there. About 25,000 Queensland schoolies celebrate their graduation on the Gold Coast, most are 17 year olds. The coppers slap huge fines on those who are caught drinking under age or on drugs.
Here’s the breakdown on who goes to what:
In 2009, Queensland Schoolies attended celebrations from November 21-28.
NSW hit town from November 28-December 6 and Victorian graduates partied from December 5-13.
For 17 year olds:
The first week in the Gold Coast is potentially good for underagers because they host a lot of no alcohol events on the beach including dance parties, concerts and movie screenings.
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During the first week of Schoolies, the central section of Surfers Paradise esplanade and beach are fenced each night for exclusive access by Schoolies. Known as the Schoolies Hub, the area hosts a free entertainment program over nine nights (from Saturday, November 21), comprising two stages, LED screen, DJs and late night screenings. Schoolies receive an official wristband which can be obtained on proof of Year 12 student photo ID. If a student photo ID is not available, alternative forms of ID may be considered, including: a driver’s or learner licence or Australian passport. There is no online registration for Gold Coast Schoolies.
Gold Coast schoolies who have booked accommodation through schoolies.com must collect their wristband during check-in from a Red Frogs volunteer. Schoolies staying at alternative accommodation or visiting for the day can collect a wristband from the Wristband Distribution Centre located on the Esplanade parallel to central Surfers Paradise Beach (see the Schoolies hub map.
For the Older Crowd:
NSW and Victorian schoolies are older, usually in the 18- to 19-year age bracket, and an estimated 10,000 of them celebrate their graduation in popular Gold Coast nightclubs. This usually occurs during the second week of Schoolies.
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