I agree with acndis...the Gold Coast was a change for the better by
ABD. They also have virtually nothing scheduled for your first day at the Gold Coast - because there is so much available to do to suit nearly everyone's interests - i recommend you explore your options to do something you really like to do. The transportation in the Gold Coast area is amazing and easy to access. Initially I bristled at no program schedule for that day. Then I started exploring the options. That first day we simply stayed at the airport and spent the afternoon skydiving. Others went on to the hotel and had apparently really GREAT surfing lessons that they say were x10 better than back in Sydney. Our favorite days were here. Byron Bay ABD activities for us was at the top of the list of what we did, and the Mt. Tamborine was a lot of fun too. None of these things are very far from Gold Coast. I haven't finished the trip report yet for that last little bit (sorry) but we did an add on day to go whale watching from Brisbane (ABD essentially dropped us right there) and were in the middle of humpback whale migration and resting with the calves. Words cannot express how great that is (Our summertime only - no whales in December). All of the Australia ABD trip is great, and the Gold Coast section should not be missed. Indeed, talk at length to your vacationista - they guided us away from some of the things we thought we wanted to do, and gave a lot of information privately as to why we did not want to do things. Once there, and we asked around, they were spot on. We did not find the area to be a college atmosphere. We found it to be eclectic, and exciting. We saw no debauchery, if that is your concern. I don't know how best to describe it - as we've not encountered anything like it before. DD and DW now want very much to move to Australia, now and for retirement. Unfortunately for us, Australia is too smart for that. We can't easily get in, except on a limited tour visa.
In much earlier posts I noted that my cousin was the military attache to New Zealand/Australia and had many recommendations to us on what to do and see. We initially thought of doing Australia on our own. When she saw the ABD schedule, she said without hesitation that we would be fools not to jump on that. So from someone who knew the area well, had shepherded many a bigwig as well as her own family, she said the ABD schedule, opportunities and program topped anything she could do on her own for that about of time and price. She may return to visit, but by way of this ABD trip.
We've done 5 ABD trips, and this hands down remains our favorite. Indeed, looking at other trips as we plan for 2019, all seem to pale in comparison. This trip brought me back into the ABD fold, especially after not having such a good time on some other tour trips and getting exhausted on trying to do stuff on our own. I am happy to answer any questions, comments or concerns you have.
As the Aussies put it - life is short - relax and enjoy! (And give us a pint and a flat white with that please).