Cheapest and fastest way from Gold Coast to Melbourne?

Question

Can anyone share, the cheapest and fastest way to go from Gold Coast (GC) to Melbourne stopping at Sydney ?

I'm traveling with my family, 3 kids (7+4+1,5 y.o.)

Relocation car is very cheap, starting from $1/day

But the transportation from the Coolangata airport to the location to pick up the car (Brisbane, not GC), costs quite a lot and time consuming (Brisbane to GC = 90 minutes x 2 = 180 min), becoming not worthy to choose

Renting a car is another option, they provide airport pick up, convenient but petrol cost and time wasted on the road make me headache (2.000kms to drive).

Say Hyundai Gets $35 x 3days + petrol cost (2.000 kms / 12 liter/km x $1.2 =$200) = $305

Jetstar is another not-so-cheap way ($79x4 persons x2 ways = $632)

Anyone can share or give me solution ?

ps : I'm going to spend 7 days in OZ. 3 days on GC/Sydney, 4 days on Melbourne.

From Melbourne back to GC definitely by JetStar

Thanks

Answer 1

If you are only here for 7 days and have 3 children then for a start road travel is out of the Question.  7 days is just enough time to spend around Brisbane and the Goldcoast I would definitly leave melbourne out all together for that short of time. Melbourne is a great place to visit but you need time there to travel around to The Great Ocean road and other places. If you decide to fly to Sydney check out the specials daily Virgin has a Happy Hour between 12 and 1 pm The relocation cars sound cheap although you wouldn't have the time for one but they can run expensive by the time you pay the insurance and the sky rocketing fuel prices. they are not always available either when you want them.  http://www.virginblue.com.au/

Answer 2

I agree that 4 days in Melbourne is too much,GC requires at least 2 days and Sydney 2 days.3 days would be enough in Melbourne.

Answer 3

If time is an issue, I'd suggest flying Virgin Blue in Australia.  When I studied abroad I flew to Cairns and Central Australia.  The rates for Virgin Blue flights were very affordable back in 2004.  Anyway, have fun in OZ....it was the best time of my life.  I suggest you check out the Whitsunday Islands if you decide to check out the Great Barrier Reef.

Answer 4

Flying will definitely be the fastest way.  $79 each way is actually quite a cheap flight.  I have paid up to $200 one way for a flight from Syd to Melb.

try http://travel.webjet.com.au/webjettsa/ho... for the cheapest flight.  I would not recommend travelling by road as it is soooo far, so it would be best to pay for the flights because you are in oz for such a short time.

However, 4 days in Melb compared to 3 days GC/Sydney is an original choice.  You would really only need 2 days in Melb and spend more time in GC or Syd.  Just my opinion.