Feeling the need for a getaway? A dose of vitamin sea might be just what you need! There’s nothing quite like the sun, sand and ocean to relax and rejuvenate. As with any holiday, proper preparation and planning can be the difference between having whale of a time or your vacay being a total flop. Keep palm and carry on, as we’ve got you covered with our top travel tips for the ultimate beach holiday.
Choose the right beach
A critical starting point for any beach holiday is considering what you want from your holiday and choosing a destination that is aligned with what your holiday vision. Are you travelling with a partner, family, friends or solo? Do you enjoy lively crowds or would you rather peace and quiet? Are you seeking a variety of activities and adventure or craving a more relaxing environment with plenty to do away from the sand and water? By doing your research you’ll set yourself up for a smooth, enjoyable and unforgettable beach holiday.
Check the weather
As part of choosing your beach holiday destination and then in the lead-up to the holiday, be sure to check the weather. While weather can be unpredictable, if you check the forecast for your beach holiday 1–2 weeks of your departure you can count in it being fairly accurate. The forecast weather conditions and temperatures will help you to manage expectations before you arrive, and also inform what to pack and the types of activities you can do.
Temperatures aren’t the only aspect of the weather you should be concerned with. It’s important to also make sure you check the UV index before and during your beach holiday so that you can protect yourself from UV radiation. If UV levels are low to moderate, then you can probably still enjoy being outdoors with adequate sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and shirt. However, if UV levels are high then you may need to reconsider your plans for the day to avoid being outdoors during midday hours. For beach holidays in Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology provides a handy UV index.
Pack minimalistic and smart
Assuming your beach holiday is during the warmer months, you can generally keep your luggage to a minimum with small and lightweight items. Pack low-maintenance clothes – lightweight materials like cotton and rayon that are quick to dry, as well as items that don’t require ironing, are ideal. To get the most out of the luggage space you have available, try to pack with one key rule in mind – each item must be able to be create at least two different outfits. Unless your beach holiday includes a formal function, dinner at a fine dining restaurant or business meeting, you don’t need to pack any formal attire that will only get worn once.
Pre-purchase the essentials
Don’t fall victim to overpriced essentials when you get to your destination. Not only will you pay a significant mark-up at the local corner store, but you’ll likely have less choice than you would if you were shopping at home. Before you head off on your beach holiday, ensure that you have all of the beach essentials – sunscreen, swimwear, hat, sunglasses and towel.
Be prepared for the unexpected
As with any holiday, there’s no guarantee that everything will go according to plan. One of our top travel tips? Prepare for any unexpected mishaps or emergencies, from sunburn and biting insects to rain and unideal conditions. Aside from the more obvious beach holiday essentials mentioned, we recommend also bringing aloe vera gel, insect repellent, raincoats or disposable rain ponchos, a pack of cards or activity book and – most importantly – a positive attitude.
More travel tips for getting to your beach holiday with Airtrain
The hardest part of your next beach holiday is choosing where to go. The easiest part is, of course, getting there with Airtrain. Our smooth and efficient services travel between Brisbane Airport and the Gold Coast, running every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes off peak.
Our services run express from Brisbane Airport and stop at Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane stations. From there, you can continue on to the Gold Coast, and access buses or trams from Helensvale station.
It pays to be organised and pre-book your Airtrain tickets online in advance – not only will you enjoy exclusive specials, you’ll also get to skip the queue at the station!
Airtrain has ticket options to suit all your travel needs across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Get around with ease using a go card, smart card for travel, or by purchasing a paper ticket. With Smart Ticketing available on trains and trams, you can also use your Visa, Mastercard or American Express contactless debit or credit card to pay.
Check out the Translink Journey Planner to help plan your next beach holiday.