| We did a bit of research on this. | | | | Coast nightclubs. This usually occurs during the |
| First thing you need to know about dates: | | | | second week of Schoolies. |
| Traditionally Schoolies is held over three weeks, with | | | | Byron Bay |
| each week attracting students from a different | | | | Byron Bay is pretty wild too, but expect less lines, |
| Australian state - namely Queensland, NSW and | | | | police and hard core antics. I myself would go for this |
| Victoria - with up to 35,000 visiting over the course | | | | one, but that's up to you. The best nightspots in |
| of the festival. | | | | Byron Bay include: |
| The event is predominantly held on the Gold Coast | | | | Cheeky Monkeys (nightclub) |
| but destinations such as Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, | | | | • Most Schoolies party here - it is the most |
| Airlie Beach, Tropical North QLD and Magnetic Island | | | | popular spot |
| are also popular with school leavers. | | | | • A place where they actually have good |
| Gold Coast | | | | music, which you dance to on top of tables |
| If you want a raucous time with lots of partying, | | | | • Can get very sweaty as it is packed with |
| alcohol, police, lines and nightclubs, then Gold Coast is | | | | people |
| your best bet. But watch out – it's really crazy | | | | • It is definitely the place to meet other |
| out there. About 25,000 Queensland schoolies | | | | schoolies, or cute backpackers / tourists |
| celebrate their graduation on the Gold Coast, most | | | | • Cost - Cover charge to get in, drinks are |
| are 17 year olds. The coppers slap huge fines on | | | | pretty cheap |
| those who are caught drinking under age or on drugs. | | | | • You can have (cheap) dinners there before |
| Here's the breakdown on who goes to what: | | | | it all kicks off at around 10:30pm |
| In 2009, Queensland Schoolies attended celebrations | | | | Cocomangas (Nightclub) |
| from November 21-28. | | | | • Trendier place , good music |
| NSW hit town from November 28-December 6 and | | | | • Cost - Cover charge to get in |
| Victorian graduates partied from December 5-13. | | | | • Opens around 9:30pm |
| For 17 year olds: | | | | The Beach Hotel (Pub) |
| The first week in the Gold Coast is potentially good | | | | • Pretty awesome place to go to |
| for underagers because they host a lot of no alcohol | | | | • Has live music/dancing (not every night |
| events on the beach including dance parties, concerts | | | | though) |
| and movie screenings. | | | | • Great view, good of a daytime as well |
| During the first week of Schoolies, the central section | | | | • Also one of the most popular Schoolies |
| of Surfers Paradise esplanade and beach are fenced | | | | spots |
| each night for exclusive access by Schoolies. Known | | | | • FREE to get in to |
| as the Schoolies Hub, the area hosts a free | | | | • Gets crowded (but not in a bad way) |
| entertainment program over nine nights (from | | | | • Bottle shop located underneath |
| Saturday, November 21), comprising two stages, LED | | | | • |
| screen, DJs and late night screenings. Schoolies | | | | Other Spots in Byron Bay |
| receive an official wristband which can be obtained | | | | Byron's beaches are definitely the Schoolies daytime |
| on proof of Year 12 student photo ID. If a student | | | | hangout and often the site of impromptu beach |
| photo ID is not available, alternative forms of ID may | | | | parties of a night. Try a surfing class, or Dolphin |
| be considered, including: a driver's or learner licence or | | | | Kayaking or snorkelling at Julian Rocks. If you want |
| Australian passport. There is no online registration for | | | | to go sightseeing-got to the Lighthouse, it is a pretty |
| Gold Coast Schoolies. | | | | breathtaking view. |
| Gold Coast schoolies who have booked | | | | The best option for accommodation in Byron is to |
| accommodation through must collect their wristband | | | | stay in self-contained apartments rather than hotel |
| during check-in from a Red Frogs volunteer. Schoolies | | | | rooms. Suffolk Park located just out of town is a |
| staying at alternative accommodation or visiting for | | | | good place to stay, renting a beach house is good |
| the day can collect a wristband from the Wristband | | | | idea. Although Suffolk beach can get pretty |
| Distribution Centre located on the Esplanade parallel | | | | dangerous-big surf sometimes. |
| to central Surfers Paradise Beach (see the Schoolies | | | | After Schoolies |
| hub map. | | | | If you're keen for some fast work to pay back your |
| For the Older Crowd: | | | | parents for your Schoolies vacation, enrol in an |
| NSW and Victorian schoolies are older, usually in the | | | | Queensland RSA course. Barwork is an excellent |
| 18- to 19-year age bracket, and an estimated 10,000 | | | | in-between job while you figure out the rest of your |
| of them celebrate their graduation in popular Gold | | | | career. |