What is Schoolies on the GC?
Schoolies is a celebration of recent high school graduates over a 4 week period in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. ‘Schoolies Week’ refers to the Australian tradition of high-school graduates (also known as “schoolies” or “leavers”) having week-long holidays following the end of their final exams in late November and early December.
The History of Schoolies
Schoolies week first began on the Gold Coast, Queensland in the 1970s, in the week following final exams for private single-sex schools. The Broadbeach Hotel was the main meeting place. Schoolies Week events began to be organised for 1980, and from then on the Gold Coast attracted schoolies from all over Australia for celebrations. Since then, the tradition has spread, and Australian high-school graduates celebrate their graduation with a week-long party at many popular tourist destinations around the country.
Schoolies week is considered by many teenagers in Australia as a cultural rite of passage. Schoolies week is seen as a transitional period from youth to adulthood, marking a change of state from the imposition of school discipline to the chosen freedom to have a body which is out of control.
Queensland’s Gold Coast, particularly Surfers Paradise, maintains its status as the largest single venue for this revelry, attracting tens of thousands of schoolies. The Gold Coast is viewed as somewhere to get away, a city of theme parks and leisure by the sea. Research carried out in 2003 found schoolies boosted the Gold Coast economy by $59 million. In 2011, up to 40,000 students were expected to visit the Gold Coast.
What Happens During Schoolies Week?
During the week, a ‘schoolie’ will usually share hotel accommodation with friends, attend ‘all-age’ parties, entry into various nightclubs, and schoolies events. Schoolie events typically feature famous DJs, celebrity meet and greet, pool parties, themed parties (ie; pirate party, glow party) and play games on the beach. Many teenagers also explore the themeparks and hubs of the Gold Coast.
The event is supported by an all-volunteer group of Christians who are recruited into the Red Frogs network. Around 1,500 volunteers serve in 17 locations across Australia. The group aims to directly support partying school-leavers through a positive presence and safety. This might involve walking them home, cleaning or cooking for them. The network began at the Gold Coast in 1997.
When is Schoolies?
| Schoolies 2018 | Schoolies 2019 |
| Week One: 17 Nov – 24 Nov 2018 | Week One: 16 Nov – 23 Nov 2019 |
| Week Two: 24 Nov – 1 Dec 2018 | Week Two: 23 Nov – 30 Nov 2019 |
| Week Three: 1 Dec – 8 Dec 2018 | Week Three: 30 Nov – 7 Dec 2019 |
Locals tend to avoid Surfers Paradise during these dates, as tens of thousands of 17-year olds are present in the area. We suggest that families, travellers explore and discover the nearby areas of Surfers Paradise during this time such as Broadbeach & Southport. Some locals even take a near getaway to escape the crowds.
For Transport to and from your accommodation and the airport view: https://www.migoldcoast.com.au/cat/transfers/
For Hotel recommendations please see: https://www.migoldcoast.com.au/best-hotels-gold-coast/
