Schoolies Week - Gold Coast, Australia

Where is it? Gold Coast, Queensland

What is it? Schoolies is an iconic annual event held, primarily, on the Gold Coast of Qld. With up to 35,000 visiting over the course of the festival, Schoolies is a chance for year 12 school leavers from all across Australia to get together for a massive celebration after finishing high school.

The main week of Schoolies for 2012 runs from November 17-24, with free beach concerts and a designated Schoolies Zone in the middle of Surfers Paradise. The Gold Coast is the main attraction for Schoolies, other destinations such as Byron Bay and Airlie Beach are becoming popular.

Schoolies welcomes students from all over Australia, many of them only 17 and under the legal drinking limit. To keep the party open to all, various underage events are held on the Surfers Paradise beachfront including dance parties, concerts and movie screenings.

Where to stay? Most Schoolies base themselves in the high-rise apartments of Surfers Paradise, while some choose the neighbouring suburbs of Main Beach and Broadbeach. Accommodation books up quickly during this period, so it's wise to book well in advance to ensure a good location.