THERE are now only days to go until Queensland plays host to the biggest event to be staged in Australia in a decade.
The good news is that tickets and accommodation are still available. So, ditch the overseas plans, drop the kids' inheritance and get yourself ringside for the friendliest sporting event at Australia's favourite surfside playground.
Before you go, check out these 10 things to make your Commonwealth Games go further:
1. The free arts and culture extravaganza is as impressive as the Games. Imagine going on a holiday and getting 12 days of entertainment featuring more than 1440 artists from 50 countries for free. Full program: gc2018.com/festival2018
2. Tickets to events are still available. Getting a ticket now to the men's 1500m freestyle final may be as hard as getting the sixth winning number in Powerball, but there are still heaps of tickets available for events such as the para-powerlifting, hockey, shooting and wrestling. And some are as cheap as $20.
3. Free travel. Download the GC2018 app and go to the journey planner or find it all HERE. Just plug in the event and your starting point, and the app will take your planning pain away. Remember to show your Games ticket and all public transport on Translink's south-east Queensland network to and from GC2018 venues is free.
4. Save on parking and ride the new G-link. The best way to holiday around the coast during the Games is the new 20km G-link light rail connecting Helensvale Station to Broadbeach. So, leave the car behind, load up the Go Card and explore the Gold Coast's fantastic tourist attractions. Prices per ride start from $3.25 and Go Cards can be bought at more than 500 outlets including 7Eleven stores and Queensland Rail. For fares and tickets click HERE.
5. Watch it for free: You can bask in the vibe for free, including along the marathon run on the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise; the road race walkers going heel-toe along the beachfront at Currumbin; and road cyclists racing the clock in the time trial through the hinterland. All you do is line up and see it whizz by. Click HERE for routes.
6. See the city in action ... from the sky: Have a holiday with high hopes and track along the spectacular coastline by helicopter to get a bird's eye view as to how the Gold Coast has shaped up thanks to billions of dollars of investment ahead of the Games. Spot the sporting venues and the crowds while you are at it. Prices start from $69 per person with Sea World Helicopters.
7. Rock up to a roadside location and eyeball the world's greatest sporting champs: Support Glynis Nunn-Cearns, Trevor Hendy, Brooke Hanson, Sally Pearson and dozens of other sporting greats as they carry the Queen's Baton Relay towards the April 4 Opening Ceremony. In the final countdown, the stars just get bigger and bigger. For a street-by-street route click HERE.
8. Take a caffeine hit with the best man on two wheels, Robbie McEwen, who has won three Tour de France green jerseys and represented Australia at three Olympic Games. You won't see him in competitive action, but you can meet him churning out winning coffees at his own Miami cafe, Piccolo Espresso.
9. Chew with a games view: Some of the best seats could be just a restaurant reservation away. Events including the men's, women's and para marathons, the road cycling and road race walk will go past some of the coast's coolest cafes and restaurants and within shouting distance of many beachside bars and sun-drenched watering holes.
10. Roll like a champion for less than the price of a pizza. Broadbeach Bowls Club will be the home for the Commonwealth Games lawn bowls competition. The club will be off limits for a Sunday arvo session, but there's plenty of places to get your whites on the green for some barefoot bowls.
