What you need to know about Schoolies 2022 celebrations on the Gold Coast

A record crowd of up to 20,000 school leavers will descend on the Glitter Strip as the annual Schoolies celebration returns. Here’s everything you need to know

Melanie Whiting

2 min read

October 21, 2022 - 4:00PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

Gold Coast

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A record crowd of up to 20,000 school leavers will descend on the Glitter Strip as the annual Schoolies celebration returns for the first year without the shadow of heavy Covid restrictions.

A month out from the official kick-off, accommodation has been fully booked out across Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The Safer Schoolies Gold Coast response team have revealed what school leavers and the community can expect ahead of the week-long rite of passage.

Significantly less Covid-19 restrictions can be expected compared to 2021 and 2020 – in line with state government guidelines – but schoolies will be expected to stay Covid-safe.

Gold Coast schoolies Amy Lunney and Helena Arvanitidis. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The Schoolies hub – offering free nightly entertainment from 7pm until midnight on Surfers Paradise beach – will return from Saturday, November 19 to Friday, November 25.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said the biggest Schoolies shake-up this year would be a Tuesday night silent disco to replace Tuesday night movies.

“It has been initiated after police concerns that school leavers need something to bring them out of their rooms and into the hub on every night of the response,” he said.

“It has no noise impact on the Surfers Paradise residential community and is expected to be very successful.”

Schoolies at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jason O'Brien / Sunday Mail

Key elements to return this year include the use of wristbands to identify genuine Year 12 school leavers, a health and wellbeing space, recharge zones within the schoolies hub and along the Esplanade as well as a nightly chill out zone on Orchid Ave.

There will be an increased police presence, regular volunteer street patrols and support from the Red Frogs within key hotels in Surfers Paradise and through their hotline.

The Schoolies treatment centre with QAS officer in charge Justin Payne.

Central booking website Schoolies.com spokesman Matt Lloyd said those who had not already organised accommodation on the Coast for the week would need to reconsider their plans.

“November 19 to 26 is totally sold out,” Mr Lloyd said.

“This situation really reinforces the need to get your friends organised and book well in advance.

“Each year, we accommodate a number of late bookings at Broadbeach if Surfers Paradise accommodation is sold out.

“We have only been able to source a small number of rooms at Broadbeach this year due to the National Cheer and Dance Championships being held at the Convention Centre.”

Teenagers line up at Schoolies Central. Picture: Jason O'Brien / Sunday Mail

Mr Lloyd said he was not aware of reports of accommodation scams or overcharging for rooms.

“I have asked our reservations team if they have come across any instances of this – they advised that they have not,” he said.

“We always recommend booking via a reputable operator.”

Further information, advice, tips and resources for school leavers and parents/guardians can be found on the Safer Schoolies website: www.saferschoolies.qld.gov.au