Schoolies accommodation prices: Apartments priced three times higher than at Easter

There are claims that Schoolies are being ripped off as figures show just the staggering amounts they’re being forced to pay for accommodation compared with other peak periods during the year.

Gold Coast has been a Schoolies hotspot for years. Picture: Nigel Hallett

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Schoolies are being forced to fork out more than three times as much money for the same accommodation compared with other peak times of the year, triggering accusations of price gouging.

On average, Schoolies are forking out over $1000 per person for a week in an apartment for eight people on the Gold Coast, compared with around $600 per person over the Easter Peak period in 2025.

It means the total cost for a one-week stay jumps up from $2400 at Easter to a whopping $8000 during Schoolies.

Official Schoolies accommodation for the Gold Coast has to be booked through the Schoolies.com site in order to have access to events, as bookings through Airbnb do not allow access to official parties.

A Schoolies spokesperson said rates are set by hotel partners in response to the crazy demand during this period.

“The exclusive booking arrangement ensures a controlled and safe environment for attendees. By centralising bookings through Schoolies.com, we can implement tailored safety measures and ensure all participants are verified Schoolies. This model mitigates risks and creates a more secure experience, which is a priority for both us and our hotel partners,” a spokeswoman said.

“To label our pricing as ‘price gouging’ disregards the significant effort and resources we invest to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for young people.”

Schoolies are also allegedly often denied check-in to their AirBnBs and are then forced to use the official service.

A Courier-Mail reader said she was disappointed in the amount of money she had to fork out for accommodation through the Schoolies.com website.

The Hilton Surfers Paradise is a top pick for Schoolies to book during the two-week long celebrations on the glitter strip. Picture: Supplied

“My daughter is in a three-bedroom apartment for eight people and it is costing $999 each. This is $7992 for a week plus a bond of $200 each,” she said.

“I do not believe that this same apartment would cost this amount in their peak season. That’s $1141.71 a night. They really have no other choice because apartment buildings will not take bookings from schoolies for this time.”

The Courier-Mail conducted an analysis of schoolies.com prices, comparing them with peak periods in Easter and found wild variations in prices.

At the Hilton Surfers Paradise – one of the iconic schoolies destinations and the only Schoolies hotel that is in the heart of Surfers Paradise – schoolies are forking out hundreds of dollars more for a week of partying, on average, compared with Gold Coast peak seasons.

Booking for Schoolies for 2025 for eight people will set party goers back $1225 per person, or $9800 for a week. While for eight people in the Easter Peak season, a week-long stay would cost $916.87 per person, or $735 for the week.

The best bargain for school leavers is at The Penthouse Apartments in Surfers Paradise, a week-long stay during Easter would cost $910 per person for eight people, while the same venue would only cost school leavers $685 per person.

While the Gold Coast has been host to end of schooling celebrations since late 1970s, and while accommodation bookings had been consistent to recent years, the number of wristbands issued has declined, with about 3000 fewer issued in 2023 compared with 2022.

This year more than 11,000 schoolies attended the first weekend of celebrations, according to data from police and organisers.

Of the 53,181 Year 12 graduates in Queensland in 2023, 30 per cent, or 15,563, chose to party on the Glitter Strip, according to Queensland government data.

School leavers are forking out thousands for a week of partying on the Glitter Strip. Picture: Supplied

Schoolies v Easter

Schoolies listed prices for 2025 first week (November 21-29), for a three-bedroom apartment for seven or eight people

■ The Penthouse Apartments: (8 people) $685

■ Mantra Crown Towers: (8 people) $1075

■ Soul Surfers Paradise: (8 people) $1165

■ Towers of Chevron: (8 people) $989

■ Moorings on Cavill: (8 people) $855

■ Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel: (8 people) $1225

Hotel prices listed on Bookings.com during Easter Peak season 2025 (April 14-23), for a three-bedroom apartment for seven or eight people

■ The Penthouse Apartments (8 people): Total $7287 – $910 per person

■ Mantra Crown Towers: (8 people) Total $6165 – $1868 per person

■ Soul Surfers Paradise: (8 people) $7475- $934 per person

■ Towers of Chevron: (8 people) *Sold out for data but roughly $6165 – $770 per person

■ Moorings on Cavill: (8 people) Total $4482 – $560 per person

■ Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel: (8 people) Total $7335 – $916 per person

Source: Bookings.com/Schoolies.com

Originally published as Schoolies accommodation prices: Apartments priced three times higher than at Easter