Questions about the Gold Coast...?

Travel Info
I am moving to the Gold Coast in Jan. to get my Masters at Bond Uni. I need to know soo many things: like how far is it to Brisbane? Is the public transportation any good? What would be the best way to visit Sydney? I want to work too: how easy/ difficult is it to get a Work Visa?
I also have tons of questions about accomodations, as well as life in general in the Gold Coast area. Like are all apartments rented out by the week? How is the Internet speed and costs in Oz? Can anyone give me some advice?

Thanks so much in advance!

Travel Tips

The weather is hot - hot.

Others
Sorry I wasn't getting e-mails from Yahoo, or else I would NOT have chosen the above answer... The one from "QLD traveler" was MUCH better...
Oh, and btw, I'm from San Antonio, TX... where the weather gets upward of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so I'm sure I can handle whatever Brisbane has to offer...

Bribane is not far - maybe an hour's drive. There is not a lot of public transportation, but buses are available. To get to Sydney, either fly from Brissy or rent a car or take the bus. Getting a work visa will be very difficult if you are there as a student. The idea for students studying abroad is they are supposed to take with them all the money they will need for the time they are there. Rentals are usually done by the week versus by the month as is customary in the US. However you can pay the rent by the month. I.e., on the 1st of the month, pay four weeks rent. Internet speed is the same as in the US. Dial up connections are slower than high speed connections. Costs for internet are roughly the same although keep in mind that if you have a dial up connection, you pay a connection fee each time you dial up (around 20c).
Temperature probably in the 30s in January Accommodation varies private or uni might find you home stay depending on your choice prices vary. Transportation can be bus or train to Brisbane approx one and a half hours. Planes to Sydney from Coolangatta airport or Brisbane I have broadband 2g at $40 a month unlimited is approx $65 but costs vary $10 upwards work visa see immigration office they will help great place you will have fun and study hard.
where i live need any more get in touch.
mm lots of questions

brisbane is approx 1.15hours from surfers paradise the main hub of the cold coast

info on trains and buses in south east queensland head to
http://www.transinfo.com.au/

flights fly direct from coolongatta airport to sydney or from brisbane to sydney if you book well in advance you can get them from as little at 89.00 each way.

check out www.jetstar.com.au or www.virginblue.com.au

Work head to www.jobsearch.gov.au www.seek.com.au or www.careerone.com.au not sure what the regualtions are on work visas etc.

accommodation head to www.realestate.com.au you will find rental properties and buy properties. most accommodation is by the week unless you can find an independent landlord.
also check out the classifieds on www.news.com.au to see if you can pick up a rental property this way.

internet speed is average, our broadband is currently runing at 1mbps nothing like the the 100mbps you find in korea etc.

hope this helps