In the heart of Surfers Paradise, a city that transforms into one giant party for the next seven nights, thousands of school leavers descended on this year's schoolies week 2025. As the sun dipped below the horizon, and DJ sets blasted Reel 2 Real's iconic hit "I Like to Move It", teenage boys shuffled with excitement, sporting sunglasses and reveling in the final night of their school years.
For Brendan, an 18-year-old from Brisbane, this has been a week he'll never forget. With his novelty plush snake wrapped around his neck – which he affectionately calls his "emotional support snake" – he's had the time of his life, taking part in the party animal theme and meeting new friends along the way.
Brendan's sentiments echo those of many school leavers who have flocked to Surfers Paradise for this annual celebration. With its reputation as a go-to destination for schoolies, the city has once again proven itself to be the ultimate party spot, with thousands of young people converging on the beach, clubs, and hotels to kick-start their lives after years of education.
According to Acting Director Justin Payne of the Queensland Ambulance Service, this year's schoolies week has seen only 18 hospitalisations – a significant decrease from previous years. "A decade ago we'd have to transport around 40 people a night to the hospital system," he noted. While there were still 20 arrests made during the week, including for possession of drugs and disorderly conduct, it appears that this year's schoolies has taken a positive turn.
The Gold Coast government established the Schoolies Hub five years ago with the intention of managing safety responses, not encouraging teenagers to attend. The initiative seems to have been successful in reducing incidents, as the hub's establishment resulted in fewer cases of intoxication and minor injuries.
A sea of fluorescent pink lanyards surrounds the party-goers as they are herded behind fencing that blocks off tourists, locals, and "toolies" from the festivities. Inside this designated area, students can enjoy cups of water, emergency assistance, and welfare checks, including guided walks home.
Behind the vibrant beachfront setting and lively music scene lies a more subdued reality – one where school leavers are indulging in low-key activities, such as taking part in "pool parties" at hotels like the Hilton, which offers exclusive events for its guests. When not lounging by the pool or engaging in leisurely room-hopping excursions, groups of friends flock to local takeaway shops and platefuls of fried chicken to satisfy their hunger.
For some school leavers, like Mia, 17, from Brisbane, this week has been about embracing a laid-back lifestyle – "low-key chill" activities like watching TV or lounging by the pool are staples of her daily routine. On the eve of her final night out, she's focusing on spending quality time with friends and having fun.
Meanwhile, Joey, 18, is more concerned with how his weekend will unfold. With a big group of friends from Brisbane in tow, he's eager to kick-start a memorable night – "We're going to have a huge party!"
The schoolies week has become notorious for its raucous parties and events that promote hedonistic revelry. Amidst the bright lights, neon signs, and advertising spots touting "Schoolies specials", many are concerned about whether the celebrations can be reimagined in a way that prioritizes fun over explicit content.
As Mia confidently states, her group isn't there for hook-ups; they just want to spend time with their friends. The Queensland government has also reinforced its message of consent and safety – "Everyone has the right to feel safe. Groping without consent is assault."
With thousands of school leavers descending on Surfers Paradise each night, it's clear that this week marks the beginning of a new chapter for many young Australians. As they let loose and revel in their final school years, the next seven days promise to be an unforgettable ride – one that will test boundaries, spark memories, and bring friends together under the spotlight of the dance floor lights.
Seven clubs have been officially affiliated with this year's Schoolies Week 2025. Seven nights of partying – the line will snake around the street when the doors open at 10 pm.
For Brendan, an 18-year-old from Brisbane, this has been a week he'll never forget. With his novelty plush snake wrapped around his neck – which he affectionately calls his "emotional support snake" – he's had the time of his life, taking part in the party animal theme and meeting new friends along the way.
Brendan's sentiments echo those of many school leavers who have flocked to Surfers Paradise for this annual celebration. With its reputation as a go-to destination for schoolies, the city has once again proven itself to be the ultimate party spot, with thousands of young people converging on the beach, clubs, and hotels to kick-start their lives after years of education.
According to Acting Director Justin Payne of the Queensland Ambulance Service, this year's schoolies week has seen only 18 hospitalisations – a significant decrease from previous years. "A decade ago we'd have to transport around 40 people a night to the hospital system," he noted. While there were still 20 arrests made during the week, including for possession of drugs and disorderly conduct, it appears that this year's schoolies has taken a positive turn.
The Gold Coast government established the Schoolies Hub five years ago with the intention of managing safety responses, not encouraging teenagers to attend. The initiative seems to have been successful in reducing incidents, as the hub's establishment resulted in fewer cases of intoxication and minor injuries.
A sea of fluorescent pink lanyards surrounds the party-goers as they are herded behind fencing that blocks off tourists, locals, and "toolies" from the festivities. Inside this designated area, students can enjoy cups of water, emergency assistance, and welfare checks, including guided walks home.
Behind the vibrant beachfront setting and lively music scene lies a more subdued reality – one where school leavers are indulging in low-key activities, such as taking part in "pool parties" at hotels like the Hilton, which offers exclusive events for its guests. When not lounging by the pool or engaging in leisurely room-hopping excursions, groups of friends flock to local takeaway shops and platefuls of fried chicken to satisfy their hunger.
For some school leavers, like Mia, 17, from Brisbane, this week has been about embracing a laid-back lifestyle – "low-key chill" activities like watching TV or lounging by the pool are staples of her daily routine. On the eve of her final night out, she's focusing on spending quality time with friends and having fun.
Meanwhile, Joey, 18, is more concerned with how his weekend will unfold. With a big group of friends from Brisbane in tow, he's eager to kick-start a memorable night – "We're going to have a huge party!"
The schoolies week has become notorious for its raucous parties and events that promote hedonistic revelry. Amidst the bright lights, neon signs, and advertising spots touting "Schoolies specials", many are concerned about whether the celebrations can be reimagined in a way that prioritizes fun over explicit content.
As Mia confidently states, her group isn't there for hook-ups; they just want to spend time with their friends. The Queensland government has also reinforced its message of consent and safety – "Everyone has the right to feel safe. Groping without consent is assault."
With thousands of school leavers descending on Surfers Paradise each night, it's clear that this week marks the beginning of a new chapter for many young Australians. As they let loose and revel in their final school years, the next seven days promise to be an unforgettable ride – one that will test boundaries, spark memories, and bring friends together under the spotlight of the dance floor lights.
Seven clubs have been officially affiliated with this year's Schoolies Week 2025. Seven nights of partying – the line will snake around the street when the doors open at 10 pm.
, it's pretty cool to see all these school leavers letting loose and having fun in Surfers Paradise. But let me correct you - the Schoolies Week isn't just about "hedonistic revelry" (it's more like a celebration of freedom, tbh 
). And yeah, 18 hospitalisations is way better than 40 a decade ago - that's progress! 
The fact that there were 20 arrests made during the week does sound concerning tho... and we should be aware of the importance of consent and safety, especially when it comes to underage parties 
. I'm all for people wanting to "spend quality time with friends" (Mia said that) but also making sure everyone's having a good time without compromising their well-being 
.
like seriously how refreshing to hear that there were only 18 hospitalisations this year?! compared to, like, 40 the last decade?! 
and it's awesome to see the gold coast government setting up safe zones for these kids with the schoolies hub - that's a huge step in the right direction 
my only concern is that we need to make sure these celebrations don't get any wilder and lose that sense of fun 
! The safety measures they've put in place are a big plus, especially with all the hospitalizations and arrests happening in previous years. I mean, who wants to risk getting hurt or breaking the law on their last night of freedom? 
. And hey, if some people still want to party hard, that's their prerogative, but at least they've got a safe space to do so.
. I'm looking forward to seeing how this schoolies week plays out and what kind of memories are made under the neon lights 
!
. Like, kudos to the Queensland Ambulance Service for keeping everything under control! The fact that the Schoolies Hub initiative has been a game-changer is insane 
. It's so cool that these young people are having a blast while still prioritizing safety and consent 
they've definitely cracked down on some of the more wild stuff that's happened in previous years, but it still looks like they're making room for people to let loose and have a blast 
anywayz, it's def not as bad as it used 2 be, w/ fewer hospitalisations & less trouble. so yeah, 7 nites of non-stop partying, sounds lit to me 
...and can we talk about how beautiful the beaches are in Surfers Paradise tho? 
they're basically grown ups now but still getting treated like crazy party animals 
hopefully it's because these kids are finally getting some adulting advice 
? Brendan's emotional support snake is definitely the coolest accessory 
. But at the same time, it's refreshing to see young people like Mia prioritizing fun over explicit content – that's what being a teenager should be about, right? 
.
? The Reel 2 Real hit "I Like to Move It" is still giving me life 
. But seriously, it's great to see the community coming together to make this event about more than just wild parties – there are definitely some chill vibes happening too 
I've got my eyes on that pool party at the Hilton – sounds like a blast! 
but at the same time im kinda worried about the safety aspect, especially with how much booze is involved 
i mean 18 hospitalisations this year is still pretty low compared to previous years, so let's hope that the initiative to manage safety responses through the schoolies hub has been a game changer 
also, those emergency lanyards look super suspicious, is it just me or does it feel like theres some kinda hidden agenda behind this whole schoolies hub thing? 
. Less hospitalisations and arrests is a definite win for the city 
. These new safety measures and designated areas are definitely a step in the right direction 
Still, there's always gonna be some party animals looking for trouble 
. I mean, what's a schoolie without a bit of mischief, right? 
But overall, it's heartening to see the Gold Coast government taking steps to ensure everyone's having fun safely 
? It's all about balance, innit? 
, I'm loving how the Gold Coast government is taking steps to manage safety for these school leavers! The Schoolies Hub is literally saving lives by providing a safe space for kids to unwind and have fun 
i'm low-key jealous tbh, wish i was 18 again and could enjoy this whole scene 
