Year 12 school leavers from across several New England North West high schools are beginning the long trek to the Gold Coast today for the start of Schoolies celebrations.

The official party at Surfers Paradise attracts tens of thousands of students from Queensland, NSW and Victoria and for many local kids, the wait for the party week has been excruciating.

“Yes, it’s been a long countdown, for like 200 days we’ve been counting it down and now it’s into the hours,” Jordie Cotter said yesterday.

“It’s a bit like the night before Christmas, I haven’t been able to sleep this week.” The local kids said registering as a ‘schoolie’ was the first task to ensure they take in all the action, which is cordoned off for those with official IDs and wristbands.

“We’ve got a fair bit of our year heading up, a lot of our friends,” Raquel MacKenzie said.

“We’re all around Surfers Paradise, scattered throughout the hotels.” While many will car pool up to Queensland, some locals have opted to fly and most admit to having been given the “stay safe” message by mums and dads.

“Yeah, they’re not too bad, they were a bit nervous about letting me go ... but they are excited for me,” Raquel said.

Police have issued a play-it-safe warning to all school leavers, but one thing to put the minds of parents at ease is the countless Red Frog volunteers who are descending on the Gold Coast to keep a look out for the schoolies.

“There is an app for it and you can put in where you are and they will walk you home, and come in the morning and cook you pancakes  and help you clean up,” Jordie said.