Queensland schoolies celebrations have come to an end with police declaring the behaviour of the 25,000 school leavers who swarmed to the Gold Coast "exemplary".
Police said they arrested 37 schoolies since the traditional week of partying began on Friday November 21, almost 200 fewer than last year.
Gold Coast Inspector Damien Crosby denied that there had been a soft approach to arrests, arguing that a high police presence and increased public safety campaigning had encouraged schoolies to be better behaved.
"This year saw a significant drop in arrests across Schoolies Week, with 199 fewer total arrests than last year," Inspector Crosby said.
"With a few exceptions, the behaviour of the schoolies was exemplary."
Overnight on Friday - the last official night of celebrations - police arrested three schoolies and 16 non-schoolies.
Queensland Ambulance Service treated 66 patients predominantly for intoxication, five of whom were taken to hospital.
An 18-year-old who was punched to the ground at the Cavill Mall in the heart of the Schoolies precinct on Thursday night is no longer in a critical condition but remains in hospital for observation, Inspector Crosby added.
While schoolies ends for Queensland teenagers, a large number of interstate school leavers have begun arriving on the Gold Coast for their own celebrations.
"The majority of interstate schoolies are over 18, which means our focus will shift towards the policing of licensed venues," Inspector Crosby said.
An increased police presence will remain in the Surfers Paradise area for the next two weeks.
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