Famous beach city south of Brisbane with Surfers Paradise, theme parks, and beautiful coastline. Popular tourist destination.

About Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia\'s most iconic holiday destinations, a 57-km strip of sandy beaches backed by a skyline of gleaming high-rise apartments and hotels that has earned comparisons to Miami. Surfers Paradise is the epicenter — a vibrant beachside neighborhood where the surf culture, nightlife, shopping, and dining all converge along Cavill Avenue and the Esplanade.

Beyond the beach, the Gold Coast is home to Australia\'s biggest theme parks: Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, and Wet\'n\'Wild provide family entertainment, while WhiteWater World and the natural waterways of the Broadwater offer water-based adventures. The Gold Coast Hinterland — Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook, and Lamington National Parks — provides a dramatic contrast of ancient rainforests, waterfalls, and glow worm caves just 30-45 minutes from the beach.

Broadbeach has emerged as the Gold Coast\'s dining and cultural hub, with The Star casino, Pacific Fair shopping centre, and a growing collection of excellent restaurants. Burleigh Heads offers a more laid-back surf village atmosphere with the famous Burleigh Headland walk, James Street café strip, and some of Australia\'s best fish and chip shops.

Nearby Landmarks

Surfers Paradise Beach Dreamworld Movie World Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost A$180-220 ($120-147)
Time 1.5-2 hours

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost A$160-200 ($107-133)
Time 1.5-2 hours

Arrivals level

Train (Airtrain + G:link tram)

Cost A$35 ($23)
Time 2 hours
Frequency Airtrain every 15-30 min, G:link every 7.5 min

Step-by-Step Directions

Take the Airtrain to Helensvale station, then transfer to the G:link light rail to Surfers Paradise. Alternatively, Con-X-ion airport shuttle buses run direct.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi A$180-220 ($120-147) 1.5-2 hours Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare A$160-200 ($107-133) 1.5-2 hours Budget-conscious, app users
Train A$35 ($23) 2 hours Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

After midnight, a taxi or Uber from Brisbane Airport to Surfers Paradise costs AUD 130-180. The Airtrain connects to TransLink Gold Coast trains from Helensvale or Nerang stations, but the last connections don't align well for late arrivals. Pre-booked shuttle services (Con-X-ion) offer fixed-price airport-to-hotel transfers and are popular with tourists.

Luggage Tips

Pre-booked shuttle buses (Con-X-ion) have large luggage compartments. If taking the train+tram route, you'll need to manage luggage through 2-3 transfers. For families with lots of beach and theme park gear, a direct shuttle or taxi is more practical. Gold Coast high-rises typically have lobby luggage storage for early arrivals.

Accessibility

Brisbane Airport and Gold Coast Light Rail (G:link) are fully accessible. The G:link tram runs from Helensvale to Broadbeach with wheelchair access at all stops. Surfers Paradise Esplanade and beach areas have wheelchair access paths. Theme parks offer disability access passes and wheelchair hire. Some older apartment buildings may lack elevators.