Tram systems in Gold Coast
Gold Coast is a coastal city in south-eastern Queensland, approximately 70 kilometres south of Brisbane. It is Australia’s sixth-largest city, with a population of more than 647,000. The city is internationally known for its beaches and tourism industry, while its urban area extends from the coast towards the hinterland and the border with New South Wales.
Public transport in Gold Coast forms part of the Translink network, which coordinates fares and services across South East Queensland. The network includes trains, buses and the G:link light rail system, with integrated ticketing allowing passengers to transfer between them.
The Gold Coast railway line connects Varsity Lakes, Robina, Nerang, Helensvale and the northern suburbs with Brisbane and Brisbane Airport. Local bus services are principally operated by Kinetic Gold Coast on behalf of Translink and provide connections throughout the coastal suburbs and hinterland.
Gold Coast Airport is located at Bilinga near the southern end of the city and handles both domestic and international flights. It is connected with the wider public transport network by bus services.
Gold Coast’s light rail system is branded G:link and forms part of the Translink network. Its single route, designated L1 in public transport timetables, runs for approximately 27 kilometres between Helensvale and Burleigh Heads and serves 27 stops. The system is operated and maintained by Keolis Gold Coast under the GoldLinQ public-private partnership.
The initial route between Gold Coast University Hospital and Broadbeach South opened in July 2014. It was extended north to Helensvale in December 2017 and south from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads on 9 August 2026.
Gold Coast currently has 1 tram line, details of which can be found on the Lines tab.
Gold Coast’s modern light rail system was developed in stages to connect the principal centres along the city’s coastal urban corridor. The Queensland Government selected the GoldLinQ consortium in 2011 to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the initial route under a public-private partnership.
- Stage 1 – Gold Coast University Hospital to Broadbeach South – The initial 13-kilometre route opened on 20 July 2014. Branded G:link, it connected the health and university precinct with Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
- Stage 2 – Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital – A 7.3-kilometre northern extension opened in December 2017. It connected G:link with the Gold Coast railway line at Helensvale and added stops at Parkwood and Parkwood East.
- Stage 3 – Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads – The 6.7-kilometre southern extension opened to passengers on 9 August 2026. Eight new stops extended G:link through Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach and Miami to Burleigh Heads, increasing the complete system to approximately 27 kilometres and 27 stops.
GoldLinQ remains responsible for the light rail system under its agreement with the Queensland Government, while operations and maintenance are undertaken by Keolis Gold Coast.
Gold Coast currently has 1 tram line, which is listed below. To see more information about a particular line, click on the link in the table below.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| G:link | The G:link light rail line L1 runs between Helensvale and Burleigh Heads via Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Miami. |
The Gold Coast light rail network has been developed incrementally since its initial opening in 2014. Following the completion of the extension to Burleigh Heads, the Queensland Government has announced a further extension in the northern part of the city.
A 3.2-kilometre light rail extension is planned between Gold Coast University Hospital and the Harbour Town shopping precinct at Biggera Waters. The route will follow Olsen Avenue and Oxley Drive and include three new stops at Musgrave Avenue, Labrador and Biggera Waters.
The project will also require additional trams and upgrades to the light-rail depot. The Queensland Government intends to deliver the extension in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, although a construction start date has not yet been announced.
Further information is available in the official Gold Coast Transport Plan.
Earlier plans proposed extending G:link south from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta via Gold Coast Airport. Following a review and public consultation, the Queensland Government announced in September 2025 that planning for this light-rail extension would stop.
The southern corridor is instead expected to be served by the GC Surfer, a frequent metro-style bus service connecting Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta. The service is planned to operate every ten minutes and is intended for delivery before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Further information about the discontinued light-rail proposal is available on the official Stage 4 project page, while the replacement transport plan is described on the Gold Coast Transport Plan page.