The Tourist’s Guide to Transport on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s best loved holiday destinations and the country’s sixth largest city. In the heart of it all is the famous suburb of Surfers Paradise, but there is so much more to this city than the holiday strip. Inland from the beaches there are magnificent national parks – Springbrook, Lamington and Tamborine, each featuring World Heritage protected areas. Then there is the Southport Spit, home to a permanent sand spit and spectacular harbour – the perfect place to relax, fish or jump on board a boat. For those who enjoy a round of golf, the Gold Coast features some of the best greens in Australia and if it’s good food you’re after, the Gold Coast has more than 500 restaurants to explore! Whether you’re on the Gold Coast to shop, dine, golf, swim or hike, there’s always plenty to do, so you’ll need a way of getting around.

Gold Coast Cabs

Gold Coast Cabs is the largest regional taxi company in Queensland and is comprised of over 350 vehicles. With them operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, getting a cab on the Gold Coast is easy.

As a guide, your taxi will charge a $1.50 booking fee and a flagfall rate of $2.90 during the hours 7am-7pm weekdays. All other times, the flagfall rate will increase depending on the hour and a premium will be charged for larger vehicles carrying more than four passengers. A fare estimator is available online.

To book a taxi, visit www.gccabs.com.au or phone 131 008. You can also download the GC Cabs free app, available for iPhone and Android.

Goldlinq

Brand new to the Gold Coast, the Goldlinq light rail system is set to make transport up and down the popular Gold Coast strip fast and easy. Trams will carry passengers along the coast, connecting them with bus services and local attractions along the way. Each tram can carry up to 309 people in air conditioned comfort and Stage One will travel a 13-kilometre dedicated route, stopping at 16 stations including:

• Gold Coast University Hospital
• Griffith University
• Southport
• Broadwater Parklands
• Main Beach
• Cavill Avenue
• Broadbeach North
• Broadbeach South

To view all stations and find out more, visit www.goldlinq.com.au.

Translink

Translink is a division of the Department of Transport and Main Roads and responsible for leading and shaping Queensland’s overall passenger transport system. Using a go card, SEEQ card or single paper ticket, passengers can explore the Gold Coast region from Coolangatta, west to Nerang and north to developing areas of Coomera and Ormeau.

Translink.com.au offers a complete route planner, making travelling by public transport easy. The route planner will give you information on how best to get to your destination, including walking distance. It will also tell you your total fare costs.

Buying a translink ticket is simple, with over 580 distributors, including 7-Elevens, SupaNews and other newsagencies. You can also buy go cards and SEEQ cards online. Single tickets may be purchased via the driver, station attendant or ferry master.

Gold Coast Shuttle

Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle provides door to door airport transfers and makes getting to the theme parks fast and easy. Taking the shuttle is a hassle free, affordable way to travel and is ideal for both individuals and families.

There are various ticket options for the Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle, from return Gold Coast airport transfers to a ten day Freedom Pass. A Freedom Pass gives you return airport transfers, unlimited theme park transfers and unlimited use of the 24hr Surfside Buslines network. A Gold Card is perfect if you don’t need airport transfers.

Visit www.gcshuttle.com.au for more details.

Family Car Rentals

There is no easier way to get around the Gold Coast than by car and Family Car Rentals is a reliable, affordable and friendly service that provides unequalled value. For families traveling in the school holidays, the great news is that Family Car Rentals don’t believe in charging peak rates, therefore value remains all year round.

With a wide range of cars to suit every budget and an out of hours service at the airport, you can pick up or return a car any time of day, any day of the year.

To arrange a quote, visit www.familycarrentals.com.au.

Where to park

If hiring a car or bringing your own to the Gold Coast, you’ll need to park it to enjoy the hundreds of activities on offer. We offer onsite parking at Focus Apartments for our guests, yet when you head into town by car you’ll want to find somewhere to park. There is plenty of parking dotted all over the city and in the heart of Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast City Council operates pay and display meters. Parking costs $2.70 per hour Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm. For all other times, parking is free.

There are also many car parks in Surfers Paradise, including:

Bruce Bishop (Transit Centre) Car Park – Cnr Beach Road and Remembrance Drive

Enter between 6am and 8am and leave between 2pm and 6pm and parking is just $9 for the day. A Weekend Pass gives you unlimited entry until midnight Sunday for just $25. The hourly rate is $2.30.

Ferny Avenue Car park – Between Pine and Norfolk Ave

If exploring the northern end of surfers Paradise, the Ferny Avenue car park is just $1 per hour and is ideally positioned.

Soul Surfers Paradise – 4 The Esplanade

If enjoying a meal or the Surfers Paradise nightlife, the Soul car park offers an evening flat rate of just $7 after 4pm.

Circle on Cavill – 3184 Surfers Paradise Boulevard

Located in the heart of the shopping district, Circle on Cavill car park is free for the first two hours when $10 or more is spent at any Circle on Cavill retailer. Simply keep your receipt and present to the cashier booth.

Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre – 23 Ferny Avenue

Parking is FREE for the first two hours, no strings attached! After the initial two hours, normal parking rates apply. 3-6 hours costs $16.