G:link Tram - Gold Coast Light Rail | Gold Coast Australia (2024)

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's fastest growing cities and the Gold Coast Light Rail project aimed to reduce congestion and improve public transport systems.

Known as G:link, the light rail tram system's first stop is at the Helensvale train station and connects commuting passengers to 19 stations across 20.3 kilometres, through Parkwood, Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Both the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council are also funding the expansion of the light rail system to the Gold Coast Airport over 2 additional stages. Construction is already underway.

Tram Frequency & Times:

Journey Planner

Gold Coast Light Rail Station Locations

The light rail service will connect passengers with the bus network at safe interchanges at the Gold Coast University Hospital Station, Griffith University, Southport and Broadbeach South, providing an easy connection and short waiting times between services. Visit their website for more details.

Image used with permission of Keolis Downer & G:Link

Tickets & Fares

Paper tickets are also still available for purchasing one-way journeys only and can be purchased from fare machines and on board buses, but must be used within 2 hours of purchasing. The Go Explore card is great for tourists and is available from most hotels.

Where To Buy Go Cards & Go Explore Cards

About the Trams

The trams utilised for the Gold Coast light rail system are a new fleet of Bombardier Flexity 2 trams from Bombardier Transportation. The design was made by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders, and features air conditioning, spaces for wheelchairs and prams, seats, standing room, information on tram stops and a space for surfboards - a world first!

Each tram is made up of 7 modules with a driving cab at each end. At 43.5 metres long, the trams will be able to carry up to 309 passengers per tram (80 seated and 229 standing). The trams are powered by electricity drawn from overhead lines and can travel up to 70km/hr (however the average speed along the journey will be approximately 23km/hr).

To find out more about the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System, please visit the Ride The G website, or view the videos below.

Amenities

Your comfort, safety and travel options have been thought about by the good people at G:Link. Take a look at the following list of amenities located at the G Link Stations to make your journey as pleasant and as easy as can be.

Light Rail Extension

Construction of stages 3 and 4 of the Gold Coast light rail extension is also underway, which will extend the G:link track from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads (Stage 3), and then Burleigh Heads to Tugun (Stage 4). These new stages will provide travellers with an additional public transport option to the Gold Coast Airport, as well as beachside suburbs of Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach, Miami, Currumbin and Palm Beach. The project is jointly funded by the Gold Coast City Council and Queensland Government as part of the Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031.

Currently, the only transport options available to and from the Gold Coast Airport are buses, airport transfers, and taxis, which can then connect you to train or tram stations further north at Varsity Lakes or Broadbeach, or take you direct to your home or accommodation. As the city's population grows and congestion on the Gold Coast Highway and Pacific Motorway increases, the extension is a welcome step forward for locals and visitors alike.

Major construction on the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 has already begun along the Gold Coast Highway, between Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads. You can check on the current status of the project here.

Images courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Destination Gold Coast & Getty Images