How to Get Around the Gold Coast

September 24, 2025

Getting Around the Gold Coast: Your Guide to Public Transport and the Go Card the Gold Coast You’ll Love

An beautiful view of a gold coast city with tall buildings and a beach.

Visiting the Gold Coast and wondering how to get around without a car? Good news — the city has a reliable and easy-to-use public transport system that makes exploring simple and affordable.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, theme parks or up to the hinterland, here’s everything you need to know about getting around.

The Go Card: What It Is and Why You Need One

The Go Card is a reusable travel card used across South East Queensland. It’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to use public transport on the Gold Coast.

You can use it on:

G:link trams
Surfside buses
Queensland Rail trains (to and from Brisbane and the airport)

With a Go Card, fares are cheaper than buying paper tickets, and you simply tap on and off each time you travel.

Where to Get a Go Card

You can buy and top up a Go Card at:

Convenience stores like 7-Eleven
Train stations and tram stations
Online at the Translink website
Tourist info centres

Pick one up when you arrive and you’re ready to go.

Using the G:link Tram

The G:link tram runs along the coast from Helensvale Station down to Broadbeach South and is perfect for visitors.

It connects you to key spots like:

Surfers Paradise (Cavill Avenue)
Broadbeach (Pacific Fair, The Star Casino)
Southport (Broadwater Parklands, shopping)
Main Beach (Sea World nearby)

Trams run every 7–15 minutes and are clean, modern and easy to navigate.

Buses and Trains

Buses link areas not covered by the tram, including the Gold Coast Airport, Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta, and parts of the hinterland.

Trains are ideal if you're coming from Brisbane or need to get to the airport. You can take the train to Helensvale and transfer directly to the tram.