G:link
AFlexity 2 leaving Broadwater Parklands in September 2014
Overview
Owner	Translink
Locale	Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Transit type	Light rail
Number of lines	1
Number of stations	19 (27 after stage 3 completion)
Annual ridership	10.74 million (2018/19)
Chief executive	Phil Mumford
Headquarters	Southport
Website	www.ridetheg.com.au
Operation
Began operation	20 July 2014
Operator(s)	Keolis Australia
Number of vehicles	23 Bombardier/AlstomFlexity 2 trams
Train length	43.5 m (143 ft)
Headway	7–30 minutes
Technical
System length	20 km (12 mi) (26 km (16 mi) after stage 3 completion)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DCoverhead catenary
Average speed	27 km/h (17 mph)
Top speed	70 km/h (43 mph)
System map Gold Coast line Helensvale Gold Coast line Parkwood Parkwood East Olsen Avenue turnback Gold Coast University Hospital Griffith University Smith Street Motorway Depot Queen Street Nerang Street High Street Southport Southport South Queen Street Broadwater Parklands Nerang River Main Beach Anabranch MacIntosh Island Anabranch Jaraparilla Cove Gold Coast Highway Surfers Paradise North Cypress Avenue Cavill Avenue Surfers Paradise Northcliffe Gold Coast Highway Florida Gardens Broadbeach North Gold Coast Highway Hooker Boulevard Broadbeach South toBurleigh Heads (under construction) Mermaid Beach  Mermaid Beach South Nobby Beach Miami North Miami Christine Avenue Second Avenue Burleigh Heads This diagram: view talk edit

G:link, also known as theGold Coast Light Rail, theGold Coast tram or simply the'G, is alight rail system serving theGold Coast inQueensland, Australia, and is the sole light rail system in Queensland. The system forms part ofTranslink'sSouth East Queensland public transport network and consists of a single 20 km (12 mi) line of nineteen stations.Helensvale railway station is the northern terminus of the system, while Broadbeach South serves as the southern terminus. The line initially opened on 20 July 2014 and was subsequently extended northwest fromGold Coast University Hospital to Helensvale on 17 December 2017.

The Gold Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, with an annual population growth of 2–3%.^[1] The project was first proposed in theGold Coast City Council Transport Plan 1996 after some years of consideration and review. In 2002, theQueensland andFederal Governments each contributed $650,000 to fund the Gold Coast Light Rail Feasibility Study.^[2][3] In 2004, the draft summary report was released.^[4]

In 2009, the Queensland Government committed $464 million to the Gold Coast Rapid Transit (GCRT) project, supplementing $365 million committed by the Federal Government and $120 million provided by Gold Coast City Council.^[5]

In June 2011, the GoldLinq consortium comprisingBombardier Transportation,Downer EDI,Keolis,McConnell Dowell andPlenary Group was awarded the contract to build and operate the Gold Coast light rail line for 18 years under aPublic Private Partnership.^[6][7][8]

In August 2012, the cost of the initial 13 km (8.1 mi) section was estimated at $1.6 billion.^[9] Construction began on the Gold Coast University Hospital station shell in July 2010.^[10] In late 2010, early roadworks began inBroadbeach andSouthport.^[11]

By November 2013, much of the work was complete with the southern section at Broadbeach being the only section of trackwork to be completed. Testing commenced on the northern section of the line in October 2013. The line opened on 20 July 2014, with a free travel day, before normal operations began on 21 July.^[12][13][14]

The system had a significant impact on property both directly and indirectly in the corridor. A total of $170 million was allocated for property resumptions. The Queens Park Tennis Club and Southport Croquet Club were both relocated.^[15]

After the successful opening and operations of Stage 1, theQueensland Government announced in February 2016 plans to extend the light rail line from the University Hospital to the Helensvale railway station, providing a connection with theGold Coast railway line that connects the city withBrisbane, the state capital of Queensland. Financial commitment from the state and federal governments needed to progress with the extension was finalised in late 2016. The new extension includes 7.3 km (4.5 mi) tracks and 3 new light rail stations, withHelensvale being the new northern terminus for the line. Construction commenced in 2016^[16] with plans to be completed in time for the2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018. Construction finished early, ahead of schedule with passenger services commencing in December 2017.

TheQueensland Government, in conjunction with theGold Coast City Council and thefederal government, announced the plan to extend the light rail line 6.4 km (4.0 mi) south, from the existing Broadbeach South station toBurleigh Heads back in 2018 with the original completion date to be in 2024. Due to funding disputes among the three levels of government, theCOVID-19 pandemic along with rising construction costs in recent years, the project kept getting delayed. In February 2020, three parties were short-listed to build the extension:^[17]

• aCPB Contractors /Seymour Whyte joint venture
• aFulton Hogan /UGL Rail joint venture
• John Holland

It was announced in October 2020 that John Holland had won the contract,^[18] with the state government releasing a statement in 2021 saying that the agreement will see the construction consortium undertake detailed construction planning and start establishing a site presence along the 6.7-kilometre (4.2 mi) corridor.^[1]

In July 2022 construction formally started with water, sewerage and gas infrastructure upgrades and relocation on the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach.^[3] Major construction including earthworks and construction of the tracks commenced in 2023, with the project now expected to be operational by mid-2026.^[19]

There will be 8 new stations, all built with the same design as the first two stages, however, there are no park'n'ride facilities like there were in stage 2. All stations on the extension configured as a central platform station, meaning that both north and southbound platforms are located in the middle, with tracks on either side. With signalised pedestrian crossing and all exits are wheelchair accessible.^[20] As of late 2022, construction has started on stage 3 and is expected to be completed by 2030.

Mermaid Beach station is located in the suburb of the same name near the intersection of the Gold Coast Highway and Crescent Avenue and Montana Road. A number dining and retail options are located near the station along with parks and a medical centre.

Located slightly south of Markeri Street, Mermaid Beach South station provides direct access to a number of holiday accommodations, a small retail precinct and residential dwellings are located only a short walk from the station.

Nobby Beach station will be situated between Albicore Street and Dolphin Avenue on the Gold Coast Highway. It will serve the Nobby Beach retail precinct, and the beach is only a short walk away.

Miami North station will be on the corner of Paradise Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, and will serve northernMiami and theMiami State High School.

Miami station will be on the corner of Hythe Street and the Gold Coast Highway, serving Miami Beach and a number of holiday resorts.

Christine Avenue station will be located on the corner of Christine Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, on the southern side of Miami. Christine Avenue will serve a number of retail and dining venues, as well as the North Burleigh Surf Beach.

Second Avenue Burleigh station will be on the corner of Second Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, just north ofBurleigh Heads. A number of holidays resorts are a short walk away, as well as Burleigh Heads State School.

The southern terminus of Burleigh Heads will be located at the junction of Goodwin Terrace and the Gold Coast Highway. It will serve the James Street retail and dining precinct, as well as Memorial Park, Justins Park,Burleigh Head National Park and Burleigh Heads Surf Beach. The station will offer bus connections toVarsity Lakes railway station and southern suburbs, including theGold Coast Airport.

The new extension will begin from the current southern terminus, Broadbeach South travelling on the median strip of the Gold Coast Highway for the whole way south to Burleigh Heads. The 6.7 km (4.2 mi) extension will pass throughMermaid Beach, Nobby's Beach,Miami andBurleigh Heads^[7] with the hopes of creating better connectivity, reducing congestion and improving travel times.^[8]

Map

The single 20-kilometre (12 mi) line runs fromHelensvale railway station to Broadbeach South. Beginning at Helensvale railway station, the line runs parallel to theGold Coast railway line until it meets theSmith Street Motorway, which it then follows, stopping at Parkwood and Parkwood East. The next two stops serve theGold Coast University Hospital and theGold Coast campus ofGriffith University. The line runs south, passing over the Smith Street Motorway and the depot before reaching Queen Street station and Nerang Street station that services the Southport medical precinct. The next two stops serve theAustralia Fair shopping centre, and the following stop serves theBroadwater Parklands. The line passes over theNerang River before reaching the only stop inMain Beach, which serves theSea World theme park. The next stops are Surfers Paradise North and Cypress Avenue, the latter serving theChevron Renaissance and theFuntime amusement park. The next stop, Cavill Avenue serves the heart ofSurfers Paradise includingCavill Avenue andParadise Centre. The following station services theQ1 residential tower as well as theSkyPoint observation deck. The next stops are Northcliffe, Florida Gardens and Broadbeach North, the latter serving theGold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre,The Star Gold Coast, theOasis Shopping Centre and theOracle Shopping Centre. The line terminates at Broadbeach South which servesPacific Fair shopping centre and provides bus connections to southern suburbs as well as theGold Coast Airport. It takes around 44 minutes to travel from one end of the line to the other.

There are nineteen stations on the line. One station is located inHelensvale, two are inParkwood, seven are inSouthport, one is inMain Beach, six are inSurfers Paradise, and two are inBroadbeach. All but one of the stations is street-level open-air structures with passenger canopies on the platforms. The Gold Coast University Hospital station is underground. Eleven stations haveside platforms and eight haveisland platforms. Eight of the stations havekiosks on the platforms. Seven stations offer transfers to bus services and Helensvale also offers transfers to train services. Two of the stations have freepark & ride lots with a total of 1,400 new parking spaces.^[21][22] The most heavily trafficked station is Cavill Avenue, with an average of 4,729 daily passengers in February 2016.^[23]

A BombardierFlexity 2

Interior

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit fleet consists of 23 BombardierFlexity 2 trams built in Germany.^[24] The trams feature low floors and have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, prams and surfboards.^[25] They have a top speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and room for 309 passengers with seating for 80.^[26] Fourteen trams were ordered to serve the original section of the line. Four additional trams were ordered in November 2015 to service the Helensvale extension.^[27] These were delivered in September and October 2017.^[28] A further five built in Alstom'sWien Donaustadt plant inAustria were delivered from July 2023 entering service in July 2024.^[29]

This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding missing information.(July 2016)

The system primarily operates in a centre-running configuration. It usesstandard gauge tracks with750 V DCoverhead catenary.Third rail technology was investigated,^[30] though power fromoverhead lines was ultimately utilised.

Eighteen of the stations are street-level open-air structures featuring passenger canopies, and one is underground. Eleven stations haveside platforms and eight have anisland platform. Seven stations offer transfers to Translink bus services.Park & ride facilities are also available at Helensvale and Parkwood stations: during the construction of Stage 2, 1000 car park spaces were built at the new Parkwood station, while 400 new car park spaces were built at Helensvale, in addition to the 877 existing spaces there.^[31]

Key

	Transfer station toTranslink bus services
	Transfer station toTranslink bus services and to theGold Coast railway line

Station	Suburb	Zone	Opened	Grade	Platform layout	Time[a][32]	Refs.
Helensvale	Helensvale	5	17 December 2017	Street-level	Island	0	[33]
Parkwood	Parkwood	5	17 December 2017	Street-level	Side	4	[34]
Parkwood East	Parkwood	5	17 December 2017	Street-level	Island	7	[35]
Gold Coast University Hospital	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Underground	Side	11	[36]
Griffith University	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	13	[37]
Queen Street	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Island	16	[38]
Nerang Street	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	19	[39]
Southport	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	21	[40]
Southport South	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Island	23	[41]
Broadwater Parklands	Southport	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Island	24	[42]
Main Beach	Main Beach	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Island	26	[43]
Surfers Paradise North	Surfers Paradise	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	29	[44]
Cypress Avenue	Surfers Paradise	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	31	[45]
Cavill Avenue	Surfers Paradise	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	34	[46]
Surfers Paradise	Surfers Paradise	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	36	[47]
Northcliffe	Surfers Paradise	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	38	[48]
Florida Gardens	Surfers Paradise	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Island	40	[49]
Broadbeach North	Broadbeach	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Island	42	[50]
Broadbeach South	Broadbeach	5	20 July 2014	Street-level	Side	45	[51]

Services are operated byKeolis Australia, a subsidiary of French transport companyKeolis. Fares are set byTranslink with all stations fitted withgo card readers.^[52] A 50 cent flat rate across all zones applies.^[53] All G:link stations are located within zone 5.

Service frequencies (in minutes) from 17 December 2017:^[54]

†No service between Helensvale station and Gold Coast University Hospital

On Monday to Friday mornings (midnight to 5 am), light rail services are replaced on most of the routes byKinetic Group route 700.^[55] These buses do not service the section between Helensvale station and Gold Coast University Hospital.^[54]

Over 1.74 million passengers used the Gold Coast Light Rail in its first 100 days after opening. More than five million paid trips were made in the first nine months of operation.^[56] 6.6 million passengers were carried on the line in its first year, and total public transport users on the Gold Coast - across buses and trams - increased by 25 per cent.^[57][58] In February 2016 the Queensland Government announced the ten million passenger milestone had been reached and noted that Cavill Avenue was the busiest station with 4,729 boardings a day.^[59]

The following table lists patronage figures for the network during the corresponding financial year. Australia's financial years start on 1 July and end on 30 June. Major events that affected the number of journeys made or how patronage is measured are included as notes.

Besides Stages 3, the Gold Coast City Council envisions an extensive light rail network that would potentially consist of 68 km (42 mi) of track and 4 light rail lines as outlined in theCity Transport Strategy 2031. Future extensions however are not expected to take place until after Stage 3 toBurleigh Heads is fully completed and further feasibility studies are undertaken, with the time-frames for the projects still undecided.

A branch line fromMain Beach toThe Spit was proposed in the Gold Coast City Council's 2031 transport plan,City Transport Strategy 2031.^[73] The council announced a number of potential route options in April 2017 and invited public comment.^[74] The line is expected to cost around $200 million and would be paid for by developers and would be around 2.6 km (1.6 mi) long.^[75]

The Gold Coast's council 2031 Transport plan published outlines a possible extension toBiggera Waters.^[76] The proposed line would branch off from the existing University Hospital light rail station, travelling north before terminating atHarbour Town Shopping Centre in the suburb ofBiggera Waters.

The Gold Coast's council 2031 Transport plan published outlines a possible extension toBundall.^[77] The proposed line would branch off fromCavill Avenue, travelling west for several kilometres before terminating in the suburb of Bundall. Stations may includeChevron Island,HOTA, Bundall Business District andGold Coast Turf Club.

The Gold Coast's council 2031 Transport plan published outlines a possible extension to theNerang.^[78] The proposed line would spur off from Broadbeach, travelling west along Hooker Boulevard and north alongNerang–Broadbeach Road before terminating at theNerang railway station. Stations would includeMermaid Waters,Carrara Markets andCarrara Stadium.

A 9 km (5.6 mi) Robina extension is proposed in the Gold Coast City Council'sLight Rail southern Gold Coast publication.^[79] The proposed extension would branch off fromNobbys Beach and terminate atRobina railway station passing throughBond University,Market Square,Robina Town Centre andRobina Stadium.

TheLight Rail southern Gold Coast published by the Gold Coast City Council also outline a proposal extension toVarsity Lakes^[80] fromBurleigh Heads. The extension would branch out from Burleigh Heads and followBurleigh Connection Road, passing byStocklands Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre and the light industrial areas of West Burleigh before terminating atVarsity Lakes railway station, providing a heavy rail connection.

On 19 February 2019,Tweed HeadsMPGeoff Provest announced $1 million of funding towards strategic planning to extend the Gold Coast light rail system from theGold Coast Airport to over theNew South Wales border intoTweed Heads.^[81]

In 2020, a feasibility study was proposed by the NSW state government for a light rail corridor between Gold Coast Airport and Tweed Heads.^[82]

The Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031 supports a future expansion toCoolangatta via theGold Coast Airport.^[83] The 14 km (8.7 mi) extension of the light rail line from Burleigh Heads station would continue south along the Gold Coast Highway, passing through the southern suburbs ofPalm Beach andTugun and connecting the city's international airport with the light rail. A potential light rail corridor has also been identified from the Airport to Coolangatta and will be preserved for possible future expansion.^[84] In August 2020, funding was provided to formulate a business case for the extension.^[85] Since 2021 community consultation and preliminary works have begun on stage 4.^[9] Public consultation ended in May 2025.^[86] On 1 September 2025, the Queensland Government announced the cancellation of the stage 4 extension.^[87][88]

The Gold Coast light rail project was subject to protest campaigns from some local residents and politicians. Those who attempted to stop Stage One included Gold Coast MayorRon Clarke,^[89] former mayor and candidateLex Bell^[90] (who proposed the use of native title to stop the project),^[91][92] and a string of short-lived protest organisations.^[91][92] Their claims included that it was a 'zombie' project and 'white elephant' that would saddle ratepayers with unsustainable debt.^[93] The removal of iconic palm trees and poincianas for the construction upset others.^[94]

In 2016, a retired property analyst, Alan Midwood, claimed light rail had been a "gross financial disaster" that had doubled roadway congestion, and calling for it to be scrapped.^[95] Other notable objectors who achieved media coverage included the owner of Surfers Paradise shop Condom Kingdom, who feared construction would impact sales,^[96] andSurfers Paradise Meter Maids, who vowed to chain themselves to trees to prevent the project going ahead.^[94]

One group operated by a Paradise Waters resident, alleged light rail was "a proven killer"^[97] that slaughtered at "a rate 2.5 times that of cars".^[98] Following the success of the project, in 2017, a group of Paradise Waters residents appealed for a tram stop to be added at their locality, as had been originally planned, but were denied it by Council. A former mayor suggested there was a feeling they "were punished because some of them opposed it at the time".^[99]

• Official site
• Construction consortium site
• Media related toG:link at Wikimedia Commons

• Keolis
• Light rail in Australia
• Public transport on the Gold Coast, Queensland
• Railway lines opened in 2014
• Trams in Queensland
• 2014 establishments in Australia
• 750 V DC railway electrification

• Pages using the Chart extension
• Webarchive template wayback links
• All articles with dead external links
• Articles with dead external links from January 2017
• Articles with permanently dead external links
• CS1 maint: others
• CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from December 2021
• Use Australian English from December 2021
• All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
• Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images
• Articles to be expanded from July 2016
• All articles to be expanded
• Commons category link is on Wikidata
• Pages using the Kartographer extension