Train Services on the Gold CoastGet around with ease
Catching a train is a great way to cheaply and easily travel between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, get to the northern attractions (namely Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild and the Australian Outback Spectacular) in conjunction with a bus transfer, catch the latest game at Cbus Super Stadium or simply to get around neighbouring suburbs.
There are six train stations on the Gold Coast: Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes, with three new stations proposed as part of the Cross River Rail Project. These new stations will be at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac. The line is linked up to the much larger Queensland Rail network and is part of the South East Queensland rail line which will take you all the way up to the Brisbane Airport with the Brisbane Domestic Airport Station at the end of the line.
The Gold Coast train line runs down the western side of the coast (closely following the M1 motorway) and each train station is a 10-15 min drive from the beach where most holiday accommodation providers are (in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach). Currently, there are no trains directly to the beach however the Gold Coast Light Rail connects to the Helensvale train station so you can simply swap over to the tram and make your way to Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
View train schedules and timetable information
Train Stations:
Varsity Lakes Station
Corner Scottsdale Drive and Cormandel Lane, Varsity Lakes
Phone: 13 16 17
Customer Service Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 4.30am - 12.06am; Fri 4.30am - 1.30am; Sat 6am - 1.30am; Sun 6am - 12am
Best stop for: Burleigh Heads, Reedy Creek
Robina Station
Bayberry Lane, Robina
Phone: 13 16 17
Customer Service Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 4.15am - 12.06am; Fri 4.15am - 1.30am; Sat 6am - 1.30am; Sun 6am - 12am
Best stop for: Robina Town Centre, Bond University, Cbus Super Stadium, Mudgeeraba
Nerang Station
Warrener Street, Nerang
Phone: 13 16 17
Customer Service Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 4.30am - 12.06am; Fri 4.30am - 1.30am; Sat 6am - 1.30am; Sun 6am - 11.45pm
Best stop for: Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Sea World, Southport
Helensvale Station
Town Centre Drive, Helensvale
Phone: 13 16 17
Customer Service Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 4.30am - 12.00am; Fri 4.30am - 1.30am; Sat 6am - 1.30am; Sun 6am - 12am
Best stop for: Harbour Town, Helensvale Town Centre, Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild, Labrador, Gold Coast Light Rail connection.
Coomera Station
Railway Reserve, 11 Foxwell Road, Coomera
Phone: 13 16 17
Customer Service Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 4.30am - 11.45pm; Fri 4.30am - 1.15am; Sat 6am - 1.30am; Sun 6am - 11.45pm
Best stop for: Dreamworld, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Westfield
Ormeau Station
200 Mirambeena Drive, Pimpama
Phone: 13 16 17
Customer Service Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed 4.45am - 11.45am; Thur, Fri 4.45am - 10.45am
Translink Go Card
The cheaper option to the almost completely phased out paper ticket system is the Translink Go Card; an electronic ticket that you can swipe as you get on and off public transport for hassle-free travel. The card works on all public transport on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, which includes buses, trains, trams and the CityCat ferry services.
You can top up the balance of your Go Card at pay stations around most train stations and then simply scan your card as you get on the train and when you get off. Your fare will automatically be deducted from the balance on your card and also display the remaining balance.
There is no problem with using multiple transport routes and types, your Go Card will work out from the swipes that you are on one journey and charge you accordingly.
Brisbane Airport Train
Airtrain is a separately run service but uses the Queensland Rail network to provide express journeys from Gold Coast railway stations to the Brisbane Airport. Visit the Brisbane Airport Transfers page to find out more about this service.
View timetable information
Images courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Destination Gold Coast & Getty Images
