Gold Coast Light Rail Stages & Stage 3

The Gold Coast Light Rail (G:link) is Queensland’s only light rail system and one of the largest public transport projects ever delivered on the Gold Coast. It was built in stages to manage cost and disruption.

Stage 3 light rail corridor with red track zone and new apartment towers, July 2026
Stage 3 corridor streetscape — passenger services on this extension from 9 August 2026.

Project stages

Stage 1 (opened July 2014)

About 13 km from the Health & Knowledge Precinct through Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. First passenger services started 20 July 2014.

Stage 2 (opened December 2017)

Extended north to Helensvale (~7.3 km), connecting to heavy rail for Brisbane. Network reached roughly 20 km and 19 stations.

Stage 3 (open 9 August 2026)

A 6.7 km extension from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads with 8 new stations. Full operating network: Helensvale to Burleigh Heads — about 27 km and 27 stations. Broadbeach–Burleigh is about 16–17 minutes by tram (verify live times on Translink).

Major construction finished ahead of opening; finishing works may continue near the corridor. For passenger travel use Translink / My G: — not project construction pages alone.

Stage 3 stations (north → south):

  1. Mermaid Beach
  2. Mermaid Beach South
  3. Nobby Beach
  4. Miami North
  5. Miami
  6. Christine Avenue
  7. Second Avenue
  8. Burleigh Heads (southern terminus)Terminus
Nobby Beach station from the roadway with orange canopy, July 2026
Nobby Beach station on the Stage 3 alignment — on the open Stage 3 alignment (from 9 August 2026).

What runs today (from 9 August 2026)

  • Open line: Helensvale ↔ Burleigh Heads
  • Stage 3: open from 9 August 2026 (Broadbeach South → Burleigh Heads)
  • Length / stations: ~27 km · 27 stations (Stages 1–3)
  • Fare: flat 50 cents per journey (Translink)
  • Frequency: roughly every 7–10 minutes in peak; see timetable guide
  • Fleet: modern air-conditioned trams (Wi-Fi and accessibility features)
Stage 3 corridor past Nobby Beach station with landscaping and cycle lane
Corridor near Nobby Beach — dual track, station canopy, and landscaping in place.

Later stages (not under construction)

Longer-term concepts have discussed extensions beyond Burleigh (for example toward Coolangatta / the airport). Those are not Stage 3 and are not under construction here. Treat them as future planning only until governments fund and announce a project.

Why the project exists

G:link aims to improve connectivity, support tourism and local jobs, cut congestion on the coastal strip, and integrate with buses and trains — all at a simple flat fare under Translink.

See also

Stage 3 status

Open for passengers from 9 August 2026. The line runs Helensvale–Burleigh Heads. Confirm first/last trams and any works on Translink before you travel.