A journey from Brisbane to the Gold Coast can be much more than simply travelling from one destination to another. Between Brisbane’s riverside precincts and the Gold Coast’s famous beaches, there are countless South East Queensland attractions, culture hubs, historic sites, waterfront destinations, and other exciting places to visit between Brisbane and the Gold Coast..
Start your journey at South Bank
One of the most popular Brisbane attractions is also conveniently located close to the rail line. South Bank Parklands brings together riverside scenery, green space, dining and some of Brisbane’s best-known cultural attractions. Take a walk along Clem Jones Promenade, wander beneath the bougainvillea-covered Arbour or cool off at Streets Beach. The neighbouring Cultural Precinct is also home to QAGOMA, Queensland Museum, State Library of Queensland and QPAC, making it easy to spend several hours exploring the area.
Airtrain stops at both South Bank Parklands (best for the parklands and beach) and South Bank Station (best for the Cultural Precinct).
Discover Logan’s creative side
Continue south and you’ll find a part of South East Queensland that can sometimes be overlooked by travellers heading straight for the coast. Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct has transformed a historic industrial site into one of Logan’s leading arts and cultural destinations. Today, the precinct includes the Butterbox Theatre, Living Museum of Logan, outdoor performance spaces and a year-round calendar of concerts, festivals and community events.
Step into the past at Beenleigh
A little further south, Beenleigh provides another reason to break up the journey from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. At Beenleigh Historical Village & Museum, visitors can explore more than 20 historic buildings and discover what life was like in the region during earlier decades. It’s a very different experience from the skyscrapers of Brisbane or beaches of the Gold Coast, and a good example of the lesser-known South East Queensland attractions waiting to be discovered between the two cities.
Slow down by the Broadwater
As the journey reaches the Gold Coast, city landscapes begin to give way to waterways, parklands and the coastal lifestyle for which the region is famous. Broadwater Parklands in Southport is a waterfront destination where you can slow the pace, take a walk beside the water or enjoy some time outdoors before continuing further along the coast.
The Airtrain & Tram connection allows passengers to access Southport – simply travel to Helensvale before transferring to the G:link tram service towards Southport.
Finish with an iconic Gold Coast view
No Brisbane to Gold Coast itinerary would feel complete without seeing the coastline. The beach at Surfers Paradise provides one of Queensland’s most recognisable coastal scenes, with golden sand, ocean views and the high-rise skyline just metres from the beach. Away from the sand, the surrounding precinct offers restaurants, shopping and entertainment, making it an easy place to spend the remainder of the day.
The Airtrain & Tram connection puts Surfers Paradise within easy reach without needing to drive – travel to Helensvale and then transfer to the G:link for Cavill Avenue Tram Station.
Make the most of your Brisbane to Gold Coast journey with Airtrain
Airtrain connects Brisbane Airport with Brisbane City and the Gold Coast, with onward public transport connections opening up even more South East Queensland attractions to explore along the way. Instead of thinking only about your final destination, allow a little extra time to discover some of the attractions beyond the tracks.
The Airtrain & Tram connection means it’s never been easier to travel from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Simply travel with Airtrain to Helensvale station and transfer to the tram for convenient connections to destinations including Southport, Broadwater Parklands, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.
Plus, Airtrain is fully integrated with the Translink network, meaning you can easily access other Brisbane trains to or from the suburbs.
