Gold Coast Airport: Size And Significance

Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is a large airport in Australia. It is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The airport occupies 371 hectares of airport property and has a runway that is 2,492 metres long. Gold Coast Airport is the second-largest airport in Queensland and New South Wales, offering over 400 flights per week and welcoming 6.3 million travellers in FY2024. The airport has duty-free shopping, world-class lounges, and entertainment avenues, including various restaurants and bars.

Gold Coast Airport's location and size

Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast in Australia, approximately 90 km (56 mi) south of Brisbane. The entrance to the airport is in the suburb of Bilinga, near Coolangatta, and the airport's main runway cuts through the state borders of Queensland and New South Wales. The airport operates on Queensland Time (AEST / UTC+10).

The facility occupies 371 hectares (917 acres) of airport property. The airport has a world-famous break, sprawling beaches, and a laid-back coastal culture. It is a gateway to Australia's premier tourist destinations, with easy access to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay hinterland, as well as 21 worldwide destinations. The airport is less than 20 kilometres from Surfers Paradise and one kilometre from Coolangatta and New South Wales.

Gold Coast Airport is the second-largest airport in Queensland and New South Wales, with 6.3 million travellers in FY2024 and over 400 flights per week from across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and beyond. The airport has great transport connections, with extensive ground transport operators, including rental cars, taxis, limousines, rideshare services, and bus operators.

The airport has duty-free shopping, world-class lounges, and entertainment avenues, including retail centres, bars, restaurants, and currency exchange centres. Terminal facilities include bars, cafes, alfresco-style dining, duty-free shopping, retail stores, and wireless internet. There are over 2,000 to 3,000 parking spaces available, which can be pre-booked online.

The airport's history and ownership

Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The entrance to the airport is situated in the suburb of Bilinga, near Coolangatta, and the main runway cuts through the state borders of Queensland and New South Wales. The airport operates on Queensland Time (year-round AEST / UTC+10).

The site of Gold Coast Airport was selected in 1936 as an emergency landing ground for aircraft flying between Sydney and Brisbane. In 1939, the first regular passenger transport services commenced. The airport was originally known as Coolangatta Airport, which comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "Place of Good View".

By 1958, the taxiways and runways were fully paved, and the latter was upgraded a decade later to allow jet operations with DC-9 and L-188 Electra aircraft to begin. The current terminal, known as the Eric Robinson Building, was officially opened in 1981 by Acting Prime Minister Douglas Anthony. The following year, the main runway was lengthened to 2,042 m (6,699 ft), thus permitting the use of wide-body jets.

From 1 January 1988, the airport was managed by the Federal Airports Corporation on behalf of the Government. On 29 May 1998, the airport was privatised via a long-term lease to Queensland Airports (QAL). By 1999, the company's name had changed to Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd (GCAPL). In 2003, GCAPL was taken over by QAL, which today operates several other airports across Australia. Despite the privatisation, the airport ownership remains with the Government of Australia.

In 1989, the airport welcomed its first international charter service from New Zealand. In 2007, the airport celebrated the arrival of AirAsia X, which began services directly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tigerair Australia, which started services to Melbourne. In 2010, Jetstar announced the airport as its newest hub, and Virgin Blue announced direct services from Canberra and Townsville, connecting all three Queensland Airports-owned airports.

Airlines and destinations

Gold Coast Airport is the second-largest airport in Queensland and New South Wales, offering over 400 flights per week to destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Canada, the US, and beyond. The airport is located on the border of the two states, providing easy access to Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

The airport's main terminal, Terminal 1, houses operations for Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, Air New Zealand, and Scoot. Qantas and Virgin Australia both operate airline lounges at the airport. In addition to the main terminal, the airport also has a low-cost terminal with basic amenities, previously used by Tigerair, and a general aviation area where Seair Pacific operates from its own hangar.

Gold Coast Airport offers domestic flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Cairns, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Newcastle, Townsville, Rockhampton, Avalon, and Albury. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, and Bonza are some of the major Australian domestic carriers operating these routes. Internationally, the airport provides direct flights to New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington), and Bali (Denpasar). These international routes are serviced by Jetstar, Air New Zealand, and Virgin Australia.

In the past, the airport offered direct services to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur through Scoot and AirAsia X, respectively. However, these routes have since been suspended. Despite these losses, the airport continues to experience growth in both domestic and international airline services, with over 6 million passengers passing through each year.

Facilities and entertainment

Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, around 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Brisbane, Australia. The airport is easily accessible via various transport options, including rental cars, taxis, limousines, rideshare services, and buses.

Gold Coast Airport offers a range of facilities and entertainment options for travellers passing through. The airport terminal features an array of dining and beverage options, including bars and cafes, ensuring that travellers can enjoy a meal or a quick drink before their flight. For those who prefer to shop, the airport offers duty-free shopping and contemporary retail outlets, including luxury goods stores. Free wireless internet access is also available throughout the airport, allowing travellers to stay connected during their wait.

In addition to the basic amenities, Gold Coast Airport provides a comfortable departure lounge for travellers to relax in until their gate number is allocated. The airport is also committed to delivering an exceptional experience to its guests, as outlined in their commitment statement. This includes ensuring a smooth airport journey from check-in to departure.

The airport underwent a significant upgrade in 2010, with a $100 million redevelopment project that doubled the size of the main terminal to almost 27,000 square metres. This expansion improved the airport's capacity and efficiency, accommodating domestic and international operations with self-service kiosks and common-user check-in desks. The upgrade also included the addition of new food and beverage options and retail stores.

Gold Coast Airport is also known for its unique location, providing uninterrupted access to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay hinterland. This makes it a popular gateway to Australia's premier tourist destinations, with connections across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and beyond. The airport is well-connected, offering over 400 flights per week to various destinations.

Transport and parking

Gold Coast Airport, located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, is easily accessible by various means of transport. The airport is approximately 90 km (56 mi) south of Brisbane and 20 km from Surfers Paradise. It is situated near the border of Queensland and New South Wales, with the main runway cutting through both states.

Transport

The airport is well-connected to the surrounding areas by bus, train, and shuttle services. Translink bus services, including Route 777 and Route 760, provide convenient connections to Broadbeach South tram station and Varsity Lakes Train Station, respectively. Route 777 offers limited stops and runs from 5:15 am to 11:30 pm, with departures every 15 minutes during peak hours. Con-X-ion, a well-established ground transport company, also offers shuttle services to and from the airport, ensuring a stress-free journey for travellers.

Parking

Gold Coast Airport offers a range of parking options to suit all travellers. With over 3,000 parking spaces available, travellers can choose from six different car park options, including a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone. Pre-booking parking online is recommended to save time and money. The airport also provides a rental car service, with desks conveniently located within the terminal.

Frequently asked questions