Lois Larson
Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located in the state of Queensland, Australia. The airport is situated at the southern end of the Gold Coast, approximately 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Brisbane and near the border of New South Wales. Gold Coast Airport is a significant transport hub, offering both domestic and international flights and serving as a gateway to popular tourist destinations such as the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and the Tweed Coast. With a range of amenities and ongoing development projects, Gold Coast Airport is committed to providing a comfortable and accessible travel experience for its passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Former Name | Coolangatta Airport |
| IATA Code | OOL |
| ICAO Code | YBCG |
| Ownership | Government of Australia |
| Location | Queensland and New South Wales border, Australia |
| Nearest City | Brisbane |
| Distance from Brisbane | 90 km |
| Main Gateway To | Tweed Coast, Byron Bay |
| Number of Terminals | 3 |
| Main Terminal | T1 and T2 |
| Airlines Operating from Main Terminal | Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue, AirAsia X, Rex, Scoot |
| Airlines Operating from Terminal 3 | Tigerair |
| Year of Privatisation | 1998 |
| Number of Travellers (FY24) | 6 million |
| Number of Flights per Week | 700 |
| Area Occupied | 371 hectares |
| Main Runway Length | 2,500 m |
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What You'll Learn
Gold Coast Airport's location and history
Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located in the suburb of Bilinga near Coolangatta at the southern end of the Gold Coast in Australia. The airport's runway cuts through the state borders of Queensland and New South Wales. The airport is approximately 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Brisbane and 80 kilometres south of the Queensland capital, Brisbane.
The airport primarily serves a region extending from Beenleigh in the north to Ballina in the south. Leisure-based travel is estimated to account for 75% to 80% of all its regular public transport traffic. The Gold Coast is one of Australia's fastest-growing cities, and the largest non-capital city, with a population of over 700,000.
Gold Coast Airport is the second-largest airport in Queensland and New South Wales, and in 2022, it welcomed 6 million travellers, offering over 700 flights per week. The airport is wholly owned by Queensland Airports Limited (QAL). In 1998, QAL took over the airport's operations, and it was privatised by the Federal Government. Since then, QAL has invested almost $500 million in infrastructure improvements.
The airport has received numerous awards, including the 2010 Major Airport of the Year by the Australian Airports Association (AAA), Best Regional Airport (Asia/Pacific) by Skytrax World Airport Awards, and Staff Service Excellence (Asia/Pacific) by Skytrax World Airport Awards.
The history of the airport dates back to 1936 when it was known as Coolangatta Airport. It originally consisted of three grass strips intended to provide an emergency landing ground for airmail aircraft transiting between Brisbane and Sydney. The name "Coolangatta" is an Aboriginal word meaning "Place of Good View". In 1989, the airport welcomed its first international charter service from New Zealand. In 1999, the airport's name was changed to Gold Coast Airport, reflecting the boom in tourism in the region.
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Airlines and destinations
Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, approximately 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Brisbane, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The airport is uniquely located on the Queensland and New South Wales border, providing easy access to Byron Bay.
The airport has one main terminal, Terminal 1, which houses operations for Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, Air New Zealand, and Scoot. Virgin Australia has an airline lounge that has been operational since 30 May 2012, and a Qantas Club has been operational since 3 December 2012. Seair Pacific, a scheduled and charter airline based at Gold Coast Airport, operates from its own hangar in the general aviation part of the airport.
Gold Coast Airport offers flights to various destinations within Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Cairns, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Newcastle, Townsville, Rockhampton, Avalon, and Albury. Internationally, the airport provides direct flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington in New Zealand, as well as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and previously, Singapore. The airport also offers access to destinations in Asia, Canada, and the United States.
In June 2025, Jetstar commenced flights to Hamilton and Dunedin, further strengthening the airport's connection with New Zealand. Gold Coast Airport is committed to expanding its domestic and international flight offerings, making it a significant hub for travel within Australia and beyond.
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Terminals and facilities
Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, approximately 90 kilometres south of Brisbane, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The entrance to the airport is in the suburb of Bilinga, near Coolangatta. The airport straddles the Queensland and New South Wales border, with the main runway cutting through both states.
The airport has one main terminal, Terminal 1, which handles both domestic and international flights. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, Air New Zealand, and Scoot operate from this terminal. In the past, Tigerair flights operated from a low-cost terminal (Terminal 3) with basic amenities, located approximately 200 metres from the main terminal. Seair Pacific operates from its own hangar in the general aviation section of the airport.
The current terminal building, the Eric Robinson Building, was opened in 1981, and the airport was privatised in 1998. Since then, significant infrastructure improvements have been made, including runway extensions, taxiway construction, and terminal expansions. In 2010, a $100 million redevelopment of the main terminal was completed, doubling the size of the facility to almost 27,000 square metres. This redevelopment incorporated self-service kiosks and 40 common-user check-in desks, preparing the airport for forecast growth.
Gold Coast Airport offers various facilities to enhance the traveller experience. The airport provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and has designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. It also has a Hidden Disabilities Program, which includes sunflower lanyards, sensory maps, communication boards, and quiet rooms. Virgin Australia and Qantas also operate airline lounges for eligible passengers. For those arriving or departing by car, parking is available, although not directly in front of the terminal due to security regulations.
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Transport and parking
Gold Coast Airport is located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, approximately 90 km (56 mi) south of Brisbane, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The entrance to the airport is situated in the suburb of Bilinga, near Coolangatta. The airport straddles the Queensland and New South Wales border, providing easy access to Byron Bay.
Gold Coast Airport offers a range of transport options for arriving and departing passengers. For those travelling by car, the airport provides parking options, including both short-term and long-term car parks. Parking bookings can be made online or through a drive-up option. However, it is important to note that parking is not permitted directly in front of the terminal, and the drop-off area is a no-parking zone.
For passengers using public transportation, there are several convenient options. Public buses connect the airport directly to nearby train stations and key locations across the Gold Coast. Route 760, in particular, offers a quick bus trip to Varsity Lakes Train Station, providing frequent train connections to Brisbane City (Central Station). Additionally, Route 777 is a limited-stop service linking the airport to Broadbeach South tram station, from where passengers can take the G:link tram to reach Surfers Paradise, Southport, and beyond.
Taxi services are also available at the airport, with a taxi rank located at the southern end of the terminal near International Arrivals. Airport transfer services, such as Con-X-Ion Transfers, provide easy travel to destinations like Burleigh, Brisbane, and Noosa. Furthermore, Translink's integrated public transport network allows passengers to plan their journey via buses to local train and tram stations.
Gold Coast Airport caters to cyclists as well, providing bike racks in both the long-term and short-term car parks, easily accessible from the main pedestrian walkway.
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Awards and accreditations
Gold Coast Airport has received several awards and accreditations recognising its operational excellence and commitment to sustainability. Here are some notable awards and milestones achieved by the airport:
- Major Airport of the Year 2010: In October 2010, Gold Coast Airport was named the "Major Airport of the Year 2010" by the Australian Airports Association (AAA). This award recognised the airport's operational excellence and contributions to the aviation industry in Australia.
- Official Airport of the 2018 Commonwealth Games: Gold Coast Airport served as the official airport of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, accommodating a significant increase in passenger traffic and providing a seamless travel experience for athletes, officials, and spectators.
- Level 2 Accreditation, Airport Carbon Accreditation Program: In 2019, the airport achieved Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International's Airport Carbon Accreditation program. This accreditation recognises the airport's efforts in managing and reducing its carbon emissions and commitment to sustainable practices.
- Milestones since Privatisation: Gold Coast Airport has achieved significant milestones since its privatisation in May 1998. By 2018, almost $300 million had been invested in the facility, including infrastructure improvements and upgrades. The airport also recorded its busiest month in January 2018, welcoming over 650,000 passengers.
- New Route Announcements: Over the years, Gold Coast Airport has attracted new airlines and routes, enhancing its connectivity. Notable examples include AirAsia X commencing direct services to Kuala Lumpur in 2007, Scoot starting direct flights to Singapore in 2012, and Virgin Australia launching direct flights to Bali (Denpasar) in March 2023. These additions reinforce the airport's position as a key gateway to Australia's premier tourist destinations.
- Expansion and Development Projects: The airport has undertaken various expansion and development projects to enhance its capacity and improve the passenger experience. In 2010, a $100 million terminal redevelopment project was completed, providing a modern and efficient facility. Additionally, the airport has expanded its apron and constructed additional taxiways to accommodate more aircraft and improve ground operations. In 2022, the airport completed the southern terminal expansion, further enhancing its capacity and passenger experience.
These awards and accreditations demonstrate Gold Coast Airport's commitment to excellence in airport operations, sustainability, and providing a world-class travel experience for its passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Gold Coast Airport is located at the southern end of Queensland's Gold Coast and is approximately 90 km (56 mi) south of Brisbane. The entrance to the airport is in the suburb of Bilinga near Coolangatta.
The IATA code for Gold Coast Airport is OOL.
Terminal 1 (T1) is the main terminal and operates flights from Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, Air New Zealand, and Scoot.
Gold Coast Airport is the gateway to Australia's premier tourist destinations, including the Gold Coast, Byron Bay hinterland, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, and the Tweed Coast.
