If you’re looking for great Gold Coast deals, then you’ve come to the right place. Aunt Betty offers cheap flights and exciting holiday packages to this sun drenched holiday mecca year round.
With the popularity of the Gold Coast as a holiday destination, it’s no surprise that the seaside airport in Coolangatta has become Australia’s sixth busiest. Close to 6 million passengers pass through the Gold Coast terminal every year, making it the busiest, non-capital city airport in the country. With all there is to do here, airlines fill the demand for cheap, Gold Coast travel deals, with direct flights from all the major Australian centres. Just an hour’s drive from Brisbane, passengers all have the option to fly and drive from Queensland’s capital, but it’s the Coolangatta terminal that provides quick and easy access to all that the Gold Coast has to offer. Sydney and Melbourne are just 90 minutes away, with nearly two dozen services a day on the four biggest airlines. Travellers from Perth enjoy 4 weekly direct services with flying time a short 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Domestic airlines flying to Gold Coast
As Australia’s top destination for beaches, entertainment, nightlife and family fun, getting to the Gold Coast is a cinch. Airlines provide direct service to the Coolangatta terminal from cities all across Australia, with multiple flight frequencies each day.
You can fly direct to the Gold Coast from these domestic cities.
Jetstar
- Adelaide, Avalon, Cairns, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney,
Qantas
- Melbourne, Sydney
Virgin Australia
- Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Peak and off season. When to get the best deal
For Kiwis who live in a colder climate, the Gold Coast offers the perfect winter escape, away from the grey skies and biting wind of a season otherwise spent indoors. On the Gold Coast, the wide, white sand beaches beckon, revealing Queensland’s casual sun-drenched way of life. School holidays, especially over Easter and Christmas are also peak travel times when even Queenslanders flock to the water. Even during the busy travel periods, it’s still easy to score a great deal on a holiday package or one-way and return fares to Coolangatta. Generally lower fares are available when booked weeks, even months in advance. If that kind of forward planning isn’t possible, check with lAir New Zealand and Virgin Australia for competitive last minute prices. Lower fares are more frequently found on mid-week flights too, especially in the evenings.
Getting to and leaving the airport
Gold Coast Airport is located off the Gold Coast Highway, on the border between Queensland and New South Wales. Just minutes from the beach, the area is a popular destination in itself. All major car rental companies are found at the airport, or if preferable, a taxi rank is just outside. Queensland Rail operates to the nearby Varsity Lakes Station with Bus 761 linking it with the airport. The train offers convenient service to northern suburbs and to Brisbane.
One of the most popular methods of travel to and from the airport is the Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle. The door to door service operates from Tweed Heads to the south, and as far north as Runaway Bay.
For terminal maps and airport location, visit the Gold Coast Airport webpage.
Gold Coast Airport Facilities & Services
Driving into the airport, two car parks are located on the right. Short term parking is directly in front of the terminal building. Just steps away, Long Term Parking offers a covered area. This Long Term car park must be booked and paid for on the Gold Coast Airport website. Cheaper long term parking options include overflow lots, one of which is covered. These lots are on the left hand side as you enter Terminal Drive.
There are many amenities once inside the terminal. These include.-
- Massage chairs
- News agents
- Clothing and accessories retailers
- Bars, lounges, fast food and cafes
- Duty Free store (International Terminal)
Gold Coast as transit or stop-over destination
In a city that never sleeps, it seems as though there’s always something to see and do on the Gold Coast. From theme parks and beaches, to resort hotels and flashy night clubs, the Gold Coast has a vibe all its own.
While it’s handy to have a car on the Gold Coast, taxis and shuttles, as well as organised tours are plentiful, so getting around isn’t a big concern. The Gold Coast also has a convenient tram service that operates from Surfers Paradise to popular areas such as Broadbeach, Cavill Avenue, Cyprus Avenue and Main Beach.
The top Gold Coast highlights include.-
- Q1 Skypoint Observation Deck and Climb
- Main Beach and nearby Sea World and Marina Mirage Shopping Centre
- Theme Parks. Movie World, Dream World, Wet ‘n’ Wild
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mount Tamborine
- Springbrook National Park