Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is the main gateway to the Gold Coast and one of Australia’s busiest regional airports.
The airport is located at Coolangatta, right on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. It is 25 km south of Surfers Paradise, one of Australia’s most famous seaside resorts. Thus, OOL experiences year-round leisure demand driven by the region’s beaches and tourism industry.
In 2025, Gold Coast Airport handled more than 6 million passengers, making it Australia’s sixth-busiest airport.
Major Airlines - Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin
The Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar has a major base at Gold Coast Airport, offering direct flights to major airports across Australia and New Zealand, as well as to Bali, Indonesia.
In addition, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer flights to major hubs such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland. Air New Zealand also operates trans-Tasman flights, with daily service to Auckland and seasonal service to Christchurch.
Fiji Airways flies to Nadi on the main island of the archipelago.
Notable regional airlines serving OOL include Eastern Air Services, FlyPelican, and Seair Pacific.
Click here for the live departure board at Gold Coast Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Christchurch Airport has a single terminal for all flights, domestic or international.
Its layout is akin to most modern airports:
The Check-in area is on the Ground level, on the northern end of the terminal.
A unified Security Checkpoint for both international and domestic flights leads to the Domestic Departure Lounge, still on the Ground Floor. An additional security check and passport control lead to the International Departure Lounge on Levels 1 and 2.
Boarding gates are displayed 1 hour before departure for international flights and 40 minutes before departure for domestic flights.
Gates G5 to G23 are for domestic flights, while gates G36 to G40 are for international flights.
The airport opens at 4:30 AM every day and closes at 11:00 PM. You are not allowed to remain within the terminal overnight.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Although OOL primarily has point-to-point leisure flights, it is not impossible to transit through it.
If transiting at OOL between two international flights, you can stay within the transit area, as long as your time at the airport is less than 8 hours, it’s not overnight, and you’re from an eligible country. This is what is known as a Transit Without a Visa (TWOV).
In all other cases, you will have to clear Security (and Immigration for international flights) and re-check your bags, if applicable.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
There is free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. Connect to Gold Coast Airport WiFi and follow a simple registration process to use.
Other passenger services at OOL include:
ATMs provided by Travelex in the airside and landside areas.
Currency exchange: Travelex operates currency exchange desks in International Arrivals (Landside) and the Departures Lounge (Airside).
Lockers: located at the front of the terminal in the short-term car park. Prices are between 10 and 24 AUD per day, depending on the size of the item.
Baggage wrapping: Available opposite the Virgin Australia check-in counters.
Lost Property Office: Open from 12 PM to 6 PM every day.
Baby-care rooms: In the Check-in area and in the Departures areas.
Play areas: Next to the Kids Stop in the northern end of the Domestic Departures Lounge and at the southern end of the International Departures Lounge.
Multifaith prayer rooms: There are 3 in total - opposite the domestic passenger screening area, near Hungry Jack’s in Domestic Departures, and on Level 2, near WHSmith of International Departures.
Pharmacy: located airside in Domestic Departures.
Information Desk: The Gold Coast Tourist Centre is opposite the car rental counters.
Find out the best things to do in Coolangata and the Gold Coast.
Lounges at Gold Coast Airport
The two largest airlines in Australia operate lounges at OOL.
The Virgin Australia Lounge is located at the southern end of the terminal, opposite Gate 18. It opens 60 minutes before the airline’s first departure until the last flight. It offers fresh menus for each meal of the day in a self-service buffet, barista coffee, premium teas, and soft drinks. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, printing, and showers. It welcomes eligible Virgin Australia international passengers with adult passes priced at 65 AUD.
The Qantas Club is located airside, just left of the security checkpoint. It opens 60 minutes before the airline’s first departure until the last flight. The lounge offers a full buffet menu, barista-made coffee, premium beer, and wine. It welcomes Qantas Club and partner members flying with Qantas or Jetstar.
Dining Options at Gold Coast Airport
Most dining options are concentrated after the Security check. Only two places are available landside (before Security):
Beach Shack: Offers Mediterranean food and drinks between 9 AM and 6 PM.
Merlo Coffee Roasters: A premium coffee shop that also sells sandwiches and other pastries. Open from 4:30 AM to the closure of Check-in.
After Security, a lot more options open up, especially if you don’t go through the extra check for International flights yet.
The general airside area houses:
Artisan Kitchen & Bakery: Sweet and savoury pastries and made-to-order dishes. Opens at 4:30 AM.
Cactus & Coast: A fast-casual Mexican eatery open from 5 AM to 7 PM.
Hungry Jack’s: A famous Australian fast food chain. Located at the northern end of Domestic Departures and open from 5 AM to 7:30 PM.
Schnitz: Try their signature classic schnitzel, or a variety of gourmet wraps and fresh salads. Open from 5 AM to 7:30 PM.
The Sand Bar: The place to go for cocktails and an indulgent atmosphere. Open from 5 AM to 8 PM.
Two Tigers: Offers prepackaged and to-go Asian specialties like spring rolls, sushi, bahn mi, and more. Open from 6 AM to 5 PM.
If you’re taking an international flight, it’s better to postpone clearing the additional Security check to have more choices. Once you go through to the international-only zone, you can only dine at the Wollumbin Café and Bar, which serves local liquor, coffee specialties, and gourmet bites.
Transport to and from Gold Coast Airport
Gold Coast Airport is connected primarily by road. The Terminal is just 300 meters off the Gold Coast Highway (State Route 2), which passes through most resorts on the coast. Alternatively, the Pacific Motorway (M1) passes about 1.5 km from the Terminal, connecting to Brisbane CBD in the north and northeastern New South Wales in the south.
By public transport, several bus routes connect OOL to towns and resorts nearby:
Bus route 777: Links Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach South tram station. From there, hop on the G:link tram to reach Surfers Paradise, Southport, and other destinations. This bus runs every 15-20 minutes between 5:15 AM and 11:30 PM.
Bus route 760: Links OOL with Varsity Lakes Train Station and Rabina Town Center. This bus runs every 30 minutes. From this train station, you can hop on a direct train bound for Brisbane.
To ride any of the buses, you need either a Go Card (pay per trip) or a Go Explore Card (unlimited travel). You can buy one from the WHSmith in Domestic Arrivals.
The taxi rank is at the southern end of the terminal, near International Arrivals and across from Rydges Gold Coast Airport. Official taxi companies present at OOL include 13 Cabs and Black and White Cabs. The short 3-km trip to Coolangata normally costs around 20 AUD.
Ridesharing like Uber and DiDi is also popular. The designated pick-up location is at the southern end of the terminal, just outside Domestic Arrivals.
Most resorts and bigger hotels in the area also offer complimentary shuttles to and from the airport for their guests.
Lastly, renting a car is easy at Gold Coast Airport, allowing you to explore Australia with maximum flexibility. Companies, including Avis, Budget, Redspot, Europcar, Hertz, and SIXT, have their desks in the Domestic Arrivals Hall.
Parking at Gold Coast Airport
OOL has a Pick-up and Drop-off zone directly in front of the terminal, which is only for immediate pick-ups and drop-offs of passengers. If you need extra time, go to the Short-term Car Park (ParkFast), which offers a 10-minute free period.
There are 6 parking facilities in total, summarized below:
ParkFast (Domestic): Closest option to the terminal (<30 seconds). Perfect for hello’s and goodbye’s for its 10 minutes gratis. The first 30 minutes are charged 9 AUD and less for additional time. The daily maximum is 70 AUD.
Premium Parking: A fully-covered car park connected to the terminal by a covered walkway in under 30 seconds on foot. Costs 70 AUD per day.
Terminal Parking: Located in front of the terminal and linked to it by a covered walkway, taking less than 2 minutes on foot. Costs 41 AUD for the first day and less each additional day, down to 28 AUD per day for long stays.
Saver Parking: Offers a great value rate for uncovered parking about 4-7 minutes from the terminal via a covered walkway. Costs 30 AUD for the first day and less each additional day, down to 20 AUD per day for long stays.
Budget Covered Parking: The cheapest covered parking at OOL, with rates starting at 32 AUD for the first day and as low as 25 AUD per day for long stays. Located about 4-8 minutes of walking from the terminal via a covered walkway.
Budget Uncovered Parking: The absolute cheapest parking available at the airport. Linked to the terminal via a covered walkway, which takes around 6-10 minutes. Parking fees start at 26 AUD for the first day and go as low as 17 AUD per day for long stays.
There are designated motorbike parking bays in the Premium and Terminal car parks.
The above fees are for drive-in customers. You will get better rates if you pre-book your stay.
Hotels near Gold Coast Airport
The Rydges Gold Coast Airport is the closest and most convenient accommodation option if you need to be near Gold Coast Airport. It’s adjacent to the terminal, just 200 meters away, and just 600 meters from North Kirra Beach. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness center, a shared lounge, and an on-site restaurant.
Dozens of other hotels line up the beachfront area and nearby Coolangata. Click here to see more hotels near OOL.
Coolangatta (Gold Coast), QL, Australia
