Gold Coast trams finally get a launch date

Come here for the weekend and be a part of history

The wait is almost over. Gold Coast trams will start carrying passengers for the first time on Sunday July 20. The early July launch date was postponed while final safety and maintenance checks were carried out by the contractor. This has now been done and its ‘all systems go.’

The tram service – or what is officially called ‘light rail’ is the latest phase in a Gold Coast upgrade ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Residents and tourists alike have welcomed the changes which go well beyond the cosmetic upgrading of Surfers Paradise and the creation of pedestrian malls. Moving people and improving traffic flow has been given a high priority and the world-class light rail system – officially known as G-link – is the cornerstone of this exciting project.

Trams will be a convenient option for getting around and the service will run every 7¹/₂ minutes.

The first passengers will climb aboard on Sunday 20 July and travel on the system that day will be free.

From Monday 21 July passengers can travel between Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach by purchasing a prepaid ticket at any tram station or by using a regular ‘Go’ card or a special one-day travel Go Explorer Card designed especially for tourists. There is a tram stop right outside the HRSP Office. Travel north to the Australia Fair shopping mall in Southport or head south to the Pacific Fair mall for your shopping experience. Of an evening hop on the tram and enjoy the al fresco restaurants in Broadbeach.

New bus timetables will operate making it easy for anyone to travel anywhere up and down the Gold Coast.

The new service is also expected to ease road congestion, especially in Surfers Paradise making it easier to travel around. This will be welcome news to holidaymakers who drive while they are here and who have sometimes been confused by all the roadwork associated with the light rail. In two weeks all that will be gone.

It is expected that the combination of improved transport services and the general upgrading of the Surfers Paradise tourism precinct – plus the concerted promotional advertising campaign that is now underway – will see a surge of holidaymakers wanting to visit the Gold Coast for a break. So now is a good time to plan your next holiday! Come for the launch weekend and make history (you might even be the first to ride the tram if you get up early enough – or stay out late enough!) or plan your winter break while there is still good quality accommodation available.

After all, we know during winter that southern Australia enjoys sunny days but here in Southeast Queensland we enjoy sunny days almost every day and that is why the Gold Coast has become Australia’s top holiday destination. Come and see for yourself. Go online now to hrsp.com.au and take advantage of our unique booking system where you can choose exactly the apartment you want, in the resort that you want and with the features that you want. Now is the perfect time to plan your holiday!