A Traveller’s Guide to 8 New Gold Coast Tram Stops and What to Do Nearby 2026

For years, Gold Coast holidays have centred on the bright lights of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Farther south, however, the pace softens as beachfront towers give way to neighbourhood bakeries, laid-back bars, weekend markets and rainforest-fringed headlands.

Also read: Family Fun in Gold Coast: The Ultimate 6D5N Itinerary

What to know about Gold Coast light rail extension

Image credit: Inside Gold Coast | Official Website

Opened on 9 August 2026, the third stage of the Gold Coast’s G:link light rail extends 6.7 kilometres from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads. The 17-minute journey serves eight new stations: Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Beach South, Nobby Beach, Miami North, Miami, Christine Avenue, Second Avenue and Burleigh Heads. This brings the full network to approximately 27 kilometres and 27 stations between Helensvale and Burleigh Heads.

For visitors, the extension makes car-free exploration of the southern Gold Coast considerably easier, opening up a string of coastal neighbourhoods well suited to leisurely days of bakery breakfasts, afternoon swims, street food, live music and sunset picnics on Burleigh Hill. Daytime trams run approximately every 7.5 minutes from 7am to 7pm, with less frequent services outside these hours, and Translink journeys cost AU$0.50. Travellers should check live departures and service updates using the Translink Journey Planner, particularly on weekends, public holidays and event days.

What to see and do around the eight new G stops

1. Mermaid Beach: Brunch, bathing and family-friendly fun

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The first stop after Broadbeach South brings travellers into northern Mermaid Beach, a laid-back neighbourhood known for its café culture, long beach and easy-going local rhythm.

Those arriving hungry will not have to wander far. Bam Bam Bakehouse, roughly 80 metres from the station, is known for its pastries and generous brunches. The North Room, approximately 160 metres away, offers a more intimate dining experience, while Little Mermaid, Jin Izakaya and The Glenelg Public House broaden the neighbourhood’s food options.

Mermaid Beach is also one of the most versatile stops for families and wellness seekers. Putt Putt Mermaid Beach sits about 180 metres from the station, while Soak Bathhouse, approximately 400 metres away, offers communal mineral pools, hot spas, a sauna and steam room. The beach and Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club are also within walking distance.

Best for: Brunch, wellness and an easy family outing.

2. Mermaid Beach South: A quieter slice of the neighbourhood

Image credit: Gold Coast Light Rail | Official Website

Mermaid Beach South is less of a headline stop and more of a useful local pocket. That is part of its charm. It gives visitors access to cafés, accommodation and everyday conveniences without the busier atmosphere of Broadbeach or central Burleigh.

Plant-based café The Milkman’s Daughter is approximately 140 metres from the station, while J’s Brunchette and SeeYo Café & Bakery provide more casual breakfast and lunch options. Travellers looking for an unhurried local experience can also try barefoot bowls at Mermaid Beach Bowls Club, around 400 metres away.

A nearby Woolworths Metro makes this a practical stop for travellers staying in an apartment or stocking up before a day at the beach.

Best for: A quiet café morning, barefoot bowls and holiday essentials.

3. Nobby Beach: The most compact food and nightlife stop

Image credit: Inside Gold Coast | Official Website

Nobby Beach makes a strong case for being the extension’s most immediately rewarding stop. Its cafés, restaurants, bars and beach are clustered within a comfortable walking radius, allowing visitors to move from coffee to dinner without needing another ride.

The Oxley 1823 precinct, roughly 100 metres from the station, gathers several venues in one stylish pocket. Nearby choices include BSKT and Alfred’s Apartment for coffee, Franc Jrs for pizza, and restaurants such as Norte, Lars Bar & Grill and Bistro Margaux.

As evening arrives, venues including Moustache, Sueño, Juju and Bine Bar & Dining give the neighbourhood a livelier edge. Nobby Beach itself is around 400 metres from the station, making a pre-dinner walk or afternoon swim easy to add.

The result is a precinct that works from early morning into the evening, particularly for travellers who prefer neighbourhood dining to a major entertainment district.

Best for: Café hopping, date-night dining and an evening out.

4. Miami North: Street food, craft drinks and live music

Image credit: Miami Marketta | Official Website

Miami North reveals a more creative, after-dark side of the Gold Coast. The area combines casual drinking spots and local food businesses with one of the city’s best-known cultural venues.

The main draw is Miami Marketta, approximately 400 metres from the station. Its covered laneway brings together international street food, free live music and ticketed performances. The venue currently opens from 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday, although visitors should check the Miami Marketta programme before travelling.

Other nearby options include Henchman, approximately 210 metres away, Miami Fish Market, around 550 metres away, and Padre Brewing Co, roughly 650 metres from the station. Together, they make Miami North a natural choice for an evening itinerary.

Best for: Street food, craft beer and live entertainment.

5. Miami: Ocean views and an underrated coastal walk

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Miami station sits between Hythe Street and Miami Shore Parade, where the suburb begins to merge into North Burleigh. This stop is less about a single attraction and more about the coastal landscape.

The colourful Miami rainbow stairs are around 500 metres away, while North Burleigh Lookout and Mick Schamburg Park can be reached in an estimated 700 to 750 metres. The elevated park has sweeping views north towards the Gold Coast skyline and is especially atmospheric around sunrise. During the winter and spring migration season, the lookout can also be a vantage point for spotting humpback whales offshore.

For refreshments, Piccolo Espresso, Niche Espresso, Miami Tavern and North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club are among the options in the wider precinct. Travellers can also join the Gold Coast Oceanway and continue towards Burleigh on foot.

Best for: Coastal views, photography and a scenic walk into Burleigh.

6. Christine Avenue: A bakery and brewery crawl

Image credit: Inside Gold Coast | Official Website

Christine Avenue may be the extension’s sleeper hit for food lovers. Several of northern Burleigh’s bakeries, cafés, breweries and independent shops sit within a few hundred metres of the station.

Paddock Bakery, housed in a restored weatherboard property, is approximately 140 metres away. Other nearby café options include Pretty Handsome, Choubidou Café, Mohr Café & Deli and Palm Springs.

Later in the day, the neighbourhood’s drinks scene comes into its own. Precinct Brewing Co is around 180 metres from the station, while Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery and Roji Cat Beer Bar are approximately 300 metres away.

Visitors interested in local shopping can also browse Heartfill or visit UGG Since 1974, both within an estimated 300 metres. Christine Avenue also functions as a transport interchange, with east-west buses connecting the coastline to inland suburbs.

Best for: Pastries, independent businesses and locally made drinks.

7. Second Avenue: Markets, gelato and the Gold Coast Oceanway

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Second Avenue marks the northern edge of central Burleigh Heads. It provides a useful entry point for the beachfront, the Gold Coast Oceanway and Burleigh Heads State School, home to the popular Saturday market.

The Burleigh Market generally runs from 7am to 12pm on Saturdays, bringing together fresh produce, breakfast stalls, flowers, handmade products and live entertainment. Dates and operating details should be checked on the official Burleigh Market website before visiting.

Food options around the station include The Burleigh Café, approximately 70 metres away, LiTO, Al Bacio Gelato and Commune Café. Travellers looking for a more polished setting can head towards Haven at Mondrian Gold Coast or stop at Light Years for drinks and contemporary Asian-inspired plates.

The nearby Gold Coast Oceanway is another reason to alight here. The 36-kilometre coastal pathway links beaches and parks from the New South Wales border to the Gold Coast Seaway, with the local section offering an easy walk or ride towards Burleigh Beach and Miami.

Best for: Saturday markets, coastal walks and a leisurely lunch.

8. Burleigh Heads: Beach, rainforest and destination dining

Image credit: GCTIX Gold Coast | Official Website

The final stop lands in the heart of Burleigh Heads, immediately south of Goodwin Terrace. From here, many of the suburb’s signature experiences are only a few minutes away on foot.

Burleigh Beach and the surf club sit closest to the station. Farther along the waterfront, Rick Shores is known for modern pan-Asian dining and its much-loved bug rolls, while Burleigh Pavilion and The Tropic pair drinks and dining with wide ocean views.

Around James Street, visitors will find boutiques, casual eateries and restaurants such as Jimmy Wah’s, Limlay Thai and SHŌTŌ. Paloma Wine Bar, Rosella’s and The Malibu Racquet Club add several possibilities for an evening drink.

Yet Burleigh is not only a dining destination. Burleigh Hill, around 400 metres from the station, is a classic picnic and sunset spot overlooking the point break. Beside it, Burleigh Head National Park protects a pocket of rainforest, pandanus groves, eucalypt forest and rocky foreshore in the middle of the city.

The park has two principal walking routes:

• Oceanview track: A 1.2-kilometre, one-way coastal walk that takes about 30 minutes. It is rated Grade 2 and is wheelchair-accessible with assistance.

• Rainforest circuit: A 2.3-kilometre return route that takes about 45 minutes. It is rated Grade 3 and includes steps and a steeper section near Tumgun Lookout.

Travellers should check Queensland Parks alerts and track information before setting out. Parts of the Oceanview track may close around severe weather because of rockfall risk, and visitors must remain on the formed paths.

For a deeper understanding of the headland, the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre offers guided experiences exploring the stories and heritage of the Yugambeh-speaking people. The centre is located near Tallebudgera Creek at the southern side of the national park and can be paired with an Oceanview track walk. Tour schedules and bookings are available through Jellurgal Cultural Experiences.

Best for: A full day of beach time, nature, culture and dining.

A simple one-day itinerary using the new tram extension

Image credit: Gold Coast Australia | Official Website

Travellers short on time do not need to cover every station. A well-paced day could begin with breakfast at Mermaid Beach, continue to Miami for a coastal walk, and finish in Burleigh Heads.

In the morning, the tram can be taken from Broadbeach South to Mermaid Beach for pastries or brunch. Afterward, Miami offers time for the rainbow stairs and North Burleigh lookout. From there, visitors can either walk south along the coast or return to the tram for Burleigh Heads.

The afternoon can be spent swimming at Burleigh Beach or walking through Burleigh Head National Park. Dinner in central Burleigh and sunset on the hill bring the day to an appropriately golden close.

On a Wednesday to Saturday, Miami Marketta can replace dinner in Burleigh for travellers more interested in street food and live music.

How much does the G cost?

Image credit: Gold Coast Australia | Official Website

Translink public transport currently costs a flat AU$0.50 per journey, whether payment is made by go card, contactless card or paper ticket. The fare applies to G trams and most buses and trains across South East Queensland. Brisbane’s Airtrain is excluded.

Importantly, a journey can include more than one service. A bus-to-tram transfer can still cost only AU$0.50 when Translink’s transfer conditions are met. The next service must generally be boarded within one hour, and every traveller must tap on and off correctly for each part of the journey.

Contactless Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted, including cards stored in Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Samsung Pay. American Express is not accepted.

Each passenger needs a separate card or device. The same payment method must also be used at both ends of a trip. A physical bank card and the digital version in a phone wallet count as different payment methods, even when they are connected to the same account.

Paper tickets remain available from station fare machines and must be purchased before boarding. More information is available through Translink’s contactless payment guide.

Also read: 8 Best 2026 Beachfront Airbnb Stays in Gold Coast, Australia

Accessibility and surfboard travel

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The G network is designed for passengers with different mobility requirements. Stations have ramp access, and trams include allocated areas for wheelchairs, prams and mobility aids. Boarding ramps can also be provided when assistance is required. More detailed guidance is available on the G mobility access page.

Surfers can bring their boards aboard. Dedicated surfboard holders are located in the two centre carriages of each tram, making the new extension particularly useful for beach-hopping without a car.

With its eight new stations, the G extension makes the Gold Coast feel less like a collection of separate holiday precincts and more like one connected coastline. Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Miami and Burleigh Heads can now sit comfortably within the same car-free itinerary, with an AU$0.50 fare making the detour south especially tempting.