By Car

Avis (tel. 07/5539 9388), Budget (tel. 07/5538 5470), Hertz (tel. 07/5538 5366), and Thrifty (tel. 07/5570 9999) have outlets in Surfers Paradise and at Gold Coast Airport. Endless local outfits rent cars at cheap rates.

By Bus

Surfside Buslines (tel. 13 12 30 in Australia, or 07/5571 6555) is the local bus company. Its best deal is the Freedom Pass, which allows you to hop on and off the buses anytime you like. The 3-day pass costs A$58 (US$52/£26) adults and A$29 (US$26/£13) children 4 to 13; 5-, 7- and 10-day passes are also available. The pass gives you door-to-door return Gold Coast Airport transfers, unlimited door-to-door transfers to Dreamworld, Warner Bros. MovieWorld, Sea World, Wet 'n' Wild Water World, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as unlimited use of the Surfside bus network, 24 hours a day.

By Train

Translink trains run north to central Brisbane from Varsity Lakes, near Burleigh Heads. The inland route stops at Robina, Nerang, Helensvale and Coomera. Translink’s ticketless GoCard calculates fares electronically using a touch-on, touch-off system. Purchase adult or concession GoCards online or from 7-Eleven outlets, tourist offices, train stations, and newsagents. A single-use one-way paper ticket can be purchased at train stations.

By Boat

In 2012 a limited flat-fare ferry service is expected to run from Southport to Surfers Paradise. Broadwater Taxi provides water taxi transport to waterfront locations along the Gold Coast between Moreton Bay and Broadbeach for up to six passengers. Charter catamaran transfers operated by Gold Coast Ferries sail from Surfers Paradise to the Couran Cove resort on South Stradbroke Island, via Main Beach.

Travel Passes

The Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle Freedom Pass provides return airport transfers and unlimited door-to-door theme park transfers from Gold Coast hotels. Transport is by air-conditioned coach. The pass also includes unlimited rides on the local Surfside buses that link the Gold Coast’s towns and beaches 24 hours a day. Adult, child and family passes can be booked online, by phone, or at the airport, and are available for 3, 5, 7, or 10 days. Similar to the Freedom Pass, the cheaper Gold Pass provides theme park transfers and Surfside bus transport, but doesn’t include the return airport transfers.

More Information

Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle Freedom Pass (www.gcshuttle.com.au)

Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle Gold Pass (www.gcshuttle.com.au)

Surfside Buslines (www.surfside.com.au)

Translink (http://translink.com.au)

Broadwater Taxi (www.broadwatertaxi.com.au)

Gold Coast Ferries (www.goldcoastferries.com.au)

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.