$1.55 billion. 6.7 kilometres. Eight new stations. Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 is carrying passengers as the city’s next transport infrastructure pipeline takes shape.
Passenger services on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 commenced on 9 August 2026, extending the G:link south from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads.
The $1.549 billion project was delivered through GoldLinQ, with John Holland acting as Design & Construction contractor for the major 6.7km dual-track extension.
Eight new stations, five additional trams, new light rail and bus interchanges, depot works, pedestrian crossings, active-transport connections and public-realm upgrades formed part of the delivery program.
With Stage 3 now operational, attention is shifting toward the next Gold Coast transport projects progressing through planning, design and procurement.
The first passenger service departed Burleigh Heads on the morning of 9 August.
Stage 3 extends the existing network through Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach and Miami before reaching the new southern terminus at Burleigh Heads.
TMR says some finishing works may continue after passenger services commence, meaning the opening should be viewed as the completion of the major delivery phase rather than an indication that every minor construction activity disappeared overnight.
$1.549B was the full Stage 3 investment
The final TMR project profile identifies total investment of approximately $1.549 billion.
Funding comprises approximately $395.6 million from the Australian Government, $1.043 billion from the Queensland Government and $110.1 million from the City of Gold Coast.
That total includes an additional $18.6 million of ancillary works delivered in conjunction with Stage 3.
Eight new stations now connect Broadbeach to Burleigh
John Holland’s delivered scope extended beyond track and station platforms.
The project also included new light rail and bus interchanges at Miami and Burleigh Heads, depot upgrades, pedestrian crossings, walking and cycling improvements and park upgrades along the corridor.
Stage 3 was delivered within a heavily constrained live urban environment containing traffic, businesses, utilities, pedestrians and existing communities along the Gold Coast Highway.
John Holland’s rail and civil delivery phase moves into close-out
Stage 3 required integration of rail systems, civil construction, station structures, underground utilities, road interfaces and urban infrastructure.
Earlier project reporting identified around 760 local jobs and very high levels of local procurement during construction.
With passenger services now operating, much of that major construction demand shifts away from Stage 3 itself and toward the next Gold Coast transport projects.
What gets built next? The Gold Coast Transport Plan has changed the pipeline
The next Gold Coast transport cycle will not simply repeat Stage 3 further south.
Queensland’s current Gold Coast Transport Plan combines light rail, bus infrastructure, major road upgrades, bridge construction, active transport and longer-term heavy-rail planning.
Approximately 3.2km of new light rail from Gold Coast University Hospital to Biggera Waters, including three new stations, additional vehicles and depot works.
High-frequency metro-style services via Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads and Gold Coast Airport, supported by corridor and intersection infrastructure.
Metro-style services supported by six-laning sections of Nerang–Broadbeach Road, Dunlops Canal Bridge widening and intersection works.
New 236m Coombabah Creek and 194m flood-relief-channel bridges, plus intersection, shared-path and lighting works.
New pedestrian connections around the convention centre, casino, Pacific Fair and light rail, including a Little Tallebudgera Creek bridge.
Stage 2 of the M9 is progressing through industry engagement, while M1 works and planning for heavy rail to Gold Coast Airport remain part of the wider transport program.
The former Light Rail Stage 4 is no longer the immediate southern construction pipeline
Contractors should also be aware of a fundamental change in the Gold Coast’s transport strategy.
Planning for the former light rail extension from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta via Gold Coast Airport was stopped in September 2025 following a Queensland Government review.
There is currently no further planning for that former Stage 4 light-rail project.
The current southern strategy instead centres on the GC Surfer metro-style service between Robina and Coolangatta via Burleigh Heads and the airport, together with supporting road and intersection infrastructure.
That materially changes which contractor disciplines should be watching the southern corridor.
Contractor demand now shifts from one completed rail corridor into multiple transport modes
Stage 3 created a concentrated light-rail construction program.
The next pipeline is more fragmented, potentially spreading opportunities across rail, major civil works, bridges, road widening, bus infrastructure and active transport.
Stage 3 moves into operations as the next Gold Coast transport pipeline develops
GoldLinQ and John Holland have completed the major delivery phase of the $1.549 billion Stage 3 extension, with eight new stations and 6.7km of dual track now carrying passengers.
Queensland’s next Gold Coast transport program is broader than a single further light-rail extension.
Current planning includes a northern light-rail extension, metro-style public transport infrastructure across the southern and central Gold Coast, major bridge works, road widening, pedestrian infrastructure, M1 investment, Coomera Connector Stage 2 and longer-term heavy-rail planning.
The next major delivery indicators are project funding decisions, procurement models, contractor appointments and the release of downstream civil, rail, bridge and systems packages.
Near-term milestones include the Harbour Town light-rail delivery model, GC Surfer infrastructure packages, Hope Island bridge procurement, Broadbeach bridge works and progression of Coomera Connector Stage 2.
What businesses should watch next
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Sources
- Department of Transport and Main Roads — Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3
- Australian Government — Doors opening: first tram departs Burleigh, 7 August 2026
- John Holland — Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 opens to passengers
- GoldLinQ — Stage 3 opening and launch
- Department of Transport and Main Roads — Gold Coast Transport Plan
- Queensland Government — Major transport projects for the Gold Coast, 22 June 2026
- Department of Transport and Main Roads — Former Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 planning status