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19 Stops. 20km. Your Lifeline.
The G:link tram runs from Helensvale in the north to Broadbeach South, passing through Griffith University, Southport, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach. It runs every 7.5 minutes during the day and connects to trains at Helensvale and buses at multiple stops. Stage 3 — extending to Burleigh Heads with 8 new stations — is expected to open mid-2026.
🎫 Getting Around
- Tap-on, tap-off with a Go Card, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or smart device. Fares are calculated automatically.
- Go Card gives you 30% off compared to paper tickets. Top up at stations or online.
- Trams run 24/7 on weekends (reduced frequency overnight). Weekday service: ~5am to midnight.
- The tram connects to heavy rail at Helensvale for direct trains to Brisbane (75 min).
Your Suburb Guide — North to South
Not every stop is ideal for living. Here are the ones that matter most for international students, with honest takes on each.
The Vibe
Suburban, family-oriented, and quiet. This is where the tram meets the train, making it a gateway to Brisbane. Not many students live here — it's far from the beach and the main GC action — but rent is noticeably cheaper.
Nearby
Westfield Helensvale (huge shopping centre), Movie World, Wet'n'Wild, and Dreamworld are all nearby. Good for theme park workers.
Rent Guide
Shared rooms from ~$150–200/week. Full apartments from ~$350/week. The cheapest area on the tram line.
Student Verdict
Best for students who work at the theme parks or commute to Brisbane regularly. Too far from the coast for most.
The Vibe
Quiet residential area. There's not much happening here socially, but it's affordable and a short tram ride from the uni.
Nearby
Local parks, some food options. Not much nightlife or entertainment. Close to Griffith Uni (2–3 stops).
Rent Guide
Shared rooms from ~$160–210/week. Good value.
Student Verdict
Fine if you want quiet and cheap. You'll be on the tram a lot to get to the interesting parts of the coast.
The Vibe
This is the medical precinct and the station closest to Griffith University's Gold Coast campus. The area is functional rather than charming — hospitals, research buildings, student accommodation. But the convenience for Griffith students is unbeatable.
Nearby
Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University, Griffith University Village (student accommodation), local cafés.
Rent Guide
Griffith University Village from ~$200–280/week (furnished, pool, BBQ, gym). Private rentals nearby from ~$180–240/week shared.
Student Verdict
If you're studying at Griffith, this is the obvious choice. Walk to lectures, walk to the tram, and the student village has a solid community vibe.
The Vibe
Right at the campus doorstep. The bus interchange here connects you to Robina, Varsity Lakes, and suburbs off the tram line. Great if you need to get to Bond University or the southern suburbs.
Nearby
Griffith campus facilities, student guild, campus cafés, sporting facilities.
Student Verdict
Not really a "living" area — more of a transit stop. But the accommodation around GCUH (one stop north) serves this area perfectly.
The Vibe
Southport is the GC's "proper" city centre — Chinatown, Australia Fair Shopping Centre, government offices, the courthouse, and a huge multicultural food scene. It's not glamorous or beachy, but it's practical, diverse, and affordable. Lots of international students live here and love it.
Nearby
Australia Fair Shopping Centre, Southport Chinatown, Broadwater Parklands (beautiful waterfront park), library, medical centres, cheap eats everywhere, Coles and Woolworths.
Rent Guide
Shared rooms from ~$160–220/week. Studios from ~$280–350/week. Some of the best value on the entire coast.
Student Verdict
One of the best areas for international students. Affordable, multicultural, great food, excellent transport, and only 10 minutes on the tram to the beach. Highly recommended as a first base.
The Vibe
Gorgeous waterfront area with free public swimming pools, BBQ areas, playgrounds, and parkland. It's the chill, family-friendly side of Southport. Living nearby gives you an amazing outdoor lifestyle without the beachfront price tag.
Nearby
Rockpool (free saltwater pool), Southport Swim & Fitness, parks, fish & chips, the Broadwater itself (calm water, great for kayaking and paddleboarding).
Rent Guide
Similar to Southport — shared from ~$170–230/week.
The Vibe
Upmarket, quieter than Surfers, and right next to the Spit. Great beach, Tedder Avenue café strip, and Marina Mirage. This is the "grown-up" part of the coast. Not the cheapest, but a beautiful place to live if you can afford it.
Nearby
Main Beach, The Spit (walking trails, Sea World), Tedder Avenue restaurants, Marina Mirage, the Broadwater.
Rent Guide
Shared from ~$220–300/week. More expensive than Southport but more beachy.
Student Verdict
Lovely but pricey. Best if you're sharing with 2–3 people and splitting a beachside apartment.
The Vibe
The Gold Coast's most famous (and infamous) suburb. Highrise apartments, nightclubs, tourist shops, and the iconic beach. It's loud, busy, and buzzing — especially at night and on weekends. Cavill Avenue is the busiest tram station on the entire line.
Nearby
Surfers Paradise Beach, Cavill Avenue mall, SkyPoint Observation Deck, Timezone, dozens of restaurants, bars, clubs, convenience stores. Orchid Avenue nightlife strip.
Rent Guide
Surprisingly variable. Older highrise apartments shared from ~$180–250/week. Studios from ~$300–400/week. Quality varies wildly — inspect before signing anything.
Student Verdict
Great for social butterflies and nightlife lovers. Tons of hospitality job opportunities right on your doorstep. But the older buildings can be poorly maintained, and it can get noisy. Always inspect first. Not ideal if you need quiet study time.
The Vibe
A hidden gem. You get the Surfers–Broadbeach location without the noise. Residential, close to the beach, and just one stop from both the Broadbeach restaurant strip and the Surfers nightlife. Best of both worlds.
Rent Guide
Shared from ~$200–260/week. Good value for the location.
Student Verdict
Underrated. Great balance of price, location, and peace.
The Vibe
Many locals consider Broadbeach the best suburb on the GC. Great restaurants, a beautiful beach, The Star casino, HOTA (Home of the Arts), Pacific Fair Shopping Centre (one of Queensland's biggest), and a much more refined atmosphere than Surfers. Less touristy, more "local."
Nearby
Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast, HOTA, Kurrawa Beach, Oracle Boulevard restaurants, Oasis Shopping Centre, Pratten Park.
Rent Guide
Shared from ~$220–300/week. Studios from ~$350–420/week. More expensive, but the lifestyle is worth it if your budget allows.
Student Verdict
Excellent if you can afford it. Great dining, great beach, Pacific Fair for work and shopping, and the tram ends here so you're connected to everything north. Also a bus interchange connecting to Robina, Burleigh, and Bond University.
The Vibe
Mermaid Beach is one of the GC's most desirable suburbs — trendy cafés, boutique shops, and a quieter beach. Nobby Beach (one stop further south) is famous for its bar and café scene. Once the tram arrives, these areas will become far more accessible.
Nearby
Mermaid Beach, local cafés and restaurants, Nobby Beach strip (one stop south).
Rent Guide
Shared from ~$230–300/week. Expect prices to increase once the tram opens.
The Vibe
A local favourite. Small-bar vibe, excellent restaurants, and a family-friendly atmosphere during the day that transitions to a social nightlife scene after dark. Less chaotic than Surfers, more character.
Nearby
Nobby Beach strip (bars, cafés, restaurants), the beach, local parks.
The Vibe
Miami is a mix of residential and commercial with a growing food scene. Miami Marketta (night market) is legendary — street food, live music, and a buzzing atmosphere every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night.
Nearby
Miami Marketta, Miami Beach, local shops, Christine Avenue bus interchange.
Rent Guide
Shared from ~$200–270/week. Currently good value; likely to increase with tram access.
The Vibe
Burleigh is widely considered the coolest suburb on the Gold Coast. Incredible surf beach, the famous Burleigh Headland national park, James Street café strip, weekend markets, and a strong community feel. It's the GC's answer to Byron Bay — creative, outdoorsy, and very social. Once the tram arrives here, it'll be a game changer.
Nearby
Burleigh Heads Beach, Burleigh Headland National Park, James Street, Burleigh Brewing, Village Markets, Tallebudgera Creek.
Rent Guide
Shared from ~$240–320/week. Higher than average but the lifestyle is exceptional.
Student Verdict
If you want the quintessential Gold Coast lifestyle — surf, hike, eat, repeat — and you can afford it, Burleigh is the dream. The tram will make it practical for students at Griffith too.
Best Suburbs for International Students
| Priority | Best Stops | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget + Multicultural | Southport (4 stops) | Cheapest on the line, Chinatown, great food, close to everything |
| Near Griffith Uni | GCUH / Griffith University | Walk to campus, student village, medical precinct |
| Social + Nightlife | Surfers Paradise (4 stops) | Beach, bars, tons of hospo jobs, always buzzing |
| Best Balance | Northcliffe / Broadbeach North | Quiet but central, close to beach, Pacific Fair, restaurants |
| Lifestyle King | Burleigh Heads (Stage 3) | Best beach, best cafés, best vibe — premium pricing |
| Cheapest Overall | Helensvale / Parkwood | Budget-friendly but far from the coast and social life |
How to Find a Place to Live
The Gold Coast rental market is competitive. As an international student without Australian rental history, you need a strategy. Here's how to do it right.
💡 Step 1 — Don't Sign Anything Before You Arrive
Book short-term accommodation (hostel, Airbnb, or student accommodation) for your first 2–4 weeks. This gives you time to inspect places in person, get a feel for suburbs, and avoid scams. Never transfer a bond or sign a lease for a place you haven't physically seen.
Where to Search
Private Rentals
Full apartments or houses through a real estate agent. You'll need ID (100 points), proof of income or savings, and references. Agents use realestate.com.au and domain.com.au.
Share Houses
The most popular option for students. Find a room in an existing share house. Cheaper, more social, and usually easier to get into without rental history.
Student Accommodation (PBSA)
Purpose-built student housing from providers like Scape, UniLodge, and Griffith University Village. Furnished, bills included, social. Book early — they fill up fast.
Homestay
Live with an Australian family. Meals included. Great for improving English and settling in. Usually ~$250–350/week. Arranged through your uni or the Australian Homestay Network.
Key Websites
| Website | Best For |
|---|---|
| flatmates.com.au | Australia's biggest share house platform. Filter by suburb, price, and vibe. |
| realestate.com.au | Main platform for full rental properties through agents. |
| domain.com.au | Similar to realestate.com.au — worth checking both. |
| facebook.com/groups | Search "Gold Coast Share House" or "GC Rooms for Rent" — very active community. |
| gumtree.com.au | Classifieds — can find good deals but be cautious of scams. |
| scape.com.au | Purpose-built student accommodation. Premium but stress-free. |
| unilodge.com.au | Student accommodation near unis. |
| homestaynetwork.org | Australian Homestay Network — vetted host families. |
🚩 Rental Scam Red Flags
- Asking for money before you've seen the property in person
- Prices that are way below market rate (if it's too good to be true...)
- Refusing to show you the property or only offering video tours
- Asking you to pay via wire transfer or cryptocurrency
- No formal lease or written agreement
- The "landlord" claims to be overseas and can't meet you
Renting Essentials
Bond (Security Deposit)
Capped at 4 weeks' rent in QLD. Must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), not held by your landlord. You get it back when you leave if the place is clean and undamaged.
Condition Report
When you move in, you'll get a condition report. Check it carefully, photograph everything, and note any existing damage. This protects your bond when you leave.
Lease Agreements
Most leases are 6 or 12 months. Read it before signing. If you need to break a lease early, there may be fees — ask about break lease costs upfront.
Repairs & Maintenance
Your landlord must maintain the property in a liveable condition. Report maintenance issues in writing. Emergency repairs (burst pipes, no hot water, locks broken) must be fixed within 24 hours.
Monthly Cost of Living Snapshot
| Expense | Approx. Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared) | $700 – $1,200 |
| Groceries | $250 – $400 |
| Transport (Go Card) | $80 – $150 |
| Utilities (if not included) | $80 – $150 |
| Mobile phone | $20 – $40 |
| Internet (if not included) | $50 – $80 |
| OSHC (health insurance) | ~$50 – $65 |
| Entertainment / eating out | $100 – $300 |
| Total Estimate | $1,330 – $2,385 |
🛒 Budget Tips
- Aldi is your best friend for cheap groceries. Woolworths and Coles also have good specials mid-week.
- Cook at home. Eating out on the GC adds up fast — a basic café lunch is $18–25.
- Use a Go Card for transport — 30% cheaper than paper tickets.
- Check Facebook Marketplace for second-hand furniture, bikes, and household items.
- Many GC beaches and parks are free — your best entertainment costs $0.
- Student discounts exist everywhere. Always ask and always carry your student ID.