Gold Coast Airport (IATA: OOL) serves as the vibrant gateway to Australia’s iconic Gold Coast region. Nestled at the southern tip of Queensland’s coastline, the airport uniquely straddles the border between Queensland and New South Wales, with its main runway crossing both states. Despite this distinction, the airport operates entirely on Queensland Time (AEST / UTC+10) year-round.

Situated in the suburb of Bilinga, approximately 90 km south of Brisbane, Gold Coast Airport is ideally positioned for travellers heading to the beaches, theme parks, and resorts of South East Queensland. The terminal lies just 300 metres from the Gold Coast Highway, providing quick access to major coastal suburbs such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, and Burleigh Heads.

For those travelling by car, the Pacific Motorway (M1) interchange sits 1.5 km south of the airport, just over the border in Tweed Heads West (NSW). This motorway links the Gold Coast with northern New South Wales, the hinterland, and the Brisbane CBD, ensuring smooth connectivity for both local and international visitors.

Gold Coast Airport operates domestic and international services within a single terminal building. All entry and exit doors are automatic and open upon motion detection, ensuring convenient access for passengers.

Check-in for both international and domestic flights is located at the northern end of the terminal.
For international flights, check-in and baggage drop generally open three hours before departure. For domestic flights, check-in typically opens two hours before departure.

Travellers may check in with airline staff at designated counters or use the self-service kiosks conveniently located in the check-in area. Each kiosk clearly displays the airline logo on the screen. In addition to self-check-in, automated bag-drop machines are available, guiding passengers through weighing, labelling, and dispatching luggage for transport to the aircraft.

Passengers departing on international flights are required to pass through two separate security screening points.

After completing the initial screening, travellers may relax in the domestic departures lounge until the flight information screens display the message “Please proceed to international.” At this time, passengers proceed to the international departure lounge on Level 1, where a second screening takes place in compliance with international aviation regulations.

During this process, both passengers and their baggage are screened for powders, liquids, aerosols, and gels using advanced body scanners and X-ray equipment.

Gold Coast Airport operates a little differently from many other Australian airports. Boarding gate numbers appear on the Flight Information Display Screens (FIDS) approximately 40 minutes before domestic departures and 60 minutes before international departures.

International passengers may access the departure lounge via Border Processing on Level 1, up to two hours before departure. While some airlines announce gate numbers during check-in, it is always best to confirm via the FIDS, as gate assignments may change without notice.

All boarding gates are numbered, and once a flight’s gate is displayed, the corresponding flight number appears on the screen at that gate.

Access to and from aircraft is provided by aerobridges, ramps, or stairs, depending on aircraft type and gate configuration. Passengers with limited mobility or special assistance needs are encouraged to notify their airline or travel agent at the time of booking and reconfirm before travel to ensure appropriate support is available. It's worth noting that aerobridges are not available at all gates.

Gold Coast Airport offers two premium lounges:
 

• Virgin Australia Lounge: accessible to Business Class travellers, Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members, and Virgin Lounge members.
• Qantas Club: available to Business Class passengers, Qantas Club members, and Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members.

Both lounges provide comfortable seating, complimentary refreshments, and work areas, offering a calm retreat before departure. With its modern facilities, friendly atmosphere, and unbeatable location at the crossroads of Queensland and New South Wales, Gold Coast Airport (OOL) embodies the spirit of coastal Australia. Whether you’re flying in for surf, sun, or business, the airport offers a seamless travel experience along the nation’s glittering eastern shore.
In Magelline’s view, it stands among Australia’s most welcoming and convenient gateways, where every arrival begins with ocean air and ends beneath golden skies.