Flights from Melbourne to Gold Coast

Travel Restrictions Between Melbourne and the Gold Coast

Travelling domestically has changed due to the evolving situation with COVID-19. Before you take off on a flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, you need to do a little planning and preparation. It's important understand if there are any potential border restrictions or additional quarantine requirements set by the Queensland Government on travellers from Victoria.

Before you book, make sure to check for airline and government restrictions. Things can change quickly, so you should double-check every time — even if you've travelled between the Gold Coast and Sydney recently. It's important that you comply with all airline and government travel requirements. Find more information regarding domestic travel restrictions, visit our COVID-19 Travel Hub.

Airport Information Between Melbourne (MEL) and the Gold Coast (OOL)

Departing Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Tullamarine Airport is the main airport in the Victorian capital city of Melbourne. It is Australia’s second busiest airport and the country’s busiest 24/7 airport. There are more than 35 million Melbourne Tullamarine Airport arrivals in an average year. This number includes domestic passengers as well as international travellers arriving on flights to Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is easy accessible from the city. It’s about 20 kilometres northwest of Melbourne’s CBD and is only a 20-minute drive away without traffic.

If you’re travelled with checked luggage, we recommend that you arrive at Tullamarine Airport at least 60–90 minutes prior to your flight time. Check-in is at least 45–60 minutes prior departure for most airlines and waiting times in queues can get extremely long if you need to weigh and check-in bags. Melbourne actually has two airports, with Tullamarine being the main gateway to the Victorian capital city. Melbourne Avalon Airport is a smaller airport located near Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. Make sure when you book your ticket that you choose the right one!

Catch the SkyBus for a quick connection from the city centre to Melbourne Tiullamarine airport.

There are three different types of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport parking available. Visitors can reserve a spot online in advance for the best rates.

Terminal Car Park: This is the most convenient of the Melbourne Tullamarine Airport parking options. There’s a shared Terminal Car Park for Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and a separate car park for Terminal 4. Each car park is about 100 metres away from the terminals, just a couple minutes' walk. The Terminal Car Parks have covered parking and also have designated pick-up and drop-offs zones. These zones are free for the first 15 minutes, and cars can remain parked for up to three hours. Drive-up rates for longer stays are $147 AUD for three days and $343 AUD for a week.

Premium Car Park: Premium parking spaces are located within each of the Terminal Car Parks. These covered spots offer the quickest access to the airport terminals. Drive-up rates for premium parking start from $237 AUD for three days and $553 AUD for a week. Guests can park themselves, or use valet parking for an additional fee. You can even book a hand car wash so your car will be sparkling clean when you get back from your trip.

Value Car Park: This open-air car park is the most affordable of the Melbourne Tullamarine Airport parking options. It is located further awayfrom the terminals, but a free bus connects it to each of the terminals every 15 minutes between 5am and midnight. Drive-up rates for the Value Car Park are $36 AUD for three days and $84 AUD for a week 

Arriving at Gold Coast Airport (OOL)

Gold Coast Airport is the new name for Coolangatta Airport, though you will still see 'OOL' on your tickets and flight itinerary. At 22km from Surfer's Paradise, Gold Coast Airport is in a pretty convenient spot close to the main attractions of the Gold Coast, as well as the border between New South Wales and Queensland. Unfortunately, there is no train station connecting the Gold Coast Airport to the rest of the city, but there are shuttle buses, ample parking and lots of taxis and ridesharing options available.

If you're not in a rush after landing on flights Melbourne to Gold Coast, you can take the bus to get between destinations. TransLink is the main bus operator in the Gold Coast, while Surfside Buslines can connect you to the north and south parts of the city. There's also a night service that runs after midnight and is an affordable and safe way to get back to your hotel. The best way to get from Gold Coast Airport to your hotel is with a taxi. After your Melbourne to Gold Coast flights land, you'll find the cab drivers waiting outside of the arrivals terminal. A one-way trip to Surfers Paradise costs on average $55 and ride-sharing app, Uber, is also available.

If you don't want to rely on public transport to get around while on holiday using cheap flights Melbourne to Gold Coast, you can compare and book a hire car with Webjet or rent one upon landing at Gold Coast Airport. There are also service providers in the city if you only need a vehicle for a day trip. If you're not in a rush after landing on flights Melbourne to Gold Coast, you can take the bus to get between destinations. TransLink is the main bus operator in the Gold Coast, while Surfside Buslines can connect you to the north and south parts of the city. There's also a night service that runs after midnight and is an affordable and safe way to get back to your hotel.

The Gold Coast Airport shuttle meets all flights Melbourne to Gold Coast every day of the week. It's an affordable option that transfers passengers from the airport to destinations between Tweed Heads and Main Beach.

When Is The Best Time to Visit the Gold Coast?

For cheap flights to Gold Coast from Melbourne, you'll want to plan your trip over the city's shoulder season. From April to May, the Gold Coast is quieter than the summer months, and you'll have an easier time finding low hotel rates and deals on flights Melbourne to Gold Coast.

November to December is peak travel season in the city. With the end of year holidays and Schoolies Week, you'll need to book your tickets to Gold Coast from Melbourne well in advance to avoid the steep price hikes. On the plus side, if you can handle the crowds, you'll have picture-perfect weather for all of the Gold Coast's top outdoor activities.

If you want to spend your holiday whale watching, book your Melbourne to Gold Coast flights for travel between June and August. While it’s winter, the water is still warm enough for a dip and if you avoid the school holidays in June, you won’t have to worry about crowds at the top attractions.

What Are The Gold Coast's Neighbourhoods Like?

Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular Gold Coast neighbourhoods. People from all over Australia and around the world book flights Melbourne to Gold Coast to soak up its party scene. You'll find many of the city's top nightclubs and bars here as well as a very young crowd. If you're looking to escape the crowds in Surfers Paradise, book a hotel in Broadbeach. It's a quieter neighbourhood and is a great central location with plenty of shops and restaurants.

For cafe lovers, you can't go wrong with the Burleigh neighbourhood. It features a seemingly endless amount of coffee shops, vegan eateries, and restaurants. Coolangatta is the closest neighbourhood to the Gold Coast Airport. Book your tickets to Gold Coast from Melbourne and stay here if you're looking for a place that's more low-key with fewer crowds at the beach.

If you're booking flights Melbourne to Gold Coast for the whole family, you'll want to stay in the Hinterland region. It's only a ten-minute drive from the city's famous theme parks, and it will give you a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast and enjoy the countryside.

What Are The Top Experiences For Visitors to the Gold Coast?

Take in the View from Q1

Climb Q1 is an excellent reason to book your Melbourne to Gold Coast return flights. While it's not an activity for the faint at heart, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views over the city. The best time to summit the climb is an hour before sunset for the golden hour.

Visit the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

To learn more about Australia's history, pay a visit to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The tour includes a local guide who will walk with you through the rainforest while you visit traditional sites and hear one of the Gold Coast's oldest Dreamtime stories.

Learn how to Ride the Waves

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's top surfing destinations. Each year, hundreds of people book tickets to Gold Coast from Melbourne to catch some waves. If you're a beginner, there are plenty of surf schools that you can visit for lessons.

Go to the Lost World Valley

Nature lovers can ditch the city life for a few hours of tranquillity at the Lamington National Park. The Lost World Valley is one of the park's most popular attractions. It's hidden deep within the jungle and is known for its beautiful hidden waterfalls.

What Should I Know About Travelling with Children to the Gold Coast?

You’ll have another journey ahead of you once you land

When booking Melbourne to Gold Coast flights, your flight to the Gold Coast Airport (OOL) actually arrives in the suburb of Coolangatta, situated around 30 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise. To reach the heart of the city following your flights from Melbourne to Coolangatta, you’ll need to make use of a taxi service, public transport or car hire. By car, Gold Coast Airport is approximately 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise, 25 minutes from Broadbeach and 15 minutes from Burleigh Heads. Melbourne to Coolangatta flights make it easy to explore the Gold Coast, northern New South Wales and beyond, offering plenty of great options for your next family adventure.

Age and height limits are enforced at theme parks

Planning a day out at one of the Gold Coast theme parks? Those travelling with kids should account for age and height restrictions on some rides and attractions. If you are booking flights from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and have the theme parks on the itinerary, do some research to have an idea of the rides your children can and cannot enjoy. Some rides may also require a parent or guardian to accompany younger children. Most of the parks have rides specially designed for younger kids too, plus other family friendly attractions and water play areas.

There are plenty of ways to keep the kids entertained

As the home of Australia’s best known theme parks, beautiful beaches and some incredible sightseeing opportunities, the Gold Coast offers plenty of great ways to keep the kids entertained and engaged. No matter if your child is a bit of a thrill seeker, feels at home in nature or loves to learn, there are countless ways to spend quality time with the kids following your Melbourne to Gold Coast flights. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, spend a day in the surf and sand at one of the Gold Coast’s beaches or meet the cute critters who call the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary home. Try your hand at mini golf at Putt Putt Mermaid Beach, or get the adrenaline pumping with a session at iFly Indoor Skydiving.

Some Gold Coast hotels also offer kids club and babysitting services. Use of kids club services may be included in the hotel rate, but it’s best to confirm before you board your Melbourne to the Gold Coast return flights.  

Compare and Book Flights with Webjet

To find the best deal on a flight that suits your needs and budget, compare and book your flights with Webjet. Webjet compares a range of flights from a large pool of different airlines, so you can mix and match flights to get the best price. Webjet is Australian-owned, secure, offers a wide range of payment options including AfterPay, and has award-winning customer service.

Book your flights from Melbourne to the Gold Coast with Webjet today!