Australia’s east coast brims gloriously with evergreen beaches, native rainforests, exciting wildlife, and numerous rollercoaster of adventures. Melbourne to Gold Coast is often thought of as the best route to venture into the typical experiences of Australia.
Moreover, the Pacific Highway that connects Melbourne to the northernmost point of Queensland is regarded as the best road trip venture of all time. However, folks who don’t really have the time to set off on a road trip tend to look out for other options for travel. And likely so, this eastern part of Australia overwhelms the best of us in terms of travel connectivity, routes, and distances.
Thus, to make your research slightly easier – we thought of curating a short guide that will basically help you understand different ways of travel from Melbourne to the Gold Coast. This article essentially focuses on how to travel effectively between the two major cities of Australia.
How to travel Melbourne to Gold Coast in 4 Ways
By Car
Renting a car in Australia is one of the best ways to explore the surroundings. Having your own schedule with flexible timings really helps, especially when you plan a journey like Melbourne to Gold Coast. You have the freedom to choose your own pit stops, hotel stays, attractions to visit and much more.
When opting for this travel mode, ensure that you hire/book your vehicle from the right place. If you look at my Australian road trip blogs, I’ve generally recommended Rentalcars.com. I personally find it pretty reasonable compared to other rental companies.
The next you want to do is do a duration check. The drive from Melbourne to Gold Coast is 1704 km via the Pacific Highway. If you drive non-stop, it would approximately take 17hr 50mins to reach. I would highly encourage you not to have a direct journey but rather to spread out the road trip duration for 4-5 days.
Furthermore, you can check out our detailed road trip guide on 7 Ultimate Melbourne to Gold Coast Road Trip Spots to ensure that you visit all the must-see attractions along the way.
By Air
The fastest way to reach Gold Coast from Melbourne is by flight. Though it is expensive and not a preferred choice for backpackers or budget travellers, this option saves a considerable amount of time on travel. The average duration for a direct flight to Gold Coast is 2 hours. Connecting flights can take you about 3 hours and 40 minutes approximately with usual layovers at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
Currently, 294 flights run per week from Melbourne to Gold Coast. The average price for direct flights is approximately $48 (one-way). These prices could fluctuate basis the season you travel to, as the peak Australian season attracts higher flight rates.
I would highly recommend going for Jetstar for your Melbourne to Gold Coast journey, as they tend to have cheaper rates than other airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia and Regional Express.
You can use the below widget to make a simple search for updated flight rates:
By Bus
A bus is usually not the preferred option for visitors, as it’s very time-consuming and expensive. The reason I say this is because you don’t have any control over the stops, plus you’d have to interchange buses either from Sydney or Brisbane. Buses also tend to cover longer journeys over a span of two days – which almost drains the energy of most visitors.
Travelling to Gold Coast from Melbourne via bus is not the cheapest option either. An example – Greyhound charges $199 (one-way) for a ticket which is non-refundable. Refundable ones usually range from $325-$400 – depending on which season you travel. You can check their rates here.
Buses are usually booked by travel agencies who frequently make tours on the east coast side of Australia. These agencies have an occupancy of 40+ passengers, which makes it convenient and affordable to travel by bus. However, if you’re travelling with friends or family – I would not recommend a bus option.
By Train
Travelling by train is one of the most convenient modes to reach the Gold Coast. It is slightly cheaper than a flight, but depending on the seasonal rates, availability could be a problem. If you’re travelling with friends, then a train journey could be a more enjoyable way of travel.
As of now, there are no direct trains from Melbourne to Gold Coast. Normal train services resume from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne and are operated by Translink QLD, NSW TrainLink XPT and NSW Trainlink. The approximate journey could vary depending on the stops, but it averages 18 hours. Prices may vary depending on the class and seat category. The economy generally ranges between $65-$90 (one-way) and first-class varies between $102-$135 (one-way).
Final Verdict
Ultimately, it all boils down to an individual’s choice. But given the comparison above, it’s pretty obvious to say the flight is the most convenient and the fastest option to choose from. It also sits in the price range of below $50 for one-way, which is still better compared to buses and trains.
On the other hand, travelling by car is a different experience altogether. If you plan on having a full-fledged Australian road trip, then forget everything else and book your rental car. The country’s alluring beaches, extensive coastlines, and amazing national parks are better seen from your car window.
Further Readings & Resources
Melbourne to Gold Coast: 7 Ultimate Melbourne to Gold Coast Road Trip Spots
Sydney to Gold Coast: 7 Beautiful Stops on Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip
Byron Bay to Gold Coast: The Ultimate Byron Bay to Gold Coast Itinerary (+Map, Tips)
