Gold Coast light rail stage 3 begins testing as first tram hits new tracks between Broadbeach and Miami
Tram No. 7 has made history as the first to venture south of Broadbeach in a midnight test run that signals the countdown to the Gold Coast’s $1.2bn rail extension to Burleigh launching.
The “historic” first tram journey south of Broadbeach went off without a hitch as the countdown to light rail stage 3 launching begins.
Testing of the new tracks, the first in nearly eight years, began at 8am on Wednesday night, with tram No. 7 travelling under police escort on the northern half of the line, between Broadbeach and Miami.
The only people on board were workers and drivers.
GoldlinQ CEO Phil Mumford said the test was the first step towards passengers boarding in mid-2026.
“Residents will no doubt be pleased to see trams on tracks between now and Christmas,” he said.
“This is just the start of testing, which will continue until the system opens for passengers next year.
“Overhead lines in the northern section are now live, and we ask members of the community to please keep a safe distance.
“Trams are not available for public use during testing, so please stay clear of the tracks.”.
Mayor Tom Tate labelled the test a “historic” occasion for the Gold Coast.
“I have consistently said this latest 6.7km section will prove the most popular as residents and visitors embrace light rail transport,” he said.
“The uplift in patronage will surpass all expectations and I can’t wait to see the benefits this project will bring to locals and tourists alike.”
Nightly testing of the trams will begin on November 26 and run until December 18, with up to two trams using the 3km northern section of the route between the Broadbeach South and Miami North stations between 8pm and 4am.
Testing “will focus on verifying the performance of key systems, including signalling, communications and station operations to ensure the extension is safe, reliable and ready for passenger services”.
It will begin between Miami and Burleigh Heads in early 2026.
Acting Transport Minister Sam O’Connor said the test marked the next step in the delivery of the $1.2bn project.
“We’re closer than ever to having the first new light rail opened in our city since 2017 and this testing ensures the safety of everyone who will use or interact with light rail – whether they’re drivers, cyclists, mobility device riders or pedestrians,” he said.
“Thank you to our Gold Coast community for your ongoing patience as we work to deliver this vital project, which will transform how people move around our city.”
It comes just weeks after the overhead lines were powered up for the first time.
The first lines were electrified between Broadbeach South station to Surfers Ave in mid-October.
The second section, between Mermaid Beach and Miami was completed on October 29.
Each line carries 750 volts of power.
More than 74,000 plants, including native trees, shrubs and ground cover plants, have been planted between Broadbeach and Miami.
There will ultimately be 118,000 plants along the full stage 3 route while nearby parks will be upgraded.
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