South-east Queensland has three airports that matter to a private jet, all within about an hour’s flight of each other and a little more by road. Choosing the right one can save a long transfer at the other end.
Three airports, three kinds of trip
Brisbane Airport is Queensland’s main airport, on the north-east side of the city, with international customs and immigration. It is the right choice for business in the city and for international arrivals. See private jet hire Brisbane.
Gold Coast Airport is at Coolangatta, at the southern end of the Gold Coast beside the New South Wales border. It is the airport for the beaches, the golf and the marinas, and it also has international customs and immigration. See private jet hire Gold Coast.
Sunshine Coast Airport is at Marcoola, between Maroochydore and Coolum, a short drive from Noosa. It is the one to choose for Noosa, the hinterland and a quieter coast. See private jet hire Sunshine Coast.
Flying times from Melbourne and Sydney
| To | From Melbourne (midsize jet) | From Sydney (midsize jet) |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | 1,380 km, about 2 h 10 min | 755 km, about 1 h 20 min |
| Gold Coast | 1,330 km, about 2 h 05 min | 680 km, about 1 h 15 min |
| Sunshine Coast | 1,455 km, about 2 h 15 min | 835 km, about 1 h 30 min |
Indicative airport-to-airport times; a light jet takes a little longer. Our route pages have the detail for Melbourne to Brisbane and Melbourne to the Gold Coast.
How to choose
- Staying at Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach or Coolangatta? Gold Coast Airport.
- Heading to Noosa or the hinterland? Sunshine Coast Airport.
- Meetings in the city, or continuing overseas? Brisbane Airport.
- Splitting the trip between the coast and the city? Land at one and depart from another; we plan the one-way legs and the ground transport.
Flying into one airport and out of another is easy with a charter, because the aircraft goes where you need it to. It is one of the clearest advantages over a booked airline return.
Short hops within the region
The three airports are only about 95 km apart, so moving between them by air is a half-hour flight in a turboprop or light jet. That is rarely worth it for the transfer alone, but it can make sense for a group that has landed at one airport and wants to leave from another, or when luggage and a tight schedule make a long drive unattractive.
By road from each airport
The three airports are not equally close to the places people stay. As a rough guide, allow an hour or more by road between Brisbane Airport and the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, and more at busy times; Gold Coast Airport is at the southern end of the strip, so Surfers Paradise and the northern suburbs add a further transfer. A direct flight to the right airport can replace a long drive with a short one, which is the main saving for a party with luggage.
Peak dates
School holidays, the Christmas period and the Easter long weekend are the busiest times on the Queensland coast, and availability of aircraft on those dates is very much subject to continued availability. If your dates are fixed, ask early; if they are flexible, a day either side can widen the choice. The same applies to major events on the coast and in Brisbane.
Gear and luggage
Golf bags, surfboards and dive gear are common on this coast. A light jet takes proper suitcases and golf clubs; a midsize jet has more room for a full party’s gear. Tell us what you are bringing, and how big it is, and we will check it fits. See light jet or midsize jet for the difference.
Onward flights
South-east Queensland is also a good place to start a longer trip. From the Gold Coast, Cairns is about 2 h 15 min by midsize jet (see Gold Coast to Cairns), and the Whitsundays are about 1 h 40 min away. Because the aircraft goes where you tell it to, a one-way flight into one airport and out of another is easy to arrange.
The trips that suit it
- Family holidays and school-holiday trips to the coast
- Golf weekends and corporate retreats
- Weddings and milestone celebrations; see weddings and celebrations by private jet
- The first leg of a longer holiday that continues north; see the Whitsundays by private jet
To compare the options, read private jet airports in Australia, or ask us for a quote for the route you have in mind; we will recommend the airport and quote the alternative if it is close.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is best for the Gold Coast?
Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, at the southern end of the Gold Coast beside the New South Wales border, is the natural choice for most itineraries. Brisbane Airport can suit some plans, and we will say which makes more sense for yours.
Which airport is best for Noosa?
Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola is a short drive from Noosa and much closer than Brisbane, which is the main reason people choose a direct charter to it.
Can a private jet land at all three?
Business jets can use all three. The right one depends on the aircraft, the runway length needed and where you are staying, and we confirm it before we quote.
Ready to plan your flight?
Tell us the route, the date and how many are travelling, and we will come back with the right aircraft and one clear price. Request a quote or call +61 423 347 998.
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