The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) is Broadbeach’s main events venue, hosting expos, conferences and other ticketed events. It sits on the Gold Coast Highway, about 500 metres from the beach, with a G:link tram station across the road.
It is not a place you drop into on a normal day. You go for an event, so this guide covers what to check, where to park and how to arrive without driving.
What’s on at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
The centre’s What’s On page lists the ticketed events, from graduations and business breakfasts to national championships and conferences. Each listing links to its own page for details.
The venue has a 6,000 seat tiered arena, 10,000 square metres of ground floor exhibition space, 22 meeting rooms and about 2,000 square metres of parkland and outdoor space. The centre has operated since 2004 and describes itself as Australia’s largest regional convention centre.
Who goes and what to expect
Most visitors come for a single ticketed event, such as a graduation, a business breakfast, a national championship or a conference. Each listing on the What’s On page has its own page, so check there for the date, the entry and anything the organiser asks you to bring.
The centre is a cashless venue and has no ATM, so bring a card or phone to pay. Reception is open 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, and lost property is handled by phone during business hours.
Inside the venue
The centre has a tiered main arena, a large ground floor exhibition space and 22 meeting rooms, plus terraces with Gold Coast views, and a covered entry (porte-cochere) that keeps you dry if the weather turns. Which part of the building you use depends on the event, so follow the directions on your ticket or the organiser’s page.
The venue has worked with EarthCheck on environmental management since 2010, and the venue says it has mandatory green initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
Making a day or night of it
Broadbeach is a good place to build a trip around an event. The centre says it is surrounded by countless accommodation options, and the beach is only about 500 metres away.
The Broadbeach guide covers the beach, parks and parking in the suburb. If you only have a short stop, parking for under 30 minutes at the centre is free.
Getting to the Gold Coast Convention Centre by tram and bus
The easiest way from Brisbane is the train to Helensvale, then the G:link tram to Broadbeach North station, which is just across Gold Coast Highway from the main entrance.
The G:link starts at Helensvale Train Station, so you can also ride in from other Gold Coast stops. Surfside Buslines services stop outside on the Gold Coast Highway. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner.
Gold Coast Convention Centre parking
There is undercover parking with a clearance height of 2.1 metres and two EV chargers. A flat rate of $15 (GST included) applies per entry, per day. Parking for under 30 minutes is free, and charges start again after 2 am.
If you leave and come back, a new $15 charge applies. Pre-booking is not available, and the centre is cashless: pay at the pay stations before you exit. A 10 km/h speed limit applies in the car park.
Planning your visit
- Cost: entry depends on the event; buy tickets on the official What’s On page.
- Cash: the centre is cashless and there is no ATM, though there are ATMs in nearby Broadbeach.
- Reception: open 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, and may vary with events. Lost property: 07 5504 4000 in business hours.
- Accessibility: the centre publishes an Accessibility Guide covering accessible parking locations, entrances, toilets and seating, and a Welcome Story that walks you through a visit from arrival, including quiet areas and bathroom facilities. See its accessibility page.
Getting there from Brisbane
By car, the centre is about 82 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 70 minutes without traffic. The centre also lists its parking on its parking page, and the full list of events is on its What’s On page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Broadbeach – beach, parks and dining just a short walk away.
- The Coastal Markets Broadbeach – Kurrawa Park markets for a snack before a show.
- Surfers Paradise – the next stop up the G:link line.
- Q1 Gold Coast – the skyscraper you can see from the centre.
- Nobby Beach – a quieter beach just north.
- Southport – the Broadwater parklands further up the tram line.
Browse more Gold Coast and entertainment days out.
You might also like
- Robina (Gold Coast)
- Eagle Farm (Brisbane)
- Yatala Drive-In (Stapylton)
Quick answers
How much is parking at the Gold Coast Convention Centre?
A flat $15 per entry per day, including GST. Parking under 30 minutes is free. Pre-booking is not available.
Is there a train or tram to the Gold Coast Convention Centre?
Yes. Ride the G:link tram to Broadbeach North station, across the road from the main entrance. From Brisbane, take the train to Helensvale and change to the tram.
Can I pay cash at the Gold Coast Convention Centre?
No. The centre is cashless, including the car park, and there is no ATM.
How far is the Gold Coast Convention Centre from the beach?
About 500 metres.
Where do I find events at the Gold Coast Convention Centre?
On the centre’s What’s On page, where each event links to its own page.
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