Gold Coast Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

2 to 4 July 2027 · ExpectedBrisbane, Australia

Gold Coast Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Brisbane.

Tours in Brisbane Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Most visitors stay on the Gold Coast itself: Brisbane is an hour away by train.

Airport to Southport and the Gold Coast highway, an hour south of Brisbane

Brisbane airport (BNE) has the Airtrain to the city in 20 minutes.

Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Public transport directions to Southport and the Gold Coast highway, an hour south of Brisbane

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Fortitude Valley	Nightlife and cheaper rooms.
Mid-range	South Bank	Parklands and the river.
Splurge	CBD riverside	Tower hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Ibis Brisbane
Mid-range: Rydges South Bank
Splurge: The Westin Brisbane

Links search the nights from 1 July to 5 July. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 2 to 4 July 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 30 June

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayRiver cruise Half day · Low walking
CityCat ferry or a cruise.
EatHoward Smith Wharves Riverside dining

Day before the race

Thursday 1 July

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingLone Pine Koala Sanctuary Half day · Family
Cuddle a koala.
EatEat Street Northshore Container food market

Race day

Friday 2 July

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointSurfers Paradise.
EatHoward Smith Wharves Riverside dining

Recovery day

Monday 5 July

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Free ideaKangaroo Point cliffs.
Rain or heat backupGOMA.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Gold Coast theme parks

Movie World and Dreamworld.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Moreton Island day trip

Dolphins and sand dunes.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Cuddle a koala.

See times and prices

Queensland Museum.
Streets Beach.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Gold Coast theme parks

Movie World and Dreamworld.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Moreton Island day trip

Dolphins and sand dunes.

See times and prices

After dark

Fortitude Valley.

4 tours worth booking for Gold Coast Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Gold Coast theme parks	Full day	Families
Moreton Island day trip	Full day	Families
River cruise	Half day	Tired legs
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Eat Street Northshore Container food market
Howard Smith Wharves Riverside dining

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

GOMA.

Getting around on event days

Go card or contactless on trains, buses and CityCat ferries.
Tap on with a contactless card on trains, trams, buses and ferries in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Uber, DiDi and taxis are easy; distances outside the centres are long.

Day trips from Brisbane

Gold Coast: 1 hour
Sunshine Coast: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Gold Coast Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Gold Coast Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 2 to 4 July 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Southport and the Gold Coast highway, an hour south of Brisbane?

Brisbane airport (BNE) has the Airtrain to the city in 20 minutes. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Where should I stay for Gold Coast Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is South Bank: Parklands and the river.

What else can we do around Gold Coast Marathon?

Good short outings in Brisbane include Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, River cruise. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Gold Coast Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Gold Coast theme parks, Moreton Island day trip. Queensland Museum.

How far is Southport and the Gold Coast highway, an hour south of Brisbane from Brisbane centre?

About 68 km in a straight line. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

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