Getting around

Getting your bearings

Christine Avenue, Burleigh Street, Reedy Creek Road and Classic Way are useful names to get to know. They’ll come up when you’re finding the shops, schools and local bus stops.

For public transport, put your full address into the Translink journey planner. It gives a much more useful answer than a search starting somewhere in the middle of the suburb. Include the time you need to arrive and check the trip home too.

Local buses & stops

Route 753 runs between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads via Varsity Lakes. Route 756 runs between Broadbeach and West Burleigh via Miami, serving streets within Burleigh Waters.

The 756 also has stops around Dunlin Drive, Auk Avenue and Whistler Drive. Use the current journey planner for departure times, walking directions and any service changes.

Trains & tram connections

Varsity Lakes station is a nearby option for train trips north. Route 753 links Treetops with the station, or you can compare driving, a lift or another bus connection from your street.

For Brisbane, allow for the trip to the station and the journey from your arrival station to wherever you’re going. The train time alone won’t tell you how long the day’s travel will take.

For bus and tram connections along the coast, use Translink’s planner for your destination and travel date. It will show where to change and how much time you have between services.

Gold Coast Airport

The airport’s transport guide lists route 777 via Burleigh Heads and route 760 via Varsity Lakes station and Robina Town Centre. From Burleigh Waters, you may need a local connection to reach them.

Plan for the time you need to be at the terminal, rather than the flight’s departure time. For early flights or late arrivals, check that the connections are running when you need them.

A booked car or a lift may be simpler with children or plenty of luggage. Allow extra time for traffic whichever way you travel.

Driving & parking

Treetops is on Classic Way. Stockland has entrances from West Burleigh Road and Reedy Creek Road. Picking the right entrance can save a detour when you’re finding a particular shop.

If you’re looking at homes, try the drive to work and the school run at the times you’d actually make them. A quiet weekend inspection won’t tell you much about weekday traffic.

For roadworks and incidents, check QLDTraffic, especially before an airport trip or a longer drive on the M1. Check the parking signs when you arrive.

Walking & cycling

For short trips, have a look at the walking or cycling route as well as the drive. Lakes and street layouts can mean the way around is longer than it looks on a map.

Public paths don’t run continuously around every lake. Follow the paths and crossings rather than assuming you can cut through along the waterfront.

The Queensland cycling maps directory links to council route information. Check signs along the way, particularly where a planned route meets a busy road.

Could you manage without a car?

Start with the trips you make most: work, groceries, school and any regular evening plans. Look at the time spent walking and waiting as well as the time on the bus.

Try a few of those trips before committing to a car-free routine. The return journey after dinner or a late shift can be quite different from the one you take during the day.

Common questions