The Southern Gold Coast is about to boom — here's why
The Gold Coast’s beachfront is on track to become the most connected coastal strip in the country.
The existing light rail system, known locally as the G:LINK, currently runs from Helensvale in the north down to Broadbeach South.
Stage three of the G:LINK will soon extend the line further south to Burleigh Heads, while stage four is set to continue the route all the way to Coolangatta and the Gold Coast Airport—a level of beachfront connectivity that even Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs can’t match.
As a result, suburbs like Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, and Bilinga are expected to become even more desirable than they already are, with improved public transport further boosting their appeal to both buyers and investors.
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting new developments across the southern Gold Coast that will directly benefit from the upcoming G:LINK extensions.
What: ONE Burleigh Heads
Where: 88 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Who: MAYD Group
MAYD Group's ultra-luxury ONE Burleigh development will be the closest to a new light rail stop when it is delivered.
Construction recently commenced on ONE Burleigh, which will be a stone's throw from the Second Avenue stop. It will comprise 16 full-floor apartments when it is completed in summer 2026.
The development will also feature a spa, hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, steam room, and a grand lobby lounge.
Construction is being undertaken by MAYD in partnership with Formplus.
What: Burly Residences
Where: 264-268 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Who: DD Living
One kilometre north of ONE Burleigh is DD Living's Burly Residences, which will be just 300m from the Christine Avenue stop, the stop before Second Avenue.
The 25-level beachfront development offers just over 100 luxury apartments and two full levels of facilities including several swimming pools, a gym with Peloton room, steam room, sauna, yoga and Pilates lounge, a private cinema, barbecue area, casual and formal dining, kitchen, teppanyaki bar, private office, executive lounge and a bar.
Legendary Japanese architect Koichi Takada designed Burly Residences, and the interiors were handled by the equally regarded interior practice, MIM Design, led by design doyenne Miriam Fanning.
Construction firm Gowdie Management Group has started the build phase of the $535 million apartment development on a prime beachfront site at The Esplanade.
What: Villea Palm Beach
Where: 26 Mawarra Street, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Who: Abadeen Group
Abadeen's debut Gold Coast apartment development, Villea, due for completion later this year, will be 650 metres from the proposed Nineteenth Avenue light rail stop at the northern end of Palm Beach.
Villea offers 69 two and three-bedroom north-facing apartments with views over Palm Beach and back to the hinterland.
Villea features resort-style amenities, including a pool, gym, and outdoor BBQ area, all within a short stroll to Palm Beach's pristine shoreline.
The ground-floor precinct features a carefully curated selection of boutique retail spaces, great for grabbing a coffee or picking up local products.
Read more: Abadeen finds untapped Palm Beach pocket for debut Gold Coast apartment development, Villea
What: Pescado
Where: 228–230 Jefferson Lane, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Who: YLB Property Developments
Pescado, one of the most popular developments on the Gold Coast right now because of its DJ developer DJ Fisher, will be 500m from the proposed Elevent Avenue light rail stop when the extension completes.
The $50 million development, on the dress circle Jefferson Lane, is being developed by the Fishers' new development company, YLB Property Developments, and will home just seven ultra-luxury apartments designed by the Fishers and BDA Architecture.
The Fishers, who intend to retain the two-level penthouse, have already appointed Gold Coast construction company HNKN to build Pescado.
Designed with an emphasis on wellness, functionality, and meaningful social spaces, Pescado features a resort-style pool, gym, cold plunge, BBQ, and dining areas, encouraging a balanced lifestyle.
Read more: DJ Fisher launches Pescado, luxury Palm Beach apartment development
What: Pipis Bilinga
Where: 303 Golden Four Drive, Bilinga QLD 4225
Who: Siera Property Group
Pipis is the only off the plan apartment development currently in market in Bilinga.
The soon-to-be-completed building with 19 luxury apartments will be 500 metres from the proposed Boyd Street light rail stop.
Residents of Pipis will have access to a range of private ground-floor amenities, including a 15-metre heated lap pool with a sun lounge deck, a fully equipped gym with rowing, biking, and reformer Pilates facilities, a dog wash station, an outdoor rain-head shower, and direct beachfront access.
Developer SIERA has been working toward the completion of the luxury 11-level Golden Four Drive development. They are anticipating welcoming residents in mid-2025.
They recently released the penthouses atop Pipis, some of the best ever produced in Bilinga.
Read more: PIPIS penthouses turn heads in Bilinga
