An expansion to Gold Coast Airport’s domestic departure lounge has opened, just in time for the winter school holidays, marking a major milestone in the terminal’s ongoing transformation.  

The $17 million project included the refurbishment of the old international area within the existing terminal, following the shift of international services into the southern end of the terminal with the completion of a $260million terminal expansion in 2022.  

Upgrades include new flooring, improved wayfinding, 70 additional flight information display boards, more than 300 additional seats and 19 new retail, food & beverage outlets with a further 6 to open in coming weeks. 

Further refurbishment works will continue in phases over the coming weeks including the replacement of flooring in the northern end of the terminal and the installation of additional flight information display screens. 

Gold Coast Airport’s latest addition, Beach Shack Bar & Grill, opened its doors this morning. The new restaurant, located at the front of the terminal, is celebrating its grand opening by hosting "Sunset Sessions” for the next two Thursday and Friday nights, including live music, drink specials and two-for-one tacos.   

Queensland Airports Limited Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said the latest upgrades are starting to bring the existing terminal in line with the international terminal. 

“Over the past 4 years Gold Coast Airport has undergone the largest transformation in its history and these latest works are a continuation of that, with even more upgrades to come,” she said.  

“The area we’ve just opened used to be international screening and departures – by shifting those services to the southern end of the terminal we’ve been able to expand the domestic departure lounge, adding new retailers and food options and more than 300 additional seats.”   

“It’s great we’ve been able to open this new area just in time for one of our peak periods, during the Queensland school holidays – when we’re expecting more than 300,000 passengers to travel through Gold Coast Airport.” 

“We’ve also been able to make accessibility enhancements, including the addition of a new Changing Places facility airside to support travellers with a disability, and their families and carers,” she said. 

New food, beverage and retail outlets include Heinemann Domestic, The Sand Bar, Amcal Express, Schnitz, Merlo, Social Espresso, WH Smith, Artisian Kitchen & Bakery and Paradox. 

Six additional stores are still being fit out – with all upgrades due to be completed by the end of October. 

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