If you’re looking to discover this beautiful region in your own way and at your own pace, renting a car is a great way to have the freedom to plot your own journeys. With your own car you can choose when and where you’d like to go, plus it gives you the freedom to explore some of the areas that are outside the ‘tourist circuit’ so to speak.
Car hire on the Gold Coast is available from various locations including Surfers Paradise and at the Gold Coast Airport, although generally, it is best to book in advance to secure the vehicle to suit your requirements and get the best rates.
Car hire at Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) is serviced by most of the leading companies including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, and Europcar. Most of these companies will also have offices in Surfers Paradise and also at Brisbane Airport should you want to pick up from one airport and drop off at the other, or even other depots in other cities.
Vehicle Options
Vehicle options range from small hatch (i.e. Toyota Corolla), small sedan (i.e. Holden Astra), Large sedans (i.e. Holden Commodore), station wagons, people movers (i.e. Toyota Tarago) and 4WD’s (i.e. Nissan Patrol/Toyota Landcruiser). Select companies offer sports and luxuries cars and for these, you should book in advance due to the limited number available. Some vehicles may have a satellite navigation option and most will come with region maps.
Company Policies
Most reputable companies have simple fuel policies, meaning they give it to you full and it’s in your interest to return it the same way or expect to get charged extra. Likewise, most of the major firms offer unlimited mileage but you should check this fact, another point to check is the fees involved should there be an accident or vehicle theft.
Local Road Rules
As for driving, road rules in Queensland are similar to other Australian states, although, there are some differences and a booklet on QLD road rules can be downloaded from the state governments transport department here.
International visitors can also find information on driving in Queensland with a foreign or an international license here.
The Top Car Rental agencies on the Gold Coast
All of these companies offer online rate search for price comparison.
Company | Location | Vehicles | Airport P/UP and Drop Off |
---|---|---|---|
Budget | Gold Coast Airport | small hatch, medium sedan, SUV | YES |
Avis | Gold Coast Airport | small, medium, station wagon, SUV, 4WD, luxury | YES |
Hertz | Gold Coast Airport | small, medium, station wagon, SUV, 4WD, luxury, ute, light truck, sports car | YES |
Europcar | Gold Coast Airport | small hatch, sedan, SUV, luxury, sports car | YES |
Thrifty | Gold Coast Airport | small, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUV, 4WD, luxury, light trucks | YES |
Redspot | Gold Coast Airport | small hatch, sedan, SUV, people mover (Hiace), luxury, sports car | YES |
Family Car Rentals | Burleigh Heads | small, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUV | YES |
Bargain Car Rentals | Tweed Heads | small, medium, SUV | YES |
Daves Car Rental | Surfers Paradise | small, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUV | YES |
ACE Rental Cars | Currumbin Waters | small, medium, family, people mover, station wagon, SUV | YES |
Rent a Bomb | Currumbin Waters | small sedans, hatch, station wagon, Tarago |