Gold Coast (PG City)

The Flight Experience The Gold Coast offers arguably the most iconic skyline in the Southern Hemisphere for VFR flying. It is a linear city that hugs the coastline, creating a massive wall of glass skyscrapers rising directly from the white sand beaches.

The primary hub, Gold Coast Airport (YBCG)—formerly Coolangatta—provides a unique challenge. It sits right on the New South Wales/Queensland border. The approach is visually spectacular: you fly past the entire length of the high-rise strip before turning base over the surf at Currumbin to land. The contrast between the brilliant blue ocean, the white sand, and the dense urban photogrammetry is world-class.

Visual Highlights

• Q1 Tower: The tallest building in Australia (and the Southern Hemisphere's tallest residential tower) is unmistakable. Its spire shape stands head and shoulders above the Surfers Paradise cluster, acting as the ultimate VFR needle.

• The Spit & Sea World: At the northern end of the strip, the sandy peninsula of "The Spit" is a clear boundary marker. You can spot the Sea World theme park and the distinct marina layouts.

• Jewel (The Three Crystals): These three faceted glass towers in Broadbeach are a newer addition to the skyline. Their unique angular geometry reflects the sunlight brilliantly in the sim.

• The Hinterland: Just a few miles west, the flat coastal plain slams into the steep green wall of the Lamington National Park and Mount Tamborine. This sudden elevation change creates a stunning green backdrop to the concrete city.

• Burleigh Headland: A distinct, green basalt headland that interrupts the endless stretch of beach. It serves as a perfect visual reporting point for pilots transiting coastal airspace.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "Coastal Corridor." This is a busy VFR lane that runs just offshore at 500ft or 1,000ft. You will be sharing the air with sightseeing helicopters, banner-towing aircraft, and recreational flyers. The goal is to fly the entire length of the strip from The Spit down to Point Danger, keeping the skyscrapers off your right wingtip while dodging the airspace steps of the international airport.