Traffic Area & Parking Permit Scheme

The City has had a Traffic Area and Parking Permit Scheme in place for almost 20 years. A number of new Traffic Areas were implemented before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, resulting in 9 areas currently being in place.

Traffic Areas

Traffic Areas are geographical areas with time-limited parking. Parking measures apply on every street within the Traffic Area. Signs show where Traffic Areas start and end and describe the time limits that apply.

Not all streets within a Traffic Area are signed. You are responsible for checking whether you are parking within a Traffic Area and complying with its parking restrictions. If you park for longer than the time limits allow, you may be fined.

You cannot move your car to a different spot within this timed parking Traffic Area and continue to park there.

If you do not move your car entirely out of the timed parking area after the designated time limit has expired, you may be subject to a parking fine.

For more information see the Parking rules section of our Safe & legal parking page.

Parking permits are available for eligible motorists who regularly park within a Traffic Area. For more information please visit Parking permits.

The days and hours of the operation for these Traffic Areas vary depending on their function and the area's parking demands. See the table below for a summary of Traffic Areas. Click on the links in the table for more information.

Traffic area parking restrictions

The following parking regulations apply in the times and days stated (except as signed).

Area Parking regulations days/times maximum time limit
Southport Traffic Area 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 2 hours
Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 2 hours
Central Traffic Area
- Broadbeach parking
- Mermaid Beach parking
- Surfers Paradise parking
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 3 hours
Southern Traffic Area
- Bilinga parking
9am to 5pm Monday to Sunday 4 hours
Bundall/Chevron Island Traffic Area 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 3 hours
Varsity Lakes Traffic Area 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday 2 hours
Main Beach Traffic Area (events only) During events 2 hours
Robina Stadium Traffic Area (Cbus Super Stadium events only) During events 2 minutes
Carrara Stadium Traffic Area (People First Stadium events only) During events 2 minutes