Laneway Festival and Tugun Bypass Closures to Impact Saturday Travel

Major Traffic Alert: Laneway Festival at Southport

Gold Coast residents and visitors should prepare for significant congestion in the Southport area today, Saturday, 7 February 2026, as the city hosts the Laneway Festival at Southport Sharks. With thousands of festival-goers expected between 12:00 PM and 10:00 PM, major arteries including the Smith Street Motorway, Olsen Avenue, and Musgrave Avenue will experience heavy delays. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the immediate vicinity of Musgrave Avenue unless necessary. There is no dedicated festival parking on-site, and illegal parking in residential streets will be strictly monitored.

Roadworks and Planned Closures

Commuters heading to the southern Gold Coast should be aware of a major closure at the Tugun Bypass. Roadworks at Exit 95 (Tugun Currumbin Road to the Gold Coast Highway) have resulted in a total road closure to all traffic. Detours are in place, but motorists are advised to allow at least 20 extra minutes for travel toward the airport and NSW border. Additionally, a section of the Gold Coast Highway service road at Nobby Beach remains closed due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades. Traffic on the main highway corridor is unaffected but local access is restricted.

Light Rail Stage 3 and M1 Motorway Upgrades

Construction activity for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 continues to impact the central coastline. While major works have shifted toward the testing and commissioning phase in the northern section, motorists traveling through Miami and Burleigh Heads will still encounter speed restrictions and intermittent lane closures. On the M1 Pacific Motorway, the widening project between Varsity Lakes and Tugun is resulting in changed traffic conditions and narrowed lanes. Please maintain the posted 80km/h or 60km/h speed limits through these construction zones for the safety of workers and fellow drivers.

Public Transport and Bus Stop Updates

Public transport is the highly recommended travel method for today. To accommodate the Laneway Festival, Translink and G:link have confirmed extra light rail services will operate between Griffith University station and Helensvale until late tonight. However, those using the bus network should note several permanent stop closures on the Gold Coast Highway due to light rail construction:

• Miami: The stop at Hythe Street is closed; passengers should use the temporary stop at Riviera Road.
• Burleigh Heads: Stops at Second Avenue and Third Avenue are closed until April 2026. Alternative boarding is available at the Burleigh Heads Primary School stop.
• Night Works: Be aware that the Anzac Parade stop at Burleigh Heads will commence overnight closures starting tomorrow evening, but access remains open today.

Travel Advice for Commuters

If you are traveling north to south today, consider using the M1 over the Gold Coast Highway to avoid construction zones. For those attending the festival in Southport, the light rail is the most efficient option to avoid gridlock on the Smith Street Motorway. Always check the latest real-time data before departing as Saturday afternoon beach traffic often compounds existing roadwork delays.