Major Rail Disruptions and Flash Flood Alerts: Your Gold Coast Commute Guide for Valentine's Day

Major Rail Closure: Brisbane to Gold Coast Line

Commuters and weekend travelers should prepare for significant disruptions this Saturday, 14 February 2026. A major track closure is in effect on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines from late Friday night through to the end of service on Sunday. Rail replacement buses will be operating between Varsity Lakes and Boggo Road stations. Those planning to travel to Brisbane for events like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Suncorp Stadium are advised to allow at least an extra 60 to 90 minutes for their journey. Please check the Translink journey planner for specific bus departure times and stop locations.

Weather Alert: Flash Flooding Risk

The City of Gold Coast has issued a 'Prepare Now' alert following forecasts of intense rainfall scheduled to continue through the weekend. Residents are warned of potential flash flooding in urban and low-lying areas. Motorists should be extremely cautious on the roads, particularly in areas prone to rapid runoff. If you encounter a flooded road, remember the golden rule: if it’s flooded, forget it. Check the local Disaster and Emergency Dashboard for real-time updates on any sudden road closures caused by rising water levels.

Roadworks and Light Rail Construction

Major infrastructure projects continue to affect traffic flow along the central and southern coast. On the Gold Coast Highway, Stage 3 Light Rail construction remains active through Miami and Burleigh Heads. While some northern sections of the project are nearing completion, motorists will still encounter narrowed lanes and a 40km/h speed limit between Nobby Beach and the Burleigh Heads headland. In particular, the Gold Coast Highway service road at Nobby Beach remains restricted due to ongoing utility upgrades. On the M1 Pacific Motorway, the widening project between Varsity Lakes and Tugun is nearing its final operational phases, but intermittent lane closures and speed restrictions of 80km/h are still in place near the Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek bridges.

Valentine's Day Event Congestion

Expect heavy localized traffic from 5:00 PM onwards near major dining and entertainment precincts. High congestion is anticipated in Broadbeach near Hooker Boulevard due to Valentine's events at Dracula’s Cabaret, and in Southport around the Nerang River dining hub. Bundall is also expected to be busy with racegoers and diners at the Gold Coast Turf Club. With the rail network down, more vehicles are expected on the road, so consider carpooling or using local G:link tram services, which are operating on a normal weekend schedule and remain unaffected by the heavy rail closures.