Everything you need to plan your stay for the 2026 ACTS Conference, from our event locations, accommodation options (and discounts) and sustainable transport, is detailed below.
Accommodation:
We have secured accommodation options for conference delegates across a range of price points, with locations chosen to make it easy to travel to Griffith University and to the Green Gown Awards at HOTA. We have also reviewed sustainability information for each property to help delegates choose options aligned with the values of the conference.
Transport:
Griffith University Gold Coast and HOTA are both well connected by public transport, making it easy to travel between accommodation, the conference venue and the awards venue without needing a car. Griffith notes that the Gold Coast campus is accessible by car, bus and tram, and the Gold Coast’s light rail and bus network links key visitor precincts including Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Getting to Griffith University Gold Coast (1 Parklands Dr, Southport)
Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus is easily reached by public transport. The university highlights direct access by bus and tram, and notes that two Gold Coast light rail stations sit adjacent to the campus. Delegates can plan their journey using Translink network. Currently, all public transport fares are 50 cents!
Arrive at ‘Gold Coast University Hospital station’ for best access to the conference.
Griffith also recommends its campus maps and Griffith App for navigation once on site.
Getting to the HOTA, Home of the Arts (135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise)
The Green Gown Awards Australasia gala dinner will be held at HOTA, one of the Gold Coast’s most recognisable cultural destinations. Located in Surfers Paradise, HOTA offers a distinctive setting for the awards and is connected to the wider city via Translink’s bus, train and tram network. For delegates staying near the G:link corridor, one easy option is to travel to Surfers Paradise and walk across Chevron Island via the Green Bridge (approx. 20 minutes).
Travel Tips:
Reduce Your Impact
We encourage delegates to consider the environmental impact of their travel when planning their trip to the ACTS Conference and Green Gown Awards Australasia. Air travel is often the most emissions-intensive part of attending an event, so we recommend offsetting your flight emissions through a reputable carbon offset provider and choosing direct flights where possible.
Once you arrive on the Gold Coast, we recommend using public transport to travel between the airport, your accommodation, Griffith University and HOTA. The Gold Coast’s light rail and bus network makes it easy to get around without hiring a car, helping to reduce both emissions and congestion during conference week.
For the easiest low-emissions option, consider staying close to the G light rail corridor. Accommodation near stations in Southport, Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach can make it much simpler to travel to and from conference events using public transport.
You can also reduce your impact by travelling light, bringing a reusable water bottle or coffee cup, and making the most of opportunities to walk when distances are short. Small choices can make a meaningful difference when taken across the whole event community.
Airport Transfers
Gold Coast Airport offers public bus connections, including Route 777 to Broadbeach South tram station, where delegates can connect to the G:link for travel north along the coast.
If you are flying into Brisbane Airport, the easiest public transport option is to catch the Airtrain and continue south to the Gold Coast. For Surfers Paradise and other beachside areas, transfer to the G light rail at Helensvale Station.
Shared Transport at Griffith
Griffith University notes that the Gold Coast campus supports walking and cycling, with end-of-trip facilities including bike racks and showers. They also recommend a number of shared transport options here.
