[2][3] A branch line to Tweed Heads, New South Wales was opened on 10 August 1903 with the running of an excursion train.

The final section to be duplicated was between Coomera and Helensvale stations, with work completed in late 2017, and the new track operational in 2018.

During events at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Gold Coast and Brisbane Airport trains will make a stop at Banoon station.

[8] The South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program of the Bligh Labor government included a proposal to extend the line to the Coolangatta Airport terminal, which was included in the Labor government's "Connecting SEQ2031" infrastructure plan.

As part of the Cross River Rail project, three new stations are currently under construction on the existing line, at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.

[12] four other ones are planned at Tallebudgera, Elanora, Tugun and Gold Coast Airport, as part of a proposal to extend the line from Varsity Lakes.

[13] The Cross River Rail project will allow trains to run every five minutes during peak periods.

The typical travel time between Varsity Lakes and Brisbane City is approximately 79 minutes (to Central).

[18] Problems were caused by a number of factors, including signal failure and severe weather conditions.