Eden Retreat in the Currumbin Valley and Gwinganna in the Tallebudgera Valley are both tucked into the hills behind the southern Gold Coast. Getting there is easy once you know a few things. I've stayed at both, so here's what I'd want to know before booking flights.
Eden Retreat transfersGwinganna transfersSee all fares
Which airport should you fly into?
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is the closest, about 30 minutes from Eden and a similar drive to Gwinganna. If you can get a flight there, it's the easy choice.
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) has more flights, especially international ones, but it's 70 to 90 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.
Both retreats, and both airports, run on Queensland time all year, so there's no time-zone juggling.
Pick a flight that fits check-in
| Eden Retreat | Gwinganna | |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in | 2 pm to 4 pm | 2 pm to 4:30 pm, strictly |
| Leaving | Check-out is 10 am. Eden can arrange a later departure for later flights. | Retreats finish at 2 pm on the last day. |
Working back from check-in:
- Into Gold Coast Airport: a domestic flight landing by about 1 pm gives you time for bags and the drive.
- Into Brisbane Airport: aim to land by about midday on a domestic flight, or earlier on an international one to allow for customs.
- Landing earlier? Lunch on the coast is a nice way to fill the gap. Gwinganna is only 15 minutes from Burleigh Heads.
Gwinganna's free shuttle
Gwinganna runs a complimentary transfer from Gold Coast Airport once a day, at 1 pm, for flights landing by midday. It doesn't cover Brisbane Airport, later Gold Coast flights or Flow Retreat guests. If any of those apply to you, book your transfer in advance.
Eden: no phone signal, so book your ride home first
There's no mobile signal at the end of the Currumbin Valley, so you can't order an Uber or taxi from Eden on the day you leave, and a driver can't call you either. Eden itself advises booking your departure in advance. The simplest plan is to book both trips before you arrive.
Coming by car from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast?
Plenty of guests drive down, but after days of slowing down, two hours on the M1 home can undo a lot of good work. A door-to-door transfer from home is an option worth pricing before you decide.
Your transfer options
- Gwinganna's 1 pm shuttle, if your flight and retreat qualify.
- Taxi or Uber on the way in. Remember you can't book one from Eden on the way out.
- A private transfer at a fixed fare, meeting any flight at any time. I meet you inside the terminal with your name on a sign. You can book and pay for Eden or book and pay for Gwinganna online.
Giving a retreat as a gift?
Add the ride with a Gold Coast Private Driver gift card, so getting there is taken care of too.
Details here were checked in November 2026. Check-in times and shuttle arrangements can change, so confirm them with your retreat when you book.
Flying in? See the Gold Coast Airport arrivals guide or the Brisbane Airport guide.
Gold Coast Private Driver is an independent operator and is not affiliated with Eden Retreat or Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.