On 25 March 2025, the Queensland Government announced its commitment to deliver The Wave, which includes a passenger rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya. This service will integrate with a metro-style connection to the Sunshine Coast Airport, via the Maroochydore CBD.

This seamless public transport connection was unveiled as part of the Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan, which focuses on infrastructure for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

Once operational, The Wave (Rail), will provide the fastest and most reliable way for Sunshine Coast residents to travel to Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond, saving passengers over 45 minutes compared to driving in peak times.

This new rail line will tie into the existing North Coast Line, north of Beerwah station. Trains operating on the The Wave will continue to Moreton Bay, the Brisbane CBD and beyond.

Passengers travelling from Brisbane and Moreton Bay will also be able to access more frequent services to the Sunshine Coast via The Wave, with Caloundra station only 7 stations north of Caboolture station.

Stage 1 includes:

• delivery of a new dual-track rail line (and associated infrastructure, including 1 upgraded and 2 new stations) from Beerwah to Caloundra
• planning, design and market engagement to confirm delivery costs and timeframes to deliver the rail line to Birtinya
• protection of the revised alignment.

Stage 2 includes:

• delivery of an additional 7km dual-track rail line (and associated infrastructure, including 2 new stations and approximately 1km tunnel) from Caloundra to Birtinya.

An enhanced bus network will also be included in delivery of The Wave, to provide communities around the Sunshine Coast with convenient and reliable connections to their nearest station, along with new active travel options, meaning people can also choose to walk or ride to their nearest station.

Pre-delivery activities are now underway.

Stage 1 is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian governments.

The Queensland Government has committed $2.75 billion in funding to deliver Stage 1 (Beerwah to Caloundra). The Australian Government has committed $2.75 billion.

Stage 1 (as detailed above) is expected to cost between $5.5 billion and $7 billion. The funding envelope takes into consideration learnings from local and international mega-projects, which state that cost estimates for a project of this size and scale cannot be confirmed until further detailed investigations and industry engagement activities are undertaken, following completion of the business case.

Stage 2 between Caloundra and Birtinya is subject to funding approval.

The business case was completed in December 2023.