Bus Service

Hillcrest offers an extensive bus service for students travelling to and from our College each day. We have our own fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses which are all equipped with three-point seat belts and installed with event cameras for safety along with RollCall App service. Included in our fleet is the very first electric school bus in Australia.

Our Bus Services uses RollCall School bus management system. RollCall keeps parents and the College informed and alerted about children’s intended and actual bus trips with real-time tracking. The system uses ‘smart tags/cards’ with advanced device-bus tracking technology to give parents and the College full visibility of students travelling on our buses.

BUS PASSES 2025

We have three types of Bus Passes available for students. 

• Casual Bus Travel PAYG - $9.50 per trip
• Student 5 Trip Pass – $220 Per Term. This enables students to use the bus up to 5 trips a week, either in the Morning’s / Afternoon’s or a combination of both. (*Family Pass $440). 
• Student Unlimited Pass - $165 Per Term (at the special 50% discount rate). This enables students to utilise the bus as often as required. (Family Pass $330 - at the special 50% discount rate).

Bus Routes

We have eight bus routes which are shown in the maps below and indicate major stops, as well as the approximate times for these stops. Each route has an AM and a PM map as they can be slightly different. Our routes are subject to some infrequent changes which will be communicated to parents.

1. Bus Route 1 - (Burleigh, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Tweed Heads)
2. Bus Route 2 - (Currumbin Waters, Elanora, Tallebudgera)
3. Bus Route 3 - (Reedy Creek, The Observatory, Bonogin, Tallai, Worongary, Gilston)
4. Bus Route 4 - (Robina, Mermaid Waters, Burleigh Waters, Miami & Varsity Lakes)
5. Bus Route 5 - (Carrara, Southport, Benowa, Biggera Waters, Runaway Bay, Robina Town Centre)
6. Bus Route 6 - (Mudgeeraba, Nerang, Worongary, Highland Park)
7. Bus Route 7 - (Kingscliff (express), Casuarina Beach, South Tweed Heads, Banora Point)
8. Bus Route 8 - (Runaway Bay, Hope Island, Helensvale, Pacific Pines and Arundel)

Free Morning Transport to Hillcrest:

• Firth Park - 7:15am and 8:00am 
• Varsity Station - 7:30am and 8:00am

Free Afternoon Transport from Hillcrest: 

• Observatory Drive loop - College departure time 3:32pm
• Firth Park - College departure time 3:10pm
• Varsity Station - College departure time 3:10pm

Afternoon Departure Locations

All afternoon buses will now leave from both sides of Bridgman Drive. 

The ‘Southern Side’ (Top Pick-Up Area) and ‘Northern Side’ (located in the new bus zone running down Bridgman Drive). 

JLC Prep – Year 2

Students will be walked to the bus departure areas by the staff member on duty. Access to the northern side buses will only be via the School Crossing Supervisor on Bridgman Drive.

Regular Bus Routes (College departure time 3:08pm)
Southern Side Position 1: Bus 2
Southern Side Position 2: Bus 3
Southern Side Position 3: Bus 6
Northern Side Position 1: Bus 1
Northern Side Position 2: Bus 4
Northern Side Position 3: Bus 5
Northern Side Position 4: Bus 7
Northern Side Position 5: Bus 8

Varsity Station Free Shuttle and Firth Park Free Shuttle (College arrival time 3:08pm - College departure time 3:10pm)
Northern Side Position 4: Varsity Station Free Shuttle
Northern Side Position 5: Firth Park Free Shuttle

NOTE: To reduce pedestrian congestion in the top pick up, students for these routes are to wait in the courtyard outside of the Resource Centre until 3:05pm.

Observatory Drive Free Shuttle (College arrival time 3:30 pm - College departure time 3:32pm)
Southern Side Position 1: Observatory Drive

NOTE: To reduce the supervision requirements on staff on duty in the top pick up,
Students for this route are to wait in the Resource Centre until 3:25pm.