Refrigerated Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything we get asked about temperature-controlled transport — temperatures, timings, pallet limits, how to book, and what we can and can't carry. Answers from 25+ years of doing nothing but refrigerated freight.
If your question isn't here, call 07 5556 0300 and ask us directly.
What areas do you deliver to?
We service South East Queensland locally from our Gold Coast base, and run weekly linehaul to New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, plus Perth Metro. Full detail is on our Coverage Areas page. If your location isn't listed, call us — we may still be able to help.
Do you offer same-day refrigerated delivery?
Yes, across South East Queensland. Same-day and urgent work is handled by our own fleet, so it depends on vehicle availability and where you are on the day. Call 07 5556 0300 and we'll tell you immediately whether we can make it.
How often do your interstate services run?
Weekly, on a set schedule, connecting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. We'll confirm the departure day and cutoff time when you book. If your freight can't wait for the next departure, ask about airfreight instead.
What are your cutoff times?
There are two, depending on where your freight is going.
Interstate (linehaul to NSW, VIC, SA and WA): email your booking to us before 11:00am AEDT the business day before your despatch date.
Local Queensland: email your booking before 1:00pm AEST the business day before your pickup or delivery date.
The interstate cutoff runs on AEDT because most of that freight moves with clients and carriers in the southern states. Queensland stays on AEST year-round.
If you've already missed a cutoff, call 07 5556 0300 anyway — we'll tell you straight away whether we can still fit it in rather than leaving you guessing.
How long does interstate freight take?
It depends on the lane, the temperature, and whether we're collecting from you or you're delivering into our depot.
The pattern is: we collect from you one day, the freight goes on linehaul the next, and once it reaches the destination depot it's delivered on the next scheduled delivery day for that region.
Do you deliver to residential addresses?
Yes. We can deliver to residential addresses with either sign-on-glass proof of delivery, or an authority-to-leave arrangement if nobody will be home. Tell us which you need when you book.
Do you deliver on weekends?
Saturday and Sunday deliveries are available by arrangement rather than as a standard service. Call us for a quote and we'll work out whether we can cover your run.
Temperature & handling
What temperatures do you transport at?
Chilled at 0–5°C and frozen at −15°C and below. Those are our two standard ranges and they cover the large majority of what we move.
What if my product needs a different temperature range?
Call us and tell us the requirement. We'll give you an honest answer about whether we can meet it. We'd rather turn down a job than take freight we can't handle to your specification.
Can chilled and frozen travel on the same vehicle?
On local last-mile delivery runs, yes — our vehicles carry chilled and frozen goods together.
On interstate linehaul, no. Chilled and frozen move separately on those services, so a consignment containing both needs to be booked as two lots.
How do you keep freight cold during loading and unloading?
Our vehicles are purpose-built refrigerated units, pre-cooled before loading, and our drivers are trained to minimise door-open time. Our Brisbane facility is cabable of storing chilled and frozen goods, so freight moving through cross-dock stays in a controlled environment rather than sitting on an open dock.
Freight types & limits
What's the maximum pallet size you can take?
Up to 1.5 metres high and 900kg per pallet. If your freight exceeds either limit, call us before booking and we'll work out whether it can be split or handled another way.
Do you take single cartons, or is there a minimum?
A single carton is fine — carton freight is one of our six services and runs from one carton up to bulk consignments. Worth knowing that frozen cartons travel interstate on set departure days rather than any weekday, so call us on 07 5556 0300 and we'll confirm what's possible for your lane.
Do you offer hand unload?
Yes, hand unload is available on request for pallet freight. Tell us when you book so we can allow the time and send the right vehicle.
What sort of goods do you carry?
Meat and seafood, fresh produce, dairy, bakery, confectionery, beverages, frozen goods and other temperature-sensitive products. We work with food producers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and hospitality businesses.
Is there anything you won't carry?
Three things: dangerous goods, live animals, and general (non-refrigerated) freight. Temperature-controlled transport is all we do — we'd rather point you to the right operator than take on work we're not set up for.
Booking & accounts
How do I get a quote?
Call 07 5556 0300 (Mon–Fri, 7:00am–4:30pm), email sales@coolcouriers.com, or use the form on our contact page. Tell us the origin, destination, freight type, temperature requirement, weight or volume, and how often you need it. We usually respond same day.
What do you need from me to book?
Send us all of the following and we can book it without going back and forth:
- Pickup address and delivery address, plus the name of each location
- Customer names and contact details at both ends
- Opening and closing times at both ends
- Quantities
- The temperature the goods need to travel at
- Any reference or order numbers
- Required dates for both pickup and delivery
Email it to sales@coolcouriers.com before the cutoff for your lane.
Do I need an account to use Cool Couriers?
No. You can pay as you go, so there's no account needed for a one-off or occasional job. If you're moving freight regularly it's worth talking to us about setting one up.
How do I track my consignment?
Consignment tracking is available through our Cargo Office customer portal at cool.cargooffice.com.au/tracking.
What are your business hours?
Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 4:30pm. Our office is at 4A/215 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters QLD 4216.
Compliance & food safety
Are you HACCP certified?
Yes. Cool Couriers is HACCP certified, and our vehicles and handling procedures are built to that standard throughout.
How long have you been operating?
Since 2001 — over 25 years moving refrigerated freight. Refrigerated transport is all we do; we don't run general freight alongside it.
Do you provide temperature or delivery documentation?
Yes. Our standard proof of delivery is sign-on-glass, and in most cases that captures the temperature of the goods on receipt. We can also return signed paperwork if you supply it with the consignment. Let us know what you need at the time of booking.
Still got a question?
If we haven't answered it here, call 07 5556 0300 or email sales@coolcouriers.com. You'll get a straight answer from someone who knows the freight — not a call centre.