More than 5,000 of the world’s best elite, Paralympic and age-group stars spanning 46 nations will be heading to Queensland for the final race of the season.

Action will take place at Southport Broadwater Parklands between September 12 and 16 next year. 

The venue also hosted the 2009 World Championships and is due to showcase triathlon at the 2018 Commonwealth Games five months earlier.

"The Gold Coast has been a great date on ITU’s calendar for many years and we are extremely proud that Australia will host the Grand Final next season," said ITU President Marisol Casado.

"The city provides an unforgettable landscape for welcoming not only the elite triathletes, but also thousands of age-groupers, and with the total support of the city and the great experience of the local Organising Committee, I am confident that it will be a really successful event."

Gold Coast's hosting is being billed as the culmination of a four year strategy between Tourism Events Queensland, the City of Gold Coast and IRONMAN Oceania.

It is hoped that the event will attract over 17,000 visitors, giving Queensland "significant global exposure and providing a major boost for the profile triathlon in Australia".

“Hosting thousands of athletes and spectators for this global triathlon event on the Gold Coast reinforces Queensland’s standing as the home of triathlon in Australia,” said Australia's Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate added that it is a "win for our local triathlon community, our local economy and proof that the Gold Coast’s reputation as a world class sports hub is thriving".

The ITU Grand Final "baton" will be handed over to Gold Coast at the end of this year's event in Rotterdam on September 11.