Secure Hotshot, Hotshot and Express Freight, Australia-wide

When it can’t wait and can’t be left unattended, Depth Logistics runs it direct. We provide Australia-wide hotshot freight, a national express courier service and secure hotshot freight for Defence, firearms, dangerous goods, high-value and sensitive cargo. We run 24/7, 365 days, from our bases at Coolangatta (HQ), Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin, and deliver anywhere in Australia, on time, on budget, safely and securely.

24/7, 365 days, with a same-day response. Call 07 3054 4670.

Three levels of urgent service, 24/7, 365 days

Hotshot: dedicated, direct, 24/7

One vehicle, loaded for your job only and driven direct from pick-up to delivery, with no depot transfers and no consolidation with other freight. Use it for time-critical parts, equipment and freight, locally or as an interstate hotshot anywhere in Australia. Available 24/7, 365 days.

Express: same-day, booked any time

Our national express courier service for urgent documents, parts and small freight in light vehicles such as utes and secure vans. Book it any time, day or night, for same-day delivery. Available 24/7, 365 days.

Secure Hotshot: high-security express delivery, 24/7

Our high-security hotshot for cargo that must stay under control from pick-up to delivery: Defence materiel, classified and security-sensitive items, ITAR-controlled items, firearms and ammunition, explosives and dangerous goods, and high-value and sensitive cargo. Available 24/7, 365 days. Every Secure Hotshot run includes:

• Security-cleared drivers
• A GPS-tracked secure vehicle, with a secure link from our GPS platform so you can monitor it in real time for the whole journey
• Chain-of-custody delivery, from collection to signed handover
• Tamper-evident packaging and processes
• Two-up drivers on long runs, so the cargo keeps moving and is never left alone
• Our own security escort car where the cargo needs one, keeping line of sight on the vehicle carrying your cargo

Why Depth for secure hotshot and Defence hotshot work

• ITAR compliant
• Member of the Transport Asset Protection Association (TAPA)
• Approved Intermediate Consignee (Department of Defence), approved to transport treaty articles under the Australia-US Defence Treaty, and Accredited Air Cargo Agent (Department of Home Affairs)
• Licensed to transport explosives by road, with dangerous goods transport qualifications, for DG hotshot runs
• All of our drivers hold MSIC cards; most hold Department of Defence security clearances, DCAC cards and Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC)
• Depth Defence Logistics Centres (2DLCs) that comply with Class C Facility Security Standards, with TAPA and SCEC approved safes for items needing extra security
• A team of experienced civilians and Australian Defence Force veterans

Australia-wide hotshot freight from Coolangatta, Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin

Our hotshot, express and secure hotshot service is national. With bases at Coolangatta (HQ), Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin, we cover the Brisbane–Townsville–Darwin corridor end to end and run interstate hotshots to anywhere in Australia.

Secure hotshot freight Brisbane

From our Brisbane Depth Defence Logistics Centre at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008, we run hotshot, express and secure hotshot freight across Brisbane and South East Queensland, to the Brisbane wharves and Brisbane Airport, and interstate. Call 07 3054 4670.

Secure hotshot freight Darwin

From our Darwin Depth Defence Logistics Centre at 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822, we run hotshot, express and secure hotshot freight across Darwin and the Northern Territory, to Defence bases, the Darwin wharves and Darwin Airport, and interstate to Townsville and Brisbane. Call 08 8911 1216.

Secure hotshot freight Townsville

From our Townsville depot at 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD 4814, we run hotshot, express and secure hotshot freight across Townsville and North Queensland, to Defence bases, the Townsville wharves and Townsville Airport, and interstate to Brisbane and Darwin. Call 07 4401 5611.

Coolangatta (HQ) and the Gold Coast

Our head office at 2/17 Griffith St, Coolangatta QLD 4225 coordinates national hotshot, express and secure hotshot work, including runs to and from Gold Coast Airport. Call 07 3054 4670.

What we carry on hotshot and express runs

• Defence hotshot: Defence materiel to and from bases, ports, airports and our 2DLCs, including classified and security-sensitive items, moved by security-cleared drivers (MSIC, ASIC and Australian Department of Defence security clearances) with chain-of-custody delivery, in line with Defence security requirements. See Depth Defence Logistics Centres and Remote Defence Logistics.
• Firearms courier: firearms and ammunition, handled by a team that includes former competitive shooters and ex-Defence personnel. Secure road transport of firearms, weapons and controlled items, with security-cleared drivers, chain-of-custody delivery, GPS-tracked vehicles and tamper-evident packaging, in line with the relevant state and territory requirements. See Firearms Transportation.
• ITAR-controlled cargo: aircraft components and other controlled items in secure vehicles. See ITAR.
• DG hotshot: dangerous goods and explosives by road, under our explosive transport licence. See Dangerous Goods Transport.
• High-value courier: time-critical parts, documents and small freight that can’t wait for a scheduled linehaul.
• Port and airport runs: wharf collections (our drivers are MSIC-carded and inducted at major wharves) and urgent links to flights.
• Heavy and oversize loads: for loads too big for a hotshot run, see our heavy haulage and oversize transport service.

Airport hotshots and air cargo transport

We collect and deliver air cargo by road at airline cargo terminals and freight depots at Gold Coast (Coolangatta), Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and Darwin airports, and we can link urgent freight to a flight with a hotshot run. Our Townsville team services Cairns Airport. Depth is an Accredited Air Cargo Agent and many of our team hold Australian airport security clearances. For air freight itself, see Airfreight.

How to book

1. Call our 24-hour line on 07 3054 4670, any time, 24/7, 365 days, or use Request a quote.
2. Tell us the pick-up, delivery point and deadline, the size and weight, and whether the cargo is dangerous goods, firearms, Defence or high-value.
3. We confirm the service (Hotshot, Express or Secure Hotshot) and quote, then dispatch a dedicated vehicle and driver.

Frequently asked questions