GC2018 ahead of schedule: Beattie

Organisers of the 2018 Commonwealth Games say they've learned the lessons from the Rio Olympics and are ahead of schedule to stage a smooth and slick event on the Gold Coast.

Fresh from security and construction dramas in Rio last month, GC2018 chairman Peter Beattie says Gold Coast organisers have an "armageddon strategy".

"You look at the worst thing that can go wrong and plan for it," the former Queensland premier told the Seven Network.

Mr Beattie promised the venues were well ahead of time, and also on budget.

"So we'll have opportunities for Queenslanders to test them out before the games as well as the athletes themselves," he said.

Tickets will go on sale from April 2017 - 12 months before the Gold Coast Games start.

Empty seats were a major issue at Rio, according to Mr Beattie, but he was encouraged by the huge turnout in Brisbane on Friday to welcome home Queensland's Rio Olympians.

The group of 60 athletes - including flag-bearer Anna Meares, swim star Emma McKeon and kayaker Ken Wallace - lapped up the adulation from thousands of fans.

Australia's rugby sevens starlets were particularly popular with the crowd.

Co-captain Shannon Parry and playmaker Charlotte Caslick were presented with the keys to the city by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk following a midday parade through the CBD.

"It's been amazing, the reception from Brisbane has been incredible," Caslick told AAP.

Swimming sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell thanked the crowd for their support and said how excited they were for the Commonwealth Games.

"Today has been spectacular, I really didn't expect this many people turning up," Bronte said.