Actor Johnny Depp has returned to the Gold Coast with his wife Amber Heard ahead of a court hearing relating to the illegal importation of the couple's dogs into Australia last year.

The ABC has confirmed the couple flew into Coolangatta Airport on Sunday morning, which was earlier than expected and meant they avoided media scrutiny.

No photos were taken of their arrival and it is not known where they are staying.

Heard is accused of illegally bringing her two Yorkshire terriers Boo and Pistol into the country on a private jet when she visited Depp while he was filming the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie on the Gold Coast last May.

There has been media speculation that Depp will be a witness in the four-day hearing, however the names of witnesses have not been revealed.

In December last year, documents petitioning for an April court date were sealed by the court after a request by Heard's lawyer.

Twelve witnesses are listed to give evidence and Heard is required to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court hearing.

Heard is facing two charges of illegal importation of an animal and one count of producing a false document.

Magistrate Joan White showed her amusement last year when she read the letter requesting discretion over the witness list.

"They don't want to be disruptive to the court," she said.