A quick-thinking service station attendant has locked herself in an office and called police after being confronted by a robber on the Gold Coast.

Police say a man went into the toilets at the shop about 7.40pm on Friday night before coming out with a T-shirt wrapped around his face.

He allegedly yelled at her, but she locked herself in the adjoining office and called triple zero.

Police then came and arrested the man, who was still pacing inside the store.

The 45-year old Varsity Lakes man was charged with attempted robbery, stealing, possessing tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property of having acquired and failing to take reasonable care to dispose of syringe.

The attendant was not physically injured in the incident.

He is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

AAP