Australia shares 0.2 percent lower, Transurban in play

(Adds comment, stocks on the move)

WELLINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares drifted 0.2 percent lower on Thursday, with toll-road operator Transurban Group <TCL.AX> stealing the show, surging as much as 20 percent after it revealed a takeover approach.

Major sectors such as banks and miners saw mixed fortunes as the market continues its broad consolidation after posting strong gains between March and October.

"A bit of a wishy-washy start to the day...," said Austock group senior client adviser Michael Heffernan.

Later, Transurban shares took off after it revealed that two Canadian pension funds had made a buy-out approach. It rejected the approach but left the door open to further talks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index <.AXJO> fell 10.9 points to 4,529.2 at 0025 GMT. It had gained 0.2 percent on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index <.NZ50> was 0.3 percent weaker at 3,158.7.

Gold miners Lihir Gold <LGL.AX> and Newcrest Mining <NCM.AX> extended Wednesday's gains after gold [GOL/] hit another record high, rising above $1,095 an ounce as the U.S. dollar fell.

Both stocks were up close to 2 percent by 2330 GMT, with Lihir at A$3.37 and Newcrest at A$35.03. Global heavyweights BHP Billion <BHP.AX> fell 0.3 percent to A$36.83 while Rio Tinto <RIO.AX> was flat at A$63.43.

Banks were generally firmer with the exception of ANZ <ANZ.AX>, which fell 2.2 percent after going ex-dividend.

STOCKS ON THE MOVE

* Toll-road operator Transurban <TCL.AX> shares were up 19 percent at A$5.22 after news of the buy-out approach. [ID:nSYU008998]

0025 GMT

* Shares in department store Myer Holdings <MYR.AX> rose as much as 2.3 percent to A$3.90 after it said first quarter sales grew 5.2 percent and it was on track to meet its full-year forecast. [ID:nSYU008997]

2340 GMT

* Fellow department store David Jones saw its stock fall 2.6 percent to A$5.29 in after it said first quarter sales rose 2.2 percent but it was too early to provide updated guidance. [ID:nSYU008996]

2320 GMT

* Shares in mining contractor Leighton Holdings <LEI.AX> gained 2 percent in early trade to A$34.65 after it reported a 10 percent jump in first quarter revenue and maintained its full year profit forecast. [ID:nSYU008995]

2315 GMT (Reporting by Adrian Bathgate; Editing by Mark Bendeich)