Best things to do on the Gold Coast with Kids

With over 50 kilometres of pristine beaches, a heritage-listed hinterland and action-packed adventure for the little ones (and big ones!), Queensland’s Gold Coast seriously has it all. Throw in a chilled out vibe, more theme parks than you can poke a stick at and delicious foodie fare, there are an incredible amount of things to do at the Gold Coast with kids.

Sure, the Gold Coast boasts some of the best surf in the world (think Surfers Paradise, Burleigh, Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks Beach), but dig deeper and you will find a city that is starting to come of age culturally and artistically.

Jet Ski Safaris Gold Coast

Voted number one thing to do on the Gold Coast on TripAdvisor, Jet Ski Safaris is an experience not to be missed. The crew will take you on an unforgettable journey along the Gold Coast Broadwater and through narrow tidal passages that weave their way through mangroves and along pristine sandy beaches.

Tours are well managed and run by experienced and fun guides, and for those who haven’t jet skied before, this tour is not only exhilarating, it is a lot of fun!

Highlights

Stop off at South Stradbroke Island for a break where you can have a splash. If you’re lucky enough, you may even get to see some dugongs, turtles and dolphins.

Need to know

• Self-drive, no experience necessary

• A variety of packages are available, however if you would like to indulge in the full experience, a minimum one hour tour is recommended.

• Open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm

Paradise Jet Boating

Enjoy the Gold Coast’s beautiful scenery with Paradise Jet Boating as you experience 360° spins, high-speed drifting, power slides, beach-buzzing and other exciting maneuvers through the beautiful Gold Coast waterways. The ride also gives you a good look at the local wildlife plus a peak at the ‘exclusive’ side of the Gold Coast with mega-mansions to admire!

One of the biggest highlights is getting to see the dolphins swim and play by the boat. Guaranteed a great thrill ride, everything about this experience is a highlight. It was so much FUN!

Need to know

• Be prepared for a wet and wild bumpy ride
• Bring a towel and spare clothes
• Make sure you apply sunscreen as the trip takes up to 2 hours
• Children 4+ years are allowed to ride on the jet boat
• Paradise Jet Boating is committed to providing an accessible experience. Please read here for more information.
• An added bonus to this experience is having Paradise Jet Boating’s jeep pick you up and drop you off at your hotel
• Open 7 days a week 10.00 am to 10.00 pm

Holoverse Southport, Gold Coast

Are you ready to take on the world’s first holographic entertainment centre? Holoverse Gold Coast is a futuristic theme park made up of 40 hologram rooms. As you enter these rooms, the holograms appear all around you, and you can pat animals made of light, play in holographic water with the turtles, fly, smash rocks and fight off monsters.

This is an activity the whole family can enjoy. The kids will love it, as it takes gaming to the next level with 3D, sounds and movement. Watching the game being played is also fun if you would rather sit on the sidelines.

Whether you are a gamer or just wanting something different to experience, pay Holoverse a visit. It is a great place to go on a rainy day as it offers something different for the kids to enjoy instead of going to the usual play centre.

Need to know

• The projection equipment is certified for ages 6 years old and over
• It’s advisable to book beforehand – click her for latest prices
• Holographic sessions go for about 35 minutes which includes putting on equipment, so it may be worth paying for two sessions which will give you around 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Open Tuesday to Sunday 9.00am – 7.00pm, Closed Mondays

Jetpack Adventures Gold Coast

Head for the sky like James Bond with a jetpack on your back, show off your best mid-air boarding moves with a flyboard beneath your feet, or try out the brand new Jetovator.

Jetpack Adventures on the Gold Coast is an exhilarating experience for anyone looking for a fun adventure activity on the Gold Coast. Surf it, do spins on it, hover above the water….experience the buzz of flying!

Need to know

• Minimum weight is 40kg
• You get a helmet with built-in headphones for your guide to give you instant instructions
• You should be up and flying in 10 minutes and fly as high as 15 metres above the water
• As expected, be prepared to get wet so dress appropriately and bring some spare clothes
• Bring a towel, water and sunscreen
• Bring a camera
• Open 7 days a week

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Infinity Surfers Paradise

Immerse yourself in a totally different dimension and experience a mind-blowing 30-minute journey through 20 futuristic mazes, filled with special effects, atmospheric sound fields and illusions at Infinity Surfers Paradise.

There are multiple dark rooms being light up with laser beams and special effects causing some stunning special effects and illusions. Work together with your friends or family to find your way to the exit.

This highly interactive experience is something different and would be great if you want a quick and fun experience with the family that will surely encourage them to work as a team.

Why we love Infinity

Fascinating and trippy experience with some funny moments, it felt like you were travelling through a time warp. Images which felt close were really out of grasp. The mirror illusions at the start were a bit freaky and some people may be scared of the darkness. Well worth the visit.

Need to know

• Suitable for children 9 years and over who aren’t afraid of the dark

• No prams or children in backpacks – Infinity recommends against entering with a baby or toddler

• Guests in wheelchairs must give 24 hours notice. You will need to transfer to the onsite wheelchair

• No crutches or walkers permitted

• You will need to store your personal items such as phones, bags, sunglasses etc in a locker

• Visitors receive two hours free parking at Chevron Renaissance

• Open 7 days 10.00am to 10.00pm

Here are just a few things you can do at Southport Broadwater Parklands:

• Let the children run and play in the playground where you will find a flying fox, bouncing pillow, bike track and ‘monorail’ bikes.

• Take the whole family for a swim in the netted area of the Broadwater

• Let the little ones splash about in the Broadwater Parklands rock pools

• Take the family for a walk, run or bike ride on the long, wide paths

• The bigger kids will love jumping around on the Broadwater Parklands water park Aqua Splash which is open during the warmer months. You need to book and pay for a session.

The list of activities here is endless, and most importantly, nearly everything is FREE!

You can’t go wrong here, Broadwater Parklands is always bustling with entertainment for families. Take a look at the Broadwater Parklands events calendar.

Need to know about Broadwater Parklands

• Barbeques and shelters can be reserved prior to use for a fee

• There is a cafe near the rock pools – Fish Shak and Shak Espresso

• Paid parking

• Dog-friendly park

• Home to the Gold Coast Marathon

Wet N Wild Gold Coast

Get set to get wet at Wet n Wild Gold Coast, with some of the tallest and fastest waterslides in Australia.

For thrill-seeking teenagers and adults, there’s the Blackhole, where you’ll scream down the slide at 40km/hour in total darkness. On the Kamikaze, you’ll plunge down a near-vertical 11-metre drop at a 70° angle, at up to 50 km/hour. If that’s not enough you can get your hearts pounding on the lightning-fast Jetstream body slides.

For the under 10’s, there’s Wet n Wild Junior with eight kid-friendly water slides, a multi-level interactive play structure, and a giant tipping bucket.

The whole family can splash together at the Giant Wave Pool, a huge swimming pool with intermittent waves, or enjoy whirlpool springs.

Need to know about Wet n Wild

• The water on all rides and slides is heated to 25°C year-round.
• Open 10.00 am – 5.00 pm (Spring and Summer), 10.00 am – 3.30 pm (Winter months)
• Wet’n’Wild can get very busy, but mid-week outside of school holidays there are usually no lines.
• WetnWild is one of the four Village Theme Parks. Buy the world pass if you want to visit all Village Theme parks at a discounted rate. Check out all the ticket options here.

Buy tickets

David Fleay Wildlife Park

Nestled in the heart of Burleigh Heads, David Fleay Wildlife Park is home to an amazing array of wildlife.

Go on guided tours by National Parks Rangers and meet some koalas, pademelons, dingoes and rock wallabies, as you stroll along the boardwalk through to the rainforest. Keep a lookout for the tree kangaroos hidden amongst the trees and the abundant amount of Australian birds.

No wildlife park is complete without crocs, and a nocturnal house, which houses Wally the platypus, bilbies and the endangered Julia Creek dunnart, a tiny insect-eating marsupial.

You can bring along a picnic, and even your kayak or canoe if you’ve got one.

Plan your day and absorb the natural surroundings.

Need to know

• Open 7 days a week 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
• Nocturnal house opens at 11am
• If you are travelling during the school holidays, book your kids into the Junior Ranger Program. Bookings are essential Ph: (07) 5669 2051
• Buy your tickets at the gate

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Why we love it

If you want to cuddle a koala, get up close to a crocodile, pat and feed kangaroos, or check out reptiles, birds and marsupials, this is the place to be! Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic tourist attractions, nestled amongst a vast area of lush eucalyptus trees and rainforest. There is an array of activities, amazing wildlife shows, animal encounters, displays and presentation to be seen.

A new addition to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (opens 26 December 2017) is the Lost Valley, where families can explore a 5-hectare rainforest along elevated boardwalks and interact with unique exotic wildlife.

If a bit of adventure is what you are after, take a guided Segway Safari around the sanctuary or zip-line through the trees at the Currumbin Treetop Challenge. There is something for all ages at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary!

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation, with all their money going back into conservation programs and the upkeep of the park.

Highlights

• Morning and afternoon lorikeet feeding

• Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is one of the busiest in the world

• Free Flight Bird Show

• Blinky Bill’s Studio Adventure (new show)

• Wild Island Adventure playground

• Visit Lost Valley

• Animal encounters

Need to know

• Open 7 days 8.00 am to 5.00 pm (closed Christmas Day and Anzac Day)

• Make sure you bring plenty of water, sunscreen and mosquito repellent

• There is free street parking available but when that runs out, there is a dedicated car park across the road (fees apply but free for National Trust members).

• Some animal encounters, the Segway Safari and Currumbin Treetop Challenge cost extra and you will need to book 24-72 hours in advance. No bookings needed for a koala photo, lorikeet feeding or any of the shows.

• There are school holiday programs for 6 to 12 and 12 to 17-year-olds.

• There are three cafes onsite that are quite reasonable, however, if you are trying to save some money, pack a picnic lunch as there are plenty of picnic areas to sit and enjoy.

• The Sanctuary Markets are held on Friday nights from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm on the Village Green and feature live music.

Warner Bros. Movie World for kids

Why we love it

Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast is very popular with super-hero loving kids and big kids alike. From the moment you step foot in Movie World, you’ll get to experience tonnes of action, from thrill rides, street performances by superheroes and villains, entertainment and lots of food.

Movie World thrill rides

DC Rivals HyperCoaster is the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest, longest and fastest ride and was only unveiled in October 2017! At 61.6 meters high, with the first non-inverting loop in the Southern Hemisphere reaching 40 meters high and speeds of 115km per hour, the DC Rivals HyperCoaster will rival all other coasters in the world.

Once you’ve finished getting your thrills on the HyperCoaster, you can try out Green Lantern’s coaster, Superman Escape, Arkham Asylum, Batwing Spaceshot, Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, Wild West Falls Adventure Ride, DC Comics Super-Villains Unleashed and Doomsday Destroyer. This is teenage paradise!

Movie World kids rides

For the younger and less thrill-seeking kids, there are still plenty of rides to experience. The first place to go would be the Movie World Driving School where they can drive their own mini car around a kid-sized version of Movie World. Next, you can try out the Justice League 3D Alien Invasion, the Road Runner Rollercoaster and the Kids’ WB! Fun Zone.

Movie World rides for toddlers

If you’re heading to Movie World with toddlers then you will probably spend most of your time at the Kids’ WB! Fun Zone. There they can have fun riding on Sylvester and Tweety Cages, Looney Tunes Carousel, Yosemite Sam Railroad, Sylvester’s Pounce’n’Bounce, Speedy Gonzales’ Tijuana Taxis and take their swimmers to play in the Looney Tunes Splash Zone.

Movie World entertainment

Two of the favourite family attractions at Movie World are the Stunt Driver Show and the magical Star’s Parade where you can see all of your favourite characters on Movie World’s famous Main Street.

Need to know

• Open  9.30am – 5.00pm 7 days

• Buy your tickets online to avoid the big queues at the front. See the latest prices and hot deals available

• Ride queues can get really long, so if you’re short on time and don’t mind the additional $65 price tag, purchase the unlimited fast track pass.

• Get there early and ride on the most popular rides first when the queues are shorter.

• Plan your day so that you don’t miss any shows

• There are height and age restrictions on all rides so please check before you go.

Best of Gold Coast Beaches for Kids

Coolangatta Beach

Coolangatta Beach is a safe patrolled beach, impeccably clean with beautiful golden sand. Super close to the Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta Beach has a lovely park for the family barbecue or picnic, and a variety of cafes and restaurants. There’s even an excellent ice cream shop across the road.

Go for a nice stroll around the headland and back towards Kirra Beach, or pop into the Strand for a bit of shopping.

Coolangatta Beach is highly recommended if you want the Gold Coast holiday but away from the hustle and bustle the glitter strip is known for.

Need to know

• Some areas of Coolangatta Beach can be quite choppy, so make sure you stay within the patrolled areas.
• Parking is free in most parts of Coolangatta

Take a look at our Aussie beach survival guide for great tips and tricks for your day at the beach, looking at everything from chafing to stingers, sand to sunburn.

Main Beach Gold Coast beaches

Main Beach, on the northern end of the Gold Coast is a beautiful stretch of beach with much of it backing onto sand dunes and bushland. Things are pretty laid back at Main Beach but you’ll also find here some of the most expensive resorts on the Gold Coast.

A highlight of a visit to Main Beach is the old bathing pavilion, which has been reincarnated into a chilled beach café complete with pineapple fritters, potato scallops, and fish and chips. They also sell really good coffee (Merlo) to have there or takeaway. Make sure you check out the old change room pavilions which feature loads of old photos so you can see what Main Beach used to look like.

At nearby Tedder Avenue you will find modern cafes, exclusive restaurants, bars and boutiques. Also close to the beach is The Southport Yacht Club which offers delicious food with views of the many boats that dock there.

Down the road, you will find yourself at Marina Mirage, home to some of the Gold Coasts exclusive boutiques and conveniently located right next for to Palazzo Versace. Continue a bit further and you will find yourself at Sea World, and then The Spit and the entrance to the Gold Coast Seaway.

Need to know

• If you’re hungry, head to Lark Café for breakfast and lunch.
• The Gold Coast 600 Supercars Championship is held every October with racing in the streets
• It is a 30 minute walk into Surfers Paradise

Before you hit the beach, take a look at our Aussie beach survival guide for great tips and tricks, with everything from chafing to stingers, sand to sunburn.

Surfers Paradise Beach

Why we love it

An iconic Aussie destination with pristine clean golden sand, crystal clear waters and skyscrapers in the foreground, Surfers Paradise Beach is like a picture perfect postcard. A visit here is not to be missed for those looking to keep busy on holiday, with something for everyone to do and enjoy. The shopping area nearby is set up for tourists, and cafes and restaurants are plenty.

Surfers Paradise is without a doubt the liveliest precinct on the Gold Coast with a host of pubs, clubs and lounge bars on offer.

Each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night, locals, holidaymakers and bargain-hunters make their way to the Surfers Paradise foreshore to wander along the coastal stretch to soak in the live entertainment and enjoy browsing the market stalls.

Need to know

• Paid parking is everywhere and so are the inspectors

• The beach can be fairly rough with lots of rips, so make sure you always swim between the flags

• Worth a few nights stay as there is so much to do especially if you’ve got tween or teenage kids

Before you hit the beach, take a look at our Aussie beach survival guide for great tips and tricks, with everything from chafing to stingers, sand to sunburn.

Burleigh Heads Beach

Why we love it

Burleigh Heads Beach has been voted as one of the top ten beaches in Australia with good reason. Not only is it renowned for its’ surf breaks, it is home to one of the best views and parklands on the Gold Coast. Stretching from North Burleigh to Burleigh Headland, the Oceanway is a local favourite, with the wide pathways perfect for joggers, bikes, and prams. This two-kilometre walk also has five children’s playgrounds conveniently positioned along the walk.

Burleigh Headland offers views of the ocean and a walking trail that meanders through the rainforest to Tallebudgera Creek. A hike around Burleigh Headland along the rocky foreshore and through the rainforest is a must, as not only will you get the chance to see the local wildlife, but you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the whales migrating.

Burleigh Beach is one of four accessible beaches on the Gold Coast. Beach matting and two types of beach wheelchairs (the Hippocampe and the Mobi beach wheelchair) are available for use every Saturday during the warmer months. Please check the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving website for details.

There are plenty of funky cafes and shopping choices nearby. A visit to Burleigh Heads Beach is a must. You won’t be disappointed!

Need to know about Burleigh Heads Beach

• This beach is very popular and although there is plenty of parking, you will need to get in early, especially on weekends and school holidays.

• Arts and craft markets are held on the last Sunday of every month.

Before you hit the beach, take a look at our Aussie beach survival guide for great tips and tricks, with everything from chafing to stingers, sand to sunburn.

Currumbin Beach Gold Coast

Why we love it

Clean and unspoiled, Currumbin Beach is one of the most kid-friendly beaches on the Gold Coast and is also one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever set foot on. On the southern end of Currumbin Beach Gold Coast you’ll find Elephant Rock and Currumbin Vikings Surf Club, and on the northern end where Currumbin Creek meets the ocean, known as Currumbin Alley, you’ll find a protected and patrolled haven for all kinds of active water sports, particularly stand-up paddle boarding, kite-surfing and kayaking.

Currumbin Beach is great for families, with beautiful views and lots of little rock pools and rock formations to explore. After 17 years living on the Gold Coast, Currumbin Beach is easily our favourite beach. To top it off, a host of modern cafés and eateries share beachfront vistas all the way along Pacific Parade.

Need to know

• This beach is a very popular beach, although there is plenty of parking, you will need to get in early.

• Swell Sculpture Festival on Currumbin Beach (September)

• Toilets are located across the road from the Alley on the northern end of the beach

• Beware of the strong sweeps/currents at the entrance to the ocean

Before you hit the beach, take a look at our Aussie beach survival guide for great tips and tricks, with everything from chafing to stingers, sand to sunburn.