Family Adventures in the Gold Coast
Family Adventures in the Gold Coast: Top Activities for All Ages
Looking for a fun and family-friendly destination in Australia? Look no further than the Gold Coast—a sparkling gem in Queensland that’s perfect for your next family adventure. With its sun-kissed beaches, laid-back vibe, and world-famous theme parks, the Gold Coast offers an exciting mix of activities for all ages—whether you’re chasing thrills or simply looking to unwind.
To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in the Gold Coast, grouped by activity type for easy planning. From beach days to roller coasters and everything in between, read on to discover your ideal Gold Coast itinerary!
Best Family-Friendly Attractions in Gold Coast
Gold Coast is a popular destination for traveling families because it offers multi-paced activities. Whether you’re into building sand castles at the beach, viewing animals up close in wildlife parks, or screaming at the top of your lungs on rollercoaster rides — you’ll find something here that you and your kids will love.
Some of the top family-friendly attractions on the Gold Coast include a visit to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where your family can learn more about Australian wildlife; a fun day at SeaWorld, one of the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks; and beginner’s surfing lessons, where kids as young as 6 years old can learn how to surf in one of the city’s popular surfing beaches.
Beach Activities for Kids
Gold Coast offers some of the best beaches in all of Australia. With long stretches of golden sand and sparkling blue waters, Gold Coast invites you to relax, take a dip, and swim. Here are some of the top kid-friendly beaches in the city.
Kirra Beach
Located on the southern stretch of the Gold Coast, Kirra Beach boasts rock pools and crystal-clear waters. Its waves are smaller and gentler compared to other famous surfing spots, making it the perfect beach where kids can swim and splash.
Currumbin Alley
Known for its sparkling turquoise waters, Currumbin Alley is where a protected creek meets a surf beach. The protected, shallow breaks of this sea make it an ideal training spot for older kids who want to try their hand at surfing. Younger children, on the other hand, can build sand castles or go for a quick dip. There’s a nearby Pirate Park, too, where children can channel their inner Captain Jack Sparrow while they play in the pirate-themed playground!
Tallabudgera Creek
Tallabudgera Creek is the perfect spot for traveling families with children. Framed by the Burleigh Heads National Park on one side and Tallabudgera Beach on the other, its waters remain calm and protected, making it ideal for little swimmers or families who want to go camping, picnicking, or kayaking.
Rainbow Bay
Rainbow Bay offers a slice of paradise for those seeking a family adventure in Gold Coast. Little lagoons that form in the beach and rock pools are perfect for small children who want to splash their toes in ocean waters. It’s also protected by lifeguards all year round, and the long stretches of sand create an ideal, natural playground.
Things to do at Gold Coast beaches
Gold Coast’s sandy beaches offer plenty of fun activities for the kids:
Sandcastle building
What better way to start your beach adventure than to build sandcastles? Gold Coast’s beaches provide long stretches of soft, golden sand. Let your kids run wild with their imagination as they try to build elaborate sandcastles or more!
Swimming in shallow waters
Many beaches in Gold Coast, such as Tallabudgera Creek and Rainbow Bay, contain lagoons and shallow waters where kids can safely swim and splash around!
Surf Lessons
Gold Coast is famous for its surf culture. Thousands of tourists, both local and foreign, flock here to this city to ride some of Gold Coast’s swells. Even children can try to brave these swells by taking beginner surfer lessons in Rainbow Bay or Surfer’s Paradise.
Beach volleyball and beach toys
Classic beach toys like beach balls, frisbees, and inflatable rafts can keep kids and the whole family entertained for hours! The wide, open spaces amidst the golden sand is your playground.
Note: While most beaches in Gold Coast are protected by lifeguards, it’s still best to keep an eye on your child while at the beach at all times. Always ensure there’s an adult nearby, even when kids are playing in shallow, calm waters.
Family Wildlife Experiences
Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most biodiverse cities and home to over 6,000 native species of animals and plants. Its ecosystems are so diverse that it’s included in one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots!
As such, Gold Coast is big when it comes to conservation. Here are some of the wildlife experiences that you can add to your itinerary for your next family adventure in Gold Coast!
Eco tour at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of native wildlife and nurturing Indigenous Aboriginal heritage for over 70 years and counting! Set across over 27 hectares of natural eucalyptus bushland and rainforest, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Gold Coast and attracts tourists from all over the world.
Currently, it’s home to native mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birdlife, and some exotic species. Here, you can get a closer look at Australia’s koalas, watch a majestic bird show, feed lorikeets, and even interact with capybaras!
Location: 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin Queensland 4223 Australia
Website: https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/
Contact: (07) 5534 1266
Operating hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: Take Bus 700 (Gold Coast route), which typically runs between Broadbeach and Tweed Heads. Then, transfer to G-link light rail at Broadbeach South Station, then get off at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Visit Gold Coast’s #1 wildlife attraction and book your ticket to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary ahead of time via KKday.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
Located in Mount Tamborine, Queensland, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a short day trip from Gold Coast that offers an eco-adventure like no other! Set throughout 30 acres of a privately owned rainforest, it offers a unique and thrilling way to explore the surrounding canopies securely. The skywalk features a combination of forest floor trails, high-tech steel bridges, and a cantilever bridge that soars above the creek and rainforests below.
After your walk, visit the Eco Gallery, which houses an exhibit of local rainforest animals, birds, and reptiles. It also features dioramas of native Australian insects and butterfly collections. Then, recharge with light snacks, teas, or juice at the Birdwing Cafe, where you can dine on the deck and enjoy the magnificent views of the rainforest.
Location: 333 Geissmann Drive, Mt Tamborine 4272 Queensland, Australia
Website: https://skywalktamborine.com/
Contact: (07) 5545 2222
Operating hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: Take the Route 727 bus from Gold Coast to Beaudesert. Then, hail a taxi or an Uber to Tamborine Skywalk.
Explore wildlife and visit the Tamborine Skywalk, glow worm caves, and the Yinggao Art Town through this fully packed day tour.
Book now:
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Coomambah Lakelands Conservation Area
Want to see koalas and kangaroos in the wild? Then, head over to Coomambah Lakelands Conservation Area, a conservation park comprised of over 1,200 hectares of wetlands, eucalyptus forests, salt marsh, and mangrove habitats.
The park is home to over 274 species of native animals, including koalas and internationally protected migratory birds. It also provides the perfect spot for families to do short walks, bike trails, birdwatch, and get up close with native wildlife. Look up into the surrounding trees and you might spot a koala or two. Head to the open grasslands area, and you’ll see kangaroos feeding or lazing around in the shade. Admission is free.
Note: This is an area where kangaroos freely roam around. Keep your distance from kangaroos at all times for your safety. Avoid approaching them or using gestures or objects that encourage them to move; this might frighten them and make them think you’re a threat.
Location: Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area, Shelter Road, Coombabah 4216
Operating hours: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: Take a bus to Helensvale Station, then ride the Route 719 bus. Get off at Pine Ridge Road. From there, it’s an 11-minute walk to Coomambah Lakelands Conservation Area.
Water activities
Gold Coast offers a plethora of fun water activities for families that go beyond the beach! Here are our recommended water activities in Gold Coast that are suitable for various age groups.
Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise
Journey beyond the beach and hop aboard a boat headed to the Tangalooma Island Resort. Located on Moreton Island, this experience lets you cruise along a protected marine park, watch sea turtles, and even feed dolphins if you like! The best part? It’s completely family-friendly and kids of all ages can participate in this cruise.
Spend a day filled with fun marine life encounters through this day cruise
Book Now:
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Sand tobogganing and kayaking
Moreton Island is the world’s third-largest sand island and is home to some of the tallest dunes in Gold Coast. This makes it the ideal playground for sand tobogganing, with dunes reaching up to 90 meters high! To do sand tobogganing, just pick up your board, climb a giant dune, then lie on your stomach on the board. Tuck in your elbows and push yourself off the dune — the rest is history with this adrenaline-pumping ride!
Afterward, you can go kayaking and see schools of colorful fish thrive on coral reefs up close by paddling in a transparent kayak boat.
Go snorkeling, kayaking, and sand tobogganing through this Moreton Island Day tour.
Book Now:
Snorkel the Tangalooma Shipwrecks
Tangalooma is a popular snorkeling spot, particularly due to the view of the Tangalooma Shipwrecks under the sea near Moreton Island. The crystal clear waters surrounding the wrecks provide the ideal conditions for snorkeling. Here, through a guided tour, you can experience interacting with a variety of marine life, including different species of fish, sharks, stingrays, and coral formations.
Discover an underwater world and experience one of Australia’s best snorkeling spots through this snorkeling guided tour.
Book Now:
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Guided jet ski tours
Craving for something more adventurous? Then, try a guided jet ski tour of the Gold Coast and have a thrilling adventure while you’re out on the sea. With professional guides leading the way, you can explore the stunning waterways of Gold Coast, including narrow mangrove passages, secluded islands, and marine wildlife. Plus, no experience and license is required to ride a jet ski. Don’t worry, though — a comprehensive safety briefing will be given before your tour. This is the ideal water adventure, especially if you’re traveling with teenagers or older kids!
Experience the thrill of riding a jet ski along Gold Coast and book your guided jet ski tour via KKday here.
Book Now:
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Top Gold Coast Theme Parks for Family Fun
Did you know that Gold Coast is known to be the ‘Theme Park Capital’ of Australia? Here are some of the top ones that you shouldn’t miss for a fun-filled day of family adventure in Gold Coast!
Warner Bros Movie World
See your favorite movie characters come to life in Warner Bros Movie World. Follow the yellow brick road that leads you to the spectacular word-first The Wicked of Oz precinct and experience a wicked adventure! Feel the rush of the wind when you ride the exhilarating The Flash: Speed Force or Green Lantern roller coaster ride. Then, meet your favorite Warner Bros stars and DC superheroes through character entertainment shows. Be sure to get your cameras ready for the ultimate IG-worthy selfies with your favorite characters!
Location: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford, Queensland, 4210,
Website: https://movieworld.com.au/
Contact: (02) 13 33 86
Operating hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: From Gold Coast, catch a tram, bus, or train to Helensvale station and transfer to bus route TX7
Skip long queues and secure your Warner Bros Movie World ticket via KKday.
Book Now:
Dreamworld
DreamWorld, Australia’s biggest theme park, is where different worlds come together. From thrilling roller coasters to wildlife, to water wonderland — you can experience all of this in Dreamworld! Experience jungle thrills by conquering Jungle Rush, the world’s first inclined triple-switch roller coaster, in Rivertown. Witness the majestic big cats of Dreamworld in Tiger Island. Let your kids explore the exciting world of Kenny & Belinda’s Dreamland, featuring beloved Aussie kids’ TV shows. And last but not least, experience endless family fun at the water-themed rides in Ocean Parade.
Location: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera Queensland 4209
Website: https://www.dreamworld.com.au/
Contact: +61 7 5588 1111
Operating hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: Turn left onto the Gold Coast Highway, which becomes the Pacific Motorway. Take the Coomera Exit (Exit 54), and follow the signs to Dreamworld.
Spend a day jam-packed with adventure and family fun at Dreamworld! Book your tickets here:
Book Now:
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Wet’n’Wild Water World
There’s no cooler place to splash, swim, and dive than Wet’n’Wild Water World. This theme park offers a nice mix of chill attractions and thrilling rides. Plunge a 10-meter drop before zooming uphill at zero gravity then twist and turn through KABOOM!, a tailspin raft ride. Let kids climb on top of White Water Mountain and race down the rapids in the River Rapids Slide. Afterward, relax and splash around in H2Oasis, a family-friendly splash zone perfect for kids of all ages!
Location: Entertainment Rd, Oxenford Queensland 4210
Website: https://wetnwild.com.au/
Contact: 13 33 86
Operating hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: To get to Wet’n’Wild catch a tram, bus, or train to Helensvale station and transfer to bus route TX7.
Sea World
Located in Gold Coast, Sea World Marine Park is Australia’s unique theme park resort. It offers beautiful accommodations and a mix of relaxation and fun through various activities. Kids can meet and take photos with Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob and Dora. Enjoy the Water Park with pools for all ages and meet penguins, polar bears, seals, and more!
Location: Seaworld Dr, Main Beach, Queensland
Website: https://seaworld.com.au/
Contact: 1300 139 677
Operating hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
How to get there: From the Gold Coast, head north on the Pacific Motorway (M1) and take the exit for Sea World Drive in Main Beach. Follow Sea World Drive to the resort.
Book an unforgettable family holiday to Sea World and experience a wide array of family-friendly activities.
Add these to your itinerary for a family adventure of a lifetime in Gold Coast! Plus, discover these other exciting experiences via KKday:
- https://www.kkday.com/en-sg/product/6358-skypoint-observation-deck-ticket-gold-coast-queensland-brisbane-australia?cid=4624
- https://www.kkday.com/en/product/157334?cid=4624
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