A family holiday on Queensland's Gold Coast is one of the most popular and enjoyable breaks you can have.
The Gold Coast stretches from Coolangatta in the south to Main Beach and Southport in the north and is just over an hour's drive from Brisbane. It is serviced by the Gold Coast airport located at Coolangatta.
The attractions for families on the Gold Coast are second to none in Australia, with the theme parks - Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet N Wild close by and many other quality family attractions to enjoy.
There is accommodation available for all budgets and tastes. From caravan and camping sites to hotels and apartments and luxury 5-star resorts, you are sure to find something that will fit your needs.
Australias only theme park resort located just north of Surfers Paradise. Rooms include standard, premium and executive with interconnecting rooms available. There are multiple dining options including Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Shoreline Restaurant and the Boatshed Bar & Grill. Facilities include a water park, nightly SpongeBob light show, kids club, gym and spa. And of course right next door is the Sea World theme park.
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, just a few minutes walk to the beach. Paradise Resort offers family friendly facilities including a real ice-skating rink, giant waterpark, Zone 4 Kids club, lagoon pool and spa, convenience store, bistro, cafe and bar, and a daily activity and entertainment program. Accommodation ranges from resort rooms and bunkhouses to family rooms and suites. Interconnecting rooms can cater for families of up to 8 people.
Located at Mermaid Beach, just to the south of Surfers Paradise, on 4.5 hectares of lush gardens. Accommodation includes a choice of fully self-contained one, two and three bedroom apartments each featuring a private balcony or patio. There are four separate swimming areas, including wading pools, spas and an adults only retreat and a Splash Zone Waterpark. The resort offers 'Club Turtle', an exciting kids club program featuring fun pre arranged activities including big screen interactive games, creative art and craft sessions, Xbox's, movie screenings and evening dance and discos.
Located at the Northern end of the Gold Coast on 4.2 hectares of tropical gardens. Accommodation includes 251 guest rooms and suites. There is a one-acre lagoon beach pool and Terrace pool & spa as well as some of the Gold Coasts finest dining options to choose from. For kids the Planet Trekkers kids club is available for 4-12 year olds.
5 star resort located in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Family friendly accommodation includes guest rooms and suites. The resort has two restaurants and a number of bars. The resort features a private saltwater lagoon, sandy beaches and an artificial reef with tropical fish. Other facilities include a childrens pool, gym, spa, sauna, tennis, bike rentals, movie nights and activities program. There is a kids activity centre for children 4 -12 years.
Located in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Ashmore, a short drive from Surfers Paradise, Southport and the major Gold Coast theme parks. There are a number of accommodation choices including villas and cottages ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms. Ashmore Palms lagoon area features 2 swimming lagoons and bird aviaries. There are 2 childrens playgrounds, tennis courts, BBQ areas and a rainforest walkway through the tropical gardens.
Located 15 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, centrally located between all major theme parks. Accommodation includes one, two and three bedroom cabins and villas. Facilities include four resort style swimming pools, heated spas, tennis court, Galleons Bistro, giant jumping pillow, mini golf, kids activities and outdoor cinema.
Located just west of Surfers Paradise, complete with luxurious accommodation options, a 27 hole golf course and spa facilities. Royal Pines offers king and twin rooms, spa suites and 2 bedroom family studios and suites. Family facilities include child-friendly dining, in-house movies, a water park and playground facilities, birthday parties, and extensive time-out adventures.
Located in Helensvale, between Dream World and Movieworld, BIG 4 Gold Coast offers a choice of accommodation including one, two or three bedroom cabins, terraces and bungalows as well as camping and caravan sites. The holiday park has a huge kids water park with over 300 metres of slides, a playground, a tropical resort style pool, giant jumping pillow, tennis, kids activities, a Fun Forrest with lots of games and a 24/7 gym. There is an on site Cafe called Nibbles which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Meet your favourite stars and enjoy all the behind-the-scenes action, comedy stunts and exhilarating rides, shows and attractions! Rides include the new Batwing Spaceshot, Superman Escape, Scooby-Doo Roller Coaster, Lethal Weapon and the Wild West Falls. There is also the Kids Fun Zone area with rides for younger kids. Located a 40min drive from Surfers Paradise. Gates open at 9:30am.
Web SiteSea World is located on SeaWorld Drive at Main Beach, three kilometres north of Surfers Paradise. Visitors have the opportunity to get up close and personal with animals such as dolphins, sharks, seals and even polar bears. There are plenty of rides and shows for all ages including the latest addition - Leviathan, the world's most iconic wooden coaster. Gates open from 9:30am.
Web SiteDreamworld is Australia's biggest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions including the park's famous Big 7 Thrill Rides, Wiggles World, the all new Dream Works Experience, exciting live shows, a host of characters, Tiger Island plus more than 500 native Australian animals, there is something for everyone at Dreamworld. Whitewater World is next door. Opens daily at 10am.
Web SiteThere are some beautiful beaches to choose from around the Gold Coast. Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are the main surf beaches. Further south you will find the popular Burleigh Heads with its stunning foreshore and pine trees and the sheltered main beach for swimming. For surfers there are plenty of options including Currumbin Alley and Snapper Rocks. Tallebudgera Creeks sparkling waters are perfect for families with swimming, kayaking and fishing. Other popular beaches include Kirra, Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay.
Learn MoreJust a quick drive west of Surfers Paradise and you'll find yourself in the World Heritage listed Gold Coast hinterland. There are some beautiful places to visit including Tamborine Mountain, Binna Burra and the stunning Numinbah Valley. Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park are popular tourist spots. The area offers lots of restaurants and wineries, plenty of walking tracks and lookouts, waterfalls, art galleries, shopping as well as some quality places to stay. The views looking back to the coast from Tambourine Mountain are amazing.
Learn MoreThe famous Cavill Avenue is located in the heart of Surfers Paradise and is lined with restaurants, shops and nightclubs. At the beach end you'll find the beachfront markets which are open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The pedestrian-only mall offers plenty of shopping with well-known surf brands, luxury goods or bargain fashion accessories. You'll find plenty of attractions including Ripley's Believe It or Not, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the Paradise Centre. The mall also offers a fantastic choice of restaurants.
Learn MoreCurrumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Currumbin, a 20-minute drive south of Surfers Paradise. It is open daily from 7.30am until 5.30pm (except on event days). The sanctuary has been accepting visitors for 75 years and is home to many native Australian animals. You can experience daily shows including wild lorikeet feeding, free flight bird shows and hospital presentations. Lost Valley lets you interact with exotic species such as Lemurs, Cotton-top Tamarins, Red Panda, and Capybaras along with free-flying birds and exotic reptiles. You can also experience an Animal Encounter.
Web SiteWet & Wild is located at Oxenford, just next to Movieworld and around 20 minutes north of Surfers paradise. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm in summer and 10am to 3pm in winter. There are 17 water slides to choose from including the thrill rides Tornado, Aqualoop, Constrictor, Black Hole, Kaboom! and Kamiakze. There are also family sides including the Super 8 Racer, Mammoth Falls and River Rapids. The Giant Wave Pool has 10 minute intervals of rolling waves and flat water. Calypso Beach is a float around the lazy river and there is a Tropical Splash zone for kids.
Web SiteLocated at Oxenford, 20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, Australian Outback Spectacular is a live arena show featuring stories of the Australian Outback along with a delicious three-course meal and complementary drinks. Before entering the pre-show area guests can have their photo taken with the green screen which each you as a true stockman or woman, complete with hat, in the outback! You can also have photos with one the talented show dogs or horses. Start the night off listening to live music performed by the talented cast.
Web Site