Looking for the best Gold Coast activities? Keep reading, as this list contains the best exercises to do with your kids on the Gold Coast.
You may have seen pictures of the Gold Coast in magazines or on social media, even if you’ve never been there. They show a bright blue sky, beautiful beaches, and a lush green hinterland. These features, plus many others, are what attract around 13 million tourists per year. This destination has evolved from a glittering strip of sand to a holiday haven with a variety of activities.
This guide contains free activities on the Gold Coast as well as the best family attractions.
The Gold Coast has a wonderful climate that is enjoyed all year round. You can enjoy the warm weather and spend more time outdoors.
Playgrounds Fun for the Kids
Looking for some fun activities to do with your kids on the Gold Coast? There are playgrounds all along the Gold Coast, from north to southern. If you have kids, this is often the most affordable and best activity you can offer them.
You will find a nearby playground if you are looking for a place to relax, have a picnic, or spend time at the beach.
You’ll find a variety of playgrounds scattered around the Gold Coast. They have different themes. Pirate Park Palm Beach, as its name suggests, is a pirate-themed playground at the southern end of the Gold Coast. Kurrawa Widebeach has an all-accessible garden.
Justin’s Park looks out over Burleigh Heads Beach. Labrador Harley Park offers visitors not only a play area but also a swimming pool. North Gold Coast Bim’bimba Park is located in Pimpama and has a variety of attractions for children.
National Parks
Imagine you’re looking for a getaway from the Gold Coast. You will find a different world in the Gold Coast National Parks, with unspoiled scenery, easy hiking trails, and cascading falls.
Natural Bridge, part of Gondwana Rainforests in Australia World Heritage Area, is an amazing rock formation carved by the force of water flowing over the cave.
To see the waterfalls, you will need to put in a bit more effort on the hikes of Springbrook National Park. You can feel mist hitting your face at Twin Falls as you follow behind the two waterfalls. The descent to the forest is well worth it to see Purlingbrook Falls – one of the Gold Coast’s most impressive falls.
Take a Dip at Popular Swimming Areas
Swimming lagoons are a great way to cool down on the Gold Coast during the summer months.
Southport Broadwater Parklands, Labrador, and Paradise Point offer calm waters and a change from the crashing surf of the Gold Coast beaches. Southport Parklands has a similar artificial rock pool to Aquativity, which is located at South Bank Brisbane. It’s perfect for young children. For the natural ones, check out Currumbin rock pools, about 40 minutes away from Surfers Paradise.
Bounce off the Walls
Burleigh offers a variety of indoor activities that are both fun and active.
The trampoline park has several different jumping areas, including one with around 50 interconnected trampolines. Dodgeball arena, where you have to outmaneuver the opposition. This high-performance zone allows kids and adults to practice their freestyle skills.
Other features include a mini-bouncy zone for children aged six months up to 6 years. Try the adventure challenge course with 15 elements for a different experience.
If you have children who love jumping castles, then the inflatable world is the perfect indoor option. It’s located at Burleigh & Arundel. Inflatable World has the largest inflatable playground in Australia and hours of entertainment under one roof.
Action Packed Gold Coast Activities
The Gold Coast is a great place to get your adrenaline flowing if you enjoy sports, adventure, and action.
Tee Off at Topgolf is a group activity that involves hitting the ball into multiple targets to earn points.
Putt Putt Mermaid Beach offers three 18-hole-themed courses with color, obstacles, and water. It’s a lot of fun.
The Treetop Challenge is the perfect activity if you are not afraid of heights and want to experience an outdoor adventure that will pump your heart rate. Two locations are available on the Gold Coast. The first is on Mount Tamborine, inside Thunderbird Park. The second is at Currumbin Animal Sanctuary. The hardest part is deciding which Park to visit. Both have amazing features. Currumbin has over 80 elements and 11 zip lines, as well as four levels. Tamborine Mountain features 140 pieces, 14 Ziplines, and 4 Levels spread across 12 acres of rainforest.
In the summer, Southport Broadwater Parklands hosts an incredible Aquasplash Park. Giant inflatables are placed in the Broadwater to create an obstacle course. This activity is suitable for children as young as five if accompanied by an adult. It’s a great place to cool down with the whole family.
One of the best ways to enjoy Gold Coast’s beaches is to take a surf lesson. Surf lessons are available at many locations, including the famous Surfers Paradise Beach. Another location is Currumbin Alley.
Book a jet boat tour for an exciting ride along the Gold Coast’s waterways. This heart-pumping experience offers a thrilling ride with spectacular scenery and sightseeing.
Go-kart tracks are available on the Gold Coast for another thrilling experience. Slideways Karting is located in Nerang and offers a multi-level indoor way, making it a great place to entertain yourself no matter the weather.
Stand-up paddleboards are a great way to explore the Gold Coast’s waterways.
iPlay Adventure is another indoor activity the kids will love. Two adventures are available, including a 2-tier high-ropes course and the clip-and-climb challenge. It is in a shopping center with many dining outlets and an arcade.
Theme Parks
You can’t even call yourself a Gold Coast visitor if you don’t visit at least one, if not more, of the theme parks. Theme parks are, without a doubt, one of the top family attractions on the Gold Coast.
You could even call it Australia’s entertainment center, with all the Gold Coast family attractions located in the same place.
Movie World is the place to meet your favorite superheroes or characters from The Looney Tunes.
See the cute, playful, and luminous marine animals at SeaWorld.
Enjoy the cool waters of Wet and Wild Mega Water Park.
Enjoy a close-up view of Australian farm animals in Paradise Country.
There are many more options. Dreamworld offers the largest thrill rides and animal experiences (tiger Island is a favorite). Ticket holders also receive free entry to the adjacent Whitewater World.