There are many reasons why this city is synonymous with family-friendly vacations. Its laid-back residents, the sunshine, and the abundance of activities make it a great place for kids. What is the secret to success in all areas, according to our experience? Find family accommodation in the Gold Coast area that provides supreme comfort during emotional times, an array of activities to keep you entertained when boredom sets in, and options for dining for even the most demanding palates when hunger threatens. You can start your journey with our list of the best in the area.
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
This property has been praised for its reliability and knows what families want. It is hard to imagine smart parents booking anywhere else.
The Kids’ Club in Paradise Resort Gold Coast offers themed experiences such as the Space Room and Egyptian Room. Other themes include Dusty’s Safari, Astro’s Space Station, and Underwater World. There are also arts and crafts activities, disco parties, and pajama nights.
They take babies from as early as six weeks old so that new mothers can take a break. Pamper Parlour is also available for older kids who are obsessed with mermaid hairstyles and stick-on nails. This Gold Coast family accommodation also has an ice skating rink, a water park, and a miniature train.
There are 360 rooms, and the largest one can sleep up to 8 people. The rooms are all splashed in rainbow colors, and the Junior Bunkhouses that can accommodate one to four guests have TVs and PlayStations. Some rooms have balconies, refrigerators, and daily housekeeping. Others may even include a small kitchen.
Five restaurants are available, serving all the crowd-pleasing foods, including pizza, Mexican food, burgers, and cocktails by the pool. The rates start at approximately $249 per day.
Sea World Resort
The main reason to book Sea World Resort is obvious, but we’ll explain it anyway. The low-rise family accommodation is located on the Gold Coast, right in the heart of Main Beach and just a short walk from one of Australia’s most famous theme parks.
Families have a choice of 11 different room types, from the Resort Double Room or Studio Room with its clean, comfortable space, bar fridges, and double beds with garden views to the Broadwater Executive Spa Room or Broadwater Executive View Room with its king bed, lounge area, LCD TV, balcony and Broadwater Beach views.
Six restaurants are available to satisfy everyone’s appetite. The Boatshed, located in the perfect spot for sundowners with the adults, Melrose Italian, which serves delicious food every night, and the Lobby Lounge, where you can get coffee and snacks, are all available. The focus is always on the children, and this resort knows it.
The SpongeBob SplashBash LED light show features a sing-along and musical fountain every evening. Nickelodeon characters also greet guests in the mornings. On weekends and weeknights, there is a kids’ unsupervised area. Prices, including park entry, start at around $349 per day.
Turtle Beach Resort
Four swimming pools, a movie theatre, and an on-site water park may make your kids think they have found a place of wonder. Turtle Beach Resort is a great family accommodation located on the Gold Coast near Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and Surfers Paradise. It offers self-contained one, two, or three-bedroom apartments.
The spaces, which are simple but meet the needs of a family, include fully equipped kitchens, balconies or patios with TVs, and laundry facilities. The team will even arrange bed rails, cribs, and prams for you if you have very little children with you. The water park has four slides, two toddler slides, and water cannons to make them smile. There’s also a mini-golf course, tennis court, and games room, as well as the Turtle Kids Club, which offers daily activities and fun for kids aged 4 to 12.
There are four spas on the property and two saunas for you to sweat out the toxins after a night of indulgence. The rates start at around $225 per night.
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
The JW Marriot Gold Coast Resort & Spa is the region’s best-loved family resort pool. It combines luxurious accommodations with carefully selected amenities for children.
This family accommodation is located on the Gold Coast and features a spectacular saltwater laguna, which includes a cave with waterfalls, over 200 tropical fish, as well as a private beach. Drop off your snorkel before you step over to the freshwater pool with a waterslide or one of the scattered Jacuzzis, including one cool design built inside a cave.
This outdoor playground is a haven for kids, with an aquatic recreation center that offers sea scooters and snorkeling gear. They can also take part in daily fish feedings or a scavenger hunt.
The fun continues inside as classes on pizza, sushi, and chocolate are held. Juniors can also take part in a course on mixology, where they will learn to make healthy juice concoctions by shaking and stirring.
Each of the 223 rooms at this hotel offers a unique mix of views from either the ocean or the hinterland. They are all beautifully appointed with marble bathrooms and bathtubs.
The dining options are also of the highest quality. Citrique Restaurant, an international masterpiece, offers a seafood-filled buffet, a buffet breakfast with an ice cream station, a five-course degustation, and seasonal set menus. Chapter & Verse serves up killer cocktails, and The Pool Pavilion offers Asian fusion food and other tasty lunch options. The rates start at around $500 per night.
Treasure Island Holiday Resort
Treasure Island Holiday Resort is a must-visit for families traveling with young children.
The Biggera Waters resort has a lot to offer for kids, including a children’s club, four pools, and a splash area. They can also hire go-karts and bounce on a bouncing pillow. There’s even more.
The park offers a Kids vs. wild Survival program from the same team that created the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. Children are taught useful life skills such as building shelters and navigating difficult terrain in the great outdoors.
Galleons Bistro offers hearty pub-style food, and the resort has a variety of rooms, including the most stylish glamping tents starting at $137 per night. Tent sites begin at $56, and self-contained villas are available for $199.
Big4 Gold Coast
Are you here for the theme park? The Gold Coast family accommodations are a short drive away from the major attractions. You’re less than two minutes away from Wet’n’Wild and Topgolf Gold Coast. Movie World, the Australian Outback Spectacular, as well as Game Over Gold Coast Go-Karting.
There are activities for all hours of the day. From a large waterslide, splash zone, and lagoon pool to a remote-controlled car track and frisbee-golf (you aim to throw frisbees in tiny holes) to bocce, kids’ clubs, and basketball courts.
Go-karts are available for kids to ride around the BIG 4 Gold Coast Holiday Park. (Image: Destination Gold Coast).
Rooms are delivered by truckloads when it’s time for a recharge. There are self-contained rooms in motels, cabins, and cottages. Also available are powered and unpowered camping sites. Although the style is simple, it’s worth every penny. Rooms with four walls begin at $196 per night. Camping starts at $39 per day.