A trip to the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks is a bucket list experience for many Aussie families. Whether you want to hit the rides and rollercoasters of Dreamworld, meet friendly marine life at Sea World or be transported into rural Australia at the Outback Spectacular, here’s everything you need to know about the top eight Gold Coast theme parks.
Which Gold Coast theme park should I visit with kids?
Bundled tickets make it easy to visit multiple theme parks during your Gold Coast holiday, as does convenient accommodation—like BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, the closest holiday park to the theme parks.
However, when there are so many fun things to do on the Gold Coast, you might still need to prioritise to suit your itinerary. As well as the age of your kids, consider which themed attractions your kids will love most—Looney Tunes and DC heroes at Movie World, Nickelodeon favourites at SeaWorld or The Wiggles at Dreamworld.
Most Gold Coast theme parks are open all year round, with the exception of Whitewater World (which operates from September until April). Wet’n’Wild remains open year-rounnd, and the water is heated, perfect if you’re visiting the Gold Coast in winter.
A kid-friendly guide to the Gold Coast's best theme parks
Whichever theme parks tickle your fancy, you’ll want to know how to get the most from your visit. Read on to find out:
- Which rides are best for kids of all ages
- How to get discount admission tickets
- Where to stay near the Gold Coast theme parks
- Our top tips and tricks for visiting with kids
It’s everything you need for the best-ever Gold Coast theme park trip!
1. Dreamworld
As Australia’s biggest theme park, Dreamworld is the first port of call for many families visiting the Gold Coast. It’s designed around several themed lands that include Tiger Island, Ocean Parade and Gold Rush Country.
Best for toddlers and preschoolers
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Dreamworld Express before getting up close to Australian wildlife at the Native Wildlife Walkthrough. Dreamworld is also home to Kenny & Belinda’s Dreamland, where young visitors can meet some of their favourite TV characters and enjoy rides inspired by The Wiggles, Play School and Bananas in Pyjamas.
Best for big kids and teens
You can brave the thrilling inversion of the Buzzsaw rollercoaster or the Steel Taipan triple-launch coaster. The Giant Drop is an oldie but a goldie, with unbeatable views of the Gold Coast from the top.
Top family tips
Make note of Dreamworld’s upgraded Parents Centre on the map—it’s a comfortable place to feed little ones or give overstimulated kids some sensory-friendly quiet time.
Worried about the school holiday queues? A Dreamworld Ride & Slide Express Pass scores you priority access to popular attractions during peak times.
2. WhiteWater World
Just next to Dreamworld, you’ll find WhiteWater World, which celebrates Australia’s enviable beach culture across 11 themed attractions. All the beaches and pools are patrolled by lifeguards and there are luxury cabanas dotted throughout the park where you can kick back for the day. While the Park is closed during the cooler months, it reopens in time for the September school holidays.
Best for toddlers and preschoolers
Kids of all ages will love the Cave of Waves, where the wave pool’s gentle swell is accompanied by the guttural groans of Huey the Surf God, while young punters can get active at the water-themed fort of Pipeline Plunge.
Best for big kids and teens
There are plenty of waterslides appealing to all adrenaline levels, ranging from the two-person Little Rippers raft ride to the Fully 6 body slides and the Green Room dropout funnel.
Top family tips
If you’re visiting Dreamworld and WhiteWater World on the same day, try hitting the water park in the morning and Dreamworld in the afternoon. Most people do it the other way around, so the queues are shorter.
3. Warner Bros. Movie World
Inspired by Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Movie World is located beside the Village Roadshow Studios and is Australia’s only film-related theme park. While there are thrill rides and coasters here, the experience is more about live shows featuring your family’s favourite movie characters.
Best for toddlers and preschoolers
Littlies will love the rides in the Kids’ WB! Fun Zone and dancing along as the Looney Tunes characters make their way down Main Street. The Tom and Jerry 4D Experience will delight the whole family with moving seats and water effects.
Best for big kids and teens
Movie World packs some great thrill rides such as the DC Rivals Hypercoaster, The Flash: Speed Force, the Batwing Spaceshot and the Wild West Falls flume. Go behind the scenes with a stunt driver in the park’s iconic show and visit the WB Studio Showcase to see the largest exhibition of Warner Bros’ costumes, cars and props in the Southern Hemisphere.
Top family tips
Download the Village Roadshow app to make the most of your Movie World experience. Handy features include digital ticketing, an interactive park map, daily entertainment schedule and live updates on ride wait times.
4. Sea World
Encompassing an impressive array of rides, shows and animal encounters, Sea World immerses you in our marine environment. It’s home to Antarctic penguins, polar bears and seals, as well as Shark Bay, the world’s largest artificial shark lagoon.
Best for toddlers and preschoolers
The Nickelodeon character meet-and-greets will appeal to younger kids, as well as the Castaway Bay splash zone. Bring the whole family to learn about the park’s conservation and breeding programs at the Dolphin Nursery Pool and Seabird Rehabilitation Aviary.
Best for big kids and teens
Older kids will be in awe watching the Thunder Lake stunt show, while teens will make a beeline for The New Atlantis precinct featuring thrill rides like Vortex and Leviathan, a classic wooden coaster. Sea World’s add-on experiences are great value for older kids, ranging from reef snorkelling to the Marine Rescue Ranger Program.
5. Wet'n'Wild
The Gold Coast’s original water park, Wet’n’Wild, is bigger and better than ever. Families will love the side-by-side Super Ripper body slides and Mammoth Falls, a four-person tube slide the whole family can ride together.
Best for toddlers and preschoolers
The Wet’n’Wild Junior zone features scaled-down versions of the park’s slides for under-10s. There’s also the Calypso Beach lazy river, wave pool and the all-ages H2Oasis splash zone.
Best for big kids and teens
Take holiday thrills to new heights when you scale the tallest water slide in Australia, standing at 23 metres. The KABOOM! is a Southern Hemisphere trailblazer as the first Master Blaster and Tailspin slide, sending guests down a heart-stopping 10-metre drop and spiralling down a 360-degree corkscrew at up to 41 kilometres an hour.
Top family tips
Parents who aren’t keen on sliding can book a leisure lounge or a shady cabana, complete with a secure locker, coffee table and fan. It’s especially handy if you’re visiting Wet’n’Wild with babies or toddlers.
6. Paradise Country
Set on a sprawling Australian homestead, Paradise Country brings together wildlife encounters and farm-themed demonstrations, with a bit of Shaun the Sheep thrown in.
Best for toddlers and preschoolers
Jump aboard Shaun’s Tractor for a scenic ride around the property, then head to the Farmyard Play Paddock and Nursery, where you can meet domesticated animals as well as see exhibits featuring Tasmanian devils and marmosets.
Best for big kids and teens
It’s time to get hands-on as kids try their hand at opal mining and gold panning or see what it takes to shear a sheep and herd a flock. Under-13s can let loose in the interactive Pig’s Playground and discover the crazy contraptions of the Scraps & Taps water play area.
7. Topgolf
If you’ve got keen golfers in the family, then you won’t want to miss a visit to this golfing playground. That being said, Topgolf is ideal for novices and naysayers too, with live music and a chef-inspired menu to accompany your game of golf.
From your private bay, the idea is to hit micro-chipped golf balls into giant outfield targets, with greater accuracy and distance earning you more points. Kids will love the new Toptracer games, where every swing lets you interact with a virtual world—instead of golf balls, you can send Angry Birds characters flying!
When it’s not your turn, you can feast on American-inspired dishes, such as buffalo wings and burgers. Want to develop your golf skills with a certified pro? Topgolf is also staffed by coaches who can work with everyone, from absolute beginners to seasoned players.
8. Australian Outback Spectacular
In this technologically impressive show, journey into Australia’s heartland to experience the life of struggling farmers Reg and Marge. The Australian Outback Spectacular takes place in a large arena where you’ll meet some of Australia’s most endearing animals and unlikely characters as you discover the evocative, yet often unforgiving, nature of life on the land.
Accompanied by a three-course meal that supports local farmers, it’s a fascinating glimpse into rural life for city-dwelling families, showcasing the courage, bravery and generosity of outback communities. Plenty of great photo ops are available before and after the show, from the rustic cattle station to pics with the show dogs.
Suitable for all ages. Admission is free for children two years or under (not including seat and meal).
Where to stay near the Gold Coast theme parks
If you want to start the fun the moment you arrive, book a stay at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park. As well as being the closest holiday park to Dreamworld, it’s like a theme park in itself, with a huge water park, a resort-style pool, eco-friendly playground and loads of fun activities to keep the whole family happy.
The pet-friendly Gold Coast holiday park also hosts outdoor movie screenings and has a recreation room with arcade machines, pedal karts available for hire, a basketball court and goal posts for all types of ball sports. There’s also a jumping pillow and a kids’ activity centre offering arts and crafts, hair braiding and special guests such as the Reptile Man.
You can try catching a fish to cook up on one of the barbecues or in the modern camp kitchen, or dine at the on-site café.
BIG4 Gold Coast’s latest theme park holiday package offers outstanding value for money—with your choice of accommodation, theme park tickets included, and bonus perks the kids will love.
8 bonus tips for visiting Gold Coast theme parks
1. Save money by pre-purchasing tickets
Purchase theme park tickets in advance for lower prices (and to avoid queues at the park entrance). Get the best value with bundled entry for multiple parks or by booking a family accommodation package with discount tickets.
2. Book add-on experiences ahead of time
Book add-ons (like wildlife encounters or water park cabanas) ahead of time to ensure you don’t miss out on the day. This is also a great tip for equipment hire if you need a stroller, wagon or mobility device, as parks have limited numbers on hand.
3. Include some 'slow days' in your itinerary
If you’re planning to visit multiple theme parks, schedule some quieter days in between to avoid overtired and overstimulated kids. Enjoy the facilities at your Gold Coast resort of choice, including water parks and playgrounds—or send your brood off to kids’ club activities so mum and dad can have a break!
4. Involve kids in planning a theme park itinerary
Plan a theme park ‘to do’ list that covers your chosen rides, accommodates show times, and winds through each park in a logical (and energy-saving) way. Alternate rides with sit-down entertainment like animal talks to give everyone’s legs a rest.
Discuss the need for compromise with kids ahead of time. Not every ride or experience will be their favourite, but if they’re patient with their siblings’ picks, they can expect the same for their preferred rides.
5. Check for downtime on rides and attractions
Rides at Gold Coast theme parks are periodically closed for maintenance, especially in slower seasons. This is essential to keep them running safely, but can be an unpleasant surprise if you’re not in the loop. Check the park website in advance for scheduled downtime on popular attractions so kids aren’t disappointed on the day.
6. Get everyone on board with a safety plan
Theme parks are busy places and it’s important to have a safety plan in case anyone gets lost. Brief kids on the steps to take, tailored to their age and ability. Even littlies should know what to do if they suddenly can’t see mum or dad.
Splitting up can improve the theme park experience for different age groups, but ensure every group is supervised by a responsible person with a phone (and the park map downloaded). Since phones can run out of battery or be misplaced, set a designated time and place for everyone to meet up.
7. Choose a time and place to eat in advance
Feeding a family can quickly add to the cost of your trip. Luckily, Gold Coast theme parks offer some great meal deals, so check out your options ahead of time and pick an eatery that suits your budget.
If you want to avoid the midday rush, plan for an early lunch and an afternoon snack to avoid the busiest period. Many theme park food outlets now let you order online, too—much better than queuing with hungry kids!
8. Keep an eye on the souvenir spending
We all know the allure of branded goods is irresistible to kids. (Try to) keep the begging to a minimum by setting an all-day souvenir budget for each family member—yourself included! Leave the gift shops towards the end of your visit, if possible, or you might end up carrying that giant stuffed animal all day.
Keep exploring the Gold Coast with kids
Make your next Goldie getaway the best one yet with these handy hints and tips:
🌳 Get back to nature with these 20+ Gold Coast outdoor activities for families
🐶 See our dog-friendly Gold Coast guide to discover Fido’s new faves
💸 Enjoy the Gold Coast’s best free things to do – BIG fun on a budget!
Opening image: Warner Bros’ Movie World Hyper Coaster
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Angela Saurine, Dan Campbell
In partnership with BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
