Choose your perfect Gold Coast accommodation: whether you’re looking for a kid-friendly pad in Surfers Paradise or an adventure lodge in the Hinterland.
We're looking for... a family resort in Surfers Paradise
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
Our favourite perk: Endless kids’ activities and a fantastic water park
Voted Australia’s most family-friendly resort, Paradise Resort Gold Coast is located in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Your kids will love the jam-packed programme of activities like hair braiding, cupcake decorating, and mug makeovers, as well as the facilities – laser tag, rock climbing, ice skating, jungle gyms, water parks and pools all on-site.
As well as access to the BBQ areas, you can enjoy family meals at Penguins Restaurant, a casual bite at Deb’s Pizza Shack or Jerry’s Burger Bar, or a poolside treat at Poolside Café and Bar. While the kids are occupied, parents can enjoy some child-free relaxation time at the adults-only lounge, bar and pool.
Highlights
- Amazing waterslide park
- Ice skating rink
- Kids’ club
Deals & packages
- Winter with the Whales – A whale watching getaway from just $679 per family
Q1 Resort and Spa
Our favourite perk: Staying in Australia’s tallest building
Q1 Resort & Spa is Australia’s tallest residential building and the apartments here are especially spacious. Oversized one, two, three and four-bedroom options accommodate families of all sizes, giving kids and parents their own space.
There are two outdoor lagoon pools, a heated indoor pool and a games room, plus all the family-friendly attractions, cafes and restaurants of Surfers Paradise within walking distance. Parents can splurge with a visit to Stephanies® Wellness Spa and book a single or couples massage, or take your mini-me for a kid-friendly ‘Little Luxe’ package.
Highlights
- Self-contained apartments
- Three pools (one heated)
- Games room
- Same building as SkyPoint
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
Our favourite perk: 5-star luxury from start to finish
There’s plenty for families at the stylish JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. The property’s 215 guest rooms and 23 suites have been recently refurbished, offering marble bathrooms, luxurious bedding and Nespresso coffee machines.
As well as Surfers Paradise’s world-famous beaches there are multiple swimming options on-site: the freshwater pool or a tropical saltwater lagoon. Parents can hire a cabana or settle onto a poolside lounge to watch the kids splash and snorkel.
Highlights
- Freshwater pool with slide
- Snorkelling in the waterfall lagoon
- Farm-to-table JW Garden
We're looking for... the best accommodation near the theme parks
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Our favourite perk: A HUGE water park and great-value holiday packages
As the nearest holiday park to the Gold Coast theme parks, BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is the ideal place to stay if your kids are nagging you for a visit. It’s just across the road from MovieWorld, Wet’n’Wild and Outback Spectacular and only a couple of minutes’ drive from Dreamworld and White WaterWorld.
The pet-friendly park has a resort-style pool with a waterslide, eco-friendly playground, giant jumping pillow and licensed eatery with al fresco dining on the terrace. It hosts outdoor movies at night and there’s a kids’ club during the school holidays.
Sea World Resort Gold Coast - Main Beach
Our favourite perk: Exclusive Nickelodeon character meet-and-greets
Sensational Sea World Resort has been winning awards for family excellence for over 30 years. Located right on the doorstep of Sea World Marine Park, Sea World Resort makes it easy to explore the theme park on a single-day or multi-day pass. Kids will love the resort’s aqua play area, which hosts a daily SpongeBob SplashBash light show.
An exclusive for resort guests, kids can meet their favourite Nickelodeon characters in daily meet-and-greets, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, and Dora.
Highlights
- Nickelodeon meet-and-greets
- Heated resort pool and spa
- Splash pad
NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park
Our favourite perk: The Bear Grylls Survival Academy program for families
Located within walking distance of Harbourtown shopping outlet, NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort has cabins, villas and units as well as powered caravan and campsites. It’s just 15 minutes drive north of Surfers Paradise and centrally located between all the Gold Coast’s major theme parks.
Self-contained accommodation options include one and two-bedroom units and cabins right up to three-bedroom townhouses. Kids will love the four resort-style pools, jumping pillow, go karts, mini-golf, playground and daily kids’ club while Galleons Bistro & Bar is a handy spot to grab a bite.
Highlights
- Four pools (including littlies’ wading pool)
- Bear Grylls Survival Academy
- Pirate-themed water park and mini golf
We're looking for... a comfortable self-contained stay
Peppers Broadbeach - Broadbeach
Our favourite perk: The teppanyaki barbeques and zen garden
25 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, Peppers Broadbeach has well-appointed one, two and three-bedroom suites. Thought has been put into the design, amenities and customer service here with a well-appointed kitchen, laundry, separate shower and bath, free Wi-Fi, and Foxtel IQ for on-demand streaming.
There’s also a 1:1 ratio between bedrooms and bathrooms so parents and kids don’t have to share. Facilities include a heated outdoor resort pool, lap pool, sauna and spa, as well as some unique 5-star perks like the theatrette, teppanyaki barbecues and zen garden with tai chi lawn.
Burleigh Surf Beachfront Apartments
Our favourite perk: It’s directly across from Burleigh Beach
Burleigh Surf Beachfront Apartments on The Esplanade offers one, two and three-bedroom accommodation complete with living room, private balcony, laundry, spa bath and a full kitchen. For group trips, there’s also a six-bedroom penthouse that sleeps up to twelve guests. In addition to two pools (one indoor and one outdoor) Burleigh Surf features an indoor spa, steam room, tennis court, games room and barbecue area.
The Lotus, Broadbeach Waters
Ever had your own beach on holiday? The Lotus is a hit with families who want a touch of luxury, plus all the attractions of the Gold Coast on their doorstep. The six-bedroom home sleeps up to 14 guests and includes a pool, multiple living areas, a terrace-style barbecue area for entertaining and direct access to the sandy beach. Baby hire equipment, housekeeping, catering and more is available on request. The north-facing home has extensive waterfront views and is a short walk to restaurants, cafes, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and The Star Gold Coast.
We're looking for... a farm stay or adventure lodge
Binna Burra Lodge
At Beechmont’s Binna Burra Lodge, you can stay in a safari tent, tiny home or the eco-friendly Sky Lodge Apartments with scenic views over the Gold Coast Hinterland. The region has plenty of family-friendly bushwalks and the Happitat eco-adventure park set to open mid-2025.
Mt Barney Lodge
Mt Barney Lodge in the Scenic Rim offers a range of adventure activities including abseiling, rock climbing, hiking and Indigenous tours. Pitch a tent at the campsite, go for a family glamping experience or book into the comfortable homestead.
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat - Canungra
Head out to Lamington National Park for O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk, a unique Hinterland adventure through the rainforest canopy. Other activities at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat include feeding the colourful parrots, ziplining through the trees, vineyard tours and even an alpaca farm. Better make a weekend of it!
Ecopark Luscombe
You’re guaranteed to catch a fish at Ecopark Fishing World in Luscombe, though don’t forget to throw it back! As well as their kid-friendly catch-and-release fishing experience, the attraction is a fully fledged farm stay with animals, buggy rides, paddle boats, mini golf and a jumping castle. Choose between camping and lodge accommodation for your ideal Gold Coast hinterland getaway.
We're looking for... a handy Gold Coast airport hotel
Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel
With all the uncertainty involved in flying – from nightmarish queues at airports during peak periods to unexpected flight changes – it’s no wonder airport hotels have surged in popularity, especially with families who need the convenience more than anyone. And while there may be a perception that airport hotels are boring many, such as Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel, are surprisingly cool, with everything from fun surf décor to a cool rooftop restaurant and bar with a great vibe.
