Ready to explore the Gold Coast beyond the roller coasters? When daily routines keep us distracted, these outdoor adventures are a breath of fresh air for kids and grown-ups alike.
Back in the ‘good old days’ (i.e. before Roblox and daily extracurriculars) kids could usually be found running wild and woolly outdoors. Today, we know nature play helps to ease anxiety and soothe overstimulated senses—at ages three, thirteen or 43!
Beyond making memories or taking photos, nature experiences create opportunities to truly be present in every precious moment together. These Gold Coast family activities will foster the spirit of exploration in every child (while parents rediscover their own).
Tip: Get the ultimate nature escape at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, where koalas and kangaroos roam the leafy 32-acre grounds. Just minutes from the big theme parks, it’s the perfect place for families to reconnect with nature—and each other!
The Gold Coast's best swimming holes and rock pools
Hunting for the Gold Coast’s best family-friendly swimming holes? From the ever-popular rock pools to hidden waterfalls perfect for a dip, here are our favourites:
Currumbin Rock Pools - Currumbin Valley
A quick 15-minute drive from the popular surf beach, Currumbin Rock Pools are a local family favourite. From paddlers to confident swimmers, a mix of shallow and deeper pools cater to kids of all ages. Make it a day out with picnic tables, barbecues and a café across the road.
Cougal Cascades - Springbrook National Park
A five-minute drive and 800-metre walk from Currumbin Rock Pools you’ll find another secret swimming hole—complete with waterfall! It takes some rock-hopping to reach the Cougal Cascades for a dip, but the view from the scenic platform is equally rewarding. Look out for native birds, monitor lizards and the remnants of an old bush sawmill nearby.
Cedar Creek Falls - Tamborine Mountain
A 15-minute walk from Thunderbird Park leads you through an open canyon to Cedar Creek Falls. Take a dip in the bubbling rock pools and keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife, as kangaroos, wallabies, platypus and koalas call this patch of rainforest home.
Burleigh Heads Beach Rock Pools - Burleigh Heads
Budding marine biologists will adore Burleigh Heads Rock Pools, visible at low tide in front of John Laws Park. Kids will be amazed by what they spot in these natural aquariums! Also known as Burleigh Hill, John Laws Park is one of the Gold Coast’s best spots for a family picnic, so bring a rug and your favourite snacks (and if you’re visiting the Gold Coast in winter, use the viewing platform and telescope to look out for whales!)
Kid-friendly bushwalks in Gold Coast National Parks
Natural Bridge Circuit - Springbrook National Park
World-Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park is a wonderland of discovery. Hidden amid ancient rainforest are roaring waterfalls, fluorescent glowworms and mighty trees over 3,000 years old. The one-kilometre Natural Bridge Circuit to the glowworm cave is suitable for prams, wheelchairs and little legs alike. Expect a dazzling display after dark, especially from December to March, when the little bugs shine their brightest.
Oceanview Track & Rainforest Circuit - Burleigh Head National Park
Foreshore meets rainforest at Burleigh Head National Park with two distinct (and kid-friendly) walks. The Oceanview Track spans 1.2 km (30 minutes one-way) past soaring sea eagles and basalt columns, courtesy of the now-dormant Tweed Volcano. The steeper Rainforest Circuit (2.3 km or 45 minutes) offers multiple platforms for whale-watching during winter and spring. To learn from the land’s Traditional Owners, take a guided walk from nearby Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Centenary Track - Lamington National Park
Lamington National Park has over 160 kilometres of walking trails, starting with the 30-minute Centenary Track – a gentle and pram-friendly meander through the subtropical rainforest. Stop at the benches to sit quietly and look for wildlife, like brush-tailed rock wallabies, bowerbirds and the rare Albert’s Lyrebird. Big kids and teens may be up for the 7.6 km hike to Elabana Falls, a horsetail-style waterfall and swimming hole.
Wildlife walks in Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area
Animal-lovers are in for a treat at Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area, where flat trails and boardwalks wind through diverse wetland, grassland and bush habitat. Located just south of Helensvale, it’s an easy and accessible destination for walks, bike rides and birdwatching.
Kids will love spotting koalas in the trees, watching water birds from the boardwalk and seeing kangaroos grazing in the open grasslands. Stick around until sunset to see grey-headed flying foxes at their most active (though be sure you’re out of the gates by closing time at 6 p.m.)
Gold Coast Skywalks and TreeTop Challenges
O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk - Lamington National Park
A must-do is O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk, which offers a bird’s eye view from 30 meters high among ancient fig trees. Other activities on the Hinterland property include ziplining, wildlife shows, glowworm tours, bird feeding, e-biking and even a vineyard.
Tip: Sign the kids up for the eco-rangers school holiday program and head straight for the cellar door!
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk - Tamborine Mountain
See the Gold Coast from a new perspective with a stroll on the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. The 1500-metre walk combines rainforest trails with treetop platforms 30 metres high and a thrilling cantilever bridge.
Treetop Challenge at Thunderbird Park - Tamborine Mountain
Known as “the Gold Coast’s biggest adventure playground”, there’s stacks to do at Thunderbird Park: climb, swing and zipline on the Treetop Challenge Course, unearth hidden treasures at the Thunderegg mine, or go head-to-head with laser tag, pickleball and mini golf all on offer. Kids can even get behind the wheel of their favourite Matchbox machines at DIG IT – Australia’s first mini excavator park for kids.
Best Gold Coast beach activities for kids
Learn to surf at The Spit with Get Wet
Two-hour introductory lessons with Get Wet Surf School are the perfect way for kids and adults to learn the ropes. Learn-to-surf sessions are divided into age groups, welcoming kids aged six and up, as well as mixed family classes for ages eight and over, so the whole family can try surfing together. For kids under six, you’ll need to book a private lesson to ensure they always have one-on-one support in the water. Lessons are held at The Spit with hotel transfers available and all equipment is provided — just bring your swimmers, towels, thongs and water bottles.
Go swimming in Tallebudgera Creek's calm waters
Just across the bridge from Burleigh Head National Park is Tallebudgera Creek’s patrolled swimming spot (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). The calm waters are perfect for littlies, while for grown-ups, the shady park and coffee kiosk seal the deal. Locals also love the secluded Echo Beach – on the opposite bank – for SUPing and fishing.
Take a snorkelling tour out to Stradbroke Island
Yes, Queensland has some beautiful islands this far south too! South Stradbroke Island is the most well known and commonly visited. The waters here are full of marine life such as dolphins, turtles and stingrays. A lot of tours from the Gold Coast will stop at other islands on the way, where you can do some great snorkelling. You can also take the SeaLink ferry to North Straddie for a day of snorkelling or scuba diving.
Charter a boat for a family fishing adventure
There is some quality fishing off the Gold Coast, so if you’re keen to reel in a catch, you’re in luck! There’s an abundance of fishing charter options, many of which are kid-friendly and even have flushing toilets on board.
Gold Coast Fishing Charters offers half-day group charters and private charters for deep-sea fishing. Join a ladies-only expedition with BK’s Fishing for a unique girls’ trip, or take the whole family out on the calm Broadwater (ages six and up).
Outdoor school holiday programs on the Gold Coast
During school holidays, the Friends of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens run fantastic Botanica Quest workshops to get kids excited about local plants and animals.
The NaturallyGC program is another local gem with year-round family activities, including bushwalks, nature photography, wildlife encounters, gardening workshops and marine education.
Birdwings Forest School runs award-winning school holiday programs on Kombumerri Country, bringing wild nature spaces to life for children aged five and up, while Starting Strong takes learning outdoors with immersive nature play activities.
The best Gold Coast parks and playgrounds
Epic adventure playgrounds
Dreams come true at Country Paradise Parklands in Nerang, where an impressive 11.5-metre windmill leads to a mega slide through a water-tank tunnel and swing bridge. Gilston Hall Park is a hidden gem in the Hinterland where kids can test their balance on rock pathways and conquer natural climbing features.
Water play for all ages
Broadwater Parklands has something for all ages: the inflatable GC Aqua Park offers thrills for big kids, while littlies can splash and play in the Parklands’ water zone with sea animal statues and mini weirs. Budding engineers can experiment at Country Paradise Parklands using water pumps, troughs, and ramps.
Eco-friendly playground
Families staying at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park get the best of both worlds! The park’s sustainable playground includes a springer and spinning Supernova, a 30-metre-long double cableway and giant pentagon-shaped Climbing Bloqx to conquer.
Guests also score unlimited access to the monster water park, boasting over 300m of waterslide action from the multi-level platform topped by a giant tipping bucket. Of course, there’s water play galore for little ones too.
Where to have a family barbecue on the Gold Coast
Our tip is to pack a picnic or drop by a local butcher for sausage sizzle supplies – you’ll find over 380 public barbecues across the Gold Coast!
Paradise Point Parklands combines fantastic playground fun with beautiful Broadwater views and plenty of picnic spaces. For a peaceful option, try Cascade Gardens with its multiple BBQ areas tucked among leafy surrounds, offering both covered and open-air tables.
When you stay at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, you don’t have to go far! There are three oversized and covered BBQ areas located near the ensuite campsites and family cabins. Complete with fridge and freezer storage, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a snag or two with the whole family. For a quick meal, dine on the terrace at Nibbles Café (open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) or pick up authentic wood-fired pizza for a picnic feast.
Embrace the outdoors at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Unwind, refresh and reconnect at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, a leafy 32-acre oasis just minutes from the theme parks. It’s the perfect blend of resort-style comforts—like a water park and poolside café—all while immersed in the Great Aussie Outdoors.
“There’s a lot of room for kids to just run around and exhaust themselves,” business development manager Candy Workman says. “There’s a saltwater creek that runs through the park where people can go fishing. We also have a lot of wildlife and birds in the park, so it’s an opportunity for kids to get in touch with nature. With everything going on, the kids don’t worry about their screens.”
Where kids are free to be kids
From tots to tweens, outdoor activities galore support physical and emotional wellbeing. Growing kids can hit the eco-friendly playground to practice motor skills, coordination, sensory skills and social play. For even more outdoor fun, there’s a basketball court, goal posts, pedal karts and a jumping pillow. Hop aboard the new miniature train to explore the park in style!
Splash down in the water park
At ten metres high, BIG4 Gold Coast’s monster waterslides are the tallest at any Aussie holiday park, topped with a huge tipping bucket. Between the multi-lane body slide, aquatube slides and compact slide, even big kids will be enthralled for hours. Splash zones give littlies a safe space for water play, while shady cabanas are a recipe for parental bliss.
A greener side to the Gold Coast
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park offers camping, safari tent, caravan and cabin accommodation, including group bookings and dog-friendly options. Facilities for Fido include an off-leash dog park, DIY dog wash and new doggy daycare. After a day of outdoor adventures, the commercial-grade laundry is ready to clean those muddy kids’ clothes—so don’t hold back!
Produced in partnership with BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Opening image: Father and daughter bushwalking at Tamborine Mountain © Tourism and Events Queensland
