From relaxing on sandy beaches to enjoying adrenaline-filled afternoons, every day is an adventure on the Gold Coast. Dive into our family activity guides below for over 70 fun things to do with kids!
Some families love action-packed adventures, while others prefer quiet nature walks – and there’s plenty of room for both in your Gold Coast holiday itinerary. Watch whales breach during migration season, discover glow worms lighting up cave walls in Springbrook National Park, or join a guided Indigenous cultural walk. These authentic experiences often create more lasting memories than any theme park ride!
Choose what kind of Gold Coast fun you’re looking for:
20+ outdoor adventures for families on the Gold Coast
Ready to discover the Gold Coast beyond the roller coasters? This holiday hotspot is like nature’s own theme park, from crystal-clear swimming holes to ancient rainforests and pristine beaches.
Each spot offers something special, from close encounters with native wildlife to peaceful family picnics. Don’t forget the Gold Coast’s many adventure playgrounds and fascinating nature education programs!
8 best Gold Coast theme parks to visit with kids
For a holiday the kids are guaranteed to be talking about for years to come, you can’t beat a visit to the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks, from the rides and rollercoasters of Dreamworld to the epic waterslides at Whitewater World.
Families can also meet their favourite stars and superheroes at Warner Bros. Movie World, and the marine life at Sea World, and see a magnificent show at Australian Outback Spectacular. Spend a day on the farm at Paradise Country and hit micro-chipped golf balls into giant targets from your own bay at Australia’s first Topgolf.
14 Gold Coast animal encounters that are totally wild!
Did you know that the Gold Coast is a haven for family-friendly animal encounters? Start with the classic koala photos and lorikeet-feeding experience, but don’t stop there.
Whether you’re planning a school holiday escape or a cheeky weekend trip, this guide will introduce you to the top animal sanctuaries, farm experiences and wildlife-spotting outdoor adventures on the Gold Coast.
10 free things to do on the Gold Coast with kids
We’ve rounded up the best free family activites that Gold Coast locals treasure. These hidden gems won’t empty your wallet, but they’re still so (naturally!) fun, the kids won’t even miss the theme parks. Read our guide to discover the budget-friendly spots where Gold Coast families love to play.
12 wonderful winter activities on the Gold Coast
Dive into these winter activities for the ultimate mid-year getaway with kids! From whale watching and WINTERFEST at Dreamworld to ice-skating at Planet Chill, here are some great ideas for things to do with kids during the cooler months.
Dog-friendly things to do on the Gold Coast
In Australia, dogs are part of the family – so it’s no surprise that the Gold Coast is full of dog-friendly beaches, off-leash areas, parks, pubs and cafes where families and their pooches are welcome. Get the scoop in our dog-friendly guide to the Gold Coast.
4 more things to do on the Gold Coast with kids
1. Boost your adrenaline with a racing experience
Go go-karting at Kingston Park Raceway with its own dedicated kids’ section. If that’s not enough, over-12s can test themselves at Off Road Rush, Alberton, the most extreme V8 race cars around. Their Family Drive Package lets two adults and up to three kids experience the power of a V8 Race Buggy or WRX Subaru.
2. Experience the classic Surfers Paradise attractions
Meet movie stars, scientists, explorers, villains and world leaders at the Surfers Paradise Wax Museum, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn a thing or two at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum and trip out at Infinity, a futuristic maze of about 20 multi-sensory environments, which use sound and light to create surreal optical illusions. Hit the alleys at Strike Bowling in Surfers Paradise. The ever-expanding entertainment precinct now offers escape rooms, pool tables, Holey Moley mini golf and interactive darts.
3. Catch a flick at the Yatala Drive-in movie theatre
Step back in time and take the kids to a movie at Yatala Drive-in Theatre, just off the Pacific Motorway.
4. Be delighted at the Queensland Theatre of Puppetry
Check out a show by the Queensland Theatre of Puppetry in Macintosh Island Park.
Where to stay on the Gold Coast with kids
Paradise Resort Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise
Paradise Resort Gold Coast has it all for the ultimate in Gold Coast family fun. There is a giant Kids’ Water Park right in the centre of the resort, an indoor and outdoor playground, a permanent ice-skating rink, plus a whole range of free daily activities and entertainment. Read our first-hand review here.
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park - Helensvale
Without doubt, the biggest drawcard of this holiday park is its waterpark. At ten metres high, it’s the tallest waterpark at any holiday park in Australia, with a huge tipping bucket and several slides catering to kids of different ages. And it’s heated! But if that’s not enough, here are 12 more reasons families love it.
Opening image: See jellyfish at SeaWorld on the Gold Coast
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Tonya Ward, Kris Alexander
