Welcome to the Gold Coast

three friends running into the surf with their surfboards on a Gold Coast beach

Swim, surf and play on the magical Gold Coast beaches. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

You could say that 'life is a rollercoaster' considering there are so many Gold Coast theme parks to choose from. Visit the Disney-inspired Dreamworld, White Water World, Warner Brothers Movie World, Wet and Wild, Seaworld, or the Australian Outback Spectacular. And when you're done at the theme parks, there's plenty of other cool activities and places to visit. Let's dig a little deeper into what each theme park offers.

  • Dreamworld Gold Coast is Australia’s largest theme park and has heaps of rides and attractions. Daredevils will love the big thrill rides that go to dizzying heights at high speeds. For the little kids, there are plenty of family and kid rides and shows including Wiggles World.

  • Sea World Gold Coast is a theme park and a marine animal park. It has polar bears, seals, dolphins, penguins, sharks, rays, and much more. There's also plenty of rides and shows including the Dolphin Imagine Show, Fish Detectives Sea Lion Show and Jet Stunt Extreme.  
     

People in the water meeting and patting a dolphin at Seaworld on the Gold Coast

Meet the beautiful and friendly dolphins at Seaworld. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

  • Experience the true spirit of outback Australia in Outback Spectacular. Indulge in a three-course Aussie banquet as you immerse yourself in the evening’s live entertainment.

  • Movie World is filled with celebrities, and all your favourite comic characters, from Bugs Bunny to Batman! Go from zero to 100kms in two seconds on the Superman Escape, save the galaxy with the Green Lantern Coaster, and lose your mind in Arkham Asylum.

  • Need a cool down after all those rides? Then grab your towel and splash on in to WhiteWater World (attached to Dreamworld) and Wet ‘n’ Wild (next to Movie World). These water parks will have you slipping and sliding all over the place.


Adrenaline activities

 People taking a jet boat ride on the Gold Coast Broadwater

Take a spin in a jet boat on the Gold Coast Broadwater. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

  • Take a tandem skydive. Flights take off from Gold Coast airport drop you on the soft white sand at Kirra Beach.

  • Take a scenic seaplane flight over the Gold Coast and see the glitter strip in all its glory.

  • Hire a jet ski tour and zoom through the Broadwaters, or book a sightseeing cruise around the Gold Coast.

  • See the Gold Coast from Skypoint at Q1. Take your experience to a new level with a Skypoint Climb (must be 12 years and over). Morning, daytime or twilight climbs are available, and don’t be afraid to look down!

  • Is it a bus or is it a boat? No, it’s Aquaduck!  You'll traverse both land and sea. Hold on tight as you dive - or should I say drive - straight into the Broadwater. It’s quacktastic!


Weird & wacky museums

a couple hand feeding the lorikeets at Currumbin wildlife sanctuary

Meet the lorikeets at Currumbin wildlife sanctuary. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

  • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is well known for its lorikeet feedings, has kangaroos and wallabies hopping around, and an Adventure Parc. where you can climb, swing and zipline through the treetops. 
  • Check out Holoverse - the world’s first hologram centre. Explore 40 hologram rooms that project artificial worlds around you. Go from patting a lion in Africa, swimming in the ocean, jumping down holes to flying through the sky. 

  • Welcome to the Wax Museum, where you'll find many lifelike figures. The museum has two exhibits, the World of Wax and Chamber of Horrors. Rub shoulders with the rich and royal or be horrified at the merciless torture devices on display.

  • Step inside a high-tech world at Infinity. You’ll have an a-MAZE-ing time as you passage through 20 futuristic realms of excitement including, Electron Maze, Magic Zone, Eclipse and more!

  • Check out ArtVo which is an art museum of a very different kind. This combines oversized murals and optical illusions where you'll come face to face with wild animals, scale rocky crevasses and surf the ultimate huge waves.

  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not! will have you scratching your head in disbelief. Could it really be true? Keep the family entertained as you explore through 16 themed galleries featuring relics, illusions and interactive displays.
     


Gold Coast's great outdoors

a dad cooking dinner at one of the free BBQs and laughing with his daughter at a Gold Coast beach

Dine alfresco at the beach. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

The Gold Coast is fun-filled with all kinds of outdoor activities - from beaches, surfing and swimming to bushwalking in national parks. Find out more about the many outdoor activities waiting for you.

 

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Places to stay

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Choose your inspiration

Stop dreaming & start planning your next getaway. Here's a few ideas to get you started.