The insider's guide: 12 Dreamworld tips for the best day out

The more planning you do ahead of time, the more you’ll get out of the day.

Grab an online map, check the show timetables, and pre-book any family-favourite wildlife encounters ahead of time. Dreamworld is a playground for the young and young-at-heart, so a little preparation will help ensure everyone has a good time – even if you have a toddler who’s ready for the tea cups and a teen racing toward Tail Spin.

Don’t forget to circle whole-of-family activities like the dodgem cars or Sky Voyager flying theatre so you can share some laughter with everyone.

2. Arrive early – and start your day with the biggest rides that usually have the longest lines

Dreamworld opens at 10am daily, so get there ahead of time to be one of the first through the gates, and first on some of the most popular rides, like Steel Taipan – the new steel coaster with the world’s first ‘Tailwhip’ spinning seat. It’ll be a total breeze if you have your entry tickets pre-booked online and the barcodes ready for scanning.

Of course, weekends and school holidays are always the busiest times – during regular weekdays you’ll usually enjoy much shorter queues.

3. Fit more fun into your day with Ride Express

Bee lining for the biggest thrills? Squeeze more into your day and buy the Ride Express pass which offers priority queueing at many of the most popular rides, like Steel Taipan, The Claw, Tail Spin, Dreamworld Dodgems, Big Red Boat and many more.

4. Hire help ahead of time

Bringing kids in strollers or have accessibility needs? You might not have all your essentials while you’re travelling, but Dreamworld makes it easy. Head online to hire mobility scooters or Burleigh wagons ahead of your visit. Strollers and wheelchairs are available for hire in-park too.

5. Set up a meeting point that’s fun in its own right

Is your crew going in different directions for a ride or two? You’ll want to set a meeting place before you do – but make it a fun one. Why wait by the toilets when you can reconvene at Tiger Island, and watch the tigers roam from the all-weather viewing platform.

6. Beat the heat at WhiteWater World next door

Neighbouring WhiteWater World is the place to be for sunny splashes during the warmer months. With heaps of water slides and attractions for all ages, WhiteWater World features ground breaking technology to deliver some serious slide fun– and entry is included in your Dreamworld ticket. There's also a dedicated Quiet Hour every Friday.

7. Save time in your day for the animal sanctuary

Need a little break from the thrill rides and G force? One of our best Dreamworld tips is to spend a little downtime explore the park’s wild side. Dreamworld is home to an impressive wildlife conservation park and is the largest zoological contributor to tiger conservation worldwide. Explore Australia’s rich natural ecosystems and see koalas, kangaroos and even crocs in the Native Wildlife Walkthrough zone. Learn about tiger conservation at Tiger Island, or get up close with a wildlife encounter.

The whole family can also get an immersive wildlife experience in the new Rivertown precinct, set to open in late-2024. Storytelling leads the way here, with thrills to be found on the Jungle Rush family coaster, debuting the world’s first inclined turntable.

Which leads us to other important Dreamworld tips…

8. Book wildlife experiences in advance

Do your kids want to get a photo with a koala, meet Dreamworld’s dingoes or help feed the tigers? Avoid disappointment and book any must-do wildlife encounters online ahead of time.

9. Take a picnic lunch next door to WhiteWater World

Doing Dreamworld on a budget? We get it – buying food throughout the day can really push those costs higher. While Dreamworld has a no BYO-food policy (unless there’s a medical reason for it) WhiteWater World, right next door, is home to some of the greatest water rides on the planet and here, poolside picnic spaces welcome a BYO snack spread. With a little bit of planning, you can fill the family esky (aka ice box) with all those sandwiches, drinks, and picnic goodies to last the day. Fuel up, then jump from one park to the other.

10. Remember the grown ups can have fun too

While it may be tricky to tear your youngsters away from Dreamworld’s dedicated kids zone, remember that theme parks can be for the parents, too.

Dreamworld offers a “Parent Swap“ service, where one parent rides while the kids are looked after by the other, and then the favour is returned. The second parent sharing ride responsibilities can go to the front of the line without waiting again. Ask the ride attendant at each ride for details.

11. Discount tickets are available

There are so many ways to get discount Dreamworld tickets, so you can save money for an ice cream at the end of the day.

• Buy your Dreamworld tickets online and you’ll save $10 on the gate price.
• If you live in Queensland or Northern New South Wales, take advantage of their Locals Annual Pass for 12 months of unlimited fun.
• Get discounted entry with multi-day passes.
• Upgrade to a two-day/two-attractions pass to include entry to Skypoint alongside your ticket to Dreamworld/WhiteWater World.
• If you have automotive membership such as RACQ or NRMA, great theme park deals may be available - including discounted day or annual passes. 

And remember – kids under three years of age can enter for free at Dreamworld, any day.

12. Time your Dreamworld visit for a special event

No day is the same at Dreamworld. Time your visit for school holiday parades, vibrant night markets filled with food trucks and live entertainment, or a seasonal celebration – like a magical wonderland of ice skating and tobogganing during Winterfest, or spooky sightings over Halloween.

Now that you have all the important Dreamworld tips, get ready for an immersive experience that will leave your family with memories to cherish forever.

Looking for more fun on the Gold Coast? There's more theme park thrills to be had - or check out these things to do with the kids during school holidays.