The biggest playground: things to do on the Gold Coast with kids

No Gold Coast family holiday is complete without a day at a theme park, especially if you have adrenaline-seekers of any age in your tribe.

The Gold Coast is home to five large-scale theme parks and they have all the excitement you would expect: grand shows, roller coasters, fairy floss and furry, friendly animals. The hardest part is choosing which one to visit first.

2. Explore Burleigh Heads National Park

This national park on the Gold Coast is perfect for doing a lot or very little. Set up a picnic blanket on the hill to watch the surfers ride waves against a magical sunset, or embark on one of the two easy walks over or around the mountain to Tallebudgera Creek, where a sparkling beach provides the perfect place to cool off.

3. Meet the wildlife

With a history of Australian wildlife preservation reaching back over half a century, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary could be the best place on the Gold Coast for educational animal encounters. The animal sanctuary welcomes visitors year-round and even hosts eco-ranger programs for kids during the Queensland school holidays.

After meeting some of Australia’s cutest critters, take the kids’ sense of adventure to the skies and tackle Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Treetop Challenge.  Harness up and explore the rainforest across 80 different adventure courses and ziplines.

Kids fascinated by the natural world will love a visit to David Fleay Wildlife Park. Established in 1952 and often described as the “father of wildlife conservation”, David was the first person to successfully breed platypuses in captivity.

4. Discover Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park

Just a few hours inland from the shoreline, Springbrook National Park is home to one of the most ethereal natural wonders in Queensland. Surprise your mini waterfall-chasers at dusk with Natural Bridge, a small waterfall that plunges into a glow-worm cave.

It’s not suitable for prams, but the trail is easy enough that most two- and three-year-olds would be able to manage.

If you don't have your own wheels to drive to the national park, Southern Cross Tours offers a fascinating and family-friendly day out, including an evening rainforest and glow work tour.

5. Take a beach day

With around 70 kilometres of inviting coastline dotted with family-friendly areas, there’s a guaranteed spot in the sand for your troop. Grab your beach towels and sunscreen and head to any one of these glorious Gold Coast beaches.  

6. Splash and play at Broadwater Parklands

Kids need to burn off some steam? Herd them towards the Broadwater Parklands. There's multiple playgrounds (one being the fun-filled Rockpools, a sculptural water haven complete with fountains and vibrant marine-themed equipment), a public pool, a calm-water beach and the pièce de résistance, a jumping bouncy pillow.

7. Go whale watching

From May to November every year, the Gold Coast transforms into the whale highway as thousands of these graceful giants migrate from the Antarctic waters to northern Queensland to give birth before returning south.

The two hour cruises with Sea World depart multiple times per day during whale season, and have a 100% sighting guarantee - so on the very rare occasion you don't see a whale, you can cruise again for free.

8. Cool off at Currumbin Rock Pools

Take a break from the sand and make your way to the Currumbin Rock Pools for a cool spot to let the kids splash around. What used to be a locals’ secret is now a buzzing hinterland waterhole, so bring a picnic, a game or two, and your swimmers for a refreshing water day with a difference.

9. BBQ with a view

There are countless places to BBQ on the Gold Coast, but one the best is Budds Beach. It ticks off all the family boxes and then some, including calm water for the kids to swim, toilets, a café across the street, and a playground.

10. Conquer O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk

Give the kids a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest on O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk in Lamington National Park. Suspended 15 metres above the ground in the ancient Gondwana rainforest canopy, the boardwalk will make kids feel like lost-world explorers. The cherry on top? It’s free.

11. Relax at Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens

The Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens in Benowa is a playful wonderland for nature lovers. Let the kids go wild touching the plants in the sensory garden. There’s even a butterfly garden, a playground and an off-leash area for the four-legged members of the family.

12. Spend a morning at Tallebudgera Creek

Although Tallebudgera Creek feeds out to the Coral Sea, the clear blue water of the creek is gentle and inviting – perfect for small children to splash around safely.

With a small beach and lots of shade, you can swim, SUP, kayak and picnic in this little paradise. Access from the Palm Beach side of the creek is patrolled by lifeguards, or you can venture here from the Burleigh Heads National Park side and find a more secluded spot of your own.

13. Head for the hills of Tamborine Mountain

Explore the green behind the gold on a family drive to this mountain village. Take your pick of hinterland hikes from the popular Cedar Creek Falls track that leads to a cool swimming hole, to the more advanced Witches Falls and Sandy Creek circuits. For adventures of all kinds, Thunderbird Park offers high ropes courses, horse riding and endless activities for all ages.

If you’re looking for more bustle, explore the village where you’ll find quirky antiques, artwork, cafes and boutiques, and plenty of local personalities up for a friendly chat. For an out-of-this-world experience, take the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Tour through purpose-built caves that are home to thousands of spectacular glow-worms.

14. Learn to surf

The Gold Coast is known for its legendary surf breaks, so one of the best things to do with kids is to take a lesson from the pros who call these waves home. Many Gold Coast surf schools provide beginner lessons that will have your little grommets standing in no time.

15. Climb to the top of the Gold Coast skyline

To see the Gold Coast right from the top, head to SkyPoint Observation Deck for unparalled 360 views across the coast and out to the Hinterland. 

To take it to the next level, the family can join the SkyPoint Climb, that at 270 metres from the ground is one of Australia's higest external building walks. 

16. Be inspired at Jellurgal Aboriginal Culture Centre

Take a trip to the Dreamtime courtesy of the Yugambeh People, the Traditional Custodians of the Gold Coast, as they tell tales of Jellurgal (Burleigh Mountain) and its origin.

Tours take you through picturesque Burleigh Heads National Park, where the family can learn about the cultural history of the Gold Coast. Afterwards, enjoy some bush tucker and tea at the café, stop by the library or visit the in-house art workshop.

17. Get an adrenalin dose at iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Take to the (simulated) skies at iFly Indoor Skydiving in Surfers Paradise. Exhilerating for the whole family, learn how to spin, flip and soar at 14,000 ft in the 360-degree, state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels.

18. Unleash your creative side at Home of the Arts

For an indoor or outdoor experience, discover Gold Coast’s HOTA - Home of the Arts, the kind of place where art meets life. Surrounded by parklands and a lake with Surfers Paradise as the background, visit and explore the gallery, book in for a live performance, cinema-watching or a school-holiday workshop, take a lake-side stroll, and explore art and new ideas.

HOTA is truly a space for everyone, with relaxed performances, assistive listening devices, audio-described tours, wheelchair accessibility and a designated 'quiet hour' between 9-10am on the first Saturday of every month for those visitors who may prefer a calmer environment.

19. Enjoy friendly competition at Putt Putt Mermaid Beach

Putt your way out of the jungle, find a tropical oasis and survive the Fun Run across 18-holes of hits and giggles at the centrally-located Putt Putt Mermaid Beach. The putting is only the beginning, with arcade games, BBQ areas available and Mermaid Beach only a short stroll away.

The fun doesn't end when the sun goes down: here's the best things to do at night with the kids.