Fun Things to Do in Gold Coast With Kids
Mention Gold Coast and most will immediately think of the theme parks galore, from the iconic Warner Bros. Movie World and Sea World to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World. And while these attractions are fantastic, they are not all that the beautiful Gold Coast has to offer!
With scenic coastlines, stunning beaches and gorgeous national parks to explore - Gold Coast simply brims with adventure, making it the perfect destination for a family vacation. Think spending time away from screens and getting fresh air in the great outdoors, splashing in the sea, hopping on a hot air balloon, and more.
Ready to make some unforgettable memories with your family? Add these kid-friendly things to do in the Gold Coast to add to your itinerary!
Gold Coast Travel Essentials 🇦🇺
Planning a holiday to Gold Coast? Here's our checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip!
🏮 Gold Coast Essentials: Best Day Tours & Top Must-Dos
➡️ Want to save more on Gold Coast attractions? Hit all your favourites and save up to 35% with our Klook Passes - take your pick from Dreamworld or Movieworld, Sea World, Wet n' Wild!
✨ Others
👉🏼 Exhilarating adventures lined up on your next trip itinerary?
Protect yourself and your loved ones while you experience the world with Klook’s travel insurance! Learn more about why you should book travel insurance and how to level up your travels today.
Planning a trip to Gold Coast, Australia
Raring and ready to go? Make sure you are:
- Up to speed with the Australia travel requirements
- Have all your travel essentials ready plus enjoy up to $50 off your Gold Coast holiday with our promo codes that include deals on Australia car rental and hotels!
1. Check off Your Favourite Gold Coast Attractions with a Klook Gold Coast Pass
The Klook Gold Coast Pass is the golden ticket to savings when it comes to hitting all the Gold Coast attractions on your bucket list. Choose between 2/3/4 or 5 attractions and save up to 30%!
P/S: That’s up to over $100 saved with a 5-attraction pass!
Pass | Original Price | Discounted price with Klook Gold Coast Pass | Savings |
$189.85 | $143.05 | $46.8 | |
$273.49 | $214.10 | $59.39 | |
$362.55 | $ 286.09 | $76.46 | |
$442.59 | $336.25 | $106.34 |
The best part is that you get to choose activities that suit your family’s needs. Mix and match whatever you like - go theme park hopping or indulge in nature and other action-packed activities that will have you exploring the great outdoors - the choice is yours!
Here are the attractions valid with the Klook Gold Coast Pass:
- Dreamworld Entry Ticket
- Evening Rainforest and Glow Worm Experience
- Wavebreak Island and Stradbroke Island Half-Day Tour
- Natural Bridge and Springbrook Waterfalls Tour from Gold Coast
- Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s & Vineyard Tour
- SkyPoint Climb Experience (Day Climb)
- Sea World Whale Watching Cruise
- Jet Boat Ride in Main Beach Gold Coast (30 Minutes)
- Aquaduck Safari City Tour and River Cruise
How it works:
- Purchase your passes!
- When you want to participate in your activity, make a reservation
- To make a reservation, log in to your Klook account
- Go to the "Bookings" section in your account
- Find your pass and click on the "Reserve" button and follow all steps to confirm your activity
- Receive your voucher and proceed to the activity for redemption!
- Each unit needs a separate reservation - if you are looking to book more than one unit for an activity, you will need to make multiple reservations
Note: The pass is valid for 6 months and gives you flexibility to pick and choose depending on when and where you would like to go!
2. SkyPoint Climb
Looking for an amazing panoramic view of the sparkling cityscape? Embark on a 90-minute SkyPoint Climb - Australia’s highest external building climb that will give you jaw-dropping unparalleled views of Gold Coast and its surrounds.
Your guide leader will take regular stops so that you can get plenty of photos, and there’s also live commentary for everyone to learn more about Gold Coast too!
Choose from a day, night or twilight climb and witness the Gold Coast from a different light on each climb (Psst...we recommend going at sunset so you can enjoy the city bathed in a golden glow). Cue more family photos that will spark major travel envy!
#KlookTip: Open-toed shoes are not allowed, so make sure you are in the appropriate attire before visiting!
📍 Level 77, 3003 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 4217 Australia
🧒 Participants must be aged 12+ to participate in this activity
Children aged 12-15 must be accompanied by a paying adult
3. Jet Boat Ride
Who says that theme parks are the only places you can go for adrenaline-pumping action? Get ready for some serious spills and thrills on a Jet Boat ride - a screaming good time is guaranteed!
Get prepared to be soaked in the Jet Boat Adventure ride, with dizzying 360 spins and power slides through foamy waves. This adventure ride is also a wildlife-spotting cruise of sorts, and is the only ride accessing Moreton Bay Marine Park where you might get to see wild dolphins!
#KlookTip: Bring a change of clothes because you're gonna be drenched!
📍 7B, Mariners Cove Marina, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
🧒 Participants must be aged 4+ to participate in this activity
4. Aquaduck Safari City Tour and River Cruise in Gold Coast
Image credit: Tourism Australia
For a fun, exciting (and most importantly, fuss-free) way to tour the city, the Aquaduck Safari City Tour and River Cruise has got you covered. Soak in the sights and sounds of Gold Coast and learn more about this city with live commentary onboard your cute Aquaduck bus-cum-cruise.
The best part about this is that there is also the opportunity for your kiddos to head up front to drive the Aquaduck on water (they’ll even get a free Captain’s Certificate!). A memorable city tour for all ages.
📍 Aquaduck Safaris Gold Coast, 36 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise, Queensland 4217
🧒 Children aged 0-1 can travel free of charge provided they will not occupy separate seats
🎒 Strollers, luggage, and wheelchairs can be stored at the Aquaduck office for the duration of the tour
5. Hot Air Balloon Experience
You can’t deny that there’s something just enchanting about a hot air balloon ride, even more so one during sunrise! Take the entire family out on a Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon Ride that will etch breathtaking memories in your hearts and minds forever. Yes, waking up early will definitely be worth it!
Besides sublime views of fluffy clouds and sprawling vineyards, Tamborine Mountain, and Lamington National Park below, the sunrise balloon flight includes:
- Round-trip transfers from meeting point or your city accommodation to to the hot balloon launching point
- Balloon pack up game after flight
- 5-star Champagne Buffet Breakfast dining at the Harvest Buffet, located in the Star Gold Coast
#KlookTip: Remember it can get quite chilly in the early morning, so dressing in layers is recommended. Do remember to wear closed-toed shoes as well.
📍 8 Casino Drive, Broadbeach Island, Broadbeach
⏱ Meet up time: Between 03:30-05:00 (varies seasonally)
🧒 Kids must be aged 3+ to enjoy this activity
6. Tamborine Mountain
Now that you’ve seen Tamborine Mountain from up above, it’s time to explore it in a different way - via a Treeptop Challenge! The Treetop Challenge at Tamborine Mountain offers an immersive nature adventure with over 100 exciting obstacles and challenges, ranging from exhilarating zip line rides to thrilling rope courses, all spread over six courses.
If you have active kids who love to run, jump and climb - this is the perfect playground for them! And even if they aren’t the ‘outdoors sort’, what better way to instil some confidence and have fun too?
All safety equipment is provided, and there are various activities tailored to suit different fitness levels - it’s fun for the whole family!
#KlookTip: Do wear light and comfortable clothing (preferably dri-fit material) and hiking shoes for the best experience.
📍 TreeTop Challenge, Thunderbird Park, Cedar Creek Falls Rd North Tamborine Queensland 4272 Australia
🧒 Kids must be aged 7+ to enjoy this activity
7. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is where the kids will be able to make new animal friends and enjoy encounters with Australia’s native animals like kangaroos to koalas. Get to have some koala-ty time with one of Australia’s favourite marsupials, and make sure to snap some pictures for keepsakes too!
Beyond meeting animals, the wildlife sanctuary is also home to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, where you can get a birds eye view of the vets hard at work (and maybe where your little one will be inspired to become a vet!).
📍Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin Street, Gold Coast
8. Whale Watching Cruise
Here’s a wildlife encounter that you and the kids will never forget - a 3-hour whale watching cruise to see magnificent humpback whales up close! Whale watching season usually runs between June and October, so it’s best to time your visit between these months for the best chances to catch these majestic creatures in action.
Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits onboard as you marvel at the spectacular sights before you, and look out for other creatures as well such as friendly bottlenose dolphins.
Did you know? 10% of sales will be donated to Humpback & High-rises, an NGO based on the Gold Coast dedicated to the protection and research of marine mammals, so you are also helping to protect the whales when you book this activity! P/S: Great opportunity to teach the kids about conservation efforts.
#KlookTip: Bring along some binoculars for an even better view, and don’t forget sea sickness medicine if necessary!
📍 58 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
⏱️ Tours: 9.30am - 1pm or 2.30pm - 6pm
🧒 Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount
Children aged 0-13 must be accompanied by a paying adult
9. Eat your way through Miami Marketta Night Market
Looking for a fun (and kid-friendly) place to explore after sundown? Check out the Miami Marketta Night Market, which is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm till late! Enjoy browsing through a myriad of street food stalls that hawk anything and everything from tacos and falafels to Thai laksa, beef massaman curry and more!
Besides scrummy delights, there's live music and other ticketed events to check out as well. You can view the full street food lineup and event lineup on the Miami Marketta website.
📍 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220
⏱️ Wednesday, Friday Saturday from 5pm
10. Take a Day Trip to Brisbane
Did you know that Queensland's sunny capital, Brisbane, is only an hour's drive away from Gold Coast?
There are tons of fun things to do with the kids here, from wildlife experiences to exhilarating nature tours including:
