There are lots of things to do to keep both you and the kids amused on the Gold Coast. Here are my recommendations of the best Gold Coast Attractions. Most are to be found in Surfers Paradise so unless I write otherwise assume that each of the ones below is in Surfers.
Gold Coast Attractions For the Kids
Timezone upstairs on Cavill Avenue is a huge indoor games area with entertainment to suit all the family. It has a glow in the dark bowling alley with the pins actually glowing which is a bit of a novelty, a shooting gallery, dodgems and a large amusement arcade with a wide range of games machines. This is a great option for a rainy day or if you just want a break from the beach. There is another bowling alley called Strike Surfers Paradise on Cavill which does lunch specials and different evening specials on different days.
The Wax Museum is located on the corner of Elkhorn Avenue and Ferry Avenue and houses a range of famous people from Captain James Cook to Kylie Minogue, from Count Dracula to Michael Jackson. It also has a chamber of horrors which has instruments of torture such as the rack and the breaking wheel along with torturers and the tortured. It is open daily.
Infinity, located in the Chevron Renaissance, is open daily from 10am till 10pm and the journey takes about 40 minutes to complete. It is a futuristic maze with 20 interactive environments filled with special effects such as the Bottomless Light Canyon, the Eclipse Chamber and the Crazy Wobbly. It is a great experience for all ages but children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
The walk through Dracula’s Haunted House is open from 10am till 10pm daily. The most frightening displays are hidden behind closed doors allowing you to choose how frightening an experience you want it to be. It is not recommended for children under 10 but is a great option for the older ones and parent’s discretion is necessary. It is at 3177 Surfers Paradise Boulevard opposite the Chevron Renaissance.
The Aquaduck is an amphibious vehicle which provides a land and water adventure. You start off by driving from Surfers to The Spit where you then do a cruise in the Broadwater without having to leave the “duck” before driving back to Surfers. The tours depart throughout the day and lasts for an hour. They have an entertaining commentary along the way, souvenirs available onboard and kids get to have a drive of the Aquaduck and then receive a certificate.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many native Australian animals which live in their native bushland or rainforest environments. There are kangaroos, dingoes, echidnas, koalas to mention just a few and there are lots of informative displays to help you understand how the animals live and so on. Also there are wildlife shows on throughout the day and it’s a good idea to check out the times of these shows on their website so that you can plan your visit in advance.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is open from 8am till 5pm daily and then it reopens at 7pm every evening for the Wildnight Adventure which must be booked before 3.45pm of that day. It is located at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin which is half way between Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta about 22km south of Surfers Paradise.
Here are a few more adventurous Gold Coast attractions.
Zorb Gold Coast allows you to roll downhill in a large, see through, plastic, inflated ball alone or with one or two of your friends. There are two different options one where you are harnessed into the ball and the other where you are loose in the ball with some water. It is suitable for ages over 6 years old but there are height restrictions for the ball that you are harnessed into. Zorb Gold Coast is located near Dreamworld and they offer transfers from Dreamworld and Coomera train station Mondays to Fridays. It is open from 10am till 5pm daily.
Le Mans Karting is, as its names suggests, a go-kart arena which has a 700m track and 5 different types of karts. Drivers must be over 13 years old. Le Mans Karting is located near Dreamworld and is open from 10am till 5pm daily.
Gold Coast Attractions For Grown Ups
QDeck is an observation deck on the 77th floor of the Q1, the world’s tallest residential building. You access it by a high speed lift and once at the top you are 230m above ground and have 360 degree views of the Gold Coast and its hinterland. On clear days you can see as far as Brisbane to the north and Byron Bay to the south and you may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale. The QBar is open from 9am till 9pm Sunday to Thursday and from 9am till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays when there is a smart dress code and a reduced admission fee after 8pm.
The Australian Outback Spectacular Show is a wonderful way to experience the magic of the outback and see station hands at work without having to actually visit the outback. Lasting for one and a half hours the show includes a three course Australian BBQ Dinner while you enjoy the competition between two outback stations as they work the animals and demonstrate their skills. The Australian Outback Spectacular Show is on every day except Mondays. The doors open at 6.15pm allowing you to have a drink at the outback pub before the pre-show starts at 6.45pm. It is located between Warner Bros Movie World and Wet n Wild at Oxenford which is about 20 mins from Surfers Paradise. Bookings are essential and they can be made either through the website or by phoning 131 386
The Dracula Cabaret Restaurant offers a great, horror night out and is suitable for anyone over 13 years old but is not for the faint hearted. Included in the price of the ticket is a ride on the ghost train, three-course dinner, all pre-show entertainment and a two-hour live horror-comedy show. The three course dinner has a fixed starter and dessert but you can choose from five main course options. The doors open at 6pm and the ghost train leaves the station at 6.30pm and the show finishes at 11pm with the venue staying open till midnight. You will find it at 1 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters opposite Pacific Fair next to Jupiters Casino. Bookings are essential.
One of the best party Gold Coast attractions available is from Surfers Paradise Cruises who offer a 3 hour Night Party Cruise onboard the MV Lady Diana followed by a tour of 3 of the best night club in Surfers Paradise. There are party games throughout the night with prizes, an open air top deck with live entertainment and a nightclub downstairs with bar and DJ. This tour is on Saturday nights throughout the year with extra nights in the summer and you must be over 18 to go on it.
Check out our Gold Coast Theme Parks, Gold Coast Excursions, Gold Coast Hinterland and Gold Coast Activities for other things to do on or near the Gold Coast Australia.