The complete guide to Gold Coast family holidays
The Gold Coast and holidays go hand in hand. From the iconic theme parks, beautiful beaches and fun animal encounters to the Hinterlands and national park waterfalls, the Gold Coast has a range of experiences and accommodation to suit all budgets.
At the end of the day though, we love holidays on the Gold Coast for the laid-back beach vibes and the green behind the gold in the hinterlands. So regardless of whether you’re after a luxe long weekend, a budget week away or something in between, make sure to browse through this guide to holidays on the Gold Coast for inspiration first.
Table of contents
Gold Coast holidays inspiration
Regions to visit on your Gold Coast holidays
Central Gold Coast
This is where you’ll find Surfers Paradise’s and Broadbeach’s beaches and the buzz that goes with it. Think photo-worthy cafes, major shopping centres and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Northern Gold Coast
Head here for theme parks and waterways, popular with both families and adrenalin junkies alike. Picnics and oceanside strolls are a must for Gold Coast holidays here.
The Hinterlands
The green behind the gold is a whole other world with World Heritage Listed habitats, Tamborine Mountain, alpaca farm wineries, waterfalls, tree top adventures and stunning National Parks.
Southern Gold Coast
A mellow beach scene, world-class surfing, trendy cafes, an animal sanctuary and plenty of pushbike paths for your holidays, head here to chill out away from the hustle of central Gold Coast.
Theme ideas for your Gold Coast holidays
Theme parks
The Gold Coast is well known as a theme park holiday destination. It’s here you will find Dream World, White Water World, Wet’n’Wild, Warner Bros Movie World and Sea World. Short on time? Head to Wet’n’Wild and Warner Bros Movie World. They’re located just a short walk from each other just 20-minutes drive from Surfers Paradise.
Animal experiences
Always a winning holiday theme for families, the Gold Coast has a surprisingly large amount of experiences that feature wildlife. You won’t find cramped zoos with less than ideal conditions for their inhabitants at any of these places though!
- Head to the Gold Coast Hinterlands for an Alpaca Picnic at a winery.
- For an ethical zoo experience, visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Find a theme park farm-style experience at Paradise Country.
- For a small wildlife park with a difference, visit the David Fleay Wildlife Park.
Hinterlands
The Gold Coast Hinterlands can be as busy or as relaxed as you wish with a variety of experiences to be had. One thing remains constant, no matter what you choose to do, your surroundings are bound to be beautiful and green.
- Check out the boutique shops on the Gallery Walk at Mount Tamborine.
- Head up the mountain to O’Reilly’s for a spot of relaxation, rainforest and wildlife.
- Fossick for thundereggs and go on a tree-top adventure at Thunderbird Park.
- Take a picnic with an Alpaca in a vineyard beside a stunning creek.
Beaches
- Surfers should head to Snapper Rocks, a man-made surf break featuring one of the hollowest and longest waves in the world. Beginner surfers might like to hit up Rainbow Bay, which also has a sheltered swimming area and Currumbin Alley is popular with locals, boasting world-class consistent waves.
- For those wanting to splash about, head to Burleigh Heads for sheltered waves. Tallebudgera Creek is a top spot for families, with sparkling water for swimming where the creek meets the Pacific Ocean.
- Anyone wanting to tick a bucket-list iconic Gold Coast beach off their holiday list should head to Surfers Paradise, which boasts two kilometres of rolling surf and golden sand.
Gold Coast family holiday resources
Best time to visit the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is really an all-year-round holiday destination. However, it gets pretty busy during the summer school holidays.
December to February sees tropical weather with more chance of rain. Many tout April and May as a great time to visit due to lower rainfall, but I personally find the ocean a bit too chilly at this time.
Where to stay
If staying in Burleigh Heads, Swell Resort is a fantastic option for families with roomy apartment-style offerings. The resort is set close to restaurants, only 100 metres from the beach. This is my top pick for the Gold Coast.
If staying in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, you can’t go past Binna Burra Lodge or O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Both offer a range of accommodations.
If you’re looking for a family resort with everything to occupy the kids, NRMA Treasure Island and Paradise Resort are top choices.
Those seeking luxury will love the Gold Coast Marriott or The Star.
Getting to the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is located one hour south of Brisbane on the East Coast of Australia.
Both domestic and international flights service the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta. Find a great deal on Trip.com
The Gold Coast is connected by rail to Brisbane’s Roma Street and Central stations. There is also an AirTrain that runs a regular rail service taking around 90 minutes.
Getting around the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has an extensive bus service with over 60 routes within the city. If venturing to the Gold Coast Hinterlands, hiring a car is an excellent option if you don’t have your own.
