The Gold Coast is made for families. Seriously it’s like everyone got together up there to come up with the perfect way to keep your kids entertained and they have done a brilliant job of it. There is something for everyone. Just don’t go during schoolies and you’ll be right.
1. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
This place is a lovely little haven of Australia’s flora and fauna. You can cuddle a Koala, pat a kangaroo and check out some crocodiles! The lorikeet feeding time is the most fun. It is on twice a day (usually 8am and 4pm but check the website for an up-to-date schedule) and is just so cute. They give the plates of food out to whoever is keen and then the lorikeets fly down and sit on your shoulder and nibble at the food. So cute and the kids will LOVE it. Not to mention that the park is situated next to my favourite little swimming area on the coast. It will be a top day out.
2. Hit the theme parks
Yes it’s a cliché but it’s SO. MUCH. FUN. at the theme parks. MovieWorld is most popular with the bigger kids as they can go on all the rides and have a grasp of who their favourite super hero is. If it’s a really hot day then get yourself to Wet ‘n’ Wild where you will most certainly wear out the little ones. It has a kiddie section for the younger ones too so don’t worry that there will be nothing for them to do. Animal lovers and younger kids in general will love Sea World. You can swim with the dolphins and see the cute little penguins and seals and…you get it. It’s super cute territory here. A combo ticket will get you to all three parks mentioned here.
3. The Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk
The walk takes you on a journey through the lush rainforest of the Tambourine area. The first 300m is wheelchair friendly and the whole walk is pram friendly which makes it something that everyone can enjoy. You start out wandering through the middle and high canopies of the rainforest and meander through to the incredible 40m high cantilever. Here you have spectacular views of the valley, creek and rockpools below. The walk is self paced and only takes about an hour. The kids will love it.
4. Snorkeling
So no, the Great Barrier Reef does not extend this far south however that does not mean we don’t have some amazing marine life for you to see on a snorkelling trip! The Cook Island Marine Reserve is actually only a short boat ride away from Coolangatta on the southern Gold Coast. It has a number of different turtle species, coral and an abundance of fishies. The lovely people at Snorkel Safari will get you all decked out and they even have some special equipment for kiddies.
5. Dolphin & Whale watching
These trips are often tied up together and run by the same companies. There are some that do it separately but unless you have some special reason not to then I say just see them both together. Most places will say that whale sightings have a 100% success rate and dolphins about a 98% success rate. If the place you are looking into doesn’t say that then look somewhere else! Seeing both these beautiful creatures in their natural environment is nothing short of amazing – for kids and grown ups!
Kristy is a freelance Australian travel writer who loves to visit the Gold Coast with the family. When she’s not on the road she can be found reviewing hotels for HotelClub or reading about and planning her next dream holiday.
When planning your holiday to Gold Coast, look at family friendly Gold Coast holiday rentals with OzeHols. Cheap Gold Coast hotels, Gold Coast holiday parks are on offer.
