The Best Family Gold Coast City Guide!

Australia's Gold Coast is one of the most visited regions within the country, filled with thrills, spills, excitement, incredible food, pristine white beaches and a whole lotta family fun! 

We at Family Days Out love the bustling and vibrant Gold Coast, which is why we're excited to share with you our Gold Coast City Guide featuring our "Top 9 Family Attractions", jam packed with just some of the amazing family attractions that you can find in this really fun city.

So make sure check out the entire Gold Coast City Guide which has been put together especially for you, so you can plan your perfect family day out in the Hollywood of Australia!  

Main Image Credit: Destination Gold Coast

Image Credit: Destination Gold Coast

In this Gold Coast City Guide, we are so excited to share with you our top 9 things to do with kids in the Gold Coast, plus we share some fun attractions to bring out the kids in everyone!

We know budgets are often a factor when travelling - especially with kids - so also in this Gold Coast City Guide we share some free things to enjoy that won't cost you a cent!

Getting around the Gold Coast without a car is easy, so if you need tips on public transport, you're in the right place!  You'll also uncover some fun facts about the Gold Coast that might just surprise you! 

There is so much to see in and around the Gold Coast area, so keep reading as in our Gold Coast City Guide we list one of our favourite day trips, and you'll discover some famous faces who were born right in the city! 

So whether this is your first trip saying "Yes, take me to the Gold Coast" or perhaps you've lived here for years yet never explored and you wonder "What is there is to do near me in the Gold Coast?", keep reading because we have the top 9 things to do in the Gold Coast with kids...and so much more!

Image Credit: Destination Gold Coast

Today the Gold Coast is a thriving tourist hub, but the area certainly has a fascinatingly rich history!

Arcaheological evidence suggests that indigenous Australians lived in the area as far back as 23,000 years prior to European settlement - and continue to live in the area today! 

Then, in the late 1700s, the first early European colonizers began arriving, and settlement soon followed.

It was the famous English navigator Captain James Cook who became the first European to actually visit the Gold Coast area when he sailed past on 16 May 1770.

Then, this settlement of Europeans stretched on throughout the 19th century.

During WWII, the Gold Coast was not attacked directly by a foreign power, however the war itself did make an impact on the Gold Coast just as it did most other coastal towns whe in 1942, the American soldiers began arriving. In fact, the commandeered the Coolangatta beach area to establish rest areas.

Once WWII was over, the South Coast region became a very popular holiday destination for servicemen returning from the war, then in 1959 the town of was proclaimed a city - and "the Gold Coast" was officially born. 

Today, the Gold Coast is one of the country's most fastest-growing cities and we can't wait to hear all the stories from your family adventures!

Image Credit: Destination Gold Coast

The Gold Coast has long been a popular spot for families, and that is because there is so much to do and experience! Ready to start exploring?

First, the Gold Coast is famous for those thrilling and exciting theme parks! Delve into the magic of movies at Warner Bros. Movie World, make a splash at Wet 'N' Wild, or take on the coasters at Dreamworld - you will have plenty of action packed adventures waiting for all ages!

How about some wildlife in your day? Check out places such as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and David Fleay Wildlife Park where you can meet some beautiful Aussie creatures, or take to the waters with a Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching cruise! There is nothing quite like seeing those gentle giants in their natural habitats.

Don't miss a trip to Australia's Sea World too!

To really see the Gold Coast from a whole new perspective, stop by attractions such as SkyPoint Observation Tower, where you will want to remember your camera!

With stunning beaches too, such as Miami Beach, Burleigh Beach or the iconic Surfers Paradise Beach, you won't want your Gold Coast experience to end!

With so many fun things to do in the Gold Coast, you might just find yourselves staying for longer than just one day - don't say we didn't warn you!

Image Credit: Destination Gold Coast

If you don't have a car during your time on the Gold Coast, don't you worry because you have public transportation options that can get you around to all the best sights!

The TransLink’s bus, train and tram network connects visitors to places all over the Gold Coast. They have an integrated network that includes the G:link trams and Surfside buslines, as well as the extensive Queensland Rail.

If you plan on taking the G:link trams, the first stop is at the Gold Coast University Hospital then connects to 16 stations across 13 kilometres, through Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, with the bus network at certain interchanges.

For the trains, you can start your journey at Varsity Lakes Station and then up at Ormeau Station. The train then continues its journey up to the Brisbane CBD and terminates at Brisbane Domestic Airport.

Then, you have the Gold Coast bus system! This network will get around most Gold Coast suburbs, with the majority of routes taking you to not only to the train stations, but also major shopping centres and some attractions too.

Make sure you check out the TransLink’s integrated tickets which are a great way to get around. With this, you can travel on the buses, trains and trams with go card, or just grab a "Gold Coast go explore" for bus and tram travel which are perfect for visitors.

You can find more information at Gold Coast Australia

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