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National Parks / Natural World Near Me in Gold Coast, QLD
Sun, fun, sand and too many fun things to do with kids just in the one day! The Gold Coast has been a family favourite for decades, and when you explore it, you can see why! It’s such a fun place to visit for kids!
We can’t start with anything other than those very famous and popular attractions that just draw kids in to the magic of the Gold Coast!
Warner Bros Movie World lets kids really get lost in the marvel of the movies, with rides and great entertainment.
Kids love cooling down at Wet n Wild Water World, where smaller kids can play and the older kids can enjoy the bigger thrills and spills! And of course, Sea World, where kids can see beautiful creatures up close, and enjoy some entertaining shows!
The Gold Coast also has other fun attractions for kids, such as indoor play at Kidz n Play, illusions at Infinity and the educational Superbee Honeyworld….
Get those cameras ready and the sunscreen out, it’s Gold Coast time! An unforgettable Queensland experience.
Planning your Trip to Gold Coast
Only a short drive from the south of Brisbane is the Gold Coast. This wonderful part of Australia is action-packed with so many fun things to do with the kids. Families are spoilt for choice when it comes to the choice of activities, attractions and stunning beaches.
Families can explore the beautiful land, experience the thrill of the rides in the theme parks, animal encounters and so much more.
If you’re thinking about booking a vacation to the Gold Coat, listed below are some of the best places to visit and attractions to see.
Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
Depending on the weather, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor playgrounds for families to enjoy. One of the best playgrounds is the Broadwater Parklands in Southport. Broadwater has it all! A pedal monorail, inflatable water park and zipline. There are also many other great playgrounds such as Ronnie Long Park and Palm Beach Parklands.
Weather can sometimes vary in the Gold Coast, fear not there are plenty of wonderful indoor playgrounds such as the Chipmunks Robina and the Big Top Playhouse, Commera.
Gold Coast Beach
The Gold Coast has some of the most beautiful and amazing beaches in Australia. One of the most popular and busiest beaches is the main beach at Surfers Paradise. Here you will find lots of great restaurants, plenty of family accommodation and entertainment.
Broadbeach
This beach is less busy than others but still features lots of wonderful restaurants and places to stay.
Burleigh Heads Beach
This beautiful beach is located further south of the Gold Coast. Popular with families and kids of all ages, this beach has a picturesque coastal walk through the National Park. If you’re lucky you may spot a migrating humpback whale.
Mermaid Beach
South of the Gold Coast is Mermaid Beach. This beach is perfect for families wanting some quiet time. Pacific Fair shopping complex is not far away where you can find some amazing restaurants and boutique shops.
Coolangatta
This glorious beach is just north of the Gold Coast and is famous for surfers. The Greenpoint point and oceanfront provide some beautiful scenery and panoramic views.
Theme Parks
For over 40 years, Dreamworld has been one of the most popular theme parks for families and those travelling from Australia. Here you can find entertainment for kids of all ages. Next to Dreamworld is Whitewater World which is a large water park. Access to Whitewater park is through the Dreamworld ticket.
Sea World
Seaworld is one of the most favourable Gold Coast theme parks filled with lots of wonderful marine life such as sharks, dolphins and seals as well as Polar Bears. There are also lots of thrill-seeking rides for the little ones such as the Storm Coaster and Jet Rescue Coaster and the new Atlantis section of the park. Warner Bros. Movie World
Wet and Wild
Close to Brisbane is the famous wet and wild water park, filled with lots of fun things to do such as adventure slides, waterslides, whirlpools and much more. They also have a junior section for kids under the age of 10 years of age to enjoy.
The Gold Coast is a popular vacation spot for lots of families. The weather, scenery and kid-friendly things to do keep families coming back year after year.
The best time to visit the Gold Coast is between April to May due to the lovely weather and prices tend to be cheaper for hotels and attractions. During the peak season prices increase as to be expected and the Gold Coast becomes very busy. However, during the peak season, there are lots of great attractions to see, events to attend and festivals to enjoy. Blues on Broadbeach is a fun festival for families that enjoy listening and dancing to live music.
Families that enjoy surfing should visit during April to May when the beaches are less crowded and the surf is just right.
There are many wonderful neighbourhoods to visit on the Gold Coast, Australia. Gold Coast is known as a surfer’s paradise and therefore attracts many families that enjoy the surf and spending time by the beach. Many of the neighbourhoods cater towards fun-filled family activities and attractions which keep the kids entertained and the parents happy.
Listed below are some of our top kid-friendly neighbourhoods to visit.
Burleigh Heads
This is one of the smallest districts on the Gold Coast but extremely beautiful. Bustling with plenty of family entertainment and atmospheric shopping and restaurants. Burleigh has excellent ecological scenery and lots of wonderful green areas, theme parks and recreation grounds such as Harry Park, John Laws Park, Justin Park and Burleigh Head National Park for the kids to have fun and plenty of entertainment.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise sites on the east side of the Gold Coast and is only a few minutes drives from downtown. Surfers Paradise attracts many families because of the location and the entrainment it offers. Surfers Paradise has the most dynamic festivals, attractions and fantastic shopping centres.
Cavill Avenue is worth a visit where you can experience the illustrious shopping centre and restaurants serving the most delicious food.
Mermaid Beach
This is the most famous beach on the Gold Coast. Unlike many of the other beaches, Mermaid Beach is very quiet and ideal for a relaxing vacation and entertainment for the family. Mermaid Beach offers many gastronomic restaurants suiting all different tastes. Mermaid Beach offers plenty of fun walking trails, waterway coves and lots of family activities for families that stay at Mermaid Beach. The area has plenty of public transport options which is ideal for families looking to travel out of the area.
Broadbeach
Located south of Australia, Broadbeach is another great area to visit for families that enjoy surfing and water activities. Broadbeach has a beautiful coastal view and some of the most attractive walking paths.
Broadbeach hosts lots of great restaurants and fantastic shopping complexes. Families that enjoy music festivals should visit the Pacific Fair.
Space and comfort are essential for a stress-free family holiday. If you’re visiting the Gold Coast and wondering where to stay with the kids there are a lot of different options for places suitable for families with kids of all ages.
The Gold Coast is stunning and very diverse. Renowned for its long white stunning beaches, surfing waves and culture, it's no wonder why many families flock here every year.
There are tons of great places to stay. We have listed below some of our top picks all suited for families.
Marriott Resort and Spa
This gorgeous landscaped hotel is surrounded by waterfalls, caves, and caverns. The rooms at the Marriott and spa are a great choice for families with kids. The rooms are very large and the views are beautiful. The onsite pool has its restaurant serving a kid’s menu and plenty of fabulous food choices.
Kids are spoilt for choice with the salt water lagoon and waterslide all the entertainment kids need for an enjoyable vacation.
Novotel Surfers Paradise
This is a great choice for a family resort. Located in the middle of Surfers Paradise this venue is not one to be missed. Rooms have their very own balconies with fabulous views over Surfers Paradise.
Accommodation and breakfast are free of charge for kids under the age of 16 if they share a room with their parents, the onsite restaurant serves a great choice of food and a dedicated kiddies’ menu.
SeaWorld Resort
This legendary area has its very own restaurant offering accommodation packages that include unlimited access to the park. The kids will love staying at the SeaWorld Resort and all that it has to offer from wild beautiful animals, sea creatures and fun displays and shows from Nickelodeon and TMNT.
One of life’s greatest pleasures is eating. Families with a passion for different flavours and flair are in for a treat when visiting the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast has an abundance of fabulous restaurants all varying with a choice of different cuisines. Whether you like spice, hearty dishes or freshly caught fish, Gold Coast has it all.
Listed below are some of our top picks of places to eat suitable for families with kids of all ages.
Ioesco Cucina
Forget visiting Europe for your Italian delights, your perfect place to visit is Ioesco Cucina. This fabulous restaurant brings Italian dining to Sanctuary Cove and its seasonal menu serves up some delicious, authentic dishes. The kids will love the homemade pastas whilst the parents tuck into their delicious Steak Primavera.
Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequilaria
Say hello to the perfect Mexican dining experience. Here you can enjoy the very finest tequila (for the parents of course) and the little ones can enjoy the live entertainment Pablito hosts. Great vibes and fantastic Mexican food, makes Pablito’s the very best restaurant to visit with kids on the Gold Coast. Enjoy a taco-sharing board with the family and enjoy one of the many Mexican platters if your feeding a hungry family.
The Fireplace
If you’re looking for somewhere cosy to eat, then the Fireplace is your go-to. Here the family can enjoy wood-fired cuisine all cooked with the restaurant's very own herb garden and local produce. The Fireplace has a dedicated kiddie’s menu to keep the little ones happy.
Bistro 19
The Bistro 19 offers everything to eat that nourishes the soul. Serving up colourful, fresh and delicious Asian dishes, it is not hard to see why families love dining here. The menu is subtle and palatable for the little ones to enjoy. We recommend the grilled Asian prawns served with homemade nuoc Cham and Asian greens.
