Some may say the idea of being voluntarily locked in a small room with other people and then attempting to break free is an odd, if not slightly strange, concept. But for those who haven’t experienced the peculiar excitement that our Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country escape rooms offer, don’t be so quick to judge.
Here at Urban List, we believe that sleuthing really is all it's cracked up to be. So consider this your key to the best places to find clues, decipher puzzles, decrypt codes and solve mysteries. For me, the best escape rooms feature thrill, genuine intrigue and the occasional jump scare. So without further ado, here are my picks for the Gold Coast's best escape rooms for you to track down and
The Best Escape Rooms At A Glance
Southern Gold Coast Escape Rooms
Fox In A Box
Lvl 1, 3173 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Fox In A Box is kind of a big deal in the escape room world. As one of Europe's best escape room companies, it's earned its hair-raising reputation for good reason. There are eight mystery-riddled rooms to choose from. The Mastermind: Heist and Wild West Salloon are good choices if spookiness is not so much your jam. Though, if you get your kicks when the adrenaline pumps, I recommend the Zombie Lab or Zodiac Killer escape rooms.
These escape rooms take around 60 minutes, are for those 13+ and suit groups of 6-2 people.
Hijinx Hotel
Lvl 1 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Escape rooms are kind of like lawn bowls. At first thought it sounds a bit lame, but once you're in it, you're literally having the time of your life. That's exactly how I felt the first time I entered the candy coloured world of Hijinx Hotel.
They've fully committed to the hotel facade and the vibe is just plain good. The novelty of a giant piano, life-sized scrabble and neon lights illuminating entire rooms is pretty cool to experience up close.
You can check out, or should I say check-in to, Hijinx Hotel 7 days a week noon 'til late, and for extended hours during school holidays. While these are technically challenge rooms and not designed to escape, you'll be happy 'bout it, so you can hang out a bit longer. Tickets start at $20 for under 18 year olds and $27 for adults to experience 5 rooms. Or, upgrade to ten rooms which will take around an hour from $40.
Lost Locks
1/38 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Lost Locks is my pick for some of the scariest escape rooms on the Gold Coast. The award-nominated Dark Dungeon escape room comes with an extreme horror rating features a live actor, and no light sources. Need a palate cleanser? Gingee the Gingerbread Man has been robbed of his gumdrop buttons and is right next door. It's scare-free and whimsical.
I'm a big fan of this local business for their support for local artists and game designers. And there's no denying that the wide variety of options here makes it one of the best escape rooms on the Gold Coast. It features everything from the Twisted Trials thriller excape room which is rated very hard, through to an anonymous billionairre's private playroom open to those 16+
These escape rooms are suited to groups of 2-6, last for 60 mins and welcome a range of ages from $40 for kids 5-14 and $55 for those 14+.
Padlock’d Escape Rooms
3177 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Rated as one of the best Queensland experiences in 2024, Padlock’d is officially the biggest escape room venue in Australia. This locally owned game-lover's dream house is fit with 15 brain-bending rooms to escape. Perhaps you'll break free from a haunted doll house, test your claustrophobia inside a coffin or navigate the labyrinth of a forbidden jungle before the clock runs out.
From 30 minute family-friendly adventures to jump scare riddled 5/5 difficulty rooms with live actors, at Padlock'd no type of room to escape is off limits. Corporate bookings allow for an impressive 65 players per hour if you want to mention Madame Black's notorious freak show to the boss.
Admission starts at $35 per person for ages 10+. Check out all the escape rooms here.
Eclipse Escape
Lvl 1, 3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Touted as the most immersive escape room on the Gold Coast, Eclipse Escape delivers on clever games, creativity and just the right amount of challenge. Of particular note are the passionate game masters, the inclusion of technology in the rooms so no literal padlocks to unlock and the mysterious clues that are hard, but not too hard.
My pick for the best Gold Coast escape room for fantasty fanatics, check out trailers for each room ahead of your visit to help decide if you'll be freeing yourself from the Magic Moonstone room, Flaming Pearl or the chilling Blackwood Manor.
The five escape rooms take 60 minutes each, are free for children under 9, $27 for those 9-14 and $49 per player 15+.
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Otherworld HQ
3107 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
This freaky puzzle battle sees your team lurk through five horror-themed rooms. The goal? Reinforce the barriers between reality and nightmares. With points up for grabs and live actors peering at you within the dimly lit labyrinth, the tricksters at Otherworld HQ are not playing around. Loud noises and hazy spaces make this escape room one that's not for the faint-hearted. And no, there aren't refunds for those left shaking in their boots.
Tickets are $45 for a 60-minute session and suited to players 15 and over.
Northern Gold Coast Escape Rooms
Escape Hunt Gold Coast
4/83 Scarborough St, Southport QLD 4215
You know Escape Hunt is going to be a blast with games called Alice in Puzzleland, A Timely Escape, and The Rising Alchemist. More than a standard Gold Coast escape room, Escape Hunt’s thrilling spaces come in beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
These guys were actually the first to lift the lid on escape rooms on the Gold Coast and entry costs $46 per person for two players, then less the more peeps you bring. Maybe I'm just a scaredy cat, but it's pretty reassuring to me that these are kid-friendly too.
These escape rooms are suited to groups of 2-6, those aged 7+ and run for around 60 minutes.
Zero Latency
34 Smith St, Southport QLD 4215
Zero Latency is where virtual reality meets digital gameplay. Players are decked out in futuristic VR headsets, wirelessly streamed within a 200 square metre room. Eight escape options give the illusion of breaking out while remaining firmly in a simulated setting. Plus, this is the only escape room on the Gold Coast completely suited to a single player if solo games are more your jam.
Experiences run for 30 minutes, for 1-8 players and tickets are $49 for people 10 and over.
Looking for more things to do on the Gold Coast? Get outside and check out the best picnic spots on the Gold Coast.
Image Credit: Escape Hunt