Theme parks and the Gold Coast go together like Scooby and Shaggy. And for good reason. Our plethora of adventure lands make Gold Coast home to the biggest collection of thrill rides and slides in the Southern Hemisphere.
Want to explore a bunch on your visit? The Gold Coast Fun Pass covers four epic adventures in just one ticket. Or snag a Super Pass to visit four of the Coast’s big players in the theme park world. Whether you’re after a family-friendly teacup ride, have sea critters on your mind or have a hunger that only zooming through the sky at record speed can satisfy, here’s the Urban List lowdown on the best theme parks on the Gold Coast.
Warner Bros. Movie World
Pacific Motorway, Oxenford
Image Credit: Movie World | supplied
It’s a place where glamorous movie characters spring to life, Looney Tunes mingle with Batman in the street and fairy floss counts as an acceptable breakfast. From the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster from a rickety carriage to the aptly named the Hypercoaster travelling at speeds of 115km which features the world’s first non-inverted loop.
There’s no shortage of adrenaline pumping roller coasters. Give your stomach a break and take in the Hollywood Stunt Show, the Streets Star Parade, or kick back at the 4D cinema. Because it wouldn’t be Movie World without watching an actual movie, right?
THE DETAILS
Cost: Single day pass is $119 for adults, $109 for kids aged 3-13 years when you buy online
How to get there: Take exit 60 from the M1, pass under the motorway and turn left at the traffic lights. Enjoy free all day parking or access tram and bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Seaworld
Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
While the rides at Seaworld might be a little more low-key than other theme parks on the Gold Coast, it's a family-friendly winner to appreciate sealife, attend exciting shows and get curious during educational presentations. Pop along to Penguin Point for feeding time with rescued penguins, pop on a snorkel and explore tropical reefs, or learn about how to care for the precious sealife. For a more hands-on experience, part with a little extra dosh and sign up for the Shark Encounter, where you’ll take a dip among the world’s most feared predators during a feeding session. Or mellow out with the sweet-natured dolphins and seals. Make sure you leave time for rides like Storm Coaster and Nicklelodeon Land for the kiddlets.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Single day pass is $119 for adults, $109 for kids aged 3-13 years when you buy online
How to get there: Take exit 66 from the M1, turn right at the lights, continue onto Smith Street Motorway until you reach Gold Coast Highway. Turn right onto Gold Coast Highway, cross the bridge and turn right onto Waterways Drive. Follow the road until you reach Seaworld on your left. Enjoy free all day parking or access tram and bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Hijinx Hotel
Suite 2, Level 1, Piazza on the Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Image Credit: Hijinx Hotel | supplied
Take games night to a whole new level when you check into Surfers Paradise’s own challenge room themed hotel. Featuring 10 thrilling rooms, round up two to six mates and combine your noggins to score points for the ever-competitive leaderboard.
Each individually themed room has one key challenge to solve. So whether you’re plugging leaks in the Titanic, solving clues involving a giant piano or shooting hoops on your way to victory, unlike escape rooms, you’ll continually experience new spaces. Hijinx Hotel hosts specials in the bar and kitchen that range from corn ribs to The BellHop cocktail. What are these, you ask? Grab your room key to find out.
THE DETAILS
Cost: From $25 per adult and $20 per person for under 18’s
How to get there: Take exit 87, keep right onto Oyster Creek Drive, continue onto Southport Burleigh Road, turn right onto Thomas Drive, left onto Ferny Avenue, right onto Cyprus Avenue and right onto Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Or, catch the tram between Broadbeach and Helensvale or access bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Wet’n’Wild
Pacific Motorway, Oxenford
Apart from the literal ocean, Wet ‘n’ Wild is up there as one of the biggest aquatic playgrounds in the world. And this splash-happy theme park is right here on the Gold Coast. A summertime essential, serious thrill seekers are in for a treat with stomach-flipping rides such as the fully-enclosed Black Hole, The - zero-gravity - Kamikaze and ultra competitive Super 8 Aqua Racer.
Or, opt to bob around Calypso Beach’s tropical lagoons, catch a flick at the Dive’n’Movies or soak in a hot tub at Whirlpool Springs. You heard what they said. Get wet. Get wild.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Single day pass is $119 for adults, $109 for kids aged 3-13 years when you buy online
How to get there: Take exit 60 from the M1, pass under the motorway and turn left at the traffic lights. Enjoy free all day parking or access tram and bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
27 Millers Drive, Currumbin
Image Credit: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary | supplied
Crikey, this iconic Gold Coast theme park of the animal variety is a furry friend lover’s dream. While rides look more like a cute train tooting through the forest and snaking along tiny tracks in tunnels, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.
Explore the expansive bird aviary, peer into wombat burrows, or even cuddle a koala. Try your hand at lorikeet feeding, head along to the pelican and eel show, or pay a visit to the working wildlife hospital. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect day out for the little tackers or a cute date locale to get up close and personal along the nocturnal cave pathway.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Single day pass is $54.95 for adults, $41.95 for kids aged 3-13 when you buy online
How to get there: From the south, take exit 95 to Coolangatta, turn left onto Gold Coast Highway towards Currumbin and turn right onto Tomewin Street. $10 paid parking is available across the road with all proceeds going to support Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital, or access tram and bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
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Holey Moley
Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise
Image Credit: Holey Moley | supplied
Picture a themed day on the green. Except you’re inside. Donning a fluorescent visor. Living your best life under the glow of neon lights. Holey Moley’s impressively themed putt putt courses feature everything from The Simpson’s lounge room to chilling Barbie scenes and everything in between.
With an onsite bar, snacks galore and neighbouring bowling and private karaoke booths, this one’s up there with the best theme parks on the Gold Coast for tourists and locals alike. Grab a Fun Lab Fun Pass to tick off laser tag, bowling, mini golf and arcade games in one.
THE DETAILS
Cost: From $14 for adults, from $10 for people under 18
How to get there: Take exit 87, keep right onto Oyster Creek Drive, continue onto Southport Burleigh Road, turn right onto Thomas Drive, left onto Ferny Avenue, right onto Cyprus Avenue and right onto Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Or, catch the tram between Broadbeach and Helensvale or access bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Outback Spectacular
Pacific Motorway, Oxenford
Snuggled between its adventurous siblings, Wet’n’Wild and Movie World, Outback Spectacular is a ripper Australian experience like no other. Over the course of the evening, be led through a captivating journey to the high country, where legendary yarns come alive with death-defying stunts.
All that yelling, hooting and cheering will leave you famished, so opt for dinner and a show for a three-course chow down. Boot-scoot to the pub or talented musicians to wrap up your visit to one of the most Australian theme parks on the Gold Coast.
THE DETAILS
Cost: From $99.99 for adults, from $79.99 for kids aged 3-13 years
How to get there: Take exit 60 from the M1, pass under the motorway and turn left at the traffic lights. Enjoy free all day parking or access tram and bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Infinity
G31 Chevron Renaissance Centre, Surfers Paradise Boulevard
Sure, spooky tunnels, rainforest lined tunnels and water-filled tunnels atop rapids are a hoot. But have you ever experienced a mind-warping time tunnel? Say hello to Infinity Gold Coast. Swap carriages for carrying scaredy-cats inside Infinity’s interactive maze of wonder. Stumble upon clues to guide you, from dazzling light-filled mirror rooms to giant ball pits and even tight spaces to crawl through. Tingle your senses over 30 minutes of exploration. Each themed room is a park of its own for grownups and little tackers alike.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Single entry passes $28.90 for adults, $19.90 for children 4-13 years old
How to get there: Take exit 87, keep right onto Oyster Creek Drive, continue onto Southport Burleigh Road, turn right onto Thomas Drive, left onto Ferny Avenue, right onto Cyprus Avenue and right onto Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Or, catch the tram between Broadbeach and Helensvale or access bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Paradise Country
Production Drive, Oxenford
Skip from Movie World to Paradise Country for the ultimate farmyard fix. Where you’ll find yourself face to face with sheep, cows, horses, chickens, ducks, pigs and doggos. Visit an authentic shearing shed to see master shearers in action and learn the wool production process, or see dogs round up a flock of sheep. Learn how to throw a boomerang and witness the skill it takes to get that almighty crack from a stock whip.
Stay a little longer with a night or two of your choice of camping, caravanning or glamping in the eco tents where you can chill by the campfire post-sunset, then collect the freshly laid eggs and milk the cows at sunrise.
THE DETAILS
Cost: $49 for adults, $39 for kids aged 3-13 years when you buy online
How to get there: How to get there: Take exit 60 from the M1, pass under the motorway and turn left at the traffic lights, pass Movieworld, follow the signs down Helensvale Drive, turn right onto Production Drive. Enjoy free all day parking or access tram and bus routes via Translink.
For more information, click here.
Dracula's
1 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach
Themed to spook and featuring an adult’s playground of kooky characters, Dracula’s is an absolute Gold Coast must-visit. Plus it's been around since the 80s which is worthy of a nod. Opt for show only tickets, splurge on a three-course dinner or go all out with a full VIP experience ft. spesh privileges like priority entrance, premium seating and nibbles and bubbles on arrival.
It includes all our favourite things. Live music, partial nudity and unrestrained comedy. Just try not to make eye contact with any of the performers if getting plucked out of a crowd isn’t your idea of a good time. Fits of laughter guaranteed at this spooky Gold Coast theme park.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Tickets start from $109
How to get there: Parking is limited, catch the tram to Broadbeach and walk a few hundred metres towards Pacific Fair and Dracula's is located across the road.
For more information, click here.
Dreamworld
Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
Last, but by no means least, is Dreamworld. It’s the biggest theme park in Australia with over 40 different rides, including five roller coasters. This theme park has it all; a place called Corroboree to celebrate the history of this country, Tiger Island to learn about the jungle’s most fearsome predator, WhiteWater World, ABC Kids World full of entertainment for the little ones and plenty of food and shopping options.
There are loads of rides on offer to suit everyone’s taste. Kick off with The Wipeout, just make sure you empty your pockets as you’ll frequently be upside down. Swing through the sky on a massive claw, blast out backwards on the Tower of Terror and reach 161 km/h on the Tower of Terror and plummet from the tallest free-falling ride in the world, The Giant Drop. Just don’t blame us if the seat beside you gets filled by lunch.
THE DETAILS
Cost: Single day pass $119 for adults, $109 for kids aged 3-13 years when you buy online
How to get there: Take exit 57, turn right onto Hope Island Road then continue onto Dreamworld Pwy and arrive at Dreamworld on the right.
For more information, click here.
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- The Gold Coast's Best Go Karting Tracks
Main image credit: Village Roadshow | supplied