Welcome to the Gold Coast

Swim, surf and play on the magical Gold Coast beaches. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

You could say that 'life is a rollercoaster' considering there are so many Gold Coast theme parks to choose from. Visit the Disney-inspired Dreamworld, White Water World, Warner Brothers Movie World, Wet and Wild, Seaworld, or the Australian Outback Spectacular. And when you're done at the theme parks, there's plenty of other cool activities and places to visit. Let's dig a little deeper into what each theme park offers.

• Dreamworld Gold Coast is Australia’s largest theme park and has heaps of rides and attractions. Daredevils will love the big thrill rides that go to dizzying heights at high speeds. For the little kids, there are plenty of family and kid rides and shows including Wiggles World.

• Sea World Gold Coast is a theme park and a marine animal park. It has polar bears, seals, dolphins, penguins, sharks, rays, and much more. There's also plenty of rides and shows including the Dolphin Imagine Show, Fish Detectives Sea Lion Show and Jet Stunt Extreme.  
   

Meet the beautiful and friendly dolphins at Seaworld. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

• Movie World is filled with celebrities, and all your favourite comic characters, from Bugs Bunny to Batman! Go from zero to 100kms in two seconds on the Superman Escape, save the galaxy with the Green Lantern Coaster, and lose your mind in Arkham Asylum.

• Need a cool down after all those rides? Then grab your towel and splash on in to WhiteWater World (attached to Dreamworld) and Wet ‘n’ Wild (next to Movie World). These water parks will have you slipping and sliding all over the place.

Adrenaline activities

Take a spin in a jet boat on the Gold Coast Broadwater. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

• Take a tandem skydive. Flights take off from Gold Coast airport drop you on the soft white sand at Kirra Beach.

• Take to the sky in a tiger moth plane or a scenic seaplane flight over the Gold Coast and see the glitter strip in all its glory.

• Jump on a jet ski tour and zoom through the Broadwaters, or book a sightseeing cruise around the Gold Coast.

• See the Gold Coast from Skypoint at Q1. Take your experience to a new level with a Skypoint Climb (must be 12 years and over). Morning, daytime or twilight climbs are available, and don’t be afraid to look down!

• Is it a bus or is it a boat? No, it’s Aquaduck!  You'll traverse both land and sea. Hold on tight as you dive - or should I say drive - straight into the Broadwater. It’s quacktastic!

Weird & wacky museums

Meet the lorikeets at Currumbin wildlife sanctuary. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

Remarkably, the Gold Coast has three activities that are probably as old as the city itself. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary,  Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and the World of Wax are Gold Coast institutions and still as popular as when they first opened all those years ago. 

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has native animals roaming around. Feed the lorikeets, and chat with the kangaroos and wallabies as they hop around, and head to the Adventure Parc where you can climb, swing and zipline through the treetops. 

• The Wax Museum has two exhibits, the World of Wax and Chamber of Horrors. Rub shoulders with the rich and royal or be horrified at the merciless torture devices on display.

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! will have you scratching your head as you're left wondering if it's really true. There's 16 themed galleries featuring relics, illusions and interactive displays.

• Step inside the a-MAZE-ing Infinity, which is a futuristic maze-like world, or visit Holoverse with its 40 hologram rooms that project artificial worlds around you such as patting a lion in Africa, swimming in the ocean, or jumping down holes. 

• Check out ArtVo which combines oversized murals and optical illusions. Be ready when you come face to face with wild animals, scale rocky crevasses, or surf huge waves.

• Get locked up in an escape room experience or do book a virtual reality game.

• What about a bit of fun when the sun goes down? You are spoilt for choice with plenty of great shows and activities including Draculas Cabaret, the burlesque and spectacular Pink Flamingo, or Illusions Magic Show with its mind-blowing magic, comedy and tricks. If you want something uniquely Australian,  book tickets for Outback Spectacular which showcases the Aussie outback spirit and a three-course Aussie banquet.

Gold Coast's great outdoors

Dine alfresco at the beach. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
 

The Gold Coast is fun-filled with all kinds of outdoor adventures and activities - from beaches, surfing and swimming to bushwalking in national parks. Find out more about the many outdoor activities waiting for you.

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