Things to do on the northern end of the Gold Coast with kids

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park: If you’re looking to be close to the action, BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is the nearest caravan park to the Gold Coast theme parks. Located across the road from Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, Outback Spectacular and Topgolf, the park is only two minutes’ drive from Dreamworld & White Water World. It’s the perfect place to base yourself when exploring the Gold Coast. And there’s plenty of action to be had within it’s grounds as well.

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park: This pet-friendly accommodation (yes, you can take your pooch!) also has it’s own petting zoo with daily animal feeding. The kids can get right on in there with an alpaca, a goat, a donkey and a pony. The petting zoo is located in the serene back-end of the park just near Saltwater Creek and right by the epic bike track.

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park: They have a fabulous resort pool, huge water slide and even offer poolside service from their licensed family restaurant (who also make great coffee!). Oh, and coming soon, BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is also currently building its very own gigantic family water park in 2020. When I say gigantic, I mean the total length of the slides combined will be a massive 317m!

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park: Gold Coast Holiday Park offers everything from Cosy Family Cabins to five-star Villas, plus expansive grassy sites for Caravans, BIG Rigs and Motorhomes.

Theme parks: Is it really a Gold Coast holiday without a trip to a theme park? The northern end of the Gold Coast is where you’ll find all of the action. And I’m not exaggerating, Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, Topgolf, Paradise Country, Dreamworld and White Water World all call the northern GC home. Pack your sunblock and your sense of adventure because there are rides and wildlife a’plenty waiting for you!

Dreamworld: We need to talk about Dreamworld. If it’s been a while since you ventured there I have two words for you: Sky Voyager. It’s the Southern Hemisphere’s first extra-sensory flying simulator, and I can not recommend the thrill of feeling like you are zooming over the vast and varying landscapes enough. It’s incredible. Of course, there’s still the classic fun to be had with rides, slides and wildlife all in one place. Plus you can meet beloved characters from ABC KIDS World, the Wiggles and DreamWorks. And when it’s time to cool down after all of that adventure, you’re just a hop, skip and splash away from WhiteWater World.

The Park at Westfield Coomera: With the northern end of the Gold Coast becoming so popular for families, it was only a matter of time before Westfields came to town in a big way. Opening in October, 2018 Westfields Coomera is a bustling hub of dining, shopping and play. Nothing speaks more to the family-friendliness of it than The Park. Located within the centre, The Park features eight lanes of bowling, 18 holes of putt-putt, pizzeria, street food, large sports screens, bar, live music and more.

The Park at Westfield Coomera: There’s hours of fun to be had here, literally. Between the mini-golf and the giant party games, and the bowling and the dining The Park is a perfect place to settle in when you’re looking for some time indoors. Oh, and the cocktail menu is pretty epic too.

Gold Coast Wake Park: Gold Coast Wake Park is the brainchild of three-time World Champion Daniel Watkins, who had a vision to build the Gold Coast a world class wakeboarding attraction for all ages, and it’s beyond awesome. Family members of all ages have the opportunity to learn to effortlessly glide across the top of the water in an affordable, safe and fun environment. Choose between skiing, wakeboarding or kneeboarding to have yourself some fun on the lake. Oh, and for the family members not so keen on getting harnessed on the lake, you’ll also find a super-fun aqua park, with inflatable slides, runways, jumping pillows and swings to play on.

The Outback Spectacular: Believe everything you’ve heard about this incredible show. From the moment you enter the doors for the pre-show entertainment the vibe is electric. My six-year-old son was in tears, gasping that it was, “the best night ever”, and that was before the show had even begun! Australian Outback Spectacular’s Heartland show shares the story of Reg and Marg, who are battling a severe five-year drought on their farm in the Australian bushland. It’s a beautiful story about the harsh reality of living on the land told with actors and horses and mind blowing immersive projection mapping in a transformative arena that appears to spin, turn and shatter while the audience enjoys a three-course dinner and drinks. Oh, and everyone leaves with a cowboy hat!

Game Over, Gold Coast: It’s not only the big theme parks offering adventure and thrills on the northern end of the Gold Coast. Just across the road from Movie World, you’ll find Game Over, and they’ve got action in spades. Game Over offers state of the art electric indoor go-kart racing, a massive adventure climbing precinct with over 18 individually themed clipped-climbing challenges, including the death defying Leap of Faith. There’s also an awesome 200 square meter post apocalyptic themed laser tag arena, video arcade, Australia’s first indoor Zip Coaster ride and amazing Virtual Reality Experiences. All under one roof!

Game Over, Gold Coast: A two hour power pack let’s you try clipped-climbing, go karting AND laser tag. If your kid pulls an “I’m bored!” after all of that, then you could always try the zip line.

Game Over, Gold Coast: Clipped-climbing is so great. It works off a pulley system so there’s no need for a parent spotter. You can totally get climbing too!

Breakfast with a koala experience at Paradise Country: Looking for a unique experience? This is pretty special. The team at Paradise Country (located behind Outback Spectacular) give you the chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet with a pretty special guest. As you dine, an experienced koala handler brings out one of the gorgeous northern koala’s that call Paradise Country home to enjoy their breakfast with you.

Breakfast with a koala experience at Paradise Country: Learning about what we need to do to keep these incredibly beautiful creatures from extinction in our lifetime is so important. Following the educational breakfast, your family gets the opportunity to get up close and personal with the gorgeous creatures. There’s something really special about watching your child’s face as a koala takes the gum leaves that they’re offering.

Breakfast with a koala experience at Paradise Country: And do even we need to talk about how cute baby koalas are? Of course there’s more than koalas on offer at Paradise Country. The kids will love helping in the Animal Nursery with daily bottle feeding of the gorgeous lambs, piglets and calves available. Cuddle chicks or guinea pigs, meet a friendly range of goats and sheep in the outdoor enclosure and feed the iconic kangaroos. You’ll even get the chance to sample some of the delicious billy tea and learn how to make traditional damper.

Family friendly dining at Terrarium: Thanks to the amazing fresh local produce available on the northern end of the Gold Coast, there’s no shortage of incredible places to eat. Local hidden gem, Terrarium at Maudsland should be top of your list to check out and try.

Terrarium: After a gorgeous drive though the start of the Gold Coast hinterland, you find yourself in this super kid-friendly cafe with gorgeous decor and friendly staff. Terrarium is a specialty tea and coffee and cafe with a menu inspired inspired by fresh healthy food. Wear loose pants, you’re going to want to try a bit of everything!

Terrarium: Oh, and make sure you leave room for dessert. The cake display is next level happiness too.