Which Gold Coast Theme Park Is Right For Your Family?

There are theme parks galore to explore on the Gold Coast, but when you’re spoilt for choice, how do you find the right theme park for your family? Check out our list of the Gold Coast’s premier theme parks and their main attractions to make your decision (a little) easier. 

Experience Oz is Australia's #1 travel experiences provider giving you easy access to all of the best theme parks on the Gold Coast with tickets that are cheaper than gate prices! For a budget-savvy hack, book online at Experience Oz when planning your Gold Coast theme park holidays and save $10 per ticket.

The Best Gold Coast Theme Parks For Your Family

Wet'n'Wild

Wet 'n' Wild boasts some of the biggest and most extreme water slides in Australia. Families looking for slides and rides that are big on fun with a heady dose of thrill on the side should add Wet’n’Wild to their bucket list. Wet’n’Wild offers six thrill slides and rides, including the Tornado which reaches speeds of up to 40 km/h, the Black Hole which slides you into complete darkness, and the Kamikaze which will take you on an 11 m drop at a steep 70-degree angle with speeds of up to 50 km/h. Needless to say, Wet’n’Wild is geared more toward families with older children, but younger kids are also catered for with the junior precinct offering eight mini slides. There is also a family-friendly wave pool, Calypso Beach and rapid ride. 

Sea World

Seaworld is a top pick for animal lovers. Watch Australia’s only polar bears swim and play at Polar Bear Shores, have an above and underwater view of tropical fish and sharks in the world’s largest man-made shark lagoon, and touch a ray, if you dare, at Ray Reef. The seal show is a laugh-a-minute and the whole family will be mesmerised by the live dolphin show. SeaWorld offers a collection of rides for all ages, plus live presentations and entertainment, including penguin feeding, a stunt show and high-energy kids’ shows. 

Warner Bros. Movie World

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of a movie when you enter Warner Bros. Movie World. Keep an eye out on Main Street for your favourite characters – snap a selfie with Wonder Woman or Batman or give Bugs Bunny a cuddle. Families will love the Lego 4D movie experience, while younger kids will enjoy the Streets Parade and Loony Tunes Dance Party. The Hollywood Stunt Driver show is a Movie World. There’s a great collection of rides for kids of all ages from the Loony Tunes Carousel to the Roadrunner rollercoaster. Older kids and thrill-seekers have eight thrill rides to choose from, including the DC Rivals Hypercoaster (the tallest, longest and fastest in the Southern Hemisphere). If you have a movie buff in your family, Movie World is for you!  

Paradise Country

Paradise Country is perfect for younger families and those looking for an authentic Aussie Farm experience. Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, emus, dingoes and snakes at the Wildlife Walkabout, or spend time in the animal nursery and Farmyard Play Paddock. Daily shows include sheep shearing, ram parades, sheepdog demonstrations and stock horse action. You can fossick for gold, go opal mining and learn about billy tea. 

Australian Outback Spectacular

A dinner-and-show experience like no other, Australian Outback Spectacular offers an entertaining night out for young and old. Enjoy a visually stunning live show full of authentic Aussie characters with legendary tales of life in the Australian outback. You will be treated to a three-course meal with drinks during the show.  

Dreamworld

Dreamworld is the biggest theme park on the Gold Coast, jampacked with rides, attractions, animal experiences and live shows. If you have a young family, make your way to ABC Kids World and Wiggles World for a colourful collection of attractions ideal for under 5s, including the Big Red Car Ride, Dorothy’s Tea Cup Ride and the Giggle and Hoot Pirate Ship. Kids can meet their favourite ABC characters in live shows. Bigger kids will have a ball on Dreamworks rides, including the Puss in Boots Sword Swing and Escape From Madagascar, while adrenaline-junkie teens and adults can see how brave they are on the Big 9 Thrill Rides.  

Tiger Island offers a change of pace with live Tiger presentations held twice daily. There’s also a sheep shearing show and vintage car adventure. The scenic rail ride on the Dreamworld Express offers the perfect break from the action. 

 

WhiteWater World

A hop, skip and splash from Dreamworld is WhiteWater World – an oasis of waterslides, water attractions and a wave pool. There is something for everyone at WhiteWater World. Wiggle Bay offers a safe and fun space for younger children with mini slides, interactive water sprays, water cannons and musical water play. Bigger kids will have a blast at the massive water playground, Pipeline Plunge. The Cave of Waves with swells reaching up to 1.5 m promises fun for all ages, while the wild ones in your family will make a beeline for The Wedgie, Hydrocoaster, Triple Vortex and more! 

 

Book now to save $10 on entry to the best theme parks on the Gold Coast, and if you're looking for more holiday thrills discover some of the best things to do on the Gold Coast.

Experience Oz. All good days. 

More Holiday Fun With Kids

ellaslist Reviews: A Family-Friendly Winter Escape at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
ellaslist Reviews: A Perfect Little Escape With Tiny Away
Australia's Most Beautiful Campsites

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!