Top Gold Coast Attractions and Things to Do with Kids

A guide for the best things to do on the Gold Coast with Kids.

Being one of the top tourist destinations in Australia, the Gold Coast is brimming with things to do all-year-round; however its main reputation as a "party city" can sometimes be discouraging for families planning to visit as it conveys the image of a region with more of a tourism focus towards couples and young adults. While this is partly true, there are still a bevy of activities and things to do with kids that will be more than enough to quickly fill up even the most robust of travel itineraries. From theme parks to wildlife sanctuaries and attractions to natural features with cute and interesting sights to see, the Gold Coast has far more to it than just beaches and nightclubs. While many of the activities listed below will depend on the age of your children as well as their temperaments, we are sure there will be something on the Gold Coast for your kids to enjoy - which, in turn, will lead to Mum and Dad having a better overall time as well!

Our recommendations for places to go with the kids on the Gold Coast include:

Infinity Attraction

Infinity attraction is definitely one of the more unique places to visit, not only on the Gold Coast but in all of Australia as it differs from nearly anything else out there in what it offers. Designed with a mind-bending atmosphere in mind, it's guaranteed to be fun and different the first time you go as you won't know what to expect. A series of mazes combined with amazing visual effects to produce different feelings of euphoria and vertigo, with illusory images in different rooms that break Infinity up into a variety of "themes", each of which puts an emphasis on a different part of your senses. It has been known to be popular with kids as young as 8 or 9 years old - it is not typically "scary" as there are not people or other things jumping out at you like the standard image of a "maze" or "haunted house" - a common misconception as to what truly Infinity is. One point of note for children however - if your family has kids who are scared of the dark, this may be the one negative aspect that may lead you to turn somewhere else for your adventure fix.

Pricing for Kids (ages 4-13 years):
Infinity Attraction Entry - $16.90

Theme Parks

The Gold Coast's "Big Four" theme parks - Sea World, Dreamworld, MovieWorld and Wet 'n' Wild - have long been one of the biggest draw cards for families visiting the city each year. While it is hard to give a blanket definition as to which the "best" park for your children may be, as it depends on a variety of factors such as their age, level of "thrill tolerance", and interest being more towards rides or shows, we have done our best to provide a comprehensive breakdown of what each park offers for kids on our Gold Coast theme parks for kids page. Click through to the link for a more detailed breakdown with explanations of rides and kids facilities at each venue, or visit our Gold Coast theme parks page for a breakdown of available specials on passes that provide extra value.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the longest-running and most-adored tourism facilities on the Gold Coast, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the biggest and best wildlife facility in the area. Offering a great day out with plenty of hands-on activities with the large variety of wildlife on offer, the park does well to cater for children of all ages such as feeding the kangaroos and wallabies, bird feedings of the Rainbow Lorrikeets, plus there is also a small train that will take you and the little ones around the park to cut down on walking time and fatigue those little legs may be experiencing. All the traditional favourite animals are on offer including koalas, crocodiles, reptiles, birdlife, dingoes, Tasmanian Devils and emus. There is also a special section designed for the kids to play in while the parents take some time to relax called the Wild Island Playground that they will enjoy. Plus, ordering online will give you the added benefit of skipping the queue!

Pricing for Kids (ages 4-14 years):
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary General Admission - $31.00

Horse Riding

The Gold Coast isn't all just glitz and golden beaches - one of the beauties of its geographical location means that travelling a short distance west from the centre area of Surfers Paradise will quickly take you to the greenery of the Gold Coast and Northern NSW Hinterland areas - both of which make for the ideal venue to get in touch with nature without a huge traveling time investment. One of the best ways to take advantage of all this greenery is a Gold Coast horse riding adventure, an ever-popular activity for the kids as they get the chance to hop on the back of one of these beautiful, intelligent and gentle creatures. A great and memorable family bonding activity, you'll be able to ride together and experience the many tracts of unspoilt mountainside, rainforest and river scenery in the heart of the lovely Numinbah Valley. The minimum age for children to take part in these Gold Coast horse riding experiences is 8 years old, so please bear this in mind if they are younger. Rides are held both in the morning and afternoon and last for approximately 3 hours in total.

Pricing for Kids (ages 8-14 years):
Gold Coast Hinterland Horse Ride - $75.00

Glow Worms Tours

The Gold Coast's Hinterland is home to one of the most popular natural destinations for visitors and tourists - the ever-popular Glow Worm cave of Springbrook. Nestled in the heart of a World Heritage-listed national park, the cave is renowned for its carefully-nurtured colony of glow worms that provide an amazing natural spectacle with their self-illuminating abilities. The kids will likewise be enchanted as you join one of these small group tours that kicks off with a rainforest walk with the final destination being the glow worm cave - but not neglecting to mention the many opportunities to spot other cute native wildlife, such as possums, along the way. The experience is both unique and tranquil and provides a nice alternative to the more hectic schedules that some of the other, busier attractions may offer. A fair amount of walking is required however, so it helps to be upbeat before embarking on the tour.

Pricing for Kids (ages 1-12 years):
Springbrook Glow Worm Tour (evening) - $66.00

Paradise Country Aussie Farm

Dedicated to giving visitors to the Gold Coast as authentic an Australian farm experience as possible full of traditional bush culture, Paradise Country Aussie Farm is full of things for the kids to do. Feeding the friendly kangaroos, having a photo taken with a cuddle koala, watching the skills of the master shearers and stockmen in action, throwing boomerangs and more are all on offer. Life on a farm is often a fantasy for kids of all ages as they are surrounded by animals in simulated Aussie bush environments to provide an organic feel to the proceedings; and as an added bonus, entry to the park is quite cheap, with children between the ages of 3 and 13 years old being able to enter for under ten dollars if booking online, and adults prices being reasonably also, all of which combines to make it an affordable and enjoyable day out for families with few or multiple kids.

Pricing for Kids (ages 3-13 years):
Paradise Country Aussie Farm Entry - $9.99

Putt Putt Golf

A long-standing, reliable source of reasonably priced family entertainment can be found at the Gold Coast's Putt Putt Golf Course at Mermaid Beach. A great little day's worth of friendly competition, the mini-golf venue consists of three differently themed hole courses, each with their own level and specific elements of challenge, allowing you to choose easier courses for the kids or ramp it up a notch. The facility offers more than just mini-golf however, with refreshments and snacks available on the "19th Hole", a video game arcade, and a bookable shaded barbecue zone that can be reserved for groups. Putt Putt Golf is open every day and night of the week from 9am to 10pm, making it a near-constantly available source of entertainment.
Pricing for Kids (ages 6-15):
1 Game of 18 Holes - $12.00

Pricing for Kids (ages 5 and under):
1 Game of 18 Holes - $6.00

For more information on [what to do on the Gold Coast[(/gold-coast) for not only kids but adults as well, be sure to visit our region page for some great online prices!