The Best Gold Coast Family-Friendly Accommodation To Book

Make it a (mostly) tantrum-free holiday they’ll remember forever with the best family accommodation on the Gold Coast.

Laid-back locals, lashings of sunshine and more activities than you can poke a selfie stick at – there are plenty of reasons why this city has become synonymous with kid-friendly getaways. The secret to all-round success, in our experience? Finding family accommodation on the Gold Coast that offers supreme comfort when emotions run high, a mixed bag of things to do when boredom creeps in, and dining options for the most demanding of taste buds when the hanger is on the horizon. Our edit of the most outstanding in the region should get you on your way.

1. Paradise Resort Gold Coast

an outdoor pool with sun lounges at Paradise Resort Gold Coast — The idyllic resort comes with a pool to laze by.

Showered with plenty of accolades over the years, this reliable property knows precisely what families need, making it very difficult for smart mums and dads to consider booking anywhere else.

The Kids’ Club at Paradise Resort Gold Coast is like a day-care centre on steroids, offering themed experiences like the Space Room, Egyptian Room, The Hangout and Underwater World, plus arts and crafts, disco nights and pyjama parties.

Best of all, they take babies as little as six weeks, so new mamas are invited to take a well-deserved break. There’s also a Pamper Parlour for big kids obsessing over mermaid braids, airbrush tattoos and stick-on nails. But wait, there’s more: an ice-skating rink, waterpark and miniature train can also be found at this family accommodation on the Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise.

Lodging-wise, there are 360 rooms and the biggest of them sleeps up to eight people. No matter which way you go, they’re all unapologetically splashed with rainbow paintwork, plus the TVs and PlayStation in the Junior Bunkhouse Rooms, housing one to four guests, are the icing on the cake. Expect balconies, small refrigerators, daily housekeeping, plus minor kitchen facilities in certain rooms.

There are also five eateries to visit, dishing up all the usual crowd-pleasers including pizza, burgers, and Mexican cuisine, as well as cocktails and light meals by the pool. Rates start from approximately $296 per night.

Address: 122 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

2. Turtle Beach Resort

an aerial shot of Turtle Beach Resort — Turtle Beach Resort gives the Gold Coast theme parks a run for their money.

With four swimming pools, a cinema, and a water park of its own, your children may think they’ve stumbled right into kiddy heaven. Turtle Beach Resort , an awesome family accommodation on the Gold Coast located close to Pacific Fair shopping centre and Surfers Paradise, offers one, two or three-bedroom self-contained apartments.

Featuring fully equipped kitchens, private balconies or patios, TVs and laundries, the spaces are basic but cater to a family’s every need. If you’ve got really little ones with you, the team can even organise bed rails, cots and prams to keep them sorted. And to get them smiling, that water park is fitted with four water slides, two toddler slides and genius water cannons, plus there’s mini golf, a tennis court, and a games room on top of the Turtle Kids Club featuring daily itineraries of fun-filled activities for children aged four to 12.

The Deck Restaurant and Bar is the place to be for lunch as it overlooks the water park so it’s in the thick of the action, plus there are four spas scattered around the grounds and two saunas to help you sweat out post-indulgence toxins. Rates start from approximately $332 per night.

Address: 2346 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

3. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa

an aerial view of JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa with a lagoon pool — The property has a lagoon pool and a fun waterslide. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Nabbing the crown for the best family-friendly resort pool in the entire region, the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa blends luxurious rooms and amenities with extremely considered attractions tailored entirely for tots.

The star of the show at this family accommodation on the Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise is its spectacular saltwater lagoon, decorated with a grotto, waterfalls, more than 200 tropical fish, and a private beach with cabanas. Drop your snorkel off before stepping over to a freshwater pool featuring a waterslide, or perhaps one of the scattered jacuzzis including one particularly cool design built within a cave.

Kids are king in this outdoor mecca as an aquatic recreation centre offering sea scooters (which are ridiculous fun), snorkelling equipment and pool toys is also on hand, plus they’re invited to watch a daily fish feeding or take part in a scavenger hunt. Inside, the fun and games continue as pizza, sushi and chocolate-making classes are staged and juniors are also invited to a mixology class where they’ll learn how to shake and stir healthy juice concoctions.

The hotel’s 223 rooms offer a magical mix of ocean or hinterland views, each exquisitely appointed with marble bathrooms, bathtubs, light-up make-up mirrors, balconies, mini-fridges, LCD TVs, touchscreen control and super plush bedding.

Dining options are similarly next level. Citrique Restaurant is an international masterstroke, offering a seafood buffet that stuns, plus buffet breakfast complete with an ice cream station, five-course degustation, and seasonal set menus. In addition, there’s the elegant Misoni teppanyaki restaurant, Chapter & Verse muddling up killer cocktails, and The Pool Pavilion dishing up Asian fusion and other flavour-crammed lunch options. Rates start from about $522 per night.

Address: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

4. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort room — Relax in gorgeous rooms. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

A perfect spot to host special occasion getaways, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast is a must-consider (even if you’re not tangled up in kid life). The spectacular resort, located just a few minutes’ away from Sea World Resort, is endlessly chic while providing all the activities your little ones could crave.

There’s the colossal resort pool, arguably the star of the show at this family accommodation on the Gold Coast, with a swim-up bar (hello, parent time) and children’s section, plus a second smaller pool and private access to the beach—so water play is sorted. Additionally, the resort’s excellent eateries offer kids’ menus and the rooms themselves are spacious, multi-bedroom configured and thoroughly luxe. Family-friendly room rates start from about $380 per night.

Address: 71 Sea World Drive, Main Beach

5. Treasure Island Holiday Resort

a family sitting together at the outdoor cinema of Treasure Island Holiday Resort, Gold Coast — Watch movies with your family at the resort’s outdoor cinema. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

A list of the most action-packed family accommodation on the Gold Coast isn’t complete without a nod to Treasure Island Holiday Resort , particularly if you’re travelling with very young kids.

They’ll be kept busy at this Biggera Waters property, thanks to a kids’ club, swimming in four pools and cutting loose amid a splash zone, riding the hireable go-karts, tumbling all over a puffy bouncing pillow, teeing off in a round of mini golf, playing tennis, getting lost in the action of a games room, and even more. Yes, really, even more.

The park runs a kids vs. wild survival program, from the team behind the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, where youngsters are taught handy life skills like crafting shelters and navigating challenging terrain, all in the great outdoors.

Galleons Bistro is a great option when it’s chow time, offering hearty pub-style meals, and there’s a smorgasbord of rooms within the resort including one of the city’s most rocking glamping tents. Self-contained units start from around $194 per night, and tent sites start from about $62 per night.

Address: 117 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

6. Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

an old couple sitting by a bonfire with their dog outside their campervan at Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park — Pets are also welcome at BIG 4 Gold Coast Holiday Park. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Here for the theme parks? They’re a bit of a drive from the surf, so lock-down Gold Coast family accommodation right around the corner from the big guns. Less than two minutes’ drive from Wet‘n’Wild, Topgolf Gold Coast, Movie World, and the Australian Outback Spectacular, plus a few doors down from Game Over Gold Coast go-karting (if it isn’t a scorcher out there, you could comfortably walk the flat distance to all of these spots) Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is also loaded with its own kid-friendly attractions.

From a waterslide and splash zone big enough to rival the ones in Wet‘n’Wild and a lagoon pool with shaded cabanas to a remote-controlled car track, frisbee golf (you’re aiming to hurl frisbees into tiny holes), bocce, a kids’ club and basketball courts, there’s an activity for every hour of the day at this cheap family accommodation on the Gold Coast.

Famished guests should head straight to Nibbles Cafe where burgers, pizzas, salads, and snacks are dished up, or Nibbles Terrace where beer, wine and cocktails are served.

When it’s time to recharge, rooms come by the truckload. Self-contained motel rooms, cabins, cottages, and bungalows, plus a range of powered and unpowered campsites, are all available. The style is basic, but the price tags make everything worth it. Rates for rooms with four walls start from about $200 per night, while camping starts from about $40 per night.

Address: 66-86 Siganto Drive, Helensvale

7. RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast

two women walking in robes at the spa, RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast — Revitalise and rejuvenate at the resort’s spa. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

A week, a month, a year – who knows how long you’ll want to park the family at the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast once you get a gander at it. Featuring its own kids’ waterpark, playground facilities, multiple swimming pools, in-house movies and a menu filled with child-friendly dishes, this family accommodation on the Gold Coast, located just a short drive from Surfers Paradise, offers creature comforts in luxurious surroundings.

Come school holidays, send your mini-mes off to the resort’s kids’ club, while adults can sit back and enjoy the amenities, including a 27-hole golf course, tennis court, day spa, and an executive lounge with glorious regional views.

The rooms range from a Superior King Room, styled with a modern mix of furnishings, to a collection of Executive Suites, some with marble bathrooms and spas and others with spacious entertaining areas. Plus, you won’t go hungry for long given there are eight eateries on-site including Videre, a gorgeous space popular for its high tea, Trattoria Amici, serving authentic Italian cuisine, and Arakawa, a stand-out Japanese restaurant. Rates start from approximately $228 per night.

Address: Ross Street, Benowa

8. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

a couple admiring the sunrise atop a mountain at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Gold Coast — Take in breathtaking views across the mountains. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Get your clan into the fresh outdoors with a stay amid the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland. A 90-minute drive from Surfers Paradise, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat embraces every element of its spectacular natural environment, offering 48 self-contained villas and a range of daily activities for the whole family.

Wildlife encounters, a fascinating bird show, a tree top walk, glow-worm exploration, flying fox adventures, Segway safari, historical tours and 4WD tours are just of the experiences on offer at this Gold Coast Hinterland family accommodation.

The Mountain View Room is the retreat’s most basic family-friendly lodging, featuring a queen bed and a single bed, a verandah and a bar fridge, but no TV. Afternoon tea and a bird tour are included, however, and rates start from about $238 per night.

If you’re keen to splash out, go the Three Bedroom Valley View Villa, a wonderful self-contained option that sleeps up to nine guests and offers ensuites with each bedroom, a giant deck with a dreamy outdoor spa bath, fireplace, and breathtaking views across the mountains. Interiors are pared back, with the occasional block colour adding warmth while allowing the scenery to shine.

There are three dining areas to choose from, including The Rainforest Bar, a great spot for sunset drinks, in addition to The Dining Room cooking up modern Australian cuisine, and O’Reilly’s Mountain Cafe, serving light meals and an a la carte menu at lunch. There’s also a great day spa to really unwind in, featuring a cedar hot tub and even more magical views.

Address: 3582 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra

9. Paradise Country Farmstay

a couple stepping into one of the glamping tents at Paradise Country Farmstay — Opt for a lush farm stay at Paradise Country. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Does it get any better than staying in a family attraction itself? Paradise Country Farmstay is the charming accommodation offering from Paradise Country, the much-loved farm experience on the Gold Coast, providing unique opportunities to live your best farm life.

Little ones are invited to collect eggs from the chooks, feed and milk the cows, cuddle up to native wildlife and toast marshmallows on the campfire. Their experiences are exclusive to guests, who are obviously also able to access the park itself.

Stays are catered for in the way of luxury glamping, with two family-friendly styles providing super soft beds, balconies, and refrigerators. An ensuite bathroom, as opposed to a shared shower and toilet block, is the main difference between the two, but all facilities are clean and comfortable.

Food is sorted too as the Farmhouse Restaurant is on hand with a gourmet buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, and there’s also Burrow Cafe for more casual dining. Rates start from around $240 per night.

Address: Production Drive, Oxenford

10. Mantra Crown Towers Surfers Paradise

children swimming in the lagoon pool at Mantra Crown Towers Surfers Paradise — The lagoon pool beckons children to dive in and play. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

If holiday bliss amounts to being right in the heart of the action, then Mantra Crown Towers Surfers Paradise has your name written all over it. Located within spitting distance from bustling Cavill Avenue, and about 100 metres from the beach, the Gold Coast family accommodation’s self-contained apartments are prime Surfers real estate.

Featuring one-, two- or three-bedroom stays, the spaces feel coastal and roomy, complete with private balconies, dining areas, laundry facilities and lounge areas. And when it comes to keeping boredom at bay, there’s a fun-filled pirate shipwrecked in the middle of a lagoon pool, complete with a water slide, fountains, and white sand, plus two further swimming pools and a games room.

There’s also a theatrical onsite restaurant, Chang Mai Thai, which dishes up quality Southeast Asian dishes prepared with love, and adults will appreciate the spa, sauna and gym located within the hotel.

Venture offsite to explore the shops, restaurants, and entertainment at your doorstep – you name it, and you can probably walk there. Rates start from approximately $350 per night.

Address: 5-19 Palm Avenue, Surfers Paradise

11. Ashmore Palms Holiday Village

an aerial view of the pool at Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Gold Coast — The sun-splashed family resort features two lagoon-style pools.

A winner for groups on the hunt for cheap family accommodation on the Gold Coast, Ashmore Palms Holiday Village is located about 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise. Home to a range of camping options, plus two and three-bedroom self-contained cabins, the standout stay is positioned on a 15-acre property with Australia’s largest private collection of South American Macaw Parrots — so that’s the nature expedition sorted.

Elsewhere, there are two lagoon-style swimming pools, two children’s playgrounds, a tennis court, barbecue facilities and an activity centre that puts on things like kids’ discos, arts and crafts and laser tag (during school holidays mostly).

There are plenty of choices in the way of rooms too, spanning two-bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens to two-story houses. Rates start from around $224 per night.

Address: 71 Hinde Street, Ashmore

12. Tamborine Mountain Glades

the living room interior at Tamborine Mountain Glades, Gold Coast — The self-contained lodges are equipped with fantastic amenities.

The long-loved Cedar Creek Lodges has transitioned into Tamborine Mountain Glades , offering beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland family accommodation. Less than an hour’s drive from the beaches, the hideaway is enveloped in spectacular subtropical rainforest and encompasses Thunderbird Park which is a total kid’s wonderland. From Dig IT, a park filled with mini excavators they can jump on and control, to the TreeTop Challenge and a zipline, it’s a ridiculously handy memory-making machine.

Choose from luxurious glamping tents, contemporary hotel rooms and self-contained lodges filled with plush amenities while The Rainforest Restaurant and Lounge Bar is your go-to for buffet breakfast and hearty meals. If you’re after a quick bite and much-needed caffeine (we’re parents, after all), head to the Terrace Cafe for a delicious fix. Rates start from about $249 per night.

Address: Tamborine Mountain Road and Cedar Creek Falls Road, Tamborine Mountain

Discover the best hotels in Surfer’s Paradise.

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay — Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay — Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine. Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.

12 of the top family accommodation picks on the Gold Coast