A local’s guide to the best Gold Coast theme parks

Everything you need to know about the world-famous Gold Coast theme parks.

Ready to get your heart racing? The Gold Coast is home to a handful of world-class theme parks and attractions — just call us the adrenaline capital of Australia, home to seven Gold Coast theme parks in total. Putting our local knowledge to paper, we’ve crafted the ultimate adventure-seeking guide, offering comprehensive navigation of every one of them: Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, Sea World Gold Coast, Paradise Country and the Australian Outback Spectacular. Strap yourself in because those kids of yours (and your own inner child) are bound to be stirred.

Dreamworld

Best for: Shorter queues and serious thrills.

For some of the country’s most epic theme park experiences, including The Giant Drop and Steel Taipan, head to Australia’s biggest theme park, Dreamworld . From spine-tingling coasters to the kid-friendly Kenny & Belinda’s Dreamland (they’re those two cuddly koala mascots you see everywhere), there are over 40 attractions to lose yourself aboard.

The latest unveiling is Rivertown, which opened in December 2024, a dedicated section of the Gold Coast theme park that replaced ABC Kids World. It’s filled with jungle-inspired entertainment, like Murrissippi Motors, a car trail that evokes Indiana Jones-in-Disneyland vibes, and Jungle Rush, a mini rollercoaster. Nix hunger at Jane’s Rivertown Restaurant, which dishes up burgers, cheesy garlic bread and other comfort food.

Throughout the year, Dreamworld also hosts several themed events, including a Halloween night and Winterfest (complete with ice skating and faux snow), plus there’s the ongoing Dreamworld Night Market, one of the Gold Coast’s best markets, which drags in food trucks and face painting, giving you even more incentive to stay beyond sunset.

Prices: From $99 for both adults and children

Address: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

WhiteWater World

Best for: Budget-friendly water slides (especially compared to Wet’n’Wild).

Next door to Dreamworld is WhiteWater World , open from September to April — the 2025 season launches on September 13. Spanning extreme water slides with twists, turns and gut-churning drops, to far more relaxing family-friendly drifting like the Cave of Waves wave pool and splash areas for kids, attractions are plenty varied.

Don’t miss the legendary Green Room — the one that looks like a giant funnel — which runs for 75 metres in the early stages before launching you into that 15-metre funnel and hitting you with a massive drop.

Prefer your downtime on ground level? Dial up your VIP status with a private cabana decked out with couches, a dedicated locker, service staff and a small fridge. If you’re simply there to get amongst it, squeeze more slides into your day with a Slide Express pass that offers priority queuing.

Prices: From $94 for adults and $74 for children

Address: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

Warner Bros. Movie World

Best for: Movie-loving families and superhero fans.

It counts the southern hemisphere’s tallest, longest, and fastest rollercoaster in its repertoire, but Warner Bros. Movie World offers so much more than rides. Giving families the chance to interact with their favourite movie characters and superheroes (Batman and the Joker are hugely popular), this Gold Coast theme park is the closest thing to Disneyland that Australia gets.

That record-breaking thrill, the DC Rivals HyperCoaster, is a non-negotiable, storming at a top speed of 115km/h and reaching 61.6 metres in the air. Outside of the iconic Warner Bros. arch at the entrance (an obligatory photo moment), it’s the first thing you spy from the freeway and terrifies even from there.

A daily Star Parade is always a great idea as Looney Tunes legends and the full collective of those DC superheroes and villains (Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn represent the gals) slowly make their way down Main Street.

In December 2024, The Wizard of Oz precinct also found its way to this Gold Coast theme park, offering guests two new coasters, dining options and, naturally, a yellow brick road.

Keep an eye on the park schedule for random live performances too, like a Hollywood driving stunt show, Dorothy singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and Wonder Woman kicking serious bad guy butt.

Prices: From $109 for adults and children receive discounts depending on the time of year.

Address: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford

Wet’n’Wild

Best for: Swimwear-exclusive thrills.

Ready to make a splash? Make your way to Wet’n’Wild (a couple doors down from Warner Bros. Movie World) to lap up some of Australia’s biggest and most extreme water slides, including the mega Black Hole and the 2025 summer-introduced Zoom Zone with four of its own full-body water slides. Gentler options are also at your fingertips, like Calypso Beach which takes you via a wave pool around gardens and pirate-themed ruins. The River Rapids and Mammoth Falls are also a little less screamy, more summertime dreamy.

Upgrade your day trip by hiring a private cabana or take some time out in one of the Leisure Lounges, right near the Wave Pool.

A common question: What’s the difference between Wet’n’Wild and WhiteWater? Obviously, you’ll get very wet and have the best time at both but there are a few points to consider. Wet’n’Wild is much bigger than its counterpart, offering more things to do, so crowds are thicker. On the other hand, WhiteWater World is only a beat away from Dreamworld so visiting both in one day frequently appeals.

Prices: From $89 for adults and children receive discounts depending on the time of year.

Address: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford

Sea World Gold Coast

Best for: Small children and animal encounters.

Sea World Gold Coast is by far the most educational theme park of the lot, with interactive shows and presentations daily. Say hello to seals, penguins and stingrays, gawk at sharks shifting past huge windows, get within metres of polar bears, and learn how to actively care for our marine life.

Out of the water, your favourite Nickelodeon characters are also on-site, proving serious entertainment for toddlers and smaller bubs, and on that note, prams are highly recommended due to the spread-out nature of this park’s attractions and subsequent walking.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rise out of the sewers, and Paw Patrol pups, SpongeBob and Dora also put on shows, plus there are action-packed stunts performed by some of the best athletes in the country.

You can switch gears entirely at The New Atlantis precinct thanks to its adrenaline-pumping rides – the 80km/h Leviathan coaster, the 42-metre-tall Trident swing, and the 360-degree rotating Vortex.

Prices: From $109 for adults and children receive discounts depending on the time of year.

Address: Seaworld Dr, Main Beach

Paradise Country

Best for: Smaller children and an authentic Aussie farm experience.

If your little ones are more dazzled by livestock than levitation, Paradise Country is a safer bet, filled with heartwarming experiences for the whole clan. The Gold Coast theme park houses some of Australia’s unique wildlife (think snakes, kangaroos, koalas and more) as well as a farmyard nursery where tots clamber for a cuddle of their favourite fur-covered babies.

Live performances are also a hot ticket, including the Stockman Show, which sees sheep herded and boomerangs hurled, plus the Billy Tea Show, distilling the art of open-fire brewing.

The other notable drawcard of Paradise Country is that you can stay overnight (if you book well in advance because spaces are super limited). Inviting camping and glamping, the options come with clean amenities and water supplies, and you can bundle ticket entry to save dollars, too.

Prices: $49 for adults and children receive discounts depending on the time of year.

Address: Production Dr, Oxenford

Australian Outback Spectacular

Best for: Rodeo lovers keen for dinner and a show.

Be transported to the heart of the Australian bush at the Australian Outback Spectacular , located between Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild. Featuring Australian characters, a transformative arena, mesmerising animals and immersive technology, it’s a must-do storytelling experience that also includes food (win).

As the action plays out in front of you, tuck into a hearty three-course dinner with alcoholic beverages, including a woodfire-roasted vegetable tart, beef or farm-seasoned chicken with potato and vegetables, and a dessert that changes with the seasons.

Prices: From $109.99 for adults and $79.99 for children.

Address: Entertainment Rd, Oxenford

Are the Gold Coast theme parks family-friendly?

families and children playing at Paradise Country, Gold Coast — A fun-filled family time at Paradise Country.

Yep, bar the Australian Outback Spectacular, they’re all geared towards little ones while entirely catering for grown-ups.

Older kids will love the star-struck appeal of Warner Bros. Movie World and the summer adrenaline rushes of Wet’n’Wild, whereas toddlers and younger kids will get the most out of a visit to Sea World Gold Coast or Paradise Country. If parents can lock down a babysitter, the Australian Outback Spectacular invites children but drinks are way more fun without them, right?

Tips for visiting the Gold Coast theme parks

Save dollars by buying your tickets in advance online. If you plan to visit more than one theme park during your visit, investigate the many multi-park passes available, too. For example, if you’re visiting the Gold Coast for a week, you can score unlimited entry to four parks for seven consecutive days. If you live locally, snap up unlimited entry to four parks for a whole year.

We also recommend staying across each park’s website to know when rides shut down for maintenance. Additionally, the attraction tab on each site typically offers height limits and scare scales, which will save potential disappointment on the day if kids don’t meet restrictions and thrills prove a little too thrilling up close.

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Originally written by Jemma Fletcher with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

White sand beaches, gentle waves and getting on ‘island time’ have always made Hamilton Island the first spot that comes to mind when thinking of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Always a place to recharge and relax, modern wellness travel here means so much more than a spa treatment or green juice. And a new kind of tropical island stay has now arrived on Hamilton Island.

pool at The Sundays Hamilton Island — Learn to slow down and rejuvinate. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

The Sundays reimagines laid-back luxury, combining boutique, beachfront accommodation with an encouragement to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures so every day feels like Sunday.

Laid-back luxury

The Sundays is nestled into the picturesque gardens on the northern end of Catseye Beach. Despite a feeling of being away from it all, the resort is a conveniently short walk from Hamilton Island’s main resort centre and restaurants, so guests can have the best of both worlds.

This new boutique stay is all about savouring the now. From complimentary sunrise yoga to moonlight movies for kids and a daily sundae ritual by the beachside pool, it makes a compelling case for doing less, better.

Even the architecture is designed to harmonise with the surrounding tropical landscape, pairing soft curves with a grounded coastal style that shows off the panoramic Coral Sea views and adds to the hotel’s calm aesthetic.

Plus, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under two and a half hours, as well as complimentary hotel transfers from the airport or marina, getting here is as easy as the vacation itself.

balcony view from room at The Sundays — Enjoy fantastic views from your balcony or terrace. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Perfectly designed rooms with amazing views

Every small detail has been considered in the creation of the 59 guest rooms and suites, from in-room amenities by LEIF to walls adorned with custom artworks by First Nations andHungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. There’s even a signature in-room scent by The Raconteur.

Designed by Hamilton Island’s own designer, Carrie Williams, the result is relaxed Australian style using natural textures and soft hues to lull guests into a mellow state. This soothing palette runs throughout the resort, from its sun lounges to the shaded cabanas.

Every room and suite has been built with a balcony or terrace, perfectly framing postcard-perfect views of the surrounding reef and lush greenery.

inside a room at The Sundays — Stylish rooms feature natural, soothing tones. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Excellent activities and amenities

Each day has been planned with a relaxed structure, so guests can get involved in as much or as little as they wish.

Greet each day with morning yoga, pilates and island walks. Recharge with daily (and deliciously complimentary) sundaes by the pool. Wind down with moonlight movies twice a week and take advantage of family-focused features.

Guests have complimentary access to a range of water sports – from stand-up paddle boards to catamarans – so they can get their blood pumping before relaxing by the resort pool.

Or take a few extra steps to set up for a day on the sand without any crowds at the exclusive, guest-only beach. Settle in with a poolside aperitif for a front-row view of the stunning Catseye Bay.

aerial shot of The Sundays pool and catseye beach — Find picturesque Catseye Beach on your doorstep. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Delectable dining

What is rejuvenation if not a hearty choice of fresh, delectable dishes? That’s what guests will discover at The Sundays’s onsite restaurant, Catseye Pool Club .

Open all day for hotel guests and lunch and dinner for island diners, this relaxed yet elevated menu was created by acclaimed culinary duo, Josh and Julie Niland. It celebrates that community feeling of mealtimes while championing seasonal Australian produce.

“The vision behind [Catseye Pool Club] reflects so much of what I value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings,” explains Josh.

table spread including a lobster dish from Catseye Pool Club, The Sundays — Enjoy classic Aussie meals with a twist at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Based on elevated versions of classic Aussie family dinners, expect refined simplicity. Think roasted Sun Farms Sommerlad chicken with sides like chicken fat roast potatoes, gravy and tomato and grilled bread salad, or barbecued line-caught Bowen coral trout with garlic saltbush and Warrigal greens.

A day spent by the pool can be complemented by a dedicated poolside menu, featuring wood-fired souvas. Don’t want to leave the room? Kick back and soak in the views with tasty treats delivered straight to your door, whether you’re after a full breakfast or late night snack.

view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island — Enjoy dinner and a view. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Exploring the island

While daily life at The Sundays is very much about the art of staying still, guests who seek more can explore the island with ease.

Take a day trip to the striking Whitehaven Beach, or see the iconic Heart Reef from above on a helicopter tour. Pop over to Hamilton Island’s championship golf course for a hit, or explore over 12 kilometres of the island’s stunning nature and wildlife. Later, slow the pace back down with a visit to Spa wumurdaylin .

Looking for more tasty treats? Visit one of the island’s restaurants – there are more than 20 to choose from.

Hikers on passage peak hike on hamilton island — Take on the beautiful hikes of Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

Book your stay at The Sundays through hamiltonisland.com.au.