Top ten things to do on the Gold Coast.

Posted On December 24, 2018

Are you one of the 13 million visitors heading to the Gold Coast this year and wondering what should we be doing. We have compiled our list from our time living on the Gold Coast and our visit there.

Top ten must-see destinations on the Gold Coast.

1. Visit a Theme Park.

Movie World

In Australia the Gold Coast is the home of the theme parks, Los Angeles might have Disneyland, Orlando might have Disneyworld. But in Australia on the Gold Coast, we have “Hollywood on the Gold Coast” Warner Brothers Movie world. A Village Roadshow Theme Parks. It is the home of DC Superheroes, Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo, Harry Potter (although this is just through merchandise and some theming on shops). It is also home to active Movie studios, seeing the newest blockbuster Aquaman filmed there, as well as Thor – Ragnarok, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales and many more amazing films. Movie World is home to the longest, fastest, and tallest hypercoaster in the Southern Hemisphere, the DC Rivals Hypercoaster. At the moment you can walk through and see many of the sets and costumes form Aquaman in a special display in the park.

Sea World

Gold Coast also is the home to Sea World, also a Village Roadshow Theme Parks. Although it has a similar name and branding to the American Seaworld, it is run by totally different companies with more of a focus on rehabilitation. It is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and theme park. It has a great younger children’s area and a few rides aimed at older children, teens, and adults. With a large focus on sea animals. It has the license to Nickelodeon, so children will love meeting the Paw Patrol characters, Sponge Bob and TMNT.

Paradise Country

Also part of the Village Roadshow Paradise Country is an Australian homestead where there is a variety of Australian animals including kangaroos, koalas, and emus. You can head on a farm tour that includes several shows which feature the making of billy tea, boomerang throwing, and stock Horse demonstrations.

Dreamworld

Dream World is set on 210 acres in Coomera, it has 27 rides including 5 roller coasters. Dreamworld is the home of Wiggles World, and an ABC kids land with a few wiggles themed rides. A real favorite with the pre-school crowd. Dreamworld also has rides connected to Dreamworks. Dream World has a Lego store that can be accessed from outside of the park, so you don’t need tickets to buy your favorite lego. Dreamworld is the home of the thrill ride on the Gold Coast with 9 thrill rides.

Fun Fact – some designers who worked on Disneyland and Walt Disney World designed some of Dreamworld.

2. Visit a Water Park

The Gold Coast has great weather most of the year and is home to two water parks.

Wet n Wild

No matter what the weather Wet n Wild remains open so is beautiful no matter what time of year it is. To help with the slightly cooler winter months the pools are heated through Winter. Located adjacent to Movie world and also a Village Roadshow Theme Park, it has 4 pools, 17 water slides, and 2 Children’s areas.

WhiteWater World

Situated next to Dreamworld a short park hop away is Dreamworld water park Whitewater world, with one wave pool, 10 water slides, and 2 children’s areas.

3. The Beaches

The Gold Coast is home to so many beautiful beaches, from the Famous Surfers Beach to the great surf beaches of Kirra, and Coolangatta. There is a beach to suit every beach taste. I love walking along the beach each morning and seeing the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Many a photo has been taken from these beaches.

4. Natural Bridge

In the far southwest of the Gold Coast, in the Springbrook National Park is Natural Bridge and cave creek, featuring a beautiful rock formation, that was formed from the force of the waterfall over the cave made from Basalt.

The walk is only 1 km and quite easily accessible, as we have taken our four children down multiple times.

5. Australian Outback Spectacular.

Australian Outback dinner show is an amazing Dinner Show located on the Gold Coast, now with a new show Heartland that tells the story of Australian farmers battling a five-year-long drought. Featuring, singing, Horse riding. whilst you watch the show you get a feast on a wonderful 3-course dinner. We have been numerous times and it doesn’t disappoint.

6. Visit Surfers Paradise

A trip to the Gold Coast wouldn’t be complete without visiting it’s most famous beach and beachside town. Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise is abuzz with action, from great restaurants, including the Hard Rock Cafe, Ripley’s believe it or not, and a giant Timezone where you can buy a fairy floss from a machine and watch it get made.

Whether day or night there is always something going on, and the beach is patrolled by some of Queensland’s finest Lifeguards.

7. Whale Watching

Through the months of May to November jump on a whale watching tour, to see the amazing Humpback whale as they migrate. This area is commonly referred to as the Humpback highway due to a large number of Whales seen through Whale watching season.

8. Go shopping at Pacific Fair

A visit to Gold Coast wouldn’t be complete without checking out Pacific Fair, set on 38 acres. With a recent expansion, it is a shopping centre sure to have everything and anything you need. With over 400 specialty stores, and a huge range of eateries. We always make sure we drop in.

9. Check out one of their amazing markets.

Did you know that the Gold Coast is home to so many different markets, probably the largest and most well known is the Carrara Markets located on 10 acres with over 350 different stalls. Open on Saturdays and Sundays. Carrara Markets is great for all ages with pony rides, animal farm, our kids favorite the bungee trampoline and face painters.

10. Stay at a great Hotel, Resort or Holiday Home.

The Gold Coast has such a huge amount of different holiday options, from Waterfront high rises, Caravan Parks. So book your favorite accommodation, and relax and enjoy all that the Gold Coast has to offer.