15 Best Theme Parks On The Gold Coast | 2024 (with Photos)
The Gold Coast in Queensland, known as Australia's theme park capital, is a popular destination for theme park enthusiasts.
Home to world-class water parks and renowned theme parks, the Gold Coast boasts Dreamworld, Wet'n'Wild, and SeaWorld, among other highlights.
The Gold Coast's theme parks boast gravity-defying roller coasters, immersive animal encounters, and opportunities to meet your favorite movie characters.
With an unbeatable combination of sun, sand, and sensational theme parks, the Gold Coast promises a memorable adventure for everyone.
Let's explore the best Gold Coast theme parks.
Most Recommended Thing to Do
Surfers Paradise
Top Choice Hotel
Palazzo Versace
Our Top Choice Restaurant
Glass Dining & Lounge Bar
Our Top Choice Bar for Nightlife
Elsewhere
Best Time to Visit
Summer months, sunny beaches, vibrant nightlife, iconic surfing.
Average Temperature
Sunny and warm, perfect beach weather all-year round.
Transportation Options
Bus, train, tram, taxi, bike, scooter, walking, driving.
Average Cost ($, $$, $$$)
$$
My Top Recommendation
When it comes to spending time in the vibrant city of Gold Coast, Australia, I highly recommend indulging in the breathtaking beaches and thrilling water sports.
Immerse yourself in the stunning coastline, bask in the golden sun, and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters that make the Gold Coast famous.
Unleash your adventurous side with activities like surfing, jet skiing, or paddleboarding, and feel the rush as you ride the rolling waves.
What You'll Need to Bring
- Passport
- Travel adapter
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Beach towel
- Camera
- Money for expenses
What Not to Miss
- Surfers Paradise Beach
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Burleigh Heads National Park
- The Star Gold Coast
- SkyPoint Observation Deck
- Tamborine Mountain
- Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
- Jet boating
- Q1 Skypoint Climb
- Food and dining
What to Avoid
- Overpacking
- Peak tourist season
- Surfing in dangerous conditions
- Wildlife feeding
- Skipping sunscreen
- Underestimating travel times
- Being indifferent to local culture
- Neglecting travel insurance
Table of Contents
1. Experience an Adrenaline Rush at Wet n Wild Gold Coast
Wet n Wild Gold Coast is Australia's largest theme park and one of the best water theme parks in the region.
With its giant wave pool and water rides, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast offers a splashing good time.
The park features water attractions such as the Mammoth Falls, River Rapids, and numerous rousing water slides. For a more relaxed experience, tourists at Wet n Wild Gold Coast can enjoy Calypso Beach, a giant wave pool where you can catch some waves or simply relax on the sandy shores.
2. Face the Polar Bears at SeaWorld
One of the most popular destinations on the Gold Coast is Sea World, where you can visit an array of mesmerizing animals.
This park offers enchanting animal encounters, including the opportunity to see polar bears up close at Polar Bear Shores and watch dolphins and seals perform in entertaining shows.
The park also offers thrill rides, such as the Storm Coaster, a water coaster that combines the excitement of a roller coaster with a splashdown finale, and the popular Shark Bay, where visitors can get up close with various shark species.
3. Enjoy Fast-Paced Fun at WhiteWater World
WhiteWater World is an exciting water park that offers a heart-pounding experience with a variety of water slides and numerous attractions.
The park features innovative rides like The Wedgie, The Green Room, and The Temple of Huey.
It is home to Australia's fastest roller coaster and only hydro coaster, the Triple Vortex, which combines water and roller coaster elements for a unique experience.
WhiteWater World also has family rides such as Wiggle Bay and the Pipeline Plunge, perfect for younger kids.
4. Have a Blast-Off in Dreamworld
The biggest theme park on the Gold Coast is Dreamworld, with seven theme parks offering a wide array of attractions, and five roller coasters.
Tower of Terror is one of the tallest and fastest thrill rides in the world, a high-speed coaster that launches riders at breathtaking speeds.
In the biggest theme park, there is also the Giant Drop, a popular ride and tallest inversion ride in the Southern Hemisphere**,** a free-fall experience that will leave you screaming for more.
Wiggles World is a themed area within the Dreamworld theme park located on the Gold Coast. It is based on the popular children's music group, The Wiggles, and offers a range of rides and attractions suitable for younger and older kids.
With colorful theming, live shows, and interactive experiences, Wiggles World is a favorite among children and families.
5. See Your Favorite Heroes In-Person at Warner Bros Movie World
Movie World Warner Bros is one of the top Gold Coast theme parks, that brings your favorite movie characters to life and offers the best movie-themed rides.
Thrill-seekers can enjoy outstanding rides like the Superman Escape, Australia's fastest roller coaster, and the adrenaline-pumping Green Lantern Coaster.
Family-friendly rides, including Kung Fu Panda, and the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, cater to kids' fun.
WB Kids Zone features ABC Kids World, where children can meet their favorite TV show characters. Movie World is a must-visit for movie buffs and Warner Bros theme park fans.
Wild West Falls is a water ride at Movie World, featuring a western-themed log flume with exciting twists, turns, and a big splash finale, adding to the excitement of the Gold Coast's best theme park show.
6. Discover Agriculture at Paradise Country
Paradise Country is a tourist attraction on the Gold Coast, offering a farm experience where guests can immerse themselves in Australian animals and rural heritage.
As another theme park that showcases the Australian outback, Paradise Country provides live shows, farm animal interactions, sheep shearing, and a glimpse into the country's farming traditions.
It's an engaging opportunity to learn about Australia's farming heritage. Represents a perfect destination for families and nature enthusiasts seeking an authentic Australian farm experience in a picturesque setting.
7. Watch a Performance at Australian Outback Spectacular
For an authentic taste of Australian culture, a visit to Outback Spectacular is a must. This theme park features captivating live shows with horsemanship, cattle mustering, and outback tales.
Tourists can enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal while being entertained by true-blue Aussie characters and their impressive skills.
Heartland, a popular show in Australia, tells the heartwarming story of two struggling Aussie farmers through breathtaking performances and gorgeous Australian outback landscapes.
Australian Outback Spectacular is an unforgettable taste of true Australian culture and characters among the Gold Coast theme parks and amusement parks.
8. Explore Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Treetop Challenge
For wildlife lovers, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a top choice. This wildlife attraction in Gold Coast allows sightseers to get up close and personal with mesmerizing animals, including kangaroos, koalas, polar bears, and crocodiles.
The sanctuary also offers exhilarating Treetop Challenges for adventure seekers, featuring zip lines and rope courses set amidst the beautiful Australian outback.
There is the TreeTop Challenge which consists of 11 ziplines and high ropes plus 80 different challenges to get the adrenaline pumping.
9. Enjoy Breathtaking Views at SkyPoint Observation Deck
As the highest external building climb in Queensland, SkyPoint offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, coastline, and hinterland from its observation deck, located 230 meters above the ground.
Tourists can take in stunning vistas during the day or experience the magic of the city lights at night.
Visitors to the SkyPoint Observation Deck can take a high-speed elevator to the 77th floor, where they can step out onto the spacious observation deck and enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
10. Visit Tiger Island at Dreamworld
Tiger Island at Dreamworld is a dedicated exhibit that showcases the majestic Bengal and Sumatran tigers.
It provides visitors with an opportunity to observe these endangered big cats up close and learn about their conservation status and natural behaviors.
Tiger Island features a variety of interactive experiences, including tiger presentations, educational talks by animal keepers, and photo opportunities. The island has lush tropical surroundings, natural pools, and waterfalls, providing an ideal habitat for the tigers.
Guests can witness thrilling tiger presentations showcasing the big cats' agility and behavior, and learn about conservation efforts for tiger species.
11. Step Into the Pharaoh's Tomb at King Tutt's Putt Putt
King Tutts Putt Putt is a renowned mini golf course located on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. It offers visitors a special mini-golf experience that is themed around the ancient world of Egypt and the mysteries of King Tutankhamun's tomb.
The mini golf course at King Tutt's Putt Putt is meticulously designed with elaborate Egyptian-themed decorations, obstacles, and challenges that transport players to the world of pharaohs, pyramids, and treasure hunts.
12. Play the games in the Timezone Surfers Paradise
A classic arcade theme park and entertainment center, Timezone Surfers Paradise offers a wide range of interactive games, virtual reality experiences, and amazing rides for a fun-filled day of entertainment.
Timezone Surfers Paradise is not only a popular entertainment center, but it also holds the distinction of being the largest Timezone venue in the Southern Hemisphere.
13. Wander Around at the Infinity Attraction
Infinity Attraction stands out as a one-of-a-kind experience among the many theme parks and attractions that the Gold Coast is known for.
It provides a contrast to the traditional theme park offerings by focusing on immersive and interactive illusions rather than rides or shows.
Infinity Attraction provides a captivating experience for people looking to explore the world of illusions and sensory effects, adding to the diverse offerings of the Gold Coast theme parks.
14. Take a Selfie With Your favorite Celebrities at The Wax Museum
The Wax Museum on the Gold Coast is home to over 110 life-sized wax figures, each meticulously crafted to capture the likeness of the person it represents.
People can pose with the wax figures, take photos, and learn about the lives and achievements of the featured personalities through informative displays and exhibits.
15. iFly Indoor Skydiving
iFly Indoor Skydiving is an exhilarating experience that allows visitors to enjoy the sensation of skydiving in a controlled indoor environment.
Using a vertical wind tunnel, guests can experience the thrill of freefall without jumping from an actual aircraft.
FAQs Relating to Theme Parks on the Gold Coast
Let's take a look at the most frequently asked questions related to the best theme parks at the Gold Coast
What to wear to a theme park on the Gold Coast?
When visiting a theme park on the Gold Coast, it's recommended to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, and closed-toe shoes, along with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
What is the best time to visit Gold Coast theme parks?
The best time to visit Gold Coast theme parks is during the shoulder seasons of autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November), when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are thinner compared to the peak summer season.
Is it possible to rent private cabanas at all of the theme parks located on the Gold Coast?
Not all of the theme parks on the Gold Coast offer private cabanas. However, some parks, such as Wet'n'Wild and WhiteWater World, do provide private cabana rentals where you can have a designated space to relax and unwind with your group.
Summering Up: 15 Best Theme Parks On The Gold Coast
There are many fun things to do on the Gold Coast besides an impressive array of theme parks that offer unparalleled entertainment and thrills for all visitors.
From iconic parks like Dreamworld and Warner Bros Movie World to exciting water parks like Wet'n'Wild and WhiteWater World, there's something for everyone.
The Gold Coast is also known for hosting exciting events throughout the year, with Entertainment Rd being a hub of entertainment activities.
The parks offer a variety of thrilling rides, engaging shows, and unique experiences, making them a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike.
Located conveniently off the Pacific Motorway, these theme parks are easily accessible, making them a perfect addition to any Queensland vacation itinerary.
