
Are you (and your kids) mad for theme parks, but have already covered the Asian scene? Grab a cheap flight to Australia and go theme park crazy on the Gold Coast!
We confess… We love theme parks and wild rides just as much as our kids do! Like us, you might have exhausted Universal Studios Singapore. You may even have spent many a day riding the highs at the best theme parks in Asia. But did you know that you can hop down under to the Gold Coast Australia, for another theme park fix? There are so many great theme parks on the Gold Coast, including Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet‘n’Wild and Dreamworld. A little further north on the Sunshine Coast you’ll also find the very awesome Australia Zoo, run by the late Steve Irwin’s family. Best of all, the lovely family beach escapes like Caloundra and Noosa are ripe for a road trip!
How to get to the theme parks on the Gold Coast, Queensland
To visit the Gold Coast theme parks from Singapore, take a Qantas or Singapore Airlines direct flight to Brisbane, which is about an hour long drive to the Gold Coast. This is a beachside holiday destination in Queensland, Australia. Besides theme parks, you’ll also find glorious beaches, restaurants and surf clubs, parks and more!
Where to stay on the Gold Coast

There are lots of surf-loving suburbs to choose from that are an easy drive to the Gold Coast theme parks. The most popular are Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. If you’re main focus for the holiday is to visit all the theme parks on the Gold Coast in Queensland, then you can’t go wrong with Sea World Resort. With a great location and comfortable rooms, you’ll also score big discounts on ticket packages with unlimited entry and special guest-only experiences.
Tickets and hot tips
It’s definitely best to plan ahead and book your tickets in advance. For the theme parks under the Village Road Show banner (Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Paradise Country and Australian Outback Spectacular), you can find special promos including multi-park, multi-day visit passes. You can also book in advance for special events and activities such as animal encounters, behind-the-scenes experiences and fast passes so you can skip the queues. Pricing is dynamic depending on time of year, so check online for the latest promos.
The best theme parks & attractions on the Gold Coast, Australia
1. Warner Bros. Movie World

As its name suggests, Movie World is the undisputed home of the stars of the silver screen. We are so excited to see what the world-first Wizard of Oz precinct has in store, with two brand new rides! The Flight of the Wicked Witch is a suspended rollercoaster with a 454 metre long track, going at speeds over 60km/h. The Kansas Twister is 22 metres high – sounds epic! This area is set to open in late 2024.
For little ones, there’s no better way to get the good vibes going than a cuddle with Tweety Bird, Bugs Bunny and Batman – they all hang out here at Movie World. Don’t worry if you miss them on entry, as all the Looney Tunes Characters put on an epic show in the Main Street Parade. Movie World is perfect for young kids with the dedicated Kids’ WB! Fun Zone, where you’ll find age-appropriate rides like cars to drive around a track and a mini-splash area to cool down. Older kids (and adventurous adults) will be thrilled by the stomach-churning range of electrifying roller coasters. Make sure to also catch the high octane Hollywood Stunt Driver stunt show. Lights, Camera, Action!
Where: Movie World, Pacific Motorway, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 4210
Open: Daily 9.30am – 5pm, closed Christmas Day and Anzac Day (25 April)
2. Dreamworld
Dreamworld is the biggest of all the Aussie theme parks, with amazing rides, shows, animals, a water park, food and shopping. Not-to-miss attractions include amazing live performances (sometimes you can even spot The Wiggles!). There’s also Tiger Island, where you can get up close with tigers and their cubs and contribute to their conservation. The highlight is of course, the heart-attack inducing thrill rides. The most extreme is the Giant Drop, with a 135km/h, 39 storey plunge. Eeek! While you’re in the vicinity, may as well head over to the affiliated Whitewater World (but maybe not if you’re planning on Wet’n’Wild). It’s certainly a full-on, action-packed day out.
Dreamworld has holiday packages with flight and accommodation through the The Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort. Book your tickets online and check out the Ride and Slide Express pass to skip the queues!
Where: Dreamworld, Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera, Queensland, Australia 4209
When: Daily 10am-5pm, closed Christmas Day and Anzac Day (25 April).
3. Sea World

If you grew up with Free Willy on repeat and your kids share your passion for animals of the aquatic kind, Sea World is the theme park for you! While it’s home to the obligatory sea creatures such as dolphins, killer whales, seals, tropical fish, stingrays and sharks, it also boasts some unexpected and impressive wildlife like the polar bear and emperor penguins. What really sets Sea World apart is that it also has a touch of all of the other theme parks, including loads of great rides. We love the classic log ride, Castaway Bay splash park, the sky high cable cars, and water-ski stunt shows.
Where: Sea World, Sea World Dr, Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 4210
Open: Daily 9.30am – 5.30pm, closed Christmas Day
4. Wet’n’Wild Water World

Wet’n’Wild is a must do to beat the heat. It covers an impressive 16 hectares and boasts loads of awesome rides. Buccaneer Bay is shallow and perfect for the younger tots, as is the Wet’n’Wild Junior section, which caters to the under 10s with smaller versions of the larger thrill rides Tornado and Aqua Racers. The Giant wave pool and Calypso beach are also family go-to zones. Waters are heated to 25-35 degrees, so you’ll feel inclined to brave the slides all year ‘round. Adrenalin junkies will get their fix at the Extreme H20 Zone, which all have minimum height requirements (110-120cm). Good, clean, exhausting fun!
Where: Wet’n’Wild Water World, Pacific Motorway, Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 4210
Open: Daily 10am – 5pm, closed Christmas Day and Anzac Day (25 April).
5. Game Over Gold Coast

Go Karting, Clip-n-Climb indoor rock climbing, laser tag, a games arcade and an indoor zipline… if the weather turns nasty, this is the place to go for hours of airconditioned fun with the kids. Our pick: The MeatHook Zip Coaster, a scenic elevated ride over the top of the Grand Prix race track! From up here, you’ll have a birds eye view of the entire Game Over Centre. And a friendly game of laser tag never caused any family fights, right?
Where: Game Over Gold Coast, 88 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Opening hours: Outside QLD school holidays: Mon – Fri: 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM, Sat – Sun: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
During QLD school holidays: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Anzac Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day – CLOSED
6. Australia Zoo

Add this to your must-visit list: Australia Zoo! For a true Aussie outback experience with bite, head to the Australia Zoo, established by the late conservationist and crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. His family, including his wife Terri, son Jack and daughter Bindi are carrying on his legacy with panache. It’s not part of the Gold Coast theme park strip, but worth the 45-minute drive from Brisbane as it might just give you the excuse to visit the Sunshine Coast. There’s plenty of Australian and large international animals to see in the spectacular shows and opportunities to have up close encounters with your favourites. Crocs alive, anyone? Crikey! Don’t worry, you won’t have to risk life and limb to see these creatures in action. There’s also a serious focus on educating tomorrow’s conservationists, so it’s not just a jolly.
Where: Australian Zoo, 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia 4519
Open: Daily 9am – 5pm, closed Christmas Day.
Cost: Adult $59.00, Child $35, family 2 adult and 2 children $172
7. Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour
Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour is a brilliant day out for all young families wanting to experience the Australian farming lifestyle. Kids will be enchanted to see, and in some cases pet, the emus, kangaroos, koalas, dingos, horses, cows, goats and poultry. They’ll also have the chance to watch stockman and sheepdogs round up the sheep, and shearers showcase their skills in a live demonstrations. Anyone for a spot of gold and gemstone fossicking? Hungry tummies will be filled with a scrumptious Aussie barbecue lunch.
Where: Paradise Country, behind Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Water World at Oxenford, Gold Coast, Australia
Open:Daily 9.30am-4.30pm, closed Christmas Day.
8. Australian Outback Spectacular

While there are no rides here, the Australian Outback Spectacular is worth a mention thanks to its taste of Australia with the three-course barbecue meal and a circus-esque show (total 1.5hrs). The show features bright lights, live music, death-defying aerial stunts and horses. The kids will LOVE it, and so will you!
Where: Australian Outback Spectacular, Pacific Motorway, Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 4210.
Open: Tue – Sat show at 7:30pm, selected Sun at 12:30pm, closed Christmas Day and Anzac Day (25 April).
9. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

There’s no wild rollercoasters at this theme park, but if your kiddos are crazy for koalas, then you’ll want to book a trip to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Only 20 minutes drive from the Gold Coast, you can have breakfast with koalas and take photos with them, enjoy a tortoise or capybara feeding experience, and see the keepers feeding the beautiful birds including colourful parrots and lorikeets.
Where: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin, 4223
Opening times: 9:00am – 4:00pm daily, Closed Christmas Day and ANZAC Day
Enjoy your trip to the Gold Coast, Australia!