Haven't been to the GC in about 10 years and taking my two kids (11 and 16) in January (6 days). Was going to do Pacific Fair, Currumbin Sanctuary….but which theme parks are worth considering. I'm not a thrill seeker myself but use to enjoy Sea World, is the 3 park pass still worth it? Aussie World any good? Any other day trip ideas would be great, obviously we'll do some time at the beach…that's a given. Thanks in advance.
Gold Coast Things to Do
mreddie on 04/11/2023 - 09:59
Last edited 04/11/2023 - 10:00
Last edited 04/11/2023 - 10:00
Comments
Hahaha am I really that negative about the Goldy on here? I'm a bad tourism ambassador.
OP - I honestly don't see how pac fair is a tourist attraction, it's a shopping centre. Aussie world is the best of the theme parks as you don't spend 90% if your time lining up for rides that are under repair. The hinterland is the best part of the gold coast area, unless you can get to straddy and get away from the 8 trillion people on the gold coast beaches.
I love Springbrook National Park. Stunning.
For everything crap about straddie I don’t mind a weekend away there now and then. I guess I can recommend it.
Straddie is great for a day trip if you don't get ripped off at tipplers. Way less people, pull up anywhere north of tipplers and have a nice cruisy day.
Went to North Burleigh today, we walked but there were about 8 free spots in the car park right next to the surf club. There definitely wasn’t 8 trillion people I’d say around 10 small groups right near the flags.
I like pac fair, but it depends if you’re into shopping or not. It’s definitely busy at this time of year.
That would be about the first time ever that there have been free spaces at Burleigh. Even when I used to bother going down years back it was always a pain, now you have to add the pain of gridlock on the motorway to get there.
@brendanm: I find if there’s just a hint of it being over cast the beach is quiet. I prefer a little bit of cloud so it’s not scorching hot. It was actually perfect today, water is great. Sunday morning is always busy during nippers season. It was definitely painful when I lived in Brisbane coming down, but now as a local I can usually find a park if I decide to drive, we go up to Broadbeach sometimes and always drive for Tallebudgera and I would rarely spend more than 5mins looking for a park if that. South Burleigh is trickier than north, but it’s definitely not impossible. It probably is a bit of a case of knowing where to look.
get away from the 8 trillion people on the gold coast beaches
Hate to promote for more visitors but beaches, other than mostly Surfers, Spit and Burleigh, are rather … empty? Nobby Beach comes to mind.
But then, a beach is a beach and unless planning to walk tenths of kilometers along gorgeous, calming, sandy beaches there is not much new to discover.
Visiting shopping centers? Sydney, Melbourne and probably most other capital cities will have bigger, better, different.
Pacific Fair and Robina Town Center started as being very different with lots of open-air places … now both have refurbished and chosen air conditioned everywhere. And smelly food places everywhere!!!!!!Pacific fair still has quite a bit outdoor that is not airconditioned. The middle bit with the boab
Tree, fountains and loungers. Then there’s play street and quite a few open air walkways and balconies over looking them.@morse: Yes it has some, but nothing compared what it used to be.
I am not blaming Pacific Fair, it is customers that choose air conditioning and enclosed areas.
Robina Town Center learnt that lesson very early: open air means rain, wind, heat, cold, dust, birds, flies. Natural normal thing shopping center customers hate!
@LFO: Very true. I like both centres but the ‘ambience’ is definitely better at pacific fair. Lego shop and Apple shop are the draw cards for Robina that pacific fair doesn’t have, and pacific fair can be mighty stressful and unpleasant when crowded. Regardless, one of the great things about GC being a tourist destination is that our shops are far better than you’d expect for a city of this size.
Find a beer garden or outdoor bar and watch the drug deals and brawls.
Upload vidsget mamed at a theme park?
Maccas at the surfers paradise branch, walk across the road and have it at beach.
Three Big Macs, large chips and a large Coke at sunset on beach and wonder where it all went wrong. Bliss.
Except you wont see a sunset, that's on the west coast.
Some less well-trodden options: Game Over (indoor karting, climbing etc), Gold Coast Wake Park, Top Golf, TreeTop Challenge (Mt Tamborine), Gold Coast Jet Ski Safaris.
Have you thought about Australia Zoo?
I actually think Currumbin Wildlife is far superior to Australia Zoo - and have been to both a few times.
Currumbin is more 'user friendly' - Australia Zoo now caters so much to tourists and money.
I have never been to Currumbin. Will have to google it. Thanks for the feedback.
They have Capybaras in Currumbin Wildlife its worth it for that alone and you can pay extra to feed them.
Geesus stay away from the theme parks
Aussie world is a big of a hike from the goldie, but as above, springbrook, hinze dam, infinity, glow worm cave at tamborine, skypoint and/or the climb.
I prefer movie world/sea world as dreamworld looks like a construction site currently.I love the Theme Parks and Goldie!
Movie World has Stunt Shows always hilarious. At the end of day they have a Parade and the fun part is to find the best spot where you can touch the Batman Car and the chatacters. It's such a happy place looking at those familiar cartoon character.
Sea World is lovely too. So amazed with the clever dolphins and other sea creatures. Can have nice fish and chips at the Peter's after.
A lesser-known attraction is at Labrador, where they feed the pelicans.
A lesser-known attraction is at Labrador
I thought you were going to suggest watching the crackies get on the glass barbie.
Anywhere south of the bridge at Tallebudgera is a winner
Springbrook if you want to walk some nature trails, pick one of the walks to suit your time/fitness & enjoy. Bring lunch as the places to get food out there are rare & absurdly overpriced. Dont count on the public BBQs.
Sea World is great if your kids like animals. I’d probably rate it over Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for your age kids, but obviously it’s more expensive. Currumbin is also pretty good, I think I’m just bored of it as we have passes to this and the village roadshow group.
Movie world is good too. I personally don’t think lines are too bad, but it is hot this time of year.
Tallebudgera creek is great for a picnic and swim. The walk around the headland from Burleigh is very nice too. Currumbin creek and elephant rock is also nice. You can hire paddles board near both of these. There’s actually a bunch of locations you can hire kayaks or paddle boards which is a nice activity with kids of your kids age.
A lot of people rate Infinity in Surfers, I’ve never done it and my kid is too young.
Broadwater parklands is pretty good too with kids and often has events on.
I do like pac fair but be warned it’s very busy this time of year.
Tbh if you're planning anything you will have a good hour of traffic. Enjoy the sights
Wet n Wild, is a must do!
Hands down the best theme park for all ages.Personally I thought sea world was a bit boring but my very young kids liked it so I went for them.
I do think the 3 park pass is definitely worth getting if it saves you money.
Your kids are old enough to probably go on all the rides now so they will love it.I went here. It was fun. Kids will love it.
Tip: keep your mouth closed. I kind of had my mouth open (maybe had a cold?) and just ended up with spit all over my face.
We loved the Outback Spectacular - a bit pricey but when you consider you get fed and a show its pretty good.
Plus everyone gets a Cowboy Hat!
Absolutely! Useful for gardening too 😀
@brendanm - not too late to try and talk OP out of this