School Holiday Activities Gold Coast

1. Currumbin Rock Pools

One of Gold Coast’s best kept secrets is the Currumbin Rock Pools. This hideaway oasis in the Gold Coast Hinterland is a natural swimming hole where families can go to escape the heat, take a dip or relax on a shady spot along the banks taking in the natural sights and wildlife.

2. Picnic at Tamborine Mountain

Mount Tamborine is well-know for it’s natural beauty like the Curtis Falls rainforest track and The Knoll. Wherever you are on the mountain, you will find a picturesque spot to pull over and have a picnic and a play. Other attractions at Mt Tamborine include the Glow Worm Caves, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and Thunderbird Park; where kids can go fossicking for Thundereggs!

3. Beach day

It’s no secret that the Gold Coast is home to some of the best beaches in Australia! For a kid-friendly beach day, head to Tallebudgera Creek or Currumbin Creek. These inlets are well sheltered and are safe to swim in as there is no surf/big waves. There are also ample picnic tables, BBQs and amenities and kids can also hire a paddle board!

4. Bundall Farmer’s Market

Featuring over 80 market stalls, Bundall Farmer’s Market at HOTA is packed with fresh produce and homemade goods as well as free kid-friendly activities and entertainment. While there, explore the nearby sculpture walk and adventure trail - a key location for an iconic family snap!

5. Palm Beach Pirate Playground

Easily one of the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast, Palm Beach’s Pirate Park is sure to please the kids these school holidays! The main attraction is the giant pirate ship complete with slides, flags, climbing nets, lookouts, hide-and-seek barrels and swings. There are also bridges and planks and a giant rock cave with hidden tunnels!

6. Art Roll

Roll through the displays of street art as you ride, scooter or skate on this free self-guided art trail! Admire local artists’ work spread across the City -- tour the closest suburb in an hour or two, or check out the whole coast over a few days. Find out more here!

7. HOTA - Home of the Arts

HOTA gallery is free to visit, making it a great spot to take the kids and look at the abundance of artwork, sculptures and exhibitions indoors and out. There is a free children’s gallery with changing exhibitions; most recently ‘Dumpling Dreams’ and ‘World Upside Down’ both of which encourage kids to interact with the displays and to stretch their imaginations.
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8. Broadwater Parklands

10. Burleigh Heads National Park

Explore the captivating landscapes of Burleigh Heads National Park with your family. Wander through lush rainforests, keeping an eye out for wildlife like colorful birds and sleepy koalas. Then, follow the coastal track for breathtaking views of the ocean. It's a family-friendly adventure filled with nature's wonders and opportunities for learning and bonding

1.  Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre is the Gold Coast's only dedicated Aboriginal cultural centre. They run guided walks including the Jellurgal Little Explorers walk during school holidays where children can explore the magic of the “Dreaming Mountain”, Jellurgal (Burleigh Headland), with an art workshop included.

2. ArtVo Gold Coast

ArtVo Gold Coast is an interactive 'trick-art' gallery situated within Robina Town Centre shopping centre. It is fun for all ages and with all-day entry and a variety of different zones where kids can get photos of themselves fighting a dragon, coming face to face with King Kong, and taking a magic carpet ride!

3. Ripleys Believe it or not!

Ripleys Believe It Or Not Surfers Paradise is an iconic Gold Coast attraction for all ages. The museum houses over 350 unbelievable artifacts and dozens of interactive displays including a 7D moving theatre, the world’s tallest man, meteorites, a laser obstacle course, art gallery and the all-new Funzone!

4. Surf World

SurfWorld in Currumbin is Australia’s largest collection of surfboards and surfing memorabilia. So, if you have kids who love surfing, this is a must-see!

5. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the ultimate holiday adventure for the entire family. The Gold Coast's most popular tourist destination, the sanctuary is home to all of Australia’s favourite animals including koalas, kangaroos, dingoes and the crowd favourite - lorikeet feeding! (which is free!)

6. Infinity Attraction

Infinity Attraction offers an unforgettable experience, where laughter and screams blend seamlessly in an extraordinary journey through approximately 20 multi-sensory environments. These spaces are teeming with unique special effects, enveloping atmospheric soundscapes, pulsating music, and mind-bending illusions that seemingly stretch into infinity. Suitable for ages eight and above, it promises enjoyment for everyone

1. Ripley's Believe It or Not

Ripley's Believe It or Not in Surfers Paradise is a one-stop spot for hours of excitement, and perfect for a rainy day activity. Kids and adults alike will marvel at hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactive exhibits like the Mirror Maze, and Moving Theatre.

2.  Bounce Inc Trampoline Park

BOUNCE Inc Trampoline Park Gold Coast is a massive indoor play zone full of wall-to-wall trampolines. Located in Burleigh Heads, there are various bounce zones to suit all ages and abilities and it’s a great place to take the kids to burn some energy over the holidays! Parents can even sit back and watch all the fun from the mezzanine level cafe.

3. Holey Moley mini golf

Tee up 18 unique and crazy holes on the Holey Moley mini golf course located in Surfer’s Paradise. The course is laid across a range of indoor multi-sensory rooms. There’s also a Strike bowling room, karaoke bar and a gourmet food cafe to satisfy hungry tummies.

4. Game Over

Game Over has three adventure activities under one roof including an indoor go-kart track, artificial rock climbing wall and a high-tech laser tag arena! You can also test your golfing skills in the 9 hole Mini Golf Course. The centre also includes a selection of arcade machines including racing games, shooting games, the latest in sports simulators and the innovative new lazer maze game.

5. Escape Hunt

The Escape Hunt Experience Gold Coast is the first live escape game on the Gold Coast where you gather clues and solve puzzles in order to solve the mystery and escape the room. It is exciting, challenging, educational and fun for all ages and ability levels. You can even play from home!

1. Meet the Easter Bunny at Pacific Fair

The Gold Coast's unmissable shopping & dining destination of Pacific Fair regularly hosts Easter-themed activities for kids of all ages! This past year, kids were treated to a visit from Easter Bunny itself and got to participate in an easter egg hunt! Check out your local shopping centre for easter-related activities that you can bring your kids to.

2. Easter egg hunt

There are easter egg hunts scattered all over the Gold Coast during Easter! Harbour Town’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt is always a hit, with kids invited to find eggs and claim instant win prizes! The Hop On Hop Off Easter Egg Hunt courtesy of Hopo Gold Coast Ferries is also a great Easter family day out where kids can enjoy free easter eggs, workshops and a self-guided easter egg hunt.

3. Easter on the Esplanade

The bunnies will be coming out of their burrows for the Easter on the Esplanade event, at the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. Enjoy Easter-themed decorations, local handmade gifts, Easter treats and activities for kids including live music.

4. Easter in Surfer’s Paradise

Over the Easter Long Weekend, Surfers Paradise comes alive with Easter-themed events and activities that are perfect for all ages. See the Easter Bunny make his rounds, and maybe even score a chocolate egg!
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1. Christmas in Surfer’s Paradise

It’s time to get into the festive spirit and treat yourself, by heading down to the beachside to enjoy Christmas in Surfer’s Paradise! From the Christmas Twilight Market to seeing the Christmas lights at Cavill Mall as they turn the city into a magical wonderland! There will also be carol singing on the beach at one of the biggest Christmas events on the Gold Coast, Carols on the Beach followerd by a spectacular fireworks display and a number of live entertainment.

2. Christmas in the Park

A magical family Christmas event, Christmas in The Park at The Park Coomera will include family favourite festivities including carols, performances, live music, a ballon show, Christmas raffle and a visit from Santa and Rudolf!

3. Alicia Street Christmas Fair

Come down to Alicia Street, South Port for a traditional family Christmas fair! This free family festivity will feature live music, market stalls, inflatable fun, local restaurant specials, games & activities, food stalls PLUS a visit from Santa Claus.

4. Movie World White Christmas

Celebrate the wonder and excitement of White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World! There are a whopping 27 attractions including a Christmas parade, gingerbread decorating, an ice skating rink, a Christmas buffet, Santa’s Village, adventure activities AND the chance to meet and get a photo with Santa Claus!

1. Mount View Alpaca Farm

Not only can you get up close with Alpacas, but you can also feed them, take a selfie with them and enjoy a picnic basket from the vineyard surrounded by your new fluffy friends! Don’t forget, from October to March each year they have their summer haircuts! So check out their new looks at the farm in these months!

2. Hydrofoil lessons

Fiteboard Gold Coast offers a 2 hour lesson/guided tour on the beautiful canals of the Gold Coast on top of electric powered boards equipped with a mast and wing.

3. GC Aqua Park

In GC Aqua Park you'll become a ninja warrior, but on the water! The kids will be having the time of their lives on this floating inflatable obstacle course located in Broadwater Parklands. Race your friends across 600 metres of awesome aqua park obstacles, some of the highest and largest in Australia!

4. Theme parks

What would school holidays on the Gold Coast be without a trip to one of the many theme parks?! Movie World, Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, and WhiteWater World offers kids and families endless fun, thrills and laughter. You will also often find holiday specials including discounts and pop-up attractions over the school holidays.

5. Australian Outback Spectacular

The Australian Outback Spectacular is an Australiana dinner and show package featuring many Australian animals, songs and bush tucker against a backdrop of interactive displays and light shows. The show is located between Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World.