Pristine beaches, quality wave action and adventure parks make the Gold Coast a mecca for families and sun worshippers.
The Gold Coast and its surrounds offer an endless amount of activity for holidaymakers, whatever your style. For families, there are more than 30 golden beaches to test the waters at, promenades filled with restaurants and shopping, and five adventure, theme and water parks to thrill and excite.
For water babies, Surfers Paradise beach is everything the name suggests and more, with some of the best breaks in the world attracting some of the biggest names in surfing.
You’ll never want to leave this paradise – and with so many tours and activities like the ones we’ve picked out below, you very well might not.
Top family-friendly experiences on the Gold Coast
Snorkel the reef at Wave Break Island
Catch a wave on Coolangatta Beach
Go croc hunting at Australia Zoo
Get spooked on a ghost tour
Meet the undead in a historical cemetery
Cruise the Surfers Paradise waters
See the city by fire truck
Try flyboarding
Freefall from 10 metres
Do some laps in a V8 race buggy
Go on a rainforest walk
Explore the Hinterland
Daytrip to idyllic Moreton Bay
Best things to do on the Gold Coast for families
Wave Break Island Snorkel Tour on the Gold Coast from finder.com.au
Organised by Viator
Highlights:
Spot hundreds of fish and other marine live in the calm waters of Wave Break Island.
Includes transport, all necessary equipment and the chance to feed fish.
Tour is approximately 4 hours.
From AUD
$59.00
View details
Learn to Surf at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast from finder.com.au
Go Ride a Wave
Highlights:
Learn how to surf at one of Australia’s favourite surfing schools.
Lesson is approximately 2 hours long and is ideal for kids, families and first-timers.
All necessary equipment will be provided including board and a rashie.
From AUD
$69.00 (adult) or $59 (child)
View details
Croc Express and Australia Zoo from finder.com.au
Croc Express
Highlights:
Pick up and drop off from your hotel included.
Spend six hours at the famous Australia Zoo.
Entrance to Australia Zoo included in your tour price.
From AUD
$90.00
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Old Surfers Paradise Ghost Tour + Optional Dinner from finder.com.au
Lantern Ghost Tours
Highlights:
120 minute walking tour
Moderate level of paranormal activity
Family deals available
From AUD
$29.00 (adult) or $17.00 (child)
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Southport Cemetery Paranormal Activity Ghost Tour from finder.com.au
Lantern Ghost Tours
Highlights:
120 minute walking tour
High level of paranormal activity
Children must be 12+ for this experience
From AUD
$44.00 (adult) or $24.00 (child)
View details
Best things to do on the Gold Coast with toddlers
Lunch Cruise from finder.com.au
Surfers Paradise River Cruises
Highlights:
Cruise through the Surfers Paradise waters and see the mansions and helicopters of the rich, the Nerang River and Marina Mirage.
Includes a lunch buffet of salads and cold meats. Beer, wine, Champagne and spirits are available for purchase.
Price is per person with discounts available for children, seniors and families of two adults and two children.
From AUD
$29.00 (adult) or $25.00 (child)
View details
Fire Truck Tours from finder.com.au
Fire4Hire
Highlights:
Ride in a fire truck and operate a fire hose
Drive around the Gold Coast in the truck
Price is per person
From AUD
$49.00 (adult) or $35.00 (child)
View details
All Stars Flyboard Experience from finder.com.au
HydroFly – the flyboard experience
Highlights:
Share a 30-minute flyboard experience with three mates.
Choose between a hoverboard or flyboard.
Safety equipment, personal instruction and group GoPro video are included.
From AUD
$396.00 for a group of four
View details
Air Drop Free Fall from finder.com.au
Air Factory Trampoline Park
Highlights:
Feel the thrill of freefalling from 10 metres in an outdoor setting.
This experience is available for ages five and up. Participants must be a minimum of 20 kilograms and a maximum of 110 kilograms.
Available on Saturdays from 11am–3pm only, subject to weather conditions.
From AUD
$11.00 per jump
View details
Family Drive Pack from finder.com.au
Off Road Rush Queensland
Highlights:
Two adults will drive six laps in a V8 race buggy.
Up to three kids can experience three hot laps with an experienced driver.
Hot lap session involves jumps, races and slides in a V8 race buggy at up to 140 kilometres per hour.
From AUD
$455.00 for a family of five
View details
Full-day and multi-day trips from the Gold Coast
OReilly’s Mountain Green Mountains tour from Gold Coast from finder.com.au
Grayline
Highlights:
Enjoy and 8 hour coach tour in English or Japanese.
On this tour you’ll visit Mount Tamborine in the hinterland, wind your way to the Goat’s Track, pass the Kokoda army barracks, visit O’Reilly’s on top of the mountain and more.
Price is per person with discounts available for children 14 years and under. Children 2 and under travel free.
From AUD
$110.00pp
View details
Hinterland and Gold Coast from finder.com.au
Grayline
Highlights:
Enjoy a 6-hour cruise and coach tour of the Gold Coast and Hinterland region.
On this tour you’ll cruise down the Nerang River, visit Springbrook National Park, take a guided rainforest walk, view natural bridge and look for glow worms.
Price is per person with discounts available for children 14 years and under. Children 2 and under travel free.
From AUD
$115.00pp
View details
Moreton Bay Marine Park Dolphin Cruise Including Lunch from Viator
Highlights:
Enjoy an 6-hour day tour from the Gold Coast or Brisbane to Moreton Bay Marine Park
Look for bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles, dugongs and humpback wales plus you’ll have the option to snorkel at Tangalooma Wrecks and Flinders Reef
Price is per person
From AUD
$109.00 (adult) or $69 (child)
View details
5 things to do on the Gold Coast for free
Splash around at the Gold Coast's incredible beaches, including Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Main Beach
Take a walk along the coast's parkland
Browse the stalls at one of the Gold Coast's markets like Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights) and the Burleigh Arts and Crafts Markets (last Sunday of each month)
Wake up at dawn to watch the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean
Check out the works of art along the Evandale Sculpture Walk
Top Gold Coast travel deals
Unlimited access to 4 Gold Coast theme parks for $89.99
Get unlimited access to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet N' Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country until 30 June 2017. That's the same as one day's admission to Movie World.
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Deal
Last verified 25 Aug 2016
Gold Coast stays from $92 per night
Find accommodation on the Gold Coast from $92 per night on Lastminute.com.au.
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Deal
Last verified 16 Jun 2016
Cheap flights from Sydney to Gold Coast
Check fares from Sydney to Gold Coast across multiple carriers to find the cheapest price.
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Last verified 8 Feb 2016
What is next?
READ MORE: The ultimate Gold Coast travel guide
READ MORE: School holiday activities on the Gold Coast
READ MORE: When to go whale watching on the Gold Coast
READ MORE: Get out and see more of Queensland