The Gold Coast is first and foremost famous for its kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches, but the reason behind many of our visits has been its formal motto: “Famous for fun”. Within a short drive of our usual stomping ground at Surfers Paradise are acres of rides, shows, parks, excitement and adrenalin. So here are our top 10 attractions:
1. Dreamworld
Regarded as Australia’s favourite family theme park, Dreamworld spans 30 hectares and is filled with a variety of rides, shows and attractions. So many worlds in one, Dreamworld is home to The Big 8 Thrill Rides including the Tower of Terror 2 – one of the world’s tallest and fastest thrill ride, Pandamonium – a swinging rickshaw ride with a split personality, the Giant Drop with a freefall from 38 storeys or ‘The Claw’ where you’ll be propelled 9 storeys high, swinging up to 64kmh while spinning 360 degrees for a 90 second adrenalin rush!
This has always been a favourite of ours as there is a variety of rides to suit any level of excitement – or you can just get your jollies from watching the excitement from the safety of the ground.
Entry Cost: $59.99 upwards
Website: www.dreamworld.com.au
2. Warner Bros. Movie World
Enter a world of fantasy and fun where movies come to life and everyone’s a star – including you! Meet your favourite stars and superheroes including Batman and the Justice League gang, Bugs Bunny and all his Looney Tunes pals, Austin Powers and more. Enjoy the Street Star Parade, amazing shows and experience adrenaline pumping thrill rides including the Green Lantern coaster, Arkham Asylum and much more! The Hollywood Stunt Driver Shows are incredible to watch and very popular, so bag a seat early!
Entry Cost: $89.99. VIP Pass is $99.99.
Website: www.movieworld.com.au
3. Sea World
Make friends with the amazing marine life at Sea World. Experience a world of incredible animals, shows and attractions including Shark Bay where you can get up close and personal with the oceans most feared predators, Penguin Encounter, Jet Stunt Extreme, Dolphin Cove and more. Ride the monorail, and meet the gorgeous (and extremely deadly in the wild) polar bears.
Entry Cost: $89.99. VIP Pass is $99.99.
Website: www.seaworldresort.com.au
4. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium
Take a self guided tour through individually themed galleries featuring hundreds of unbelievable exhibits, amazing stories, magic, mystery, incredible illusions, interactive displays and an unforgettable movie.
Entry Cost: Adult $22.90. Child $12.50.
Website: hwww.ripleys.com/surfersparadise/
5. Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World
Dive into a world of fun where you can enjoy the Gold Coast sun all year round. Get your adrenaline pumping on the extreme rides in the Extreme H20 Zone or hang out with the kids in Buccaneer Bay, plus enjoy the awesome family rides where you can share the experience with everyone, or relax in the waters of a tropical paradise. If you have kids and don’t own a pool, you’ll be in absolute paradise here.
Entry Cost: $59.99. VIP Pass is $99.99.
Website: www.wetnwild.com.au
6. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
With hundreds of native Australian animals on display in natural bushland and rainforest settings, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary provides a rare opportunity to see and experience Australia’s amazing native wildlife. Enjoy exciting, interactive displays, presentations and dining experiences. Nestled within 27 hectares of lush eucalypt and rainforest, you can come face to face with extraordinary wildlife in shows and encounters. Cuddle a koala, get up close to a crocodile, get amongst a mob of kangaroos or check out reptiles, birds and marsupials in amazing wildlife shows and displays.
Entry Cost: Adult $49. Child $33.
Website: www.cws.org.au
7. Kingston Park Raceway
The ultimate fun, thrilling and full-throttle experience for all members of the family, no matter their age. The facility is suitable for everyone, with amusement rides, bungee jumping, great parties, and their famous Pit Stop Café which offers great food to indulge.
Entry Cost: Entry is free to the park itself. Racing costs $75.00 upwards for adults.
Website: www.kingstonpark.com.au
8. Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
In a magical setting of 30 private acres of magnificent rainforest alongside a kilometre of tumbling creek and rockpools, the Skywalk offers a spectacular eco-adventure experience. Discover rainforest canopies and breath-taking flora and fauna along the 300+ metres of structured bridge, through the top of the rainforest canopy, and along the 40-metre Skywalk Cantilever. Soaring 30 metres over the creek below, experience a unique look at the pristine rainforest of Tamborine Mountain.
Entry Cost: Adults $19.50. Children $9.50.
Website: www.rainforestskywalk.com.au
9. The Wax Museum
The largest in the southern hemisphere, meet famous people who made history – movie stars, scientists, explorers, villains and world leaders, all presented with startling realism and dressed in authentically-reproduced costumes of their times.
Entry Cost: Adult $29. Children $22.
Website: www.waxmuseum.com.au
10. Australian Outback Spectacular
We still look back with fond memories of our experience at the Australian Outback Spectacular I and can’t wait to see Spirit of the Horse – a celebration of the courageous spirit of the Australian horse and the legend that is Phar Lap. Listen to the stirring musical score composed exclusively for the show, as well as popular music composed and written by country music legend Lee Kernaghan. Get involved in the competition that develops between stockmen and women from rival stations, and as they test their skill in the race to be champions. It’s a high energy show that demands every participant be well fed and that applies especially to the audience! Forty stockmen and women will serve up a gourmet Aussie feast with beer, wine or soft drink to all 1,000 guests in record time.
Entry Cost: $89.99
Website: www.outbackspectacular.com.au