The Gold Coast is a wonderland for the little people in your life. From exciting animal encounters and thrilling theme parks to immersive art experiences and adventures in nature, there are endless ways to entertain toddlers in this pocket of paradise. Gather your minis and make your way through our list of the best things to do with toddlers on the Gold Coast.
1. Tamborine Mountain Glades
If you’re looking to score brownie points for life, then a trip to the greenery-cloaked Tamborine Mountain Glades is non negotiable. It’s here you’ll find Thunderbird Park, an adventureland nestled in nature. Perfect for the whole family, there’s rock pools, bird feeding, a Tree Top Challenge soaring high above lush rainforest canopy, mini golf, plus and the Thunderegg Crystal Mine where you can go fossicking for treasures in prehistoric lava. And don’t miss Dig It, Australia’s first mini excavator park filled with construction inspired activities. They’ll remember that experience for years to come.
Location: Corner of Cedar Creek Falls Road, Tamborine Mountain
2. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
From miniature train rides and dinosaur trails to live shows like the Blinky Bill Show and Wild Skies Free Flight Bird Show - a trip to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is always a good idea. An absolute must-do is feeding the lorikeets and kangaroos by hand - prepare for adorable squeals as the roos whiskers tickle their fingers. Post exploring, they can cool off at the Wild Island Adventure Splash Zone with timed water jets, streams and waterfalls to run through.
Location: 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
3. Playground Paradise
If you’re looking for a free activity to keep toddlers entertained, engaged and active, then head to one of our incredible playgrounds. Some of our favourites include the Pirate Park in Palm Beach Parklands. Perched on banks of a beautiful calm water lagoon, they’ll burn some serious energy on the huge pirate ship complete with rope bridges, ladders, a mega slide and flying fox.
In Broadbeach, head to Pratten Park, the Gold Coast’s first all-abilities playground with a pedal-powered monorail, huge hill slide and a fully harnessed swing seat for those who need more support.
At the northern end of the Gold Coast, Broadwater Parklands has three incredible playgrounds to explore including a four-level spiral tower with suspended nets, rope tunnels and an enclosed slide. Plus, balance beams, climbing walls, trampolines and diggers. There’s also a bouncy pillow, rockpools and enclosed swimming area to check out.
4. Tropical Fruit World
Just a 20-minute drive south of Gold Coast Airport, Tropical Fruit World is a 200-acre working farm and home to over 500 unusual tropical fruits from all over the world. There’s a bunch of exciting ways to explore this eco treasure including a tractor tour (where you’ll stop to pick a banana to munch on) and Wildlife Boat Cruise, where you’ll land on the farm’s ‘Island’ decked out with a playground, mini golf, flying fox, sand pit and lawn games. There’s also fruit tastings and adorable farm animals to pet including miniature horses and goats, as well as kangaroos, chickens and donkeys. Essentially, it's a toddler's idea of heaven!
Location: 29 Duranbah Road, Duranbah, NSW, 2487
5. Sand, Sea and Sunshine
The Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches provide the best free playground for nature-loving toddlers. Pack up towels, a shade cabana and beach toys for a delightful day of simple pleasures. Build sandcastles, knock them down, fill buckets and roll around in the sand and then splash into the sparkling water to wash it off and do it all again.
While it’s hard to pick a favourite spot to throw a towel down, for smooth kid-friendly seas, check out the postcard-perfect Tallebudgera Creek, complete with a coffee shop for parents and playground beyond the sand. Further south, Currumbin Alley is where the calm creek meets the shimmering sea providing a calm lagoon, perfect for splashing and surfing the white wash. Kirra Beach boasts rock pools and still waters, while the protected curve of Rainbow Bay offers sprawling sand to play on and pools to wade in. Find out more about Gold Coast's best kid-friendly beaches here. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland.)
6. HOTA
Ignite kids' imaginations at Home Of The Arts (HOTA) Children’s Gallery. With a roving roster of kid-friendly exhibits, the immersive installations will inspire curiosity and encourage the little people in your life to embrace their creativity.
There are also kid-friendly theatre productions, art workshops and story time to check out. Afterwards, the lush grounds are perfect for little legs to wander, with a Sculpture Walk and Adventure Trail to explore, as well as a lake that is perfect for picnicking beside.
Location: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
7. Aquaduck
Traverse land and sea with a ride on the Gold Coast’s iconic AquaDuck. A unique combination of a bus and a boat, the hour-long tour departs from Surfers Paradise and will see you take in iconic landmarks before splashing into the ocean.
Let the salty sea air blow through your toddler's hair as you explore the waterways, while keeping an eye out for the Gold Coast’s friendly locals - dolphins, turtles and whales - that might be swimming alongside you.
Location: Circle On Cavill Shopping Centre, Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise, 4217
8. Bella’s Wonderland
Take a trip to Bella’s Wonderland for the perfect day out with toddlers - rain, hail or shine. Located in Southport, the Gold Coast’s largest indoor play centre is a kiddo’s dream with multiple levels to explore. An immersive sensory experience, there are mazes with soft obstacles to tackle, a huge ball bit, mega slides, a mini supermarket and kitchen, dress up room, plus a reading nook for chill out time. Hungry? There’s an in-house cafe serving a tasty all-day brunch menu.
Location: Shop 48, 3 - 15 Jackman Street, Southport
9. David Fleay Wildlife Park
Watch your little one’s eyes widen with delight and curiosity as you meander through 7.5 acres of natural habitats in the heart of Burleigh. With a labyrinth of pram-friendly boardwalks to traverse plus educational wildlife presentations, get up close and personal with native animals like bilbies, Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroos, platypus, crocodiles, emus, koalas and more at David Fleay Wildlife Park.
Location: Loman Lane, Burleigh Heads
10. Whale Watching
The Gold Coast’s big blue front yard is a playground for whales migrating north from late May to October. There’s a bunch of great whale watching tours (with a 100% whale sighting guarantee) departing along the coast. Check out Sea World Cruise which includes house-made treats and beverages on board while a marine biologist helps you spot whales frolicking in the sea, and Whales In Paradise which departs from Surfers Paradise. Prepare for wide eyes of awe and lots of excited pointing from your little one as the whales breach and play in the ocean. (Image: Sea World Cruises)
Sea World Cruises: Sea World Drive, Main Beach
Whales In Paradise: 10 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
The Gold Coast is a super family-friendly destination with heaps of fun-filled activities for toddlers ... and we haven't even got started on our epic theme parks, which are chocka block with rides, slides, characters, performances, animal encounters and rollercoasters for kids.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.