Most of the time, the Gold Coast's subtropical climate means heavenly weather, heaps of sunshine and beautiful blue skies. But occasionally, in the middle of summer when temperatures soar and the humidity hits, some options to get out of the sun and keep cool are required! We've got you covered with heaps of fun activities to do and places to go when a heat wave hits.
Theme Parks and Water Parks
Want to know the funnest way to beat the heat on the Gold Coast? Water parks! We’ve got some super sized water parks with rides, slides, aqua playgrounds and leisure pools to keep everyone cool. Visit Australia’s biggest water theme park, Wet‘n’Wild for a splashtacular time, or WhiteWater World, which is a super fun summer hang out for families. Both these water parks are located just off the Pacific Motorway in the northern Gold Coast.
The central suburb of Southport offers some excellent family-friendly ways to get wet and cool off. The expansive Broadwater Parklands run along the shore of the Broadwater, with cycling paths, BBQ huts, playgrounds and swimming enclosures scattered throughout. One of the most popular areas is the Rock Pools water playground - a free splash park where kids can explore shallow paddling pools, fountains and spouting animals.
Also found at Broadwater Parklands, GC Aqua Park is a floating, inflatable obstacle park that provides thrills, spills and bouncy, water-based fun. There’s another venue at Oxenford adjoined to the Gold Coast Wake Park.
Public Pools
We like swimming in this city, which means there are some excellent public pools and aquatic centers where you can swim, splash and soak. Some of the biggest facilities are Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport, Palm Beach Aquatic Centre and Miami Aquatic Centre. It’s under $10 for casual entry and you’ll be able to access outdoor and indoor pools, heated indoor pools, splash pads and aqua playgrounds. Each centre has a cafe for light meals and beverages, plus lots of grassy, shaded areas to spread out a towel and chill.
Indoor Attractions
When the sun’s too hot and the humidity is high, seek out some sweet relief at these air conditioned attractions and activities. For some thrills, iFly Indoor Skydiving is an awesome and exhilarating experience you can enjoy in air-conditioned comfort.
HOTA (Home of the Arts) has a fabulous art gallery that offers respite from the heat and an enticing array of exhibitions and visual art spread over five levels. Or for a different kind of experience, head to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not in Cavill Ave. Explore 15 themed galleries filled with weird and wonderful oddities, bizarre artifacts and interactive exhibits. This unique attractions will keep you entertained for hours… all in a beautifully air-conditioned climate where the heat won’t bother you one bit.
If you’re a fan of gaming challenges the Hijinx Hotel in Surfers Paradise will present the funnest kind of challenge with their interactive and entertaining experience. Check in for a good time, where 10 different challenge rooms will require your best problem solving skills. And at Zero Latency, experience free roaming virtual reality that will blow your mind. Both these experiences have the advantage of air con so you can stay cool while you play.
Rock Pools and Swimming Holes
Currumbin Rock Pools in Currumbin Valley or Cedar Creek Falls in Mount Tamborine are popular Gold Coast swimming holes, which provide a welcome respite from the heat. The fresh water that flows down the creeks from the Hinterland is cold and refreshing. Find a spot on the shady bank and keep cool with frequent dips, cold drinks and a nap under a tree. (NB: Avoid swimming in creeks and water holes after heavy rainfall and never jump or dive into water where you can’t see the bottom.)
Chill Out at IceBar Surfers Paradise
If the tropical heat and humidity is making you melt, we’ve got the perfect place for you to chill out - literally. Visit IceBar Surfers Paradise for a sub-zero experience at -10°C. Get rugged up in boots, gloves and snow jacket and step inside this very cool bar where bar itself and the glasses you drink from are made from ice. A delicious frosty cocktail is part of the fun - although IceBar is family-friendly too and kids can slurp on a frosty fruit drink. Check out the incredible carved ice sculptures and enjoy the break from the heat and humidity.
Hotel Pools & Water Parks
If you choose your accommodation based on the swimming pool then you’ll be spoilt for choice on the Gold Coast! From 5-star hotels with luxurious pool clubs and humongous lagoon pools to family-friendlyl resorts with their own water parks, you can splash and play where you stay.
Immerse yourself in some of the best Gold Coast hotel pools at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, JW Marriott Resort & Spa, The InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, Q1 Resort and Mantra Crown Towers.
And if you want your own water park to play in non-stop during your stay, book accommodation at Paradise Resort, SeaWorld Resort or Big 4 Holiday Park Gold Coast. With slides, splash buckets and aqua playgrounds, the kids will be entertained all day while parents relax poolside.
Shopping and Dining Escapes
Seeking to escape the heat in the middle of the day? Step inside one of the Gold Coast’s major shopping centres for some retail therapy in a refreshingly cool climate. Try Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, Harbour Town Premium Outlets in Helensvale of Robina Town Centre. The air-conditioned shops and centres are blissfully cool and they all have cinemas onsite too. Sitting in a dark, cool cinema is an excellent and entertaining way to keep cool when the temperature gets too high.
Shady Nature Walks
Due to the elevation, the Hinterland is always cooler than the coast. Use this to your advantage and head to the hills when the mercury rises. Find a cool, secluded spot and immerse yourself in the amazing natural environment and take a leisurely stroll - perhaps by a cool-water creek. Thunderbird Park in Mount Tamborine offers a whole host of fun activities from high ropes to mini golf, and you can swim at nearby Cedar Creek Falls. Burleigh Heads National Park has some walking tracks through lush rainforest, and you can cool off with a dip at Tallebudgera Creek along the way.
So if you're on the Gold Coast when a heat wave hits, now you know how to spend your time, keep cool and have an excellent time exploring the city.
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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.