The Gamer’s Guide To The Gold Coast

Keeping teens engaged and entertained on holiday can be a challenge but here’s a hack – lure them away from their devices with the promise of some great gaming experiences. From old school arcade games to epic escape rooms and immersive virtual reality adventures, the Gold Coast is a gamer’s paradise (for gamers of any age) that will test your wits, skill, reflexes and critical thinking. We’ve curated the ultimate guide to gaming on the Gold Coast. Players, are you ready?

ZERO LATENCY

For a game that both you and the kids will love, make tracks to Zero Latency. Prepare to lose your mind as you’re transported to a new reality – a virtual reality that is. Based in Southport, Zero Latency boasts state-of-the-art wireless technology with motion tracking, meaning you can live out your greatest gaming fantasies (from zombies and space stations to deep in the heart of the jungle), untethered. With up to eight people roaming freely through the 200 sqm arena in each game, this is one teens (and everyone else) will absolutely love. If you’re looking for one of the best gaming experiences on the Gold Coast, this is it.
Where: 34 Smith St Motorway, Southport 

TIMEZONE

With two locations to choose from – at Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta – there’s so many epic arcade games for your crew to get stuck into at TimeZone. At Coolangatta you can wear them down with their sprawling 3,000 sqm gaming precinct packed with 200 games plus, a 10-lane bowling alley, laser tag and dodgem cars. The same goes for the Surfers Paradise digs, nestled in the heart of the Paradise Centre, right on the beach front – so you can relax on the sand pre or post gaming adventure. Best of all, both have a bar and cafe where you can rest your legs and fuel up on classic American diner eats, like towering burgers, hotdogs, fried chicken and shakes.

ESCAPE ROOMS

There’s no greater way to bond and get the whole family involved than challenging everyone to an escape room. You’ll need to work together as you try to solve riddles and uncover clues that will lead you to the key you need to escape – and all of that is happening while a timer is counting down. No, you won’t combust if you don’t escape in time, but you’ll absolutely lose those bragging rights we know you all want. Fortunately the Gold Coast has loads of awesome escape rooms. Check out Fox in a Box in Surfers Paradise and their challenging Prison break, Wild West and Bunker rooms. Just down the road, book yourself a sesh at Padlockd, which boasts the biggest escape rooms in Australia. With a huge range of rooms to explore, here you can escape from a museum, forbidden jungle, abandoned carnival, dollhouse and even a creepily named ‘nightmare room’. In Southport you’ll find Escape Hunt, where you’ll break into a rogue alchemist’s home, discover his evil plan and find evidence of the Philosopher’s Stone. Will you escape in time?

SKIRMISH GOLD COAST

For something the whole family can enjoy (or be terrified of) together, book the family in for a paintball session at Skirmish Gold Coast. Don camouflage overalls, load up your paintball semi-automatic gun and race around the Mudgeeraba precinct, weaving your way through the bamboo forest, taking cover behind old tanks, helicopters, huts and forts as you plan your next sneak attack and try to remain unscathed. You can also BYO your own picnic for a post-game party at the precinct grounds or just take a breather under the forest canopy – you’ll need it. This experience is for 16 years and over and trust us, you’ll score brownie points with your teens for years to come.
Where: 42 John Rogers Rd, Mudgeeraba

LEVEL UP

Bring on the nostalgia and challenge your kids to the ultimate arcade games at Level Up Arcade in Broadbeach. Shoot hoops, race motorbikes, nail the ring throw and test your strength at Dragon Punch – there are games galore here. Perfect for kids of all ages, there’s also ‘Toddler Time’ for kids five years and under, Monday to Friday between 9am and 2pm, where the little ones get 30 minutes of free play for just $10. Best of all, there’s an on site bar, so you can enjoy a cold beer or tipple while your kids lose hours tackling all of the games. It’s a win-win.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

iPLAY COOMERA

Located at Westfield Coomera, you’ll well and truly wear your kids out (and fill their hearts) at this epic gaming hub. Seriously, this place is huge – there’s two tier high ropes routes to tackle, 23 clip n’climb courses to explore, plus an iPlay arcade, drift dodgems, mini bowling and an all important gift store where the little ones can redeem their hard-earned tokens. In short – it’s a kid’s paradise. While the kids burn their endless energy, parents can relax in the iPlay cafe, where you can snack on fish and chips, classic Dagwood dogs, toasties and sweet slices.
Where: Westfield Coomera, 103 Foxwell Rd, Coomera

Kid's aren't gamers? Check out other things to do with teens on the Gold Coast and 10 things to do with kids on the Gold Coast

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