Theme Parks & Attractions

Most of our Gold Coast theme parks are located slightly inland from the coast in the Gold Coast’s northern suburbs of Oxenford and Coomera. Movie World and Wet ‘n’ Wild are next-door neighbours in Oxenford, just off the Pacific Motorway (M1), while Dreamworld is a little further north on the Pacific Motorway (M1) in Coomera with WhiteWater World located right next door. You can expect it to take 30-45 minutes to arrive at the theme parks from Surfers Paradise. Sea World is the exception, located centrally on the Gold Coast Spit at Main Beach, and a convenient 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise.

There are several ways to easily get to the Gold Coast theme parks. If you’re self-driving, you’ll link with the Pacific Motorway (M1) and follow the clearly market exits to your preferred park where free parking is available when you arrive. For public transport, one of the easiest ways to reach Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet ’n’ Wild, Dreamworld, and WhiteWater World, (which are located within close proximity to each other) is to take the G:link tram from Surfers Paradise to Helensvale and connect with the TX7 bus. To get to Sea World (the closest park to Surfers Paradise), take the 705 bus for the short but pleasant 10-15 minute ride. To help you decide your best transport options to get to Gold Coast Theme Parks, use this handy tool from Translink to plan your journey. Taxis, Ubers and private transfers can also be used to reach the parks.

The most frequently asked question, and the hardest one to answer - as we think all theme parks are the best. For Australia’s largest theme park however, the honour goes to Dreamworld, with an assortment of thrilling rides for bigger kids, a junior focused area for the little ones along with shows, attractions and over 500 native Australian animals, plus some furry friends from overseas, calling the park home. Next door, Whitewater World offers thrilling water-based rides and some of Australia’s top-rated waterslides. For the biggest water-themed park, Wet’n’Wild is where the aqua action is at with pools and rides, plus Australia’s tallest waterslide and the ever-popular wave pool. Movies come to life at Warner Bros. Movie World with a chance to meet your favourite characters and conquer rides named after them. Sea World has the Gold Coast’s newest rides, offers unique marine life interactions and is the only Gold Coast theme park with its own resort attached. Paradise Country offers a unique farm stay experience in family friendly safari tents.

 

Blog: https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/blog/6-gold-coast-theme-parks

It’s advisable to book your tickets in advance for the theme parks, but you can also purchase them at the gate. Check whether you are eligible for any discounts with automotive memberships such as RACQ or NRMA offering some great discount deals, also have a look on each of the theme parks web sites, as they do offer multiple parks discount tickets so you can hop between some parks, access special seasonal attractions and enjoy the parks for longer than just one day.

Sea World Resort is the only accommodation on the Gold Coast (and in Australia) that is attached to its park and where guests can ride by monorail direct from the resort into the park. Paradise Country has a Farm Stay option where you can camp in nearby safari tents. But you don’t have to stay right next door to a theme park, there’s plenty of options for alternative accommodations and easy-to-arrange transfers to all the Gold Coast theme parks (including Sea World) available. On the northern Gold Coast, where the majority of theme parks reside, you’ll find the closest accommodation at Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Coomera and Southport.

Gold Coast theme parks are designed for everyone to enjoy with priority parking, ramp access and accessible bathroom facilities plus there are wheelchairs available for hire. If you are looking to hire a wheelchair, it is advisable to check in with guest services before arriving to ensure you are provided with everything you will need. And if you’re a carer, you'll receive discounted entry, so please make sure you mention your status too. Both Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World offer Accessibility and Sensory Guides online to help you plan your day to ensure you can enjoy everything the parks have to offer.

Gold Coast theme parks are designed for everyone to enjoy with priority parking, ramp access and accessible bathroom facilities plus there are wheelchairs available for hire. If you are looking to hire a wheelchair, it is advisable to check in with guest services before arriving to ensure you are provided with everything you will need. And if you’re a carer, you'll receive discounted entry, so please make sure you mention your status too. Both Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World offer Accessibility and Sensory Guides online to help you plan your day to ensure you can enjoy everything the parks have to offer.

Gold Coast theme parks are open almost every day of the year, except Christmas Day and ANZAC Day, which falls on April 25. Opening hours can be different for each of the theme parks and can change seasonally too, so it’s suggested to check each park's website before you visit. You’ll also find instructions on how to download theme park apps via the website, which will give you all the specific theme park information you will need.

Yes, toddlers are most welcome at Gold Coast theme parks and you'll find designated junior zones, character meet and greets, animal encounters and plenty of delicious food options little visitors will love. Warner Bros Movie World Looney Tunes precinct is designed with juniors in mind, whereas Dreamworld has Wiggles World and ABC Kids World with regular live shows, age-appropriate rides and interactive play areas to explore. Wet'n'Wild Junior also welcomes young park guests with modified rides, water slides and shallow lagoon pools to suit, while WhiteWater World's Wiggles Bay is an oasis for under 5s with mini slides, interactive water play spaces and a giant water playground suitable for all ages to enjoy. Sea World is supremely toddler-friendly too with Nickelodeon Land offering pint sized play spaces with rides, live Ninja Turtle and Dora the Explorer shows plus a water playground and plenty of marine animals to meet. All parks feature toddler-friendly change areas, pram parking and prams available to hire.

 

Blog: https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/blog/top-tips-for-visiting-theme-parks-with-younger-kids

Comfortable casual clothing and footwear are key at Gold Coast theme parks. As most of the park's attractions are outdoors, wear sun-appropriate, lightweight clothing with sleeves and collars to protect from the sun. Stay hydrated and wear your SPF 50+ sunscreen and a hat. If you are visiting the water theme parks, you’ll need your swimsuit, rash vest, hat and sunglasses, plus a change of clothing to wear when you arrive and when you leave. Bring a towel, thongs, plenty of water and sunscreen too. But if you do forget to bring something, all parks have well-stocked gift shops with sunscreen, swimwear and clothing in a range of sizes too.

Buying a multi-day multi-park pass is a great way to save at Gold Coast theme parks. You’ll find it's not much more than a one-day pass, so you can save while spending more time in the parks. Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and SkyPoint (Q1) offer combination tickets to enjoy all three attractions, while Village Roadshow Theme Parks bundle Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, Sea World, Paradise Country and Australian Outback Spectacular to combine visits to some or all of their parks. You’ll find specials usually released on the theme park's social media pages first, so follow your favourites for more ways to save.