Gold Coast With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do

The Gold Coast is built for families, and beyond the high-rises of Surfers Paradise you'll find a surprising spread of green space, coastal walks and hands-on activities that suit kids of all ages. From the rainforest gullies of Springbrook in the hinterland to the parklands hugging the Broadwater, there's plenty to fill a day without breaking the bank or wearing the little ones out too early.

Why Gold Coast delivers

Families get a genuine mix here: easy beachside parks for picnics and play, national parks with walks for older kids, a dedicated wildlife sanctuary at Currumbin, and indoor escape rooms for rainy days or teens who want a challenge. The spread across suburbs like Southport, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin and Coolangatta means you can base yourself almost anywhere and still have family-friendly options close by.

Highlights

• Wildlife encounters at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin
• Beachside parks and picnics at Broadwater Parklands and Kurrawa Park
• Rainforest walks and waterfalls in Springbrook National Park, including Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge
• Coastal walking and lookouts at Burleigh Head National Park and Point Danger in Coolangatta
• Indoor problem-solving for older kids and teens at Fox in a Box and Padlockd Escape Rooms in Palm Beach

Our top picks

Hand-picked from our highest-scoring listings:

• Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms — Palm Beach
• Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook National Park — Robina
• Burleigh Head National Park — Burleigh Heads
• Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park — Robina
• Springbrook National Park — Robina
• Point Danger — Coolangatta
• Broadwater Parklands — Southport
• Doug Jennings Park — Southport
• Pratten Park — Surfers Paradise
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary — Currumbin

Explore more

Browse all family activities, kids activities, parks, beaches, family friendly restaurants in Gold Coast.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best parks for kids on the Gold Coast?

There's a good spread of family-friendly parks, including Broadwater Parklands and Doug Jennings Park in Southport, Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach, Pizzey Park in Miami, Justins Park in Burleigh Heads and Pratten Park in Surfers Paradise. The Bouncy Pillow in Southport is another option for active little ones.

Where can families see wildlife on the Gold Coast?

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin is a dedicated family wildlife attraction and a popular choice for kids.

Are there good walks for families in the Gold Coast hinterland?

Springbrook National Park offers a rainforest setting with spots like Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge. Closer to the coast, Burleigh Head National Park in Burleigh Heads has walking tracks, and Point Danger at Coolangatta is a lookout worth visiting.

What can families do on a rainy day on the Gold Coast?

Indoor escape rooms can suit older kids and teens, with Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms and Padlockd Escape Rooms & Bar both located in Palm Beach. Suitability depends on age, so it's worth checking with the venue directly.