Gold Coast Wax Museum

In the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast Wax Museum presents a collection of lifelike wax figures spanning famous and infamous people from world history. The museum describes its collection as the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, while ticketing information lists more than 110 life-size figures. Exhibits include scientists, explorers, villains, world leaders and well-known entertainers, with figures dressed in detailed costumes and arranged in themed displays.

The main World in Wax section is designed as a walk-through meeting with people who have shaped history. The displays cover figures from Queensland, Australia and around the world, with examples listed by the venue including Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus, Michael Jackson, Johnny Depp, former Australian prime ministers Bob Hawke and John Howard, Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy and members of the Royal Family. Other displays include copies of the British Crown Jewels and dioramas relating to Australia's history. The museum says its figures are made by local and overseas sculptors, with fine details such as individually applied hair and carefully crafted eyes.

For a darker change of pace, the Chamber of Horrors explores historical instruments of punishment from around the world. It occupies a dungeon-style space and includes a guided tour, with the venue presenting information about the history behind the exhibits. This section is explicitly described as unsuitable for the faint-hearted, so it may appeal more to visitors interested in unsettling historical displays than those looking for a conventional museum experience. The combination of celebrity figures, historical personalities and the gruesome chamber gives the visit a distinctly theatrical character.

The Gold Coast Wax Museum has been part of the Surfers Paradise scene since 1968. It moved to its current address at 56 Ferny Avenue in 2002, allowing more room for the Famous People section and a new dungeon for the Chamber of Horrors. The foyer was redeveloped in 2016 to create additional space for current and future exhibits. Its central Surfers Paradise location makes it accessible by light rail, bus, car or on foot, including from nearby hotels. With family and group admission options, it suits visitors exploring the area with children or friends, while the range of historical subjects gives solo visitors plenty to examine at their own pace.