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School holiday activities on the Gold Coast for September 2021

Make your home a school holiday haven with these top indoor and outdoor activities.

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Dylan Crismale

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Courtney Edwards
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School's out, which means it's up to you to organise the kids' daily schedule of activities. To get you on the front foot, we've compiled a heap of outdoor activities, indoor play and day trips out to the beach or the Gold Coast hinterland.

Outdoor activities for the school holidays on the Gold Coast

Plan a trip to the Gold Coast's top theme parks and family attractions

Spring is here and so is school holiday fun at the top attractions on the Gold Coast. Organise to spend a day at each and you've got a decent amount of the break already sorted. If you're looking to stay in close proximity to the theme parks, Sea World Resort is our top recommendation.

14-Day Unlimited Pass to 4 Theme Parks and Attractions
14-Day Unlimited Pass to 4 Theme Parks and Attractions

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Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Live Show
Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Live Show

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Go on a fast and fun ride

If your child loves a good thrill, the Gold Coast has more than a handful of fast-paced activities to keep them entertained, including go karting.

Kids Go Kart Racing Experience - 4 Sessions
Kids Go Kart Racing Experience - 4 Sessions

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Go Karting, Laser Tag and Indoor Climbing Combo
Go Karting, Laser Tag and Indoor Climbing Combo

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Challenge yourself to see the world from new heights

For the bold and the brave, take on a vertical challenge like climbing Australia's tallest building, skydive indoors or do the real thing from 12,000 feet in the sky.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving Experience in Gold Coast
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Experience in Gold Coast

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Zip-line through the forest

Hold on tight as you zip-line through Australia's largest and highest zip-line course. It's the ultimate adrenaline rush with views you don't want to miss.

Tiny Tots  High Rope and Zipline Adventure
Tiny Tots  High Rope and Zipline Adventure

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Enjoy close encounters of the animal kind

Think you're raising a young David Attenborough? These wildlife encounters are sure to educate and thrill your child these school holidays.

Kids’ Introduction to Horses – Gold Coast Hinterland
Kids’ Introduction to Horses – Gold Coast Hinterland

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Learn more about marine life

Fun with the animal kingdom continues with these exciting activities. Go whale watching, get up close to the penguins at Sea World or swim alongside turtles at Cook Island.

Challenge your mind and be astonished

Rainy days stuck inside don't have to be spent at home. Let your imagination run wild or put your brain to the test with friends doing these fun indoor activities.

Experience the strange, weird and wonderful

If you're looking to shake things up these holidays, look no further than these unique experiences that are unlike any other.

Get out and about on the water

Get out onto the water, or enjoy an exhilarating jet boat ride. Zoom, spin and slide up and down the coast with 360-degree spins. You may even spot whales and dolphins along the way.

At-home activities for the school holidays on the Gold Coast

Sign the kids up for virtual workshops

Keep their cogs spinning during the school break with a workshop in something they're passionate about (or something they're currently learning at school). It could be a public speaking or drama class. You decide. Either way, you can work from home while they participate online.

Make friends and learn at online camp

Online camp is a great way to make friends and learn new skills during the school holidays. These camps run between 2-5 days, making them a great way to keep the kids engaged during the break.

Have a laser battle at home

Let the kids engage in a friendly game of laser tag with their friends. It's a great way to get them out in the yard and away from their screens.

Learn about coding

Coding is fast becoming an important skill to have. These programs are designed to teach your child the basics through fun and creative ways. This way, learning never feels like a chore.

Have an animal encounter at home

Let the animals come to you (virtually) these school holidays. Your kids will love these unique experiences where they get to meet real-life animals. You'll save time on getting them ready to go out.

Online Private Animal Experience for Kids
Online Private Animal Experience for Kids

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Code with Minecraft

Minecraft serves many functions. It's a place to explore vast new worlds alone or with friends. It can also help your child learn fundamental coding skills in a fun and engaging way too.

Online Minecraft Volcano Expedition Camp
Online Minecraft Volcano Expedition Camp

KidCampus

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Paint with friends

Help your little ones let their creativity loose on the canvas. Paint together with friends at a paint party (perfect for school holiday birthdays) or let them take a class.

Dreamtime Stories and Painting for Kids
Dreamtime Stories and Painting for Kids

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Get crafty at home

Watch their imaginations come to life with arts and crafts. If you're a little strapped for time, you can sign them up for an art workshop online. Otherwise, you can tune in too, and help them with their creation.

Tuck into a night at the movies (at home)

When the weather turns and you're staring out at a rainy day, there's more than enough entertainment on the TV to keep the kids entertained. Pop some kernels and flick on the telly for your pick of the family friendly mix from streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Binge.

Get creative in the kitchen

Cupcakes that they can frost the tops of and pizza that they can get their hands stuck into are always winners with little ones. Pick a recipe or tune in to an online tutorial, and prepare to let flour fly.

Asian Cooking Course for Kids and Teens
Asian Cooking Course for Kids and Teens

Classbento

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Play some video games

For little ones, games can hone motor skills and education. For older kids, it's a great way to distract them and keep them entertained for hours. Pick out a few new games for them that work with their console.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX - Nintendo Switch
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX - Nintendo Switch

Target Australia

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch

Target Australia

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Book in a games night

Bring the whole brood together for some rollicking good fun – and yes, some healthy competition. Buy your board games online or dust off some old favourites.

Road trips you can take from the Gold Coast

Looking to explore outside of the Gold Coast? Check out our guides for family friendly getaways in Queensland and epic Queensland road trips. Don't forget some restrictions still apply on the Gold Coast.

North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island

Distance from Gold Coast CBD:

North – 1-hour drive to Cleveland and 1-hour ferry to the island.

South – 40-minute ferry ride from Main Beach, Sanctuary Cove Marina and the Runaway Bay Marina.

Straddie and South Straddie (as they're commonly referred to) are the places to be for an adventure-filled day away from the city. The islands are perfect for swimming, surfing, bushwalking and rock climbing, and you can camp overnight to make a weekend of it.

Sea Kayaking, Dolphin and Stradbroke Island Tour
Sea Kayaking, Dolphin and Stradbroke Island Tour

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Springbrook National Park

Distance from Gold Coast CBD: 40km or under a 50-minute drive. By public transport, take a train to Robina and connect by taxi.

This piece of the Gold Coast hinterland is a favourite with families and tourists for its arresting scenery. Spend the day hiking through lush rainforests, picnicking before panoramic views and being dazzled by cave glow worms.

Tamborine Mountain

Distance from Gold Coast CBD: 40km or a 50-minute drive. By public transport, take a tram to Helensvale and then a taxi to Tamborine Mountain.

Brimming with country charm and a rugged landscape, Tamborine Mountain has all the makings of a relaxing day out. Pop into market stalls on the side of the road to collect your lunch and then drive the windy road up to the mountain's summit for forest views.

With extra time on your hands, visit the Rainforest Skywalk to walk the middle and upper canopies of the forest.

Tiny Tot's High Rope and Zipline Adventure
Tiny Tot's High Rope and Zipline Adventure

RedBalloon

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Brisbane

Distance from Gold Coast CBD: 80km or a 1-hour drive/public bus ride.

The state's capital serves up culture in spades. Visit its many kid-friendly museums, climb its icon – the Story Bridge – and take in a theatre production, magic show or musical.

Deals and discounts for Gold Coast school holiday activities

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$15 off all Australian activities with code

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Free activities on the Gold Coast over the school holidays

  • Enjoy a picnic at Tamborine Mountain on a sunny day.
  • Explore the rainforests of the Gold Coast hinterland on a bushwalk.
  • Take a brisk walk while the kids run around at one of the area's beaches, like Main Beach, Broadbeach or Burleigh Heads.
  • Have a day out at Carrara Markets. It's Australia's largest market with over 400 food and market stalls.
  • Sporty families can spend Saturday morning at the Surfers Paradise parkrun.

Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays.

School holiday events and programs on the Gold Coast in September

  • Pop Up Playground: 18,25 September. Enjoy free activities including duck fishing and skeeball at Broadwater Parklands.
  • NaturallyGC Programs: 18, 22-25, 29 September, 1 October. There's no denying that the Gold Coast boasts great nature spots. Your kids can make the most of this with tree planting, educational workshops, wildlife shows, nature photography and bush walks these school holidays.
  • DJ Party in the Park: 19 September. Visit the Broadwater Parklands during the day to listen and dance to hits for free.
  • Microplastics Down Under: 21 September. Marine biologists from Ocean Connect will be hosting a marine biology workshop these school holidays explaining to kids how we can combat the problem of plastic together.
  • Broadwater Parklands Activities: 22, 29 September. Enjoy a free ride on a small land train, taking a scenic journey through Broadwater Parklands or join the fun in games of laser skirmish
  • City of the Gold Coast Active Travel Program: 21, 25-26 September. Every child needs to know the skills to ride their bikes safely. The Active Travel program has classes for training wheels to 2 wheels, absolute beginners as well as bike skills for children and better bike maintenance.
  • 2021 Gold Coast Chinese Festival: 2 October. A celebration of Chinese culture, the festival features singing and dancing performances, food stalls and crafts at the Broadwater Parklands.

Frequently asked questions about Gold Coast school holidays

What should I keep in mind with COVID-19 when going out during the school holidays?

When planning your family's school holiday activities, remember to maintain good hygiene and social distancing. If you're planning to visit an attraction in an enclosed space, it's best to book in advance so you don't miss out.

Are all attractions on the Gold Coast open?

Favourites including Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and WhiteWater World, among others, are open during the school holidays.

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