{"menuItems":[{"label":"Outdoor activities for the school holidays on the Gold Coast","anchorName":"#outdoor"},{"label":"At-home activities for the school holidays on the Gold Coast","anchorName":"#home"},{"label":"Road trips you can take from the Gold Coast","anchorName":"#road"},{"label":"Deals and discounts for Gold Coast school holiday activities","anchorName":"#deals-and-discounts-for-gold-coast-school-holiday-activities"},{"label":"Free activities on the Gold Coast over the school holidays","anchorName":"#free"}]}
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 from the Gold Coast.
Outdoor activities for the school holidays on the Gold Coast
Challenge the crew to a fun game
The stakes are high as you play for glory. If you're in the mood for a fun activity, then sign yourselves up for a day at the arcade, bowling alley or mini golf course.
Holey Moley from Holey Moley
Inclusions: Mini Golf, Arcade Games, Bowling, Challenge Rooms
Birthday coming up? Perhaps you promised them a special treat? A flying (or floating) adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience they won't soon forget that gives them a bird's eye view of the land.
Gold Coast Hinterland Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast from RedBalloon
Inclusions: 40 - 65 minute hot air balloon flight, full champagne breakfast, digital photo package, and round trip hotel transfers
Treat them to a day on the water cruising along the Gold Coast's iconic waterways. Book a dining cruise and meals are also sorted, so you won't have to think twice about packing snacks to keep them sated on this day out.
Gold Coast Sightseeing Cruise with Dinner from RedBalloon
Inclusions: Two and a half hour sightseeing evening dinner cruise, live entertainment, and complimentary parking
Organise to spend a day at each of the Gold Coast's top attractions and you've got a decent amount of the school holiday break sorted. If you're looking to stay close to the parks, Sea World Resort is our top recommendation.
7-day Gold Coast Theme Park Passes from Experience Oz
Inclusions: Unlimited entry to 4 theme parks over 7 days, entry to Paradise Country
Location: 1 Entertainment Dr, Helensvale, QLD 4210
The water is always warm on the Gold Coast which means it's always a good time to hit the water. From surfing lessons to stand-up paddle boarding, your children are going to be spoiled for choice.
2-hour Surfing Lessons at Main Beach from Experience Oz
Inclusions: All equipments, guaranteed stand up
Location: 507 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, QLD 4217
Bold and 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 from Klook
Think you're raising a young David Attenborough? These wildlife encounters are sure to educate and thrill your child these school holidays.
Paradise Country Aussie Farm Experience from Klook
Inclusions: Learn about farm life and get up close and personal with Aussie animals like koalas, kangaroos and dingoes, educational shows on sheep shearing, boomerang throwing, stock whip handling, and more
The Gold Coast is brimming with on-the-water adventures, though if you'd prefer a less active one with the family a cruise is the answer. Many include delicious meals and commentary.
Gold Coast Morning Sightseeing Cruise from Viator
Inclusions: Enjoy a Gold Coast cruise with morning or afternoon tea, or a cocktail at sunset, passing by Surfers Paradise, Paradise Waters, Broadwater, Palazzo Versace, and SeaWorld.
Location: The Moorings, 63 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD
The Gold Coast is a home of live entertainment. Whether your kids are movie lovers or sports fanatics there's bound to be an event going on in the city that they'll love.
Australian Outback Spectacular's Heartland Show with Dinner from Experience Oz
Inclusions: 3-course Australian BBQ dinner with Bush Billy tea and a Stockman's hat, with drinks included
Location: Australian Outback Spectacular - 1 Entertainment Dr, Helensvale, QLD 4210
Watch their imagination come to life with arts and crafts. If you're strapped for time, you can sign them up for an art workshop online.
Christmas Crochet Workshop (Ages 12+) from Classbento
Inclusions: Learn crochet in a group or one-on-one setting, create a finished Christmas Grinch decoration, and receive coffee, tea, snacks, a crochet hook and needles, all the wool needed for the project, and the knowledge to continue your crochet journey
Inclusions: Kit includes recycled luxe cotton string, extra-thick Australian cotton string, Tasmanian Oak dowel, a wooden ring, four wooden beads, and a link to online instructions.
On top of learning fundamental singing techniques, singing classes can build your little one's confidence with singing and performing. Some classes even teach them how to write their own songs and music.
Online Kids Singing Class (Ages 7+) from Classbento
Inclusions: Interactive online singing lessons, diverse song repertoire, vocal performance skills, and more
Explore beyond the city on a family-friendly getaway in Queensland or epic Queensland road trip.
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 adventure-filled days away from the city. The islands are perfect for swimming, surfing, bushwalking and rock climbing. Camp overnight to make a weekend of it.
Full-Day Small Group Tour to North Stradbroke Island from Viator
Inclusions: Full-day tour of North Stradbroke Island, bottled water, ferry crossing return ticket
Location: Departs from Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, 255 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Jet Ski Safari with South Stradbroke Island Stop from Adrenaline
Inclusions: 90-minute jet ski safari with South Stradbroke Island stop for refreshments, safety equipment, waterproof container, safety briefing, and practice ride. Sunday all-you-can-eat breakfast available for an additional cost
Sea Kayaking, Dolphin and Stradbroke Island Tour from Adrenaline
Inclusions:
Morning sea kayak tour to two secluded islands, including all kayaking equipment, safety briefing, and delicious light continental breakfast on the beach.
Distance from Gold Coast CBD: 40km or 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.
Natural Bridge and Springbrook Guided Afternoon Tour including Afternoon Tea from Experience Oz
Inclusions:
Guided full-day tour of Natural Bridge and Springbrook National Park Waterfalls, including up to 5 waterfalls, Numinbah Valley, guided rainforest walk, light refreshments, and national park fees.
Springbrook and Tamborine Rainforest Tour from Viator
Full-day tour of Springbrook and Tamborine National Parks with driver/guide, national park fees, hotel pickup and drop-off, coffee and/or tea, and gratuities.
Location: Departs from 222 Margaret Street, Brisbane
Natural Bridge and Springbrook Waterfalls Tour from RedBalloon
Inclusions:
Guided full-day tour of five waterfalls in Springbrook National Park, including Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge, with walk through Gondwana and Antarctic beech forest, light refreshments, and national park fees.
Location: Aquaduck Office, Circle on Cavill, Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
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.
Hinterland Zip Line Tour with 4WD Experience from Experience Oz
Inclusions: Australia's largest guided zipline tour with 7 insane ziplines and a 4WD experience
Location:TreeTop Challenge, inside Thunderbird Park
Flying Fox High Ropes Adventure Park from Adrenaline
Inclusions: Half-day thrilling adventure park experience with more than 120 TreeTop activities including 10 ziplines/flying foxes and access to all eight courses
Distance from Gold Coast CBD: 80km or a 1-hour drive or 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 cruise across the Brisbane River.
Brisbane Hot Air Balloon Ride from RedBalloon
Inclusions: 1-hour hot air balloon flight with breakfast, transportation, insurance, and optional inflight photos.
Available on hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, jet boat rides and attraction passes on Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $350 is required. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Sign up with your email address and unlock Sneaky Saver deals. Activities include day tours, attraction passes and hop-on hop-off bus tours. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
See all that South Africa has to offer with a combination of thrilling and relaxing experience we have listed in this list of things to do while you're there.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
Experience Oz
Klook
RedBalloon
Lastminute.com.au
