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9 things to do on Boxing Day on the Gold Coast

Get amongst it all on 26 December with the adrenaline-fuelled or family-friendly activities available on the Gold Coast.

Tamara Medojevic
Tamara Medojevic

Updated

Fact checked
family picnic

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From enjoying the comforts of your own home to exploring everything that the Gold Coast has to offer, these are the indoor and outdoor activities available to you this coming Boxing Day.

Keep reading to find out where to book, what to do and which venues are open for business.

Top things to do on Boxing day on the Gold Coast

Head out onto the water

Escape those hot December temperatures with the salty seas this Boxing Day. Celebrate a little differently by taking a lesson on how to surf the waves, get splashed on a high-speed jet boat or meet the creatures of the sea with a snorkelling experience.

High Speed Jet Boat Ride with 360-Degree Spins
High Speed Jet Boat Ride with 360-Degree Spins

RedBalloon

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Kayaking with Dolphins and Snorkelling Tour
Kayaking with Dolphins and Snorkelling Tour

RedBalloon

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Go to new heights

See the Gold Coast from a whole new perspective with a plethora of bird's-eye view options. For a gentler experience consider a hot air balloon over the lush hinterlands and for all our adrenaline junkies out there, take flight over the waves with a bit of scenic parasailing.

Jet Boat Ride and Helicopter Flight Combo
Jet Boat Ride and Helicopter Flight Combo

RedBalloon

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Get the adrenaline pumping

Live a day on the fast side of life with an adrenaline-fuelled experience. From getting behind the wheel of a supercar to strapping in for a jet boating soak, if adventure is your preference for this Boxing Day then look no further.

Express Jet Boat Ride on the Gold Coast
Express Jet Boat Ride on the Gold Coast

RedBalloon

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Express Jet Boat Ride and iFLY Indoor Skydiving Combo
Express Jet Boat Ride and iFLY Indoor Skydiving Combo

Adrenaline

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Enjoy whole family fun

Get the whole family involved with all-day fun. Whether your little ones like a bit of adventure or prefer the classics such as bowling or golf, these are pretty safe bets to ensure smiles all round.

Cruise your way through Boxing Day

If you want to head out onto the water without the need for a swimsuit, these cruises are just for you. With your choice of a morning or afternoon river cruise, sit back and relax with a drink in hand as you watch the skyline pass you by.

Pamper yourself

After a year of hard work and busy schedules, take the time this Boxing Day to spoil yourself. Take your pick from a body massage or a facial and let someone else pamper you for a change. Go on, you deserve it.

Binge your favourite TV shows

If the Christmas lunch was just that good, the food coma may call for a Boxing Day spent at home. Have fun from the comfort of your couch with a plethora of streaming options at the ready for the whole family. All that's left for you to do is stock up on the popcorn.

Have a picnic in the park

It's simple yet effective. If your idea of a perfect day off is lounging amongst nature with your favourite book in hand, look no further than a picnic this Boxing Day. The best part is, if organising isn't your cup of tea, you can get someone else to do it for you with Chic Petite Events.

If you're going DIY, we suggest checking out the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens as it has plenty of space for you to set up shop.

Have a splash at the beach

No list of things to do on the Gold Coast would be complete without a beach trip. You aren't short on choice, so take your pick from Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, Palm, Currumbin, Greenmount, Nobby and Main beach (just to name a few).

Chances are the shorelines will be busier than usual so we recommend getting there a little earlier.

Where can I book Boxing Day activities on the Gold Coast?

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Voucher validity Is there a sign up discount? Is price matching available? Can I book exclusive experiences? Where to book
Adrenaline
Adrenaline - Things to Do in Gold Coast
5 years
No
Yes
Yes
Adrenaline
View details
RedBalloon
RedBalloon - Things to Do in Gold Coast
5 years
$10
Yes
Yes
RedBalloon
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Experience Oz
Experience Oz - Things to Do in Gold Coast
1 year
No
Yes
Yes
Experience Oz
View details
Groupon
Groupon - Things to Do in Gold Coast
Depends on the individual experience
No
Yes
Yes
Groupon
View details
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What's open on Boxing Day on the Gold Coast?

Get out and about this Boxing Day with the biggest attractions and your favourite restaurants.

Boxing Day trading hours for attractions on the Gold Coast

AttractionBoxing Day trading hoursWhere to get tickets
Warner Bros. Movie World9:30 to 5:30pmRedBalloon
Sea World9:30 to 5pmRedBalloon
SkyPoint Observation Deck7:30am to 9pmExperience Oz
Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast10am to 5pmRedBalloon
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary9am to 4pmRedBalloon
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk9:30am to 5pmExperience Oz
Gold Coast Wax Museum10am to 6pmExperience Oz
Dreamworld10am to 5pmDreamworld
WhiteWater World10am to 5pmDreamworld

Boxing Day trading hours for restaurants, bars and cafes on the Gold Coast

VenueBoxing Day trading hours
Papercup Coffee (both locations)6am to 2pm
QT Gold Coast | Bazaar6:30am to 10:30am and 5:30 to 9pm
QT Gold Coast | Stingray Lounge4pm until late
Bam Bam Bakehouse6:30am to 3pm
Elk Espresso6am to 4pm
Finn Poke11am to 8pm
Rosella's12pm until late
Miss Moneypenny's11:30am until late
Buoy Oh Buoy7am to 11am
Chanoyu Japanese Cafe7am to 2:30pm
Crafty's11am until late
Hot Shott5:30am to 4pm
Muso Ramen11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Quay Street Cafe7am to 2pm
Zi Espresso7am to 11am
Alfred's Diner6:30am to 12pm
Arakawa Japanese5pm until late
Beachside Pavilion6am until late
Bine Beer Bar4pm until late
Clifford's Grill and Lounge6pm until late
Crazy Cat Cafe9:30am to 5:30pm
Cucino Vivo5:30pm to late
Don't Gnocc It11am to late
Door506am until late
Easy Street Diner5pm until late
Fat Freddy's Beach Bar and Diner11:30am until late
Finn McCool's10am until late
Garden Kitchen and Bar12pm to 10pm
Gemelli5pm until late
Harajuku Gyoza11:30am to 9pm
I like ramen11:30am until late
Kiyomi5:30pm until late
Koi8am until late
La Diosa Mexicana11am to 10pm
Little Mermaid6:30am to 3pm
Vapiano11am to 12am
The Henchman8am until late
The Cambus Wallace5pm until late
Trattoria Amici5pm until late
The Loose Moose8am until late
Mamasan Kitchen and Bar5:30pm until late
Mario's Italian12pm until late
Meat and Co12pm until late
Montezuma's5:30pm until late
Mei Wei Dumplings12pm to 9pm
My Gelato10am to 11pm
Muso Ramen5:30pm until late
Nineteen at The Star4pm until late
No Name Lane6am to 1pm
Nobby's Rock5pm until late
Pancakes in Paradise8am to 8:30pm
Paradox Coffee Roasters8am to 1pm
Salt Meats Cheese5pm to 10pm
Sandbar6am until late
Social House7am until late
The Aztec5pm until late
The Bavarian5pm until late

See the latest Boxing Day activities deals for the Gold Coast

RedBalloonRedBalloon
Exclusive

Extra 10% off Australia activities with code

Valid on all dates on activities like skydiving, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, cruises, tours, high tea and more. Minimum spend of $100 applies. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Show code
RedBalloonRedBalloon
Exclusive

Extra $10 off site-wide with code

Valid on all dates, including over Christmas, on activities like skydiving, quad biking, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, scuba diving, cruises, high tea and more. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Show code
HotelsCombinedHotelsCombined

Up to 33% off Sea World Resort and Water Park stays with park entry

Available for stays until 30 April 2021 with packages available to include entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country during your stay.

Last verified

Get deal
WotifWotif

Up to 60% off Australia stays

Available on stays until July 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

DiDiDiDi
Exclusive

Get $20 credit

Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Show code
Virgin AustraliaVirgin Australia

Australia-wide flights from $89 each way

Available on flights from January - September 2021 to Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Townsville, Darwin and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Accor HotelsAccor Hotels

Australia stays from $95/night + Extra 10% off for members

Available on stays up until 13 months from the booking date. Destinations include Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Uluru and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

WotifWotif

Up to 50% off Australia getaways

Available on stay until February 2021 in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

AirbnbAirbnb

Australia stays from $13 per night

Available on stays until 2021 in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Melbourne and more. Sample fare is for a private room in Victoria. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
EuropcarEuropcar

Up to 20% off base rate

Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

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