Families, thrillseekers and everyone in between, if you’re seeking your next adrenaline-filled day out, these Aussie theme parks can give you that rush.
Theme parks and fun go hand in hand. So if fun is what you’re seeking, a day out at a theme park should definitely be on the cards.
In our humble opinions, these are the best in all of Australia. They’re packed full of rides, games and carnival entertainment suitable for big and little kids alike. For teens and the young at heart, it’s all about the thrill of testing your will against the highest, fastest or most dizzying ride you can line up.
For parents, it’s all about finding a way to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays, which is why a trip to a theme park is a no-brainer. It’s practically guaranteed to put a smile on little ones’ faces and tire them out by the end of the day – so you can get the peace and quiet you deserve in the evening. Yes, deserve.
The rides won’t be open all day, so better get to it!
Top 10 Australian Theme Parks
1. Dreamworld, Gold Coast
Top of the list is the world-renowned Dreamworld. It’s been voted as the #1 Amusement Park & Water Park in the South Pacific on TripAdvisor and has been called one of the world’s best theme parks by Adioso. If you need even more convincing, it’s the largest theme park in Australia, boasts nine big thrill rides, family-friendly rides, shows and Tiger Island (a tiger sanctuary where visitors can have an up-close-and-personal experience with various tiger species).
Where: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
Closest airport: Gold Coast
Hotel image below: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
2. Seaworld, Gold Coast
Second to none in the marine wildlife amusement park stakes is Seaworld. Located on the Gold Coast, it offers pure fun for the whole family, with animals, rides and amusement at your fingertips. The marine life on show includes dolphins, polar bears, seals, penguins, sharks and rays, and the rides team with adventure on the high seas.
Where: Sea World Drive, Main Beach, Gold Coast
Closest airport: Gold Coast
3. Warner Bros Movie World, Gold Coast
Meet a superhero or gush over your favourite starlet at Warner Bros Movie World. This theme park is part studio part amusement park and all fun. Take a tour through the backlot to see famous movie sets, witness demonstrations on how the professionals make movie magic in the studio or just brave the thrilling superhero-themed rides like the star you are.
Where: Pacific Motorway, Gold Coast
Closest airport: Gold Coast
Hotel image below: Gold Coast Holiday Park
Images: Jamberoo Action Park
4. Jamberoo Action Park, Jamberoo
Take hold of the reins and control that action at this beloved water park. Around an hour’s drive south of Sydney, it’s the thing of childhood memories with over 10 watery worlds to explore and more rides, slides and tides than you can shake a stick at. There are pools for all ages and braveries, but if there’s only one ride you must conquer, it’s the Funnel Web, which features the world’s largest spider sculpture. Definitely one to be seen to be believed.
Where: 1215 Jamberoo Road, Jamberoo
Closest airport: Wollongong
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5. Luna Park, Sydney and Melbourne
It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Sydney or Melbourne, Luna Park is a must-visit, not just for the rides but for the views. Sydney’s Luna Park is located in Milsons Point to the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge, while Melbourne’s version is smack-bang on St Kilda Beach. Entry into the park is free, and there are various ticket options if you’d like to take on the rides, which include family park passes, unlimited passes and annual passes.
Where: Milsons Point, Sydney / 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, Melbourne
Closest airport: Sydney / Melbourne
6. WetSide Water Education Park, Hervey Bay
Beat the heat of the Australian summer at WetSide Water Education Park. The kids might even learn a thing or two while they’re there. The park was created by Water Bay Water Corporation as an entertaining yet educational park, so there are plaques throughout to teach you about water conservation. The best bit? The park is absolutely free to enter.
Where: Main Street and The Esplanade, Hervey Bay
Closest airport: Fraser Coast
Hotel image below: Oceans Resort at Ascend Hotel Collection Member
7. WhiteWater World, Gold Coast
Slide through a sweltering day at one of the biggest water parks in Australia – you won’t regret it! WhiteWater World is the sister park of Dreamworld and is just as manic. It’s home to eight thrill slides and over 20 other slides, each with its own amusing name. Think The Wedgie, The RIP and the Temple of Huey, to name a few.
Where: Pacific Highway, Coomera
Closest airport: Gold Coast
Hotel image below: Couran Cove Island Resort
8. The Beachouse, Glenelg
Twenty minutes from Adelaide’s CBD is this ripper of an amusement park. Great for families on a budget, entry into the park is absolutely free with each ride costing a mere $2, which will need to be preloaded onto your Fun Card to use. Time cards are also available, which give you unlimited access to The Beachouse’s rides within a specified time period. Rides and games include mini golf, dodgem cars, waterslides, play castles and arcade games.
Where: Colley Terrace, Glenelg
Closest airport: Adelaide
Hotel featured below: Oaks Plaza Pier
9. Big Splash Waterpark
Named Canberra’s #1 summer attraction, Big Splash Waterpark is your one destination when the sun is out. For a water park, it checks all the boxes and has nine slides, kiddie pools, pool inflatables and a standard 50m pool for those wishing to get a few laps in. Don’t think for one second that this water park is tame: Under its belt is a wicked twister slide and a super speed coaster, both guaranteed to get the heart beating.
Where: 1 Catchpole Street, Macquarie
Closest airport: Canberra
10. Adventure World, Perth
When it comes to world class theme park attractions, Perth takes the cake. Inside Adventure World is a $12 million rollercoaster called “Abyss” and a $7 million funnel water slide called Kraken. Excited? You should be. They’re just two of the 28 thrilling rides to test your insides against here. Which are you brave enough to try?
Where: 351 Progress Drive, Bibra Lakes, WA
Closest airport: Perth
