Which Gold Coast beaches have beach wheelchairs?

The council keeps beach wheelchairs and matting at a handful of patrolled beaches, lent free through the surf club or lifeguard tower. The beach listings on this page say which ones, the hours they are available and how to book; summer weekends book out, so ask a day ahead.

Are the theme parks manageable with a child with autism?

All the big parks publish an accessibility guide listing which rides have a quiet queue, where the quiet rooms are and how the access pass works. Go early on a weekday, use the pass, and plan one rest in a quiet room before lunch. The park listings link to each guide.

Where are the all-abilities playgrounds?

The council has built inclusive playgrounds at several of its regional parks, with wheelchair carousels, Liberty swings and sensory play. They are listed in the playgrounds section with the equipment the council page names.

Is there a Changing Places toilet near the beach?

A few beachfront precincts have a Changing Places room with an adult change bench and hoist; the listings that state one are marked. Elsewhere, plan around the big shopping centres, which usually have one.

Accessible and sensory-friendly things to do with kids in Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of the easier Australian cities to do with a child who uses a wheelchair or needs a quieter day. The council lends beach wheelchairs and rolls out matting at several patrolled beaches in summer, the big parklands along the Broadwater and at Burleigh have flat sealed paths and accessible toilets, and the theme parks publish detailed access guides with ride-by-ride notes and quiet rooms.

The hinterland is harder: most waterfall tracks have steps, though a few boardwalks and lookouts are rated accessible by the park service and are on this page. For sensory needs, the galleries, the main library branches and the cinemas run relaxed or quiet sessions, and several play centres open early for low-sensory play in the school holidays.

Everything here comes from the venue's or council's own page, so read the fact line under each place and check the linked access page before you drive, because beach wheelchairs need booking and session days move.

54 places in Gold Coast state access or sensory facts on their own page: 11 step-free · 10 sensory-friendly sessions · 9 accessible toilet · 4 Changing Places · 2 beach wheelchair · 5 pool hoist · 30 all-abilities playgrounds.

Start here

GC Aqua Park Southport
GC Aqua Park is an inflatable water park on the Broadwater at Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport, with slides, climbers, wobbly bridges and obstacles…

Partly accessible · Accessible parking · Beach wheelchair · Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Dreamworld Coomera
Dreamworld is a theme park on Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera, with rides for a range of ages, from coasters to gentler rides, plus wildlife encounters.

Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Broadwater Parklands Southport
Broadwater Parklands on Marine Parade, Southport, is a council park with grassed areas, shelters, electric barbecues, three playgrounds, the Rockpools water playground…

Sensory sessions · All-abilities
HOTA, Home of the Arts Surfers Paradise
HOTA, Home of the Arts, is an arts precinct at 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, with HOTA Gallery, theatres, a cinema, an outdoor stage, dining and 17 hectares of…

Partly accessible · Changing Places · Accessible parking · Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Cascade Gardens Broadbeach
Cascade Gardens is a City of Gold Coast park at 2690 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, on the Nerang River.

Sensory sessions · All-abilities
Hijinx Hotel Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise
Hijinx Hotel Surfers Paradise is a set of themed challenge rooms, such as ball pits, a giant floor piano and a basketball room, where groups score points in each room…

Sensory sessions · Quiet space

Quick check: what each place states

Only what the venue or council says on its own page. A blank means not stated, not no.

Place	Step-free	Accessible toilet	Changing Places	Sensory sessions	Quiet space	Companion Card	Source
GC Aqua Park Southport				✓	✓	✓	venue page
Dreamworld Coomera				✓	✓		venue page
HOTA, Home of the Arts Surfers Paradise			✓	✓	✓	✓	venue page
Hijinx Hotel Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise				✓	✓		venue page
Paradise Point Parklands Paradise Point	✓	✓	✓				venue page
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre Southport	✓	✓				✓	venue page
Gold Coast Performance Centre Runaway Bay	✓	✓					venue page
Palm Beach Aquatic Centre Palm Beach	✓	✓	✓			✓	venue page
Miami Aquatic Centre Miami		✓				✓	venue page
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre Broadbeach Waters	✓	✓	✓				venue page
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Currumbin		✓				✓	venue page
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise	✓					✓	venue page
Gold Coast Motor Museum Upper Coomera	✓	✓				✓	venue page

Sensory-friendly sessions and quiet spaces

Place	What the venue says	Notes
GC Aqua Park Southport	Air-conditioned first-aid room can be used as a chill-out space at any time; a Sensory Guide is published
Dreamworld Coomera	Calming Cottage: quiet, low-sensory rooms (air-conditioned, muted tones, gentle lighting) outside Steel Taipan; sensory toolkits at Guest Services	Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program; visual story guides available on the accessibility page
HOTA, Home of the Arts Surfers Paradise	Quiet Hour at HOTA Gallery first Saturday of each month 9-10am; some performances are relaxed (lower sound, reduced special effects, chill-out area)	Neurodivergent visitors welcome to bring noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses and audio descriptors
Hijinx Hotel Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise	Sensory Friendly Sessions (reduced or no music, adjusted lighting) run at participating Hijinx venues; call to confirm this venue

Sensory-friendly places

Venues that run relaxed, low-sensory or autism-friendly sessions, keep a quiet space, or tag themselves sensory-friendly.

GC Aqua Park Southport
GC Aqua Park is an inflatable water park on the Broadwater at Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport, with slides, climbers, wobbly bridges and obstacles…

Partly accessible · Accessible parking · Beach wheelchair · Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Dreamworld Coomera
Dreamworld is a theme park on Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera, with rides for a range of ages, from coasters to gentler rides, plus wildlife encounters.

Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Broadwater Parklands Southport
Broadwater Parklands on Marine Parade, Southport, is a council park with grassed areas, shelters, electric barbecues, three playgrounds, the Rockpools water playground…

Sensory sessions · All-abilities
HOTA, Home of the Arts Surfers Paradise
HOTA, Home of the Arts, is an arts precinct at 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, with HOTA Gallery, theatres, a cinema, an outdoor stage, dining and 17 hectares of…

Partly accessible · Changing Places · Accessible parking · Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Cascade Gardens Broadbeach
Cascade Gardens is a City of Gold Coast park at 2690 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, on the Nerang River.

Sensory sessions · All-abilities
Hijinx Hotel Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise
Hijinx Hotel Surfers Paradise is a set of themed challenge rooms, such as ball pits, a giant floor piano and a basketball room, where groups score points in each room…

Sensory sessions · Quiet space
Gold Medal Gymnastics Molendinar
Gold Medal Gymnastics is a gymnastics club at 3/10a Industrial Avenue, Molendinar, affiliated with Gymnastics Australia.

Sensory sessions
HAPY Studio - Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop & Trapeze Currumbin
HAPY Studio is an aerial arts and circus studio at 9/5 Traders Way, Currumbin, teaching aerial silks, trapeze, aerial hoop, aerial hammock and acrobatics.

Sensory sessions
Rotary Park (Mudgeeraba) Mudgeeraba
Fitting with its historic location, the Rotary Park playground at Mudgeeraba is designed to resemble a steam train.

Sensory sessions · All-abilities
Laurie Lawrence Swim School Burleigh Heads Burleigh Heads
Laurie Lawrence Swim School is a family-owned business with centres at 6 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads and Banora Point.

Sensory sessions

All-abilities playgrounds and parks

Playgrounds built for every body: wide paths, wheelchair-accessible equipment, Liberty swings, sensory play.

Pratten Park Broadbeach
Pratten Park is a City of Gold Coast park on Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach, with two playgrounds.

Accessible toilet · All-abilities
Washington Waters Playground & Bouncy Pillow, Broadwater Parklands Southport
The giant inflatable bouncy pillow is part of the Washington Waters Playground in Broadwater Parklands, Southport, opposite Australia Fair.

All-abilities
Paradise Point Parklands Paradise Point
Paradise Point Parklands is a City of Gold Coast park on The Esplanade, Paradise Point, beside the Broadwater.

Step-free · Accessible toilet · Changing Places · Accessible parking · Beach wheelchair
Philip Park Main Beach
A park on the Gold Coast, located between Hollindale Park and the southern end of the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

All-abilities
Abraham Park Upper Coomera
Abraham Park is a council park at 90 Reserve Road, Upper Coomera, outside the Upper Coomera Community Centre, where the aquatic centre and library are.

All-abilities
Norm Rix Recreation Park Labrador
Open green space, trees to relax under and simple facilities await in this local park.

All-abilities
Emerald Lakes Parklands Carrara
Emerald Lakes Parklands is a large City of Gold Coast park on Lakeside Drive, Carrara, used for walks, picnics and bike riding.

All-abilities
Lorikeet Park Worongary
Lorikeet Park is a free City of Gold Coast major park in Worongary with a dedicated water play area.

All-abilities
Pratten Park All Abilities Playground Broadbeach
The Gold Coast's first all-abilities playground is at the northern end of Pratten Park on Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach, which adjoins Kurrawa Park.

All-abilities
Adventure Play, Broadwater Parklands Southport
Adventure Play is one of three playgrounds in the City of Gold Coast's Broadwater Parklands at Southport.

All-abilities

Beaches and pools with access gear

Beach wheelchairs and matting, pool hoists and ramps, from the council or venue page.

Burleigh Heads Beach Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads Beach is a council-managed beach where a protected corner near the headland is often calm enough for a swim when other beaches are choppy.

All-abilities
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre Southport
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on Marine Parade, Southport, is a City of Gold Coast pool complex with two 50m outdoor pools, a 25m outdoor pool, a 33m by 22m dive pool and a…

Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Pool hoist · Companion Card
Gold Coast Performance Centre Runaway Bay
The Gold Coast Performance Centre in Runaway Bay is a sports and fitness centre with a 50m heated outdoor pool, a 20m heated indoor pool (0.7 to 1.3m deep), a 400m…

Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Pool hoist
Tallebudgera Beach Palm Beach
Tallebudgera ('Tally') Beach is at the northern end of Palm Beach where it meets Tallebudgera Creek, overlooked by the Tallebudgera Surf Club.

All-abilities
Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre - Murwillumbah Murwillumbah
Tweed Shire Council's largest pool centre.

All-abilities
Nerang Aquatic Centre Nerang
Nerang Aquatic Centre is a City of Gold Coast aquatic centre on Martin Street, Nerang, managed by Belgravia Leisure.

Pool hoist
Palm Beach Aquatic Centre Palm Beach
Palm Beach Aquatic Centre is a City of Gold Coast pool on Thrower Drive, Palm Beach, with four heated pools: a 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre outdoor pool, a…

Step-free · Accessible toilet · Changing Places · Accessible parking · Pool hoist
Miami Aquatic Centre Miami
Miami Aquatic Centre at 80 Pacific Avenue, Miami, is operated by City Venue Management.

Accessible toilet · Pool hoist · Companion Card
Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre - Tweed Heads South Tweed Heads South
Tweed Heads South Centre (TRAC), Heffron Street, has a 25 m six-lane indoor pool heated to 28 degrees and a 13 m teaching pool heated to 32 degrees.

All-abilities
Paradise Point swimming enclosure Paradise Point
The Paradise Point swimming enclosure is a large netted enclosure on the foreshore just north of the Ephraim Island bridge, near the corner of Falkinder Avenue and the…

All-abilities
Miami Beach Miami
Miami Beach sits between a rocky headland to the south and Nobby Beach to the north.

All-abilities
Nobby Beach Mermaid Beach
Nobby Beach lies at the foot of the rocky hill known as North Nobby, and the City of Gold Coast describes the suburb as having a family-friendly atmosphere.

All-abilities
Kurrawa Beach Broadbeach
Kurrawa beach and parkland are part of the Broadbeach oceanfront, with several playgrounds in the beachside parks.

All-abilities
North Burleigh Burleigh Heads
North Burleigh is the quieter northern end of the Burleigh beach strip, below the headland locals call Miami Hill, where Mick Shamburg Park has a lookout platform.

All-abilities

Step-free museums, zoos and rainy-day places

Indoor and under-cover places whose own page says entry and paths are step-free.

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre Broadbeach Waters
Pacific Fair is a shopping centre on Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach, with several free play areas for children.

Step-free · Accessible toilet · Changing Places · Accessible parking
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Currumbin
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a not-for-profit wildlife park and wildlife hospital at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin.

Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Companion Card · Assistance animals
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise is an attraction on the Soul Boardwalk in Cavill Mall with over 300 exhibits of unusual artefacts, people and objects…

Step-free · Companion Card · Assistance animals
ArtVo Gold Coast Robina
ArtVo Gold Coast is an immersive trick-art gallery inside Robina Town Centre, on the ground floor next to Lush.

Step-free
BOUNCE Gold Coast Burleigh Waters
BOUNCE Gold Coast is an indoor trampoline park at 5 Sunlight Drive, Burleigh Waters, with more than 50 interconnected trampolines, a Big Bag landing area, basketball…

Step-free
Infinity Attraction Surfers Paradise
INFINITY is an indoor walk-through attraction at the Chevron Renaissance Centre in Surfers Paradise: about 30 minutes through 20 maze-like rooms with lighting effects,…

Partly accessible · Companion Card
Gold Coast Motor Museum Upper Coomera
The Gold Coast Motor Museum at 107 Kriedeman Road, Upper Coomera, displays more than 100 classic cars, horse-drawn buggies and motorcycles dating from 1911 to the early…

Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Companion Card
David Fleay Wildlife Park Burleigh Heads
David Fleay Wildlife Park is a small Queensland Government wildlife park in West Burleigh, run by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers.

Partly accessible
Honeyworld Gold Coast Currumbin
Honeyworld is a free attraction and honey shop run by the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) at 35 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, across the road from Currumbin…

Step-free
Illusions Magic Show Surfers Paradise
Illusions Magic Show is a stage show by illusionist Matt Hollywood at the Illusions Magic Theatre, Level 1, 3113 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, beneath the Hilton Hotel in…

Step-free

Questions parents ask

Which Gold Coast beaches have beach wheelchairs?: The council keeps beach wheelchairs and matting at a handful of patrolled beaches, lent free through the surf club or lifeguard tower. The beach listings on this page say which ones, the hours they are available and how to book; summer weekends book out, so ask a day ahead.
Are the theme parks manageable with a child with autism?: All the big parks publish an accessibility guide listing which rides have a quiet queue, where the quiet rooms are and how the access pass works. Go early on a weekday, use the pass, and plan one rest in a quiet room before lunch. The park listings link to each guide.
Where are the all-abilities playgrounds?: The council has built inclusive playgrounds at several of its regional parks, with wheelchair carousels, Liberty swings and sensory play. They are listed in the playgrounds section with the equipment the council page names.
Is there a Changing Places toilet near the beach?: A few beachfront precincts have a Changing Places room with an adult change bench and hoist; the listings that state one are marked. Elsewhere, plan around the big shopping centres, which usually have one.