Your first day on the Gold Coast with kids
This is a menu for a first day on the Gold Coast with kids, not a single route. Sea World at Main Beach is 7.1 km from the centre and is a day in itself. Broadwater Parklands and GC Aqua Park are both in Southport, 5.6 to 5.9 km out. Jetboat Extreme and the SkyPoint Observation Deck are both in Surfers Paradise, about 3.1 to 3.3 km out. Broadwater Parklands is the only free stop.
Pick Sea World, or pick a pair: Southport for the park and water park, or Surfers Paradise for the jet boat and SkyPoint. Pack hats, swimmers and towels for the water park and parklands. Sea World is open 10:30am to 4pm daily, so plan around that. Check each listing for current prices and booking details.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Sea World
- Late morning: Broadwater Parklands
- Afternoon: GC Aqua Park
- Afternoon: Jetboat Extreme
- Late afternoon: SkyPoint Observation Deck
Morning
Sea World at Main Beach
Sea World, Main Beach · Zoos, Wildlife & Aquariums · Ages 2-17 · From $99 · 4.4 stars (112775 reviews)
A marine park at Main Beach with dolphin and seal shows, penguins, polar bears, rides and Nickelodeon Land. It is 7.1 km from the centre and open 10:30am to 4pm daily. Under-3s are free. The listing gives ages 2 to 17, and this is the one to choose if you want a single big stop.
Tip: Day tickets start from $99 online for a set date; under-3s are free.
Late morning
Broadwater Parklands in Southport
Broadwater Parklands, Southport · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 2-12 · Free · 4.7 stars (7895 reviews)
A free council park on Marine Parade, Southport, with three playgrounds, the Rockpools water play area and a netted swimming enclosure. It is 5.9 km from the centre. The listing gives ages 2 to 12. Take swimmers and let kids move between the playgrounds and the water.
Tip: Free; take swimmers for the Rockpools and the netted swimming enclosure.
Afternoon
Inflatable fun at GC Aqua Park
GC Aqua Park, Southport · Water Park · Ages 5-17 · From $35 · 4.9 stars (12519 reviews)
An inflatable water park on the Broadwater at Southport for ages 5 and up, with Fun City for under-5s. It is 5.6 km from the centre. Sessions are 50 minutes at $35 per person, or 100 minutes at $50. It is open 10am to 4pm weekdays and until 5pm on weekends.
Tip: Sessions: 50 minutes $35, 100 minutes $50, all day $75 per person.
Afternoon
Jetboat Extreme from Surfers Paradise
Jetboat Extreme, Surfers Paradise · Tours & Cruises · Ages 5-17 · From $59 · 5.0 stars (8468 reviews)
A 55-minute jet boat ride from Surfers Paradise for ages 5 and up, 3.3 km from the centre. Child tickets (5-14) start from $65, adults (15+) from $89, and a family of four from $239. Rides run between 8:30am and 4:15pm daily. Check the listing for ride times.
Tip: Open 8:30am to 4:15pm daily; family ticket from $239.
Late afternoon
View from SkyPoint Observation Deck
SkyPoint Observation Deck, Surfers Paradise · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 5-17 · From $15 · 4.5 stars (12546 reviews)
An observation deck on level 77 of Q1 in Surfers Paradise, 3.1 km from the centre, with entry from $33 and a family package from $102. Building climbs from $89 are for ages 12 and up. It is open 7:30am to 9pm, so it suits the end of the day.
Tip: Gold Coast locals (postcodes 4207-4272) pay $15; open 7:30am to 9pm.
Where to eat
Harvest Buffet (The Star), Broadbeach. Harvest Buffet at The Star, Broadbeach Island, 3.2 km from the centre, lets children 0 to 4 eat free at every session. On Friday dinners one child aged 5 to 12 eats free with each paying adult. Check the listing for conditions.
Kids Eat Free deals change. See every current deal in Gold Coast.
Before you go
- Sea World is open 10:30am to 4pm daily and under-3s are free.
- GC Aqua Park is for ages 5 and up, with Fun City for under-5s.
- Jetboat Extreme is for ages 5 and up, and SkyPoint's climbs are for ages 12 and up.
- Broadwater Parklands is free; the other four stops are ticketed.
- All five stops are open every day, so the plan works any day of the week.
Questions parents ask
What should you do on a first day on the Gold Coast with kids?
Pick either Sea World at Main Beach or a pair of nearby stops. In Southport, try Broadwater Parklands and GC Aqua Park. In Surfers Paradise, try Jetboat Extreme and the SkyPoint Observation Deck. The stops are spread out, so do not try them all in a day.
Is there anything free for kids on the Gold Coast?
Broadwater Parklands in Southport is free, with three playgrounds, the Rockpools water play area and a netted swimming enclosure. The listing gives ages 2 to 12. It is 5.9 km from the centre. Sea World, GC Aqua Park, Jetboat Extreme and SkyPoint all charge, so check their prices.
How much is Sea World for kids?
Single day tickets start from $99 online for a set date, and a flexible adult day ticket is $124. Under-3s are free. Sea World is at Main Beach, 7.1 km from the centre, and is open 10:30am to 4pm daily. Check the listing for current child prices.
More days in Gold Coast with kids
- A rainy day on the Gold Coast with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A beach day on the Gold Coast with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- A free day out on the Gold Coast with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- The Gold Coast with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- The Gold Coast with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Gold Coast with kids: all guides