Which Gold Coast theme park is best for teenagers?

For thrill rides, the one with the most big coasters; for a water day, the water park; for animal encounters, the marine park. All three take 13 and overs on every ride that meets the height rule, and the listings show the current ticket prices and any height limits.

Can a 14 year old do a surf lesson alone?

Group lessons at the main surf schools take teenagers without a parent in the water, but a parent usually signs the form. The listing for each school shows the minimum age and the group lesson price.

What can teens do for free on the Gold Coast?

Surf beaches with a patrol, the skate parks and pump tracks, the headland walks at Burleigh and Coolangatta, HOTA's free galleries and the beachfront markets. The free picks on this page are the teen-rated ones.

Is there anything for a rainy day with teens?

Escape rooms, VR arenas, trampoline parks, bowling-and-arcade barns, and the climbing gyms. Most sit between Surfers and Burleigh, so a wet day in a group is easy to fill.

Things to do with teenagers in Gold Coast

Teenagers and the Gold Coast are a good match, which is partly why every school holidays looks the way it does. The theme parks are the obvious answer and still the best one for a 13 year old who wants the big coasters, but they are a once-a-trip spend.

The rest of the week is cheaper: a surf lesson at Broadbeach or Burleigh where a beginner will stand up on day one, the aqua park on the Broadwater, karts, an escape room in Surfers for a group, and the skate parks and pump tracks the council keeps free. For the one who would rather climb than queue, the hinterland has real summits: Springbrook's longer circuits and the Tamborine walks are graded, so a 15 year old gets a proper hike rather than a stroll.

Each listing shows the minimum age and the price from, because that is where teenager plans fall over.

Want it planned for you? See a full day in Gold Coast with teenagers →

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…

Ages 5–17 · From $35 · ★ 4.9 (12,519)
Jetboat Extreme Surfers Paradise
Jetboat Extreme runs 55-minute jet boat rides from 23 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, out the front of the Mantra Towers of Chevron Renaissance.

Ages 5–17 · From $59 · ★ 5.0 (8,468)
Padlockd Escape Rooms & Bar Surfers Paradise
Padlock'd runs escape rooms at three Surfers Paradise venues: 3177 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, the Paradise Centre (2 Cavill Avenue) and Cavill Beachfront (3 Cavill…

Ages 10–17 · From $40 · ★ 4.9 (8,612)
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.

Ages 2–17 · From $89 · ★ 4.4 (21,589)
Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms Surfers Paradise
Fox in a Box Gold Coast at Level 1, 3173 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise runs live escape rooms where a team has 60 minutes to solve puzzles and find clues to…

Ages 8–14 · From $42 · ★ 5.0 (6,309)
Warner Bros. Movie World Oxenford
Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park on Entertainment Road, Oxenford, run by Village Roadshow Theme Parks.

Ages 2–17 · From $99 · ★ 4.0 (31,931)

What it costs

The best-known paid places, with the lowest price on their own page. Prices change; the listing has the current ones.

Place	Kind	Ages	From
GC Aqua Park Southport	Water Park	5–17	From $35
Jetboat Extreme Surfers Paradise	Tours & Cruises	5–17	From $59
Padlockd Escape Rooms & Bar Surfers Paradise	Escape Rooms	10–17	From $40
Dreamworld Coomera	Theme & Adventure Parks	2–17	From $89
Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms Surfers Paradise	Escape Rooms	8–14	From $42
Warner Bros. Movie World Oxenford	Theme & Adventure Parks	2–17	From $99
Lost Locks Escape Rooms Surfers Paradise	Escape Rooms	2–14	From $15
Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast Oxenford	Water Park	2–17	From $99
Timezone Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise	Bowling & Arcade	3–16	From $6
Aquaduck Gold Coast Surfers Paradise	Tours & Cruises	0–17	From $49

What a 12 year old can do, and what needs 16

Age	Good picks	Note
12–13	GC Aqua Park, Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast, LEGO Drop-In at Southport	1 place here sets a minimum age of 14 or more; check the age on each listing.
14–15	GC Aqua Park, Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast, LEGO Drop-In at Southport
16–17	GC Aqua Park, Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast, LEGO Drop-In at Southport

Adrenaline

Karts, trampolines, ropes courses, climbing walls and the big parks.

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…

Ages 5–17 · From $35 · ★ 4.9 (12,519)
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.

Ages 2–17 · From $89 · ★ 4.4 (21,589)
Warner Bros. Movie World Oxenford
Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park on Entertainment Road, Oxenford, run by Village Roadshow Theme Parks.

Ages 2–17 · From $99 · ★ 4.0 (31,931)
Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast Oxenford
Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast is a water park on Entertainment Road, Oxenford, run by Village Roadshow Theme Parks and open all year except ANZAC Day and Christmas Day.

Ages 2–17 · From $99 · ★ 4.2 (13,308)
WhiteWater World Coomera
Seasonal water park next to Dreamworld at Coomera, run by Coast Entertainment.

Ages 0–17 · ★ 4.3 (3,372)
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…

Ages 3–17 · From $13.50 · ★ 4.5 (1,949)
Core Climbing - Carrara Carrara
Core Climbing at 122 Eastlake St, Carrara is a bouldering centre that also runs yoga and training classes.

Ages 5–18 · From $20 · ★ 5.0 (303)
Xtreme Karting Pimpama
Xtreme Karting is an outdoor go-kart track at the Gold Coast Motorsport Training Centre in Pimpama.

Ages 14–18 · ★ 4.8 (378)
TreeTop Challenge Gold Coast Currumbin Currumbin
TreeTop Challenge Currumbin is a high ropes and zipline park inside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin.

Ages 8–18 · From $70 · ★ 4.7 (231)
On Belay Climbing Burleigh Heads
On Belay Climbing is the indoor rock climbing gym at 38 Hutchinson St, Burleigh Heads, under new management.

Ages 4–18 · From $5 · ★ 4.4 (195)
Astra Lumina Gold Coast
Astra Lumina is a self-paced night walk through the bushland of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, with nine zones of lights, lasers,…

Ages 0–17 · ★ 4.6 (92)
Alpine Indoor Climbing - Currumbin Currumbin Waters
Alpine Indoor Climbing Currumbin is a bouldering gym at 1 Stewart Road, Currumbin, one of two Alpine gyms (the other is in Robina).

Ages 10–18 · From $7.50 · ★ 4.8 (71)
Cutloose Indoor Climbing Upper Coomera
Cutloose Indoor Climbing in Upper Coomera is the northern Gold Coast's only indoor bouldering gym.

Ages 10–18 · ★ 4.9 (51)
Flipz Academy - Super Performance Centre Southport
Flipz Academy, also called Super Performance Centre, is a gymnastics and circus training centre inside Southport Park Shopping Centre with gymnastics equipment,…

Ages 1–16 · From $18 · ★ 4.2 (45)
Laser Skirmish Mt Cotton Mount Cotton
Laser Skirmish Mt Cotton runs outdoor laser tag games on woodland terrain with forts and natural cover inside Karingal Park, at the end of Karingal Road, Mount Cotton.

Ages 6–18 · From $35
Rollerama Roller-Skating Gold Coast Carrara
Rollerama is the Gold Coast's roller-skating rink, a permanent attraction inside Carrara Markets at 2 Market Street, Carrara.

Ages 0–17 · From $5

Escape rooms, VR and arcades

Locked rooms, virtual reality and the bowling-and-arcade barns that work for a group.

Padlockd Escape Rooms & Bar Surfers Paradise
Padlock'd runs escape rooms at three Surfers Paradise venues: 3177 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, the Paradise Centre (2 Cavill Avenue) and Cavill Beachfront (3 Cavill…

Ages 10–17 · From $40 · ★ 4.9 (8,612)
Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms Surfers Paradise
Fox in a Box Gold Coast at Level 1, 3173 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise runs live escape rooms where a team has 60 minutes to solve puzzles and find clues to…

Ages 8–14 · From $42 · ★ 5.0 (6,309)
Lost Locks Escape Rooms Surfers Paradise
Lost Locks is an escape room venue on Floor 1, 38 Cavill Avenue, inside the Cavill Arcade in Surfers Paradise.

Ages 2–14 · From $15 · ★ 5.0 (3,288)
Timezone Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise
Timezone Surfers Paradise is an arcade and entertainment centre on Level 1 of the Paradise Centre, Cavill Mall, combined with Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise.

Ages 3–16 · From $6 · ★ 4.6 (5,431)
Zero Latency Gold Coast Southport
Zero Latency Gold Coast at 34 Smith Street, Southport, runs free-roam virtual reality games for up to eight players in a 200 square metre arena, plus VR escape rooms,…

Ages 10–17 · From $39 · ★ 4.9 (1,742)
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,…

Ages 4–13 · From $21.90 · ★ 4.3 (2,748)
Timezone & Zone Bowling Robina Robina
Timezone & Zone Bowling Robina is inside Robina Town Centre at 1 Robina Town Centre Drive, on Lower Ground level 2 near the dining precinct and Event Cinemas.

Ages 4–16 · From $6 · ★ 4.7 (1,041)
Game Over Gold Coast Helensvale
Game Over Gold Coast is an indoor family entertainment centre at 88 Siganto Drive, Helensvale, with electric go-karts on a 200 metre track, Clip 'n Climb (19 climbing…

Ages 7–18 · From $10 · ★ 4.4 (1,326)
Timezone Coolangatta Coolangatta
Timezone Coolangatta is an indoor games venue of about 3,000 square metres in The Strand shopping precinct, 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta.

Ages 3–17 · From $6 · ★ 4.5 (914)
Strike Bowling Cavill Surfers Paradise
Strike Cavill is at Circle on Cavill on Surfers Paradise Boulevard.

Ages 5–17 · From $14 · ★ 4.5 (761)
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…

Ages 5–17 · From $16 · ★ 4.7 (564)
Escape Hunt Gold Coast Southport
Escape Hunt Gold Coast is at 4/83 Scarborough Street, Southport, behind Australia Fair.

Ages 7–17 · From $40 · ★ 4.8 (475)
Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise
Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise is on Level 1 of Paradise Centre, 8/10 Cavill Avenue, a few steps from Timezone Surfers Paradise and Surfers Paradise Beach.

Ages 5–17 · From $6 · ★ 4.7 (435)
Go Bowling Ashmore Ashmore
Go Bowling Ashmore is a ten pin bowling centre at 137 Currumburra Rd, Ashmore, with 20 lanes, glow bowling, a licensed bar and a café.

Ages 3–17 · From $15 · ★ 4.2 (739)
LEGO Drop-In at Southport Southport
Free LEGO building sessions at Southport Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.5 (387)
Archie Brothers Surfers Paradise Surfers Paradise
Archie Brothers Surfers Paradise is an arcade and games venue on Level 1 of the Galaxy Centre, 3197 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, next to Hijinx Hotel and Holey Moley…

Ages 6–16 · From $14 · ★ 4.9 (193)
The Park Coomera Coomera
The Park is a family entertainment centre on the top floor of Westfield Coomera (Shop MM7, 103 Foxwell Road), run by iPlay Australia.

Ages 3–14 · From $10 · ★ 3.9 (582)
Coolangatta-Tweed Tenpin Tweed Heads
Coolangatta Tweed Tenpin at 55 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, is a family-owned bowling centre with 16 full-length lanes sanctioned by Tenpin Bowling Australia, using…

Ages 3–17 · From $12 · ★ 4.3 (297)
LEGO Drop-In at Nerang Nerang
Free LEGO building sessions at Nerang Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.7 (118)
LEGO Saturdays at Runaway Bay Runaway Bay
Free Saturday morning LEGO building sessions at Runaway Bay Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.5 (113)
LEGO Drop-In at Elanora Elanora
Free LEGO building sessions for children at Elanora Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries every Tuesday and Thursday during school term, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.3 (111)
LEGO Drop-In at Robina Robina
Free LEGO building sessions at Robina Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.3 (99)
Springbrook Research Observatory Springbrook
Springbrook Research Observatory is a private observatory at 2337 Springbrook Road, Springbrook, in the Gold Coast hinterland, where visitors look through telescopes at…

Ages 0–18 · From $15 · ★ 4.7 (61)
LEGO Drop-In at Burleigh Waters Burleigh Waters
Free LEGO building sessions at Burleigh Waters Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.6 (59)

Surf, paddle and swim

Surf lessons, kayaks, aqua parks and the patrolled beaches teens head for.

Jetboat Extreme Surfers Paradise
Jetboat Extreme runs 55-minute jet boat rides from 23 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, out the front of the Mantra Towers of Chevron Renaissance.

Ages 5–17 · From $59 · ★ 5.0 (8,468)
Aquaduck Gold Coast Surfers Paradise
Aquaduck Gold Coast runs a one-hour amphibious city tour and river cruise from Aquaduck HQ on the corner of Cavill Avenue and Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise.

Ages 0–17 · From $49 · ★ 4.8 (3,529)
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.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled · All-abilities access
Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club Nippers Currumbin
Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, established in 1919 at Elephant Rock, runs a Sunday morning Nippers (Junior Activities) program for children aged 5 to 13.

Ages 5–13 · ★ 4.5 (3,553)
Sea World Whale Watch Main Beach
Sea World Whale Watch is a whale watching cruise run by Sea World Cruises (The Tour Collective), an operator separate from the Sea World theme park.

Ages 2–17 · From $89 · ★ 4.8 (1,526)
Surfers Paradise Beach Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Beach is a patrolled surf beach run by the City of Gold Coast, with a busy foreshore used by walkers, cyclists and skateboarders.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · ★ 4.7 (1,778)
Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club Burleigh Heads
Surf life saving club on Burleigh Beach running a Nippers (junior activities) program for children aged 5 to 13.

Ages 5–13 · ★ 4.1 (1,959)
Kirra Beach Kirra
Kirra Beach is a City of Gold Coast beach on Marine Parade, Kirra, just north of Kirra Point and Coolangatta Beach.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled · ★ 4.8 (402)
Get Wet Surf School Main Beach
Get Wet Surf School runs surf lessons at The Spit, Main Beach, with children's classes split by age: Squids for 6 to 9 year olds and Kids for 10 to 13 year olds.

Ages 6–13 · From $65 · ★ 4.8 (396)
Broadbeach Surf School Broadbeach
Broadbeach Surf School is a mobile surf school run by local instructors, teaching surfing on Broadbeach since 2006.

Ages 8–14 · From $55 · ★ 5.0 (291)
Australian Surfing Adventures Burleigh Waters
Australian Surfing Adventures runs surf lessons on the southern Gold Coast, with its main meeting point at Tallebudgera Surf Club.

Ages 5–16 · From $60 · ★ 5.0 (184)
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.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · All-abilities access
Go Ride a Wave - Broadbeach Broadbeach
Go Ride A Wave runs beginner surf lessons at Broadbeach, meeting at its white van in the car park beside Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club on Old Burleigh Road.

Ages 5–18 · From $79 · ★ 4.9 (139)
Gold Coast Surf Experience Palm Beach
Gold Coast Surf Experience runs surf lessons and coaching at Tallebudgera Beach, Palm Beach, meeting in the car park at the corner of Tallebudgera Drive and the Gold…

Ages 6–17 · From $50 · ★ 5.0 (86)
Surf In Paradise Surf School Surfers Paradise
Surf In Paradise runs surf lessons at The Spit, Main Beach, meeting at its trailer just past the Seaway Kiosk at the northern end of Seaworld Drive.

Ages 8–14 · From $69 · ★ 5.0 (53)
Pacific Surf Life Saving Club Palm Beach
Pacific Surf Life Saving Club in Palm Beach describes itself as the smallest club on the Gold Coast and a family-focused, inclusive club where children learn surf…

Ages 5–13 · From $90 · ★ 4.4 (43)
Griffith University Gold Coast Aquatic Centre Southport
The Griffith University Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is a 50m pool on the university's Southport campus that is open to everyone, not only students.

Ages 3–17 · From $6
North Kirra Beach Bilinga
North Kirra Beach, north of Coolangatta Creek, is described by the City of Gold Coast as one of the most protected beaches on the Gold Coast from the dominant southeast…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled November – April and school holidays
Palm Beach South Palm Beach
Palm Beach South is the southern end of Palm Beach, beside Palm Beach Parklands.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled September to April and school holidays
Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club Miami
Surf life saving club at Miami Beach with a Nippers (junior activities) program for Under 6 to Under 14 age groups (members aged 5 to 13, age set at 30 September).

Ages 5–13 · From $110
Mermaid Beach Mermaid Beach
The City of Gold Coast describes Mermaid Beach as generally much quieter than its busy neighbours Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, as most of the beach is fronted by…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year (Tower 26); November to April and school holidays (Tower 25)
Greenmount Beach Coolangatta
Greenmount Beach is the south-eastern end of Coolangatta Beach, beside the headland; the City of Gold Coast describes a wide, sheltered beach.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled
Kirra Point Surf School Coolangatta
Kirra Point Surf School teaches surfing at Kirra Beach, Coolangatta, from its Learn to Surf van in the Roughton Park car park.

Ages 5–15 · From $219
Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club Coolangatta
Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1962 and is the most southern club on the Queensland coastline, on one of the Gold Coast's few north-facing beaches.

Ages 5–13 · From $150

Real climbs, lookouts and skate parks

The longer graded walks with a view at the top, plus skate parks and pump tracks.

Putt Putt Mermaid Beach Mermaid Beach
Putt Putt Mermaid Beach at 2492 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach has three themed 18-hole mini golf courses (Jungle Trail, Fun Run and Waterways), a video games arcade…

Ages 3–17 · From $18 · ★ 4.6 (1,891)
Tumgun Lookout Burleigh Heads
Tumgun Lookout is on the Rainforest circuit in Burleigh Head National Park, a 27.6ha park managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.8 (859)
Millie's Pony Paradise Mount Cotton
Millie's Pony Paradise is a riding school on a 40-acre property at 1336-1370 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton, using rescued horses and ponies.

Ages 4–18 · From $50 · ★ 4.9 (344)
Ormeau Skatepark Ormeau
Ormeau's council skate park is part of Norfolk Park, a City of Gold Coast sports park with skating facilities.

Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.4 (125)
Arundel Park Riding for Disabled Coombabah
Arundel Park Riding for Disabled is a not-for-profit centre at 387 Brisbane Road that has provided horse riding for children and adults with a disability since 1981.

Ages 5–18 · From $200 · ★ 4.7 (59)
LVLUP Australia Currumbin Waters
LVLUP Australia is a skateboarding training facility and coaching program at 11 Bee Court, Burleigh Heads.

Ages 5–18 · From $240 · ★ 4.3 (73)
Collingwood Court Parklands skate mini ramp Arundel
The Arundel mini ramp is a small concrete skateboarding mini ramp with extensions in Collingwood Court Parklands, 156 Olsen Avenue, Arundel.

Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.4 (48)
Pacific Bowmen Archery Club Mudgeeraba
Pacific Bowmen is a field archery club at 83 Gemvale Road, Mudgeeraba, beside King's College, shooting outdoors at vinyl and 3D targets.

Ages 8–18 · From $60 · ★ 4.9 (31)
Hinterland Field Archers Gaven
Hinterland Field Archers is a field archery club at Lot 466 Hymix Road, Gaven, affiliated with the 3D Archery Association of Australia.

Ages 8–18 · From $10 · ★ 4.9 (27)
Boulders and Badlands Mini Golf Parkwood
Boulders & Badlands is an 18-hole mini golf course at Parkwood Village, 76-104 Napper Road, Parkwood, laid out through rocky terrain, streams, water traps and a…

Ages 3–17 · From $14 · ★ 3.7 (40)
Gold Coast Archery Club Inc Tallebudgera Valley
Gold Coast Archery Club is a target archery club at 33 Golden Valley Road, Tallebudgera Valley, affiliated with Archery Australia.

Ages 13–18 · From $2
Glossy Black Reserve Mountain Bike Trails Reedy Creek
Glossy Black Reserve in Reedy Creek is a council reserve of over 100 hectares with around 14 kilometres of recreation trails for walkers, mountain bikers, trail runners…

Ages 5–18 · Free
Red Gum Riding Mudgeeraba
Red Gum Riding, at 533 Gold Coast Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba, is a horse riding school for children from age 5.

Ages 5–17 · From $60
Carrara Mini Golf Carrara
Carrara Mini Golf, on Market Street, Carrara, has two courses.

Ages 5–17 · From $10

Rainy days and culture

Galleries, science museums, cinemas and shows that hold a teenager's attention.

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…

Ages 2–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (6,022)
Miami Marketta Miami
Miami Marketta is a street food night market in a covered laneway at 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami, with food vendors from many countries, free live music on the Cargo…

Ages 0–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (4,533)
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets run along the Surfers Paradise Esplanade foreshore, a few steps from the beach, and have operated since 1995.

Ages 0–17 · Free · ★ 4.4 (5,201)
ArtVo Gold Coast Robina
ArtVo Gold Coast is an immersive trick-art gallery inside Robina Town Centre, on the ground floor next to Lush.

Ages 0–17 · From $17 · ★ 4.9 (1,637)
Carrara Markets Carrara
Carrara Markets is a weekend market on the corner of Gooding Drive and Manchester Road, Carrara, open every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3pm with free entry and free…

Ages 0–17 · Free · ★ 4.0 (4,441)
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…

Ages 5–17 · From $10 · ★ 4.7 (896)
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…

Ages 3–17 · From $69 · ★ 4.3 (263)
Tweed Regional Museum - Murwillumbah Murwillumbah
Tweed Regional Museum at 2 Queensland Road, Murwillumbah, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm (NSW time, which is an hour ahead of Queensland during daylight…

Ages 5–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (179)
Gold Coast War Museum Mudgeeraba
The Gold Coast War Museum, founded in 1975, is at 42 John Rogers Road, Mudgeeraba, in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Ages 6–14 · From $7.50 · ★ 4.4 (144)
The Warehouse Workshop Acting Studio Helensvale
The Warehouse Workshop is a screen acting school at 3/9 Millennium Circuit, Helensvale, teaching film and television acting.

Ages 8–17 · From $165 · ★ 5.0 (23)
Gold Coast Model Railway Club Inc.
The Gold Coast Model Railway Club has clubrooms at 22 Kendor Street, Arundel, with HO/OO, N, On30 and G gauge model railway layouts and a Triang heritage layout.

Ages 8–18 · From $5

Classes and programs for 13+

Art, drama, music, coding and youth programs that take teenagers.

The Chroma Club - Gold Coast Art Classes Miami
The Chroma Club (The Chroma Kids for children) is an art school at 6/2190 Gold Coast Highway, Miami Business Centre, Miami, offering after-school term classes: Junior…

Ages 6–16 · From $380 · ★ 5.0 (89)
Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast Broadbeach
The Royal Queensland Art Society Gold Coast runs a community art gallery and studio at 25 Broadbeach Boulevard, Broadbeach, where visitors can view and buy local art.

Ages 6–16 · From $35 · ★ 4.5 (144)
The Art Exchange | Art Classes & Paint and Sip Surfers Paradise
The Art Exchange in Surfers Paradise is a Gold Coast art studio specialising in guided paint and sip sessions.

Ages 6–16 · From $30 · ★ 4.9 (65)
Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Ashmore
Gold Coast Youth Orchestra is a non-profit regional orchestra, established in 1969, with six ensembles and over 200 musicians.

Ages 8–25 · From $555 · ★ 4.7 (76)
Sheridan's Studio 1 - Gold Coast Dance School Molendinar
Sheridan's Studio 1 is a dance studio at 18/345 Southport Nerang Road, Ashmore, with three studios that have sprung floors, mirrors, sound systems and air conditioning.

Ages 3–18 · ★ 5.0 (47)
Artlis Studios Mudgeeraba
Artlis Studios runs weekly term art classes for children at its Mudgeeraba studio (Shop 12, 60 Railway Street, Franklin Square, with parking at 3 Swan Lane), plus…

Ages 4–16 · From $23 · ★ 4.9 (45)
The Gold Coast Art School Southport
The Gold Coast Art School at 1/25 Olympic Circuit, Southport, runs art classes for adults, children and teens all year round.

Ages 6–17 · From $27 · ★ 4.9 (37)
LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre Mermaid Beach
LAUNCH Performing Arts Centre at 20-22 Surfers Avenue, Mermaid Beach, runs after-school classes in dance, singing, acting and acrobatics for preschoolers through to…

Ages 1–17 · ★ 4.2 (37)
Adventure Minds Burleigh Heads
Adventure Minds runs outdoor holiday and homeschool programs.

Ages 6–17 · From $65 · ★ 5.0 (20)
Hinterland Dance Academy Carrara
Hinterland Dance Academy is a ballet school founded in 1978, based on Level 1 of the Maison building at 16/3029 The Boulevard, Emerald Lakes, Carrara.

Ages 3–18 · From $63
The Dance Dept. Creative Studios Ashmore
The Dance Dept. Creative Studios is a dance studio at 5/1 United Road, Ashmore, run by Ben Mayne and Danielle Elden.

Ages 3–18
Rain’s Art Classes Southport
Rain's Art Classes are realistic drawing and painting classes taught by Gold Coast artist Rain Shi, who has taught children and adults since 2022.

Ages 8–17 · From $240
BalletX Performing Arts Academy Broadbeach
BalletX Performing Arts Academy runs dance classes at the Broadbeach Cultural Centre (Activity Room 1, Hooker Boulevard) and at a second studio in Underwood, Brisbane.

Ages 2–18

Free things teenagers rate in Gold Coast

LEGO Drop-In at Southport Southport
Free LEGO building sessions at Southport Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.5 (387)
LEGO Drop-In at Nerang Nerang
Free LEGO building sessions at Nerang Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.7 (118)
LEGO Saturdays at Runaway Bay Runaway Bay
Free Saturday morning LEGO building sessions at Runaway Bay Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.5 (113)
LEGO Drop-In at Elanora Elanora
Free LEGO building sessions for children at Elanora Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries every Tuesday and Thursday during school term, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.3 (111)
LEGO Drop-In at Robina Robina
Free LEGO building sessions at Robina Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.3 (99)
LEGO Drop-In at Burleigh Waters Burleigh Waters
Free LEGO building sessions at Burleigh Waters Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

Ages 6–18 · Free · ★ 4.6 (59)
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.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled · All-abilities access
Surfers Paradise Beach Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Beach is a patrolled surf beach run by the City of Gold Coast, with a busy foreshore used by walkers, cyclists and skateboarders.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · ★ 4.7 (1,778)

More free things for teens in Gold Coast

Kids eat free deals that still cover teenagers

42 of the 63 kids-eat-free deals in Gold Coast have no age limit under 13: Ashmore Tavern (Ashmore) on Mondays, no age limit stated; Beenleigh Tavern (Beenleigh) on Mondays, no age limit stated; BMD Northcliffe (Surfers Paradise) on Tuesdays, no age limit stated; Burleigh Leagues Club (Miami) on Mondays, no age limit stated. All kids eat free deals in Gold Coast.

Questions parents ask

Which Gold Coast theme park is best for teenagers?: For thrill rides, the one with the most big coasters; for a water day, the water park; for animal encounters, the marine park. All three take 13 and overs on every ride that meets the height rule, and the listings show the current ticket prices and any height limits.
Can a 14 year old do a surf lesson alone?: Group lessons at the main surf schools take teenagers without a parent in the water, but a parent usually signs the form. The listing for each school shows the minimum age and the group lesson price.
What can teens do for free on the Gold Coast?: Surf beaches with a patrol, the skate parks and pump tracks, the headland walks at Burleigh and Coolangatta, HOTA's free galleries and the beachfront markets. The free picks on this page are the teen-rated ones.
Is there anything for a rainy day with teens?: Escape rooms, VR arenas, trampoline parks, bowling-and-arcade barns, and the climbing gyms. Most sit between Surfers and Burleigh, so a wet day in a group is easy to fill.