English

Top Things to do
Gold Coast Tours
Attractions
City Guide

Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

Things to do

Best Theme Parks in Gold Coast

The beginners guide to theme parks in Gold Coast

The sunny city of Gold Coast is known for its theme parks and other adventure activities. With options like Dreamworld, WB Movie World, Sea World and more to choose from, you might be wondering which park is best for you. Sit back and keep reading as we compare the top contenders for their kid-friendliness, accessibility, price, and rides to help you make a pick.

Navigate your way through Gold Coast theme parks

Top rides at the parks
Budgets to consider
Kid-friendliness: Rides & facilities
Park sizes & location
Summary: Choosing the best theme park to visit
Frequently asked questions

Rides you'll find at the theme parks in Gold Coast

Dreamworld

Number of rides: 20+ rides and attractions.
Top attractions: The Giant Drop, Steel Taipan, and Dreamworld Flyer
Average wait time: Typically 35-40 minutes during off-season, going up to 2-3 hours during peak season.
Best suited for: Families with kids and teens who enjoy high-thrill rides.

Know more

Warner Bros. Movie World

Number of rides: 25+ rides and live shows.
Top attractions: The Flash: Speed Force, Wild West Falls, and DC Rivals Hypercoaster
Average wait time: Typically 20–30 minutes during off-season, but can go as high as 2 hours during peak season.
Best suited for: Families with kids of all ages who enjoy adventure rides and meet & greets.

Know more

WhiteWater World

Number of rides: 10+ rides and attractions.
Top attractions: Cave of Waves, Little Ripper, and Triple Vortex
Average wait time: Typically 20-30 minutes during off-season, but can go up to 2 hours during peak season.
Best suited for: Families with younger kids and teens who enjoy moderate to high-intensity water rides.

Know more

Sea World

Number of rides: 40+ rides and attractions.
Top attractions: Leviathan, Trident, and Vortex
Average wait time: Typically 30-35 minutes during off-season, which can go up to 2-3 hours during peak season.
Best suited for: Families with kids and teens who love animals and want a thrilling theme park adventure.

Know more

Wet'n'Wild

Number of rides: 20 rides and attractions.
Top attractions: Super 8 Aqua Racer, Giant Wave Pool, and Kamikaze
Average wait time: Typically 20-30 minutes during off-season, which can go up to 1-2 hours during peak season.
Best suited for: Families with kids and teens who love moderate intensity water rides.

Know more

Paradise Country

Number of rides: 20+ attractions and live shows.
Top attractions: Shaun's Aussie Adventure, Pig's Playground, and Farmyard Play Paddock
Average wait time: Not too many lines during off-season, but you may have to wait up to 20 minutes during peak season.
Best suited for: Families with younger kids, between the ages of 2 to 13, who want to spend a day interacting with native Australian animals.

Know more

Travel tip 💡

Long lines for rides are pretty inevitable during the peak season, no matter which theme park you visit. To avoid the lines, we recommend visiting on a weekday morning, preferably during the off-season.

Let's talk budget: How much will these theme parks cost you?

Most theme parks in Gold Coast will cost between AU$50-130 per ticket. We'll break down the prices and share tips to help you save. Keep an eye out for our picks for 'best value on a budget' 🤑 and 'worth the price' 🔥.

Dreamworld

Ticket price: AU$124 (child: AU$114)
Pro-tip: Combo tickets offer more value for money — up to 10% off compared to individual tickets — and lets you visit attractions like SkyPoint Observation Deck and Quack'rDuck tours.

Warner Bros. Movie World | 🔥

Ticket price: AU$129
Pro-tip: Multi-pass combos give you the luxury of visiting up to 4 theme parks over a span of up to 14 days. Visit Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild, and Paradise Country, as often as you like within the time period.

WhiteWater World | 🤑

Ticket price: AU$79 (child: AU$59)
Pro-tip: For the most bang for your buck, get a 3-day pass which gives you full-day access to WhiteWater World, Dreamworld, and SkyPoint Observation deck.

Sea World

Ticket price: AU$129
Pro-tip: Opt for a multi-park combo pass and visit three theme parks — Sea World, Movie World, and Wet'n'Wild — each with unique rides and attractions. You'll save up to 50% as compared to buying individual entry tickets.

Wet'n'Wild

Ticket price: AU$100
Pro-tip: Maximize your savings and fun by getting a multi-park pass that gives you 3/7/14 days to visit theme parks like Wet'n'Wild, Movie World, Sea World, and Paradise Country, as many times as you wish.

Paradise Country

Ticket price: AU$49 (child & pensioner: AU$39)
Pro-tip: If you're spending a few days in Gold Coast with your kids, get a 7/14-day multi-park pass. Not only do you save up to 50% in ticket costs, you also get to visit theme parks such as Movie World, Wet'n'Wild, and Sea World.

Did you know... 👀

WB Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild, and Paradise Country are all part of the Village Roadshow Theme Parks group. That's not all! WhiteWater World is the sister park to Dreamworld. They are located right next to each other in the same compound.

How kid-friendly are the theme parks in Gold Coast?

Going to a theme park with your kids is not an easy task. Take a look at all the child-friendly rides and facilities available at each theme park which could help you make a choice.

Dreamworld

Kid-friendly rides: Seabed Splash, Big Red Boat Coaster, Play School Wheel & more.
Eateries: Food Central, Churros Stand, Ice Cream Parlour & more.
Height requirements: Min. height for bigger rides start at 90cm. Kids below the age of 10 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Additional facilities: Feeding & changing rooms, restrooms, first-aid center, stroller accessible pathways.

Warner Bros. Movie World

Kid-friendly rides: Looney Tunes: Splash Zone, Marvin The Martian, Junior Driving School & more.
Eateries: Gotham City Cafe, Main St. Slice, Wild West Doghouse & more.
Height requirements: Min. height for bigger rides start at 110cm. Kids below the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Additional facilities: Feeding & changing rooms, restrooms, first-aid center, stroller rentals.

WhiteWater World

Kid-friendly rides: Wiggle Bay, Cave of Waves, Pipeline Plunge & more.
Eateries: Kenny's Fried Chicken, Presto's Training Cafe, Barrels Burger Bar & more.
Height requirements: Min. height for bigger rides start at 90cm. Kids below the age of 10 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Additional facilities: Feeding & changing rooms, restrooms, first-aid center, stroller accessible pathways.

Sea World

Kid-friendly rides: Castaway Bay, Boots' Banana Boogie, Bikini Bottom Express & more.
Eateries: Top Terrace Cafe, Pizza Shack, Ahoy Ice Creamery & more.
Height requirements: Min. height for bigger rides start at 105cm. Kids below the age of 15 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Additional facilities: Feeding & changing rooms, restrooms, first-aid center, stroller rentals.

Wet'n'Wild

Kid-friendly rides: H2Oasis, Giant Wave Pool, Junior Fortress Pools & more.
Eateries: Bombora Burger Shack, Frozen Coke Stand, Village Bean Cafe
Height requirements: Min. height for bigger rides start at 110cm. Kids below the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Additional facilities: Feeding & changing rooms, restrooms, first-aid center, stroller rentals.

Paradise Country

Kid-friendly attractions: Shaun's Tractor Ride, Opal Mining, Pony Rides & more
Eateries: Burrow Cafe, Farmhouse Restaurant
Height requirements: Kids below the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Additional facilities: Restrooms, first-aid center, stroller accessible pathways.

Did you know... 🐾

While they are primarily know for being a top theme park in Gold Coast, Dreamworld is also a wildlife sanctuary! Tiger Island at the park is home to 9 Bengal and Sumatran tigers. You'll also get to see koalas, crocodiles, and kangaroos here.

Check out these Gold Coast theme park tickets

Mega vs mid-sized vs compact: How big are the Gold Coast theme parks?

Park size and location is an important factor to consider for families with kids and guests with limited mobility. Take a look at the location, commute options, and size of each theme park.

Dreamworld

Location: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera QLD 4209, Australia
Commute options: Car, taxi, bus, train
Closest stop: Dreamworld bus stop
Size: 210 acres | Mega

Warner Bros. Movie World

Location: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford QLD 4210, Australia
Commute options: Car, taxi, tram, bus, train
Closest stop: Movie World bus stop
Size: 380 acres | Mega

WhiteWater World

Location: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera QLD 4209, Australia
Commute options: Car, taxi, bus, train
Closest stop: Dreamworld bus stop
Size: 9.9 acres | Compact

Sea World

Location: Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217, Australia
Commute options: Car, taxi, bus
Closest stop: Sea World bus stop
Size: 55 acres | Moderate

Wet'n'Wild

Location: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford QLD 4210, Australia
Commute options: Car, taxi, tram, bus, train
Closest stop: Wet'n'Wild bus stop
Size: 27 acres | Moderate

Paradise Country

Location: Production Dr, Oxenford QLD 4210, Australia
Commute options: Car, taxi
Closest stop: Paradise Country
Size: 8.8 acres | Compact

Note: All the above theme parks have designated handicap parking spots and wheelchair-friendly pathways for guests with special needs.

TL;DR: Your cheat sheet to the best theme parks in Gold Coast 🔥

For every category mentioned, we'll rate each theme park out of five <insert emoji here>. This should give you a good idea for what to expect from each park, and hopefully make your decision easier.

Frequently asked questions about theme parks in Gold Coast

Which is the best theme park in Gold Coast?

There are many theme parks to choose from and answers will vary depending on what you prioritize. Dreamland and Movie World have the best thrill rides, but if you're looking for budget-friendly options, WhiteWater World and Paradise Country are top choices.

What is the cheapest theme park in Gold Coast?

Prices for theme parks may vary from time to time, but the most popular budget-friendly options are Paradise Country and WhiteWater World.

What’s the largest theme park in Gold Coast?

Warner Bros. Movie World is the largest park by area, spanning over 380 acres. They have 25+ rides and live shows spread across various zones.

What is the most expensive theme park in Gold Coast?

Movie World and Sea World tickets are generally on the pricier side — starting at AU$129 — owing to the sheer size, number of rides, and facilities they offer. Dreamworld tickets are another high-end option, with prices starting at AU$124.

Which theme park has the best rides in Gold Coast?

Dreamworld and Movie World are popular among guests for their variety and thrill rides. Top rides in Dreamworld are the Giant Drop, Steel Taipan and Flyer. Top picks from Movie World are Speed Force and DC Rivals.

Which is the best theme park for kids?

If your kids prefer adventure rides and activities, going to Movie World is a good option. If they like animals and interactive experiences, Paradise Country is a great theme park to visit.

Which is the best theme park for teens in Gold Coast?

Teens will enjoy the variety of rides and activities at theme parks like Dreamworld and Movie World. Sea World is another great theme park in Gold Coast that combine animal encounters and thrilling rides.

What are the peak times to visit theme parks in Gold Coast?

Peak season for theme parks are during the Summer months, between December and February. Off season will mean lesser crowds but higher chances of rides being closed for maintenance. The best time to visit would be on weekday mornings during shoulder season, between March to May and September to November.

What is the dress code for theme park in Gold Coast?

Most theme parks in Gold Coast allow appropriate casual clothes. In case the park has water rides, you will need to wear swimsuits during your visit.