The best attractions on the Gold Coast

Is it an aquarium? Is it a theme park? No (but also yes), it’s Sea World, the Gold Coast’s hybrid fusion of animal attractions and white-knuckle thrill rides. Ocean fauna of every kind, from tropical jellyfish and sea turtles to arctic penguins and polar bears, are ready to meet you for a wild encounter. Once you’ve made some sea-bound buddies, it’s time to get your adrenaline fix. Sea World boasts a range of pulse-raising rides including rollercoasters like Leviathan and the Jet Rescue Coaster, as well as more gentle experiences, perfect for little ones, like Donatello’s Ninja Flyer and Boots’ Banana Boogie.

If you’ve ever wished you could step through the silver screen and into the thrills and spills of your favourite action movie, a trip to Warner Bros. Movie World might just be the next best thing. Inspired by the cinematic adventures of the eponymous film studio, this theme park is packed with white-knuckle attractions (including the Southern Hemisphere's longest, tallest and fastest HyperCoaster), just as you might expect from a theme park, but also a roving troop of live performers bringing beloved film characters – including Batman, Catwoman and the Joker – to interactive life. 

In Australia’s kingdom of giant theme parks, this one wears the crown. The largest theme park on the Gold Coast (and that’s really saying something) is home to a dizzying variety of rides as well as live performances, interactive shows and animal attractions including Tiger Island, where you can come face-to-face with some of the world’s rarest big cats. While its nearby neighbour Warner Bros. Movie World may boast a few record-setting coasters, Dreamworld pips it to the post with the sheer number of attractions. Adrenaline addicts can put their tonsils to the test on scream-worthy rides like The Giant Drop, the world’s tallest vertical free-fall tower ride, or BuzzSaw, an open carriage coaster that proudly boasts that its single waist harness restraint leaves riders “with little to cling on to”.

This splashtastic attraction is not only the largest water park in Australia, it’s also perennially ranked amongst the ten most visited parks of its type in the world. Unlike other water parks, Wet’N’Wild is accessible year-round, even during the winter months, courtesy of Queensland’s famously mild climate. There are aqua attractions of every kind, from water play areas perfect for little kids to slides so extreme, even the bravest of thrill seekers would be wise to pack a second pair of trunks. But don't worry if you prefer your dips a little more relaxing. Between its four pools, 17 slides and two dedicated children’s areas, visitors of every age are well-catered for at Wet'N'Wild.

The results of an extraordinary $60 million development opened in May 2021. HOTA Gallery is a world-class fine art gallery housed in a six-level facility designed by ARM Architects – a mulitcoloured high-rise building visible from kilometres away that in turn enjoys 360-degree views of the Gold Coast region. The gallery features a 1,000m2 level 1 special exhibition space for touring shows, a children's activity zone as well as four levels of permanent exhibition space showing an entertaining and vibrant selection of Australian contemporary art. The collection is not a comprehensive survey but rather follows a number of themes. It's strong in 1970s abstraction, ceramics (through the International Gold Coast Ceramic Art Award), photography (through the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award) and Indigenous art. Naturally, there is a strain of art inspired by the Gold Coast itself.  

At 270 metres above street level, SkyPoint Climb, atop of the Q1 building in Surfers Paradise, is one of Australia's highest external building walks. Upon reaching level 77 and stepping out into the SkyPoint Observation Deck, climbers emerge into the bracing open air dressed in a full body suit and harness to ensure absolute safety. Led by a ‘Climb Guide’, visitors ascend up towards the crow's nest located at the highest point of the building, where they can admire the stunning 360-degree views of the Gold Coast region including the golden beaches, city skyline and lush green hinterland. All climbers get a photo and a certificate so they can relive the experience again and again.

The OG jet boating tour on the entire Gold Coast has been thrilling passengers with high-octane rides across the Queensland waves since 2004. With a fleet of four super-charged vessels whisking 400 adrenaline addicts out to sea every day, Paradise Jet Boating remains one of the most popular tour operators of its kind anywhere in Australia, and with more than half a million happy customers on its books to date, it’s showing no sign of slowing down – figuratively or literally.