Gold Coast

Things to do in Gold Coast

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Gold Coast

View all Attractions
Gold Coast Sea World
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Gold Coast Sea World

8.2
4.6/5
1k reviews
Gold Coast Sea World is a long-established marine theme park in Australia, located along the coastal area in the northern part of the Gold Coast. It combines marine animal exhibits, animal shows, and amusement rides into one park, offering both wildlife viewing and thrilling attractions. Animal encounters are the main highlight here: the penguin exhibit houses king penguins and gentoo penguins, where visitors can watch them waddle or dive into the water through viewing glass set against an icy landscape. The polar bear shores recreate the rocky coasts and pools of the Arctic summer, providing a rare chance to see polar bears in Australia. Shark Bay teems with sharks and rays, while the nearby ray reef allows hands-on interaction with rays. At seal harbor, Australian sea lions and fur seals bask on the shore or playfully chase each other in the water. The park hosts multiple daily dolphin shows and sea lion educational presentations—it's recommended to check the day's time slots upon arrival to plan your itinerary, and arrive early to secure seats for popular shows. Families with children shouldn't miss Nickelodeon Land, where animated characters like SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Dora, and PAW Patrol's Chase and Marshall meet travelers for photos. Thrill-seekers can tackle the wooden coaster Leviathan, the motorbike-style Jet Rescue coaster, and the splash-filled Storm Coaster. △ Meet your favorite animation characters △ Get close to marine life △ Experience thrilling amusement itemsMain Beach · 642m from downtown
Dreamworld
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in South East Queensland

Dreamworld

7.5
4.5/5
632 reviews
Dreamworld is Australia's biggest theme park, located in Coomera on the Gold Coast. Family rides, live shows, and native and exotic animal encounters all come together in one place, with WhiteWater World waterpark right next door. Meet Australia's favourite animals in WILD with Australian Geographic. Stroll among free-roaming kangaroos, spot koalas in the gum trees, and see cassowaries, dingoes, bilbies, and Goliath, our legendary saltwater crocodile. Then visit Tiger Island to see our tigers up close and learn how Dreamworld helps protect tigers in the wild. △ Tiger Presentation – daily at 12:30pm on Tiger Island. Hear stories about our tigers and how the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation supports tiger conservation. △ Koala photos – have your photo taken holding a koala, daily from 11am to 3:30pm in WILD with Australian Geographic. △ Crocodile Keeper Talk – daily at 1:30pm, with fewer sessions during winter. Meet our saltwater croc and find out how crocodiles have been around for 240 million years. △ Koala Talk – daily at 2:15pm. Learn more about these Aussie icons and how you can help protect them. △ Bilby Talk – Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at the Bilby Discovery Centre. Meet one of Australia's rarest marsupials.△ Family rides for all ages – race through the jungle on Jungle Rush, soar over Australia on Sky Voyager, and drive vintage cars on Murrissippi Motors. Little ones will love the Big Red Boat Coaster, Big Red Planes, and Bananas in Pyjamas Carousel in Kenny & Belinda's Dreamland. △ Fun for the whole family – most family rides suit kids from 90cm with an adult, and Kenny and Belinda appear daily for photos. △ ZAA-accredited – Dreamworld is accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association for high standards of animal welfare.Coomera · 3.2 km from downtown
Paradise Country
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in South East Queensland

Paradise Country

7.5
4.2/5
414 reviews
Paradise Country is the home of the ultimate Australian farm experience! Here you can watch various performances, feed kangaroos, and take pictures with koalas. Visit the brand new Shaun the Sheep Park, face-to-face with cute pets such as koalas and kangaroos, and experience the real Australian farm life. You can also enjoy delicious Aussie BBQ. 1. There are a lot of performance items Tourists can experience many shows at Paradise Country Farm. Upon entry, you can obtain a visitor guide listing the show times for each attraction, allowing you to plan your visit accordingly. Recommended activities include sheepdog herding and Australian darts. Here, you'll experience authentic Australian farm life, especially witnessing how farmers and sheepdogs drive and control their flocks. You can also watch them perform boomerang throwing and whip cracking demonstrations. 2. Interact with animal kangaroos and koalas up close You can also see kangaroos and koalas here. These two animals can be said to be Australia's "national treasures". Visitors can hand-feed the kangaroos near the bushes where the kangaroos live, and pay to take pictures of the cute koalas in the arms of the koala village. 3. Visiting Australian-style residences Here, you can also see traditional Australian residences, and there are souvenir shops for you to choose and buy cheap and special products as souvenirs.Oxenford · 1.5 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Gold Coast

Featured Culture & history in Gold Coast

View all Culture & history
Southport Audio Tour: Southport Landmarks Audio Adventure
󱌍
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$4.46US$5.58
Gold Coast: Jellurgal Cultural Guided Walking Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$39.26US$41.33
Full-Day Aruba History and Must-See Landmarks Tour
󱌍
Duration: 7 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$69.00
Brisbane north island 1-day tour small group in English #North Stradbroke
󱌍
FromUS$107.99
Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour
󱌍
4.7/5
· 40 reviews
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
95% of travelers recommend
FromUS$55.82
Experience up-close wildlife observation at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
󱌍
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$47.32
Best of Brisbane Walking Tour: All Sights & Hidden Gems
󱌍
5.0/5
· 23 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
23 consecutive positive reviews
FromUS$63.70
Brisbane Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural and Architectural Treasures
󱌍
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$7.13US$8.92

Featured Day tours in Gold Coast

View all Day tours
Brisbane Moreton Island adventure 1-day tour [optional snorkeling with fish feeding/sandboarding/canoeing at Dolphin Island]
󱌍
FromUS$114.15
Gold Coast Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park half-day tour [Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook National Park + rainforest hike]
Trip.Select
󱌍
5.0/5
· 4 reviews· 64 booked
Duration: 5.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$88.87
Gold Coast Glow Worm Night Tour [Optional Tamborine/Springbrook National Park with Transfers]
󱌍
4.8/5
· 4 reviews· 138 booked
Duration: 4 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$89.37
Byron Bay Skydiving Adventure in Australia [Optional Photo/Video + Transfers Included]
󱌍
FromUS$288.18
Australia Brisbane/Gold Coast Currumbin Zoo + Point Danger + Burleigh Heads 1-day tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review· 41 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$124.67
Gold Coast Tamborine Glow Worm Night Tour [English Service, City Transfers, No Gratuities]
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 1 hr
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$82.46
Australia Tangalooma Wrecks + Moreton Island 1-day tour [New catamaran + snorkeling + island visit]
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 34 booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$210.08

Featured Food & drink in Gold Coast

View all Food & drink
Gold Coast cruise seafood buffet [Round-trip boat ticket + lunch/dinner + round-trip to Sea World/Surfers Paradise]
󱌍
FromUS$63.09
Tastes of Tamborine Mountain
Trip.Select
󱌍
Duration: 4.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromUS$160.96
Lamington National Park & O'Reilly's Vineyard Tour
Trip.Select
󱌍
Duration: 2.4 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$94.89
Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's & Vineyard Tour
󱌍
4.9/5
· 36 reviews
Duration: 6–7 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
97.2% of travelers recommend
FromUS$96.62
Gold Coast: Mount Tamborine Winery Tour with Gourmet Lunch
󱌍
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$181.45

Featured Outdoor & sports in Gold Coast

View all Outdoor & sports
Two-Hour Surfing Lesson at Surfers Paradise
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review· 23 booked
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromUS$55.34
Gold Coast Broadwater kayaking + Wave Break Island snorkeling
Trip.Select
󱌍
4.9/5
· 7 reviews· 109 booked
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$59.60
Learn to Surf at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast
󱌍
4.9/5
· 132 reviews· 30 booked
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
34 consecutive positive reviews
FromUS$70.85
Byron Bay skydiving [ocean view skydiving + Brisbane/Gold Coast pick-up and drop-off]
󱌍
4.6/5
· 11 reviews· 186 booked
Duration: 1 hr
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
74 travellers saved
FromUS$255.33
Gold Coast surfing 2 hr beginner lesson [Surfers Paradise surfing + group/private lesson]
󱌍
4.7/5
· 12 reviews· 415 booked
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
109 travellers saved
FromUS$56.33
Gold Coast Paradise Jet Boating
󱌍
21 booked
Duration: 50 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$53.92

More things to do

Private Tours in Gold Coast

View More Private Tours in Gold Coast

Free things to do in Gold Coast

What travellers say about Gold Coast

user-avatar
Travel.coffee.donutsFebruary 26, 2026
5.0
describe gold coast beachesBest Beaches On The Gold Coast to Visit | QueenslandGold Coast beaches feature 57km of stunning, white-sand coastline along the Pacific Ocean, offering world-renowned surf breaks, patrolled swimming areas, and vibrant, developed shorelines. Key spots include the bustling Surfers Paradise, the surfing mecca of Snapper Rocks, and serene spots like Currumbin and Burleigh Heads.

Gold Coast beach

user-avatar
Thinh0304October 7, 2026
5.0
My friends and I had a fantastic time visiting the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Everything about the experience was absolutely excellent, from the breathtaking scenery and environment to our overall enjoyment. We also felt it provided exceptional service and value for money. It’s a perfect spot to visit with friends, and we highly recommend it!

SkyPoint Observation Deck

user-avatar
焚書坑儒October 26, 2026
5.0
No tickets are needed; simply scan the QR code to enter the park, which is significantly cheaper than buying tickets on the official website. Most rides have no queues, making for an extremely enjoyable experience. Even the most popular roller coasters only have queues of about 20 minutes. Transportation is convenient; take the Surfers Paradise light rail to the northernmost station and then transfer to a bus; the entire journey takes only one hour.

Warner Bros. Movie World

user-avatar
Anonymous userOctober 13, 2026
5.0
It was so much fun, much better than Tokyo DisneySea! The lines for the rides were shorter, and there were shows and interactions with manta rays. It's a shame we arrived a bit late in the morning and missed out on so many rides. The only downside was that the daily operating hours were too short. It's perfect for the whole family (the worst part is that adults aren't allowed to ride the carousel because they're tall; they can only ride in small cars, ugh).

Gold Coast Sea World

user-avatar
IrisSKJune 22, 2026
4.0
The rides and attractions are good. However, most of the rides got only one staff operating the process. Even though not many people were queuing (maybe around 30), we had to wait for at least 30 mins or more. Therefore we didn’t have enough time to play.

Dreamworld

user-avatar
YoYo_1I8Q7O5OJuly 6, 2025
5.0
Paradise Farm is a treasure trove for experiencing the Australian countryside! As soon as you enter the farm, you can smell the natural scent of hay and soil. The fluffy sheep, cute kangaroos and emus are wandering on the grass, which is very immersive. The most important thing you can't miss is the wool shearing performance! The farm workers skillfully "transform" the sheep. After the fluffy thick hair is shed, the sheep instantly becomes "skinny". You can also touch the wool on the spot, which is soft and healing. There is also a sheepdog show, where the dogs flexibly shuttle among the sheep, which is super smart! By the way, you can also feed the kangaroos by hand. They look super cute holding the feed bags. Remember to touch their backs gently. There is also a traditional Billy Tea brewing performance in the farm. Tea is boiled on the campfire with a tin kettle and paired with Australian toast. One bite is the authentic country taste. If you want to take photos, put on the cowboy clothes provided by the farm, stand in front of the red barn, and take photos that look like a western movie in minutes. It is a great place to immerse yourself in the Australian farming and pastoral life.

Paradise Country

user-avatar
_TI***ghAugust 13, 2026
5.0
Great fun way to see Gold coast in a short time for both adults and children!

Aquaduck Gold Coast

user-avatar
知了ChanOctober 16, 2026
5.0
We went straight to the zoo after getting off the plane. We arrived quite late, but we were lucky enough to see most of the animals, including wombats, Tasmanian devils, and smiling rats. A great zoo, highly recommended. The coffee at the entrance was delicious, and feeding the parrots was also very interesting. Feeding starts at 4 PM, and even when we left at 5 PM, there were still parrots to feed.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

user-avatar
IceMoonTeaJune 23, 2024
5.0
We had an unforgettable experience on the Sea World Cruise Whale Watching tour! The crew was knowledgeable and friendly, providing fascinating insights about the whales and their behavior. The boat was comfortable and offered excellent viewing spots. We were fortunate to see several whales up close, making the trip truly magical. I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to experience the beauty of marine life in their natural habitat. A must-do adventure!

Sea World Cruises

user-avatar
M48***32April 12, 2026
5.0
Very good and exciting

Jet Boat Extreme

Trip Moments in Gold Coast

Popular cities near Gold Coast

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Gold Coast?

Don't miss these attractions in Gold Coast: Gold Coast beach, SkyPoint Observation Deck, and Warner Bros. Movie World. If you like Culture & history, try Southport Audio Tour: Southport Landmarks Audio Adventure. If you enjoy Day tours, try Brisbane Moreton Island adventure 1-day tour [optional snorkeling with fish feeding/sandboarding/canoeing at Dolphin Island].

You can give Gold Coast cruise seafood buffet [Round-trip boat ticket + lunch/dinner + round-trip to Sea World/Surfers Paradise] and Gold Coast Outback Spectacular Show (Large-Scale Cowboy Performance) + Beefsteak/Chicken/Vegetarian Dinner Experience a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Brisbane Moreton Island adventure 1-day tour [optional snorkeling with fish feeding/sandboarding/canoeing at Dolphin Island], Gold Coast Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park half-day tour [Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook National Park + rainforest hike], and Gold Coast Glow Worm Night Tour [Optional Tamborine/Springbrook National Park with Transfers]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 2, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Gold Coast is around USD 74.35 – USD 288.18. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.