School Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast

Two weeks. Fourteen days. Approximately 427 requests for snacks and the first, “I’m bored”, arriving on day one at 7am (if you’re lucky!). Keeping everyone entertained during the kids school holidays can feel like an endless military operation, only with way more sunscreen, a lot more missing shoes and some serious potential for hostile negotiations about screen time.

Every parent knows the feeling, and every Gold Coast parent knows the coast is quietly one of the best places in the country to be when the final school bell rings. Rainforest, beaches, theme parks and wildlife, all co-existing within easy reach of each other.

Here are some family-friendly recommendations for filling the break with the best school holiday activities the Gold Coast has to offer. With any luck, you might just get to hear “that was awesome” at least a few times with this line up.

Nature and Wildlife

Start outdoors and start early. Fresh air, room to move and plenty to explore can work wonders. The Gold Coast has 57,000 hectares of World Heritage rainforest at its back and 52 kilometres of coastline at its front, and both are at their coolest and quietest before 10am.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Set across 27 hectares of heritage-listed subtropical rainforest and native bushland, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been part of the Gold Coast community since 1947. It all started when Dr Alex Griffiths started feeding the Lorikeets to keep them off his flowers, and almost eight decades later, they are still turning up for ‘fly-thru’ breakfast and afternoon tea.

Kids can walk through native bushland, meet the Kangaroos, watch the Koalas do what Koalas do best, and see the WildSkies Bird Show Ambassadors fly overhead. Wildlife Keeper talks run throughout the day, offering plenty of opportunities to learn more about the animals.

Two things every parent should know:

• Lorikeet feeding happens twice daily, at 8am and 4pm, and there is no ticket of any kind, just a gold coin donation. It is one of the few school holiday activities Gold Coast families can build a whole morning or afternoon around.
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a not-for-profit owned by the National Trust of Australia (Queensland). Every dollar spent at the Sanctuary supports wildlife conservation and the work of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world.

The Sanctuary is also welcoming some new arrivals, and we are keeping the details quiet for now. What we will say is this: they are considerably shorter than the Kangaroos, they have relatives already living here, and the youngest members of your group will be at exactly the right eye level. You can meet them during the September school holidays.

The Sanctuary is open from 9am to 4pm daily, with last admission at 3.30pm. It is closed on 25 April and 25 December.

For older children who have energy to burn, TreeTop Challenge features high ropes and ziplines through the rainforest canopy. Meanwhile, the Miniature Trains have been helping families travel around the Sanctuary since 1964. Families can also take a guided tour of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for a look behind the scenes at its lifesaving work.

Sanctuary School Holiday Programs

If you want a day where someone else does the entertaining, the Sanctuary runs its own holiday programs across the September break. Every program is animal-packed and built around wildlife, nature and conservation, and each day runs differently, so kids can come back for more than one.

• Junior Sanctuary Rangers, 5 to 8 years.  A half day for the youngest wildlife warriors, meeting native and exotic species.
• Sanctuary Rangers, 8 to 12 years.  Hands-on days spent stepping into a Wildlife Keeper’s shoes: making animal enrichment, designing habitats and exploring how nature is cared for by First Nations peoples.
• Sanctuary Keepers Teens, 13 to 16 years. Real insight into wildlife care for teenagers who are serious about animals.
• Native Bee Workshops, one day only. Two sessions built around the Australian sting-free bee, a species just 4mm long, including First Nations peoples’ cultural connection to bees. Little Pollinators runs for 5 to 8 year olds. Native Bee Explorers runs for 9 to 12 year olds. Drop-off is 8.30am for both.

Programs book out, so it pays to get in early.

Beaches, Rock Pools and Rainforest Walks

For outdoor adventures beyond the Sanctuary, the Gold Coast delivers plenty of excellent options that are completely free:

• Currumbin Rock Pools. Freshwater swimming holes tucked into the hinterland behind Currumbin Valley. They are shaded, scenic and very popular on hot days, so arriving early is a smart move.
• Burleigh Head National Park. A beautiful coastal walk with headland views that make the climb worthwhile. During winter, keep an eye out for whales offshore.
• Tallebudgera Creek. Calm, shallow water that is ideal for younger children, right beside the surf.
• Springbrook and Natural Bridge. Rainforest walking tracks, waterfalls and the rather impressive sight of water dropping through the roof of a cave. Visit after dark and you may also see glow worms.

There is also a regularly updated list of things to do on the Gold Coast for those days when a little extra inspiration is needed.

Thunderbird Park, Mount Tamborine

A trip into the hinterland can make an ordinary holiday day feel like a proper adventure.

At Thunderbird Park on Mount Tamborine, children can tackle high-rope courses, ride ziplines, play mini-golf and try thunderegg fossicking.

If you are unfamiliar with thunderegg fossicking, the basic idea is this: you dig up what appears to be an ordinary rock, have it cut open and discover a crystal formation inside. It is treasure hunting with geology, plus there is a strong chance your child will insist on bringing home several new “very important” rocks.

High-Energy and Indoor Adventures

Indoor adventures are a fantastic addition to the school holiday activities Gold Coast calendar, especially for children who like to jump, climb, race and play. They offer plenty of action, lots of variety and the chance to burn through some of that seemingly endless holiday energy.

• Theme parks. Warner Bros. Movie World, Dreamworld, Wet’n’Wild and Sea World all sit along the northern end of the coast. Big days out, big queues in peak season, and worth booking online in advance.
• BOUNCE Inc, Burleigh Heads. Trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball and a wall run. Ninety minutes here and they will sleep in the car.
• Timezone Surfers Paradise. Arcade games, bumper cars and Zone Bowling with interactive lanes. Good for mixed-age groups, because the teenagers and the six-year-olds both find something.
• Game Over, Helensvale. Indoor karting, laser tag and rock climbing under one roof. Best for ten and up.
• Putt Putt Mermaid Beach. Three themed eighteen-hole mini golf courses, plus a glow-in-the-dark arcade. Reliably fun for exactly the length of one course, which is the point.

More options in our guide to the best kids activities on the coast.

After Dark at the Sanctuary: Astra Lumina

After dark, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary becomes something else entirely. Astra Lumina is a night walk through the rainforest where light, sound and the trees do the work. Older kids find it genuinely impressive, and it runs after the usual bedtime, which counts for a lot in the holidays.

Free and Low-Cost Outdoor Fun

Not every family day out needs tickets, bookings and a packed itinerary. Sometimes the best plan is simply somewhere the children can run, splash, explore and eat the snacks you brought with you.

Some of the best school holiday activities Gold Coast families enjoy year after year are the simplest and cost nothing.

• Broadwater Parklands, Southport. This massive waterfront community park features playgrounds, a splash zone, shaded picnic areas and a swimming enclosure. During some holiday periods, the council occasionally runs free circus, fitness and other family-friendly workshops here.
• NaturallyGC. The City of Gold Coast’s own program of free and low-cost nature encounters, guided walks, botanical painting and outdoor events. Activities change each school holiday period and popular sessions can fill quickly, so check the program as soon as it is released. It is one of the best places to look for free school holiday activities Gold Coast wide, especially if your children love animals, plants and exploring outdoors.
• HOTA, Home of the Arts, Bundall. HOTA combines indoor and outdoor galleries with riverfront parkland and frequently offers free, drop-in art and craft sessions for younger children. The rooftop is also free to visit and offers one of the best views across the city.
• Lorikeet feeding at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. This one is worth mentioning again. Twice daily, 8am and 4pm, no ticket required, gold coin donation. It is colourful, informative and wonderfully memorable.
• The beach. It may be the obvious answer but it is often the right one for our wonderful natural gift of sand and sea. Currumbin Alley, Tallebudgera and Burleigh all offer patrolled swimming, shade and playgrounds within walking distance of the sand.

Three more low-cost wins are the local library holiday program, the Currumbin Creek boardwalk and endless exploring of rock pools at low tide with a bucket to collect any new found ‘treasures’.

Easter Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast

Autumn is one of the loveliest times to explore the Gold Coast. The water is still warm and the days are mild.

The Easter break in Queensland generally runs for two weeks across late March and April.

This is a great time for rainforest walks while it is cool enough to enjoy them at their best. It’s also a great time for the Currumbin Rock Pools before the water becomes too cold. Whale migration season has not yet begun, so Easter is a good time to focus on wildlife, rainforest, beaches and hinterland adventures.

The major theme parks usually offer Easter programming and can become particularly busy over the long weekend. If the schedule allows, a midweek visit may mean smaller crowds and fewer queues.

At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Easter falls during a wonderful time to explore the grounds, meet the wildlife and, for the keen explorers, join in the Easter themed activities and explorer trails.

Note that 25 April is ANZAC Day and the Sanctuary is closed.

September School Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast

Spring holidays are something of a sweet spot on the Gold Coast. The days are warming up, the peak summer crowds have not arrived and the whales are still travelling south along the coastline.

Some of the best September school holiday activities Gold Coast families can enjoy include:

• Whale watching. Migration season generally runs from June until early November along the Gold Coast. Burleigh Head National Park and Point Danger are excellent free vantage points for families that prefer to stay on dry land.
• Hinterland walks. Springbrook and Mount Tamborine are beautiful in spring, with wildflowers, comfortable walking weather and warm afternoons before the summer storms arrive.
• Beach days without the summer crowds. The water temperature is beginning to climb, while the large December visitor crowds are still a few months away.

September can also be a quieter time to visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which may mean more time to enjoy the Wildlife Keeper talks. September is also when the Sanctuary’s own school holiday programs run, 22 September to 2 October, and when those new arrivals will be settling in.

Christmas Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast

Six weeks. The longest stretch, the hottest weather and the busiest period of the year on the Gold Coast.

The secret to surviving the kids school holidays over summer is planning around the heat. Aim for outdoor adventures in the morning, water or indoor activities through the hottest part of the day, then head outside again in the late afternoon.

• Start early. The 8am Lorikeet feeding at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a very good reason to get out before the day heats up, and it costs a gold coin.
• Find the water. Wet’n’Wild, the creek mouths at Tallebudgera and Currumbin, Broadwater Parklands’ splash zone and the beach all offer ways to cool down.
• Stay out after dark. Summer evenings are an ideal time to experience Astra Lumina and walk through the rainforest once the temperature begins to drop.
• Embrace air conditioning. BOUNCE, Timezone, Game Over and HOTA can all be extremely helpful between noon and 3pm in January.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is closed on Christmas Day, the 25th of December. Ticketed attractions across the Gold Coast can book out during the Christmas and New Year period, so reserve anything important well in advance.

FAQs About the Best School Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast

What are the best free school holiday activities Gold Coast families can do? Lorikeet feeding at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at 8am and 4pm daily, no ticket required and a gold coin donation to have a turn at feeding. Other great options include the NaturallyGC program run by the City of Gold Coast, free drop-in art sessions at HOTA, Broadwater Parklands in Southport, the Currumbin Rock Pools, and every patrolled beach on the coast.

What is there to do on a rainy day? Try BOUNCE Inc. in Burleigh Heads, Timezone in Surfers Paradise, Game Over in Helensvale, Putt Putt Mermaid Beach or the galleries at HOTA. Astra Lumina at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary operates in the evening, and light rain can add to the atmosphere.

What suits toddlers rather than teenagers? Younger children may enjoy Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Miniature Trains, the shallow water at Tallebudgera Creek and the playgrounds at Broadwater Parklands. Teenagers are more likely to enjoy TreeTop Challenge, Game Over, the theme parks and Astra Lumina.

When are the Queensland school holidays? Queensland has four main holiday periods: a break around Easter in autumn, approximately two weeks across late June and July, two weeks in September and around six weeks over Christmas. Always check the Queensland Government school calendar because the exact dates change each year.

Do we need to book school holiday activities in advance? Yes, particularly for ticketed attractions during peak periods. Theme parks, Astra Lumina and Sanctuary encounters can be busy throughout the Easter and Christmas holidays. The Sanctuary’s own school holiday programs also fill quickly, and free NaturallyGC programs may fill once bookings open.

Is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary worth it for a full day? Yes. Between the wildlife encounters, Wildlife Keeper talks, Bird Show, Miniature Trains and walking tracks through the rainforest, families can comfortably spend the full day exploring from 9am to 4pm. The variety also helps when members of the family have very different ideas about what counts as fun.