Gold Coast Theme Park Showdown: Which One is best for you?
If you’ve been wondering which Gold Coast Theme Park you should visit, then you have come to the right place. Today, I’ll be breaking down all SEVEN Theme Parks (with pros and cons of each) and helping you choose which one is suited to YOU.
Since I’ve been living in Brisbane for the past 25 years, you can be assured that I’ve spent a bit of time at all of them. However, while I do have my favourites that I’ll visit over and over again, I definitely believe that one will attract you, over others.
So, whether you’re into thrilling roller coaster rides, seeing cute or dangerous animals, exciting waterslide fun, or finding ways to entertain the kids, I have the complete list for you to choose from below.
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What are the 7 Gold Coast Theme Parks available?
All SEVEN theme parks found on the Gold Coast are owned and operated by two major theme park chains.
- 1. Dreamworld
- 2. White Water World
- 3. Warner Bros Movie World
- 4. SeaWorld Marine Park
- 5. Wet N’ Wild
- 6. Australian Outback Spectacular
- 7. Paradise Country
Ardent Leisure owns Dreamworld and White Water World, plus they also the Skypoint Observation Deck & Climb, located in Surfers Paradise. This is not really listed as a Theme Park, however, most of the “Combo Pass” tickets will include entry to here.
On the other hand, Village Roadshow Theme Parks owns all the rest.
In the end, each “group” will provide combo tickets and multi-day passes, which can help you save money if you intend to visit a few.
➡ Purchase Gold Coast theme Park Tickets HERE with GYG
Generally, all the Theme Parks are open from 10am to 5pm, but the waterparks might be limited during the winter months (May to August). Also note that some parks cover a massive area, and it could take an entire day to see each one.
The Theme Parks are NOT open on Christmas Day, and most are closed on Anzac Day (April 25th) or with reduced hours.
Which Theme Park will suit you the best?
If you’re short on time, here is a comparison chart below on the differences between all 7 Gold Coast Theme Parks, to help you choose.
While all of the theme parks mentioned below boast rides, special shows, and in-park food stalls or restaurants, each one offers something that is unique to them.
Sure, visiting all of them can bring more fun and excitement to tourists. However, that may not be an option for those who are budget-conscious or those who have limited time to spend.
Therefore, I’ll go that one step further and give you an overview of what each one of them is best known for:
✦Best Theme Park for kids & family fun – All of them are family-friendly.
✦Best Theme Park for animals – Paradise Country is a wildlife experience, otherwise Dreamworld for land animals and SeaWorld for water-based creatures.
✦Best Theme Park for Water slides – Wet N’ Wild & White Water World
✦Best Theme Park for Adrenalin rides – Warner Bros. Movie World, SeaWorld & Dreamworld
✦Best Theme Park for performances – Australian Outback Spectacular
✦Best Theme Park for Budget – I honestly don’t think any of them are very budget-friendly.
✦Best Theme Park for Rainy Days – I love the water parks since you’re already getting wet, but also depends how cold it is.
Where are the Theme Parks Located?
There are three areas where all the Gold Coast Theme Park are located:
- Coomera is the closest to Dreamworld and Whitewater World.
- Helensvale, for Movieworld, Wet N Wild, Outback Spectacular and Paradise Country.
- And lastly, SeaWorld is situated on The Spit (North of Southport and Surfers Paradise).
➡ Find Gold Coast Accommodation HERE with Booking.com
Know that your choices for accommodation to stay in Coomera and Helensvale are very limited and I’m not sure it’s the most exciting place to stay for a first-time visitor to the Gold Coast.
Therefore, staying anywhere between Southport, Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach would be ideal for experiencing the beachside action the Gold Coast is known for and allocating your day trips from the coast.
Matt and I have stayed at many places in Surfers Paradise, with some that we would never visit again. But, we enjoyed our stays at the Novotel Hotel, and the Surfers International to get you started.
How to get there?
If you’re planning to visit several theme parks in a day, I suggest hiring a car as this will provide you much freedom and flexibility. This will also be more handy when visiting two theme parks in the one day.
➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE
There is convenient public transportation available, which involves catching the Gold Coast Tram to Helensvale Station and the TX7 Bus that circles the Helensvale and Coomera Theme Parks.
Otherwise, the regular Public Bus (704 and 705) will take you from Southport or Broadbeach to SeaWorld.
However, if you’re staying in Brisbane, you can use Public Transport to get there as well.
When is the best time to visit them?
Most of the parks (at least Movieworld, SeaWorld, and Dreamworld) are open all year round, and you can visit any time of year.
However, water parks like Wet N Wild and Whitewater World are limited during the Winter Season and can sometimes be too cold for swimming anyway.
School holidays, long weekends, and high tourist seasons like the Summertime are VERY busy for any of them. I would generally avoid visiting at these times, but that’s not really an option for everyone.
Personally, I think it’s worth checking out the Gold Coast in the shoulder seasons (March to May / September to November), out-of-school holidays, and visiting during the week.
This will at least limit the crowds and queues for the best rides.
My Best tips for visiting?
Regardless of which theme park you plan on visiting, I recommend the following tips:
- Plan your days BEFORE you get there.
- Download Village Roadshow apps on Android or Apple, to help get you around, find out ride time waits and plan for show times. But, this only applies to Movieworld, SeaWorld, Paradise Country & Australian Outback Spectacular.
- Get multi-pass tickets to save some costs.
- Pack your own lunch (if permitted in the park) and know they are limited in special dietary requirements.
- I think it’s best to try at least 2 parks, but only if you have a Gold Coast itinerary planned for 5 days or more.
- Change of dry clothes for the waterparks.
- Avoid visiting during weekends, School holidays and Long weekends.
- Buy your tickets online and in advance to skip the long lines when the park opens.
- Visit theme parks that are close together to save on travel time, especially if you’re visiting a couple in one day. (Public Transport will waste too much time waiting)
In the end, any the Gold Coast Theme Parks are one of the best attractions near Surfers Paradise.
So, now that you have an idea of what to expect, let’s explore each one in more detail!
Breakdown of Each Gold Coast Theme Park!
1. Dreamworld
As one of my personal favourites, Dreamworld is perhaps one of the more popular theme parks. This is because it is the country’s biggest theme park, with Kids areas, fast rides, stage shows, and attractions suitable for all ages.
They have thrilling land rides like The Claw, Motocoaster, Tower of Terror, and Steel Taipan. They also have family rides like the Flying Theatre, Dodgems, Kenny’s Forest Flyer, and the Dreamworld Express. Plus, they have kids’ rides like the Banana’s in Pajamas fun maze, classic carousel, and Seabed Splash.
And if that’s not enough, guests can also enjoy fun encounters with some wildlife animals like koalas, dingoes, and tigers. In-park food outlets are also available to quench your thirst while waiting for your next ride.
✅ Pros:
- Offer fun animal encounters
- Has plenty of family and kids’ rides
- Has a wide range of thrilling land and water rides
- Using their app makes navigating around the park easier
- Guide, hearing, and assistance dogs are allowed (except in some restricted wildlife and ride areas)
❌ Cons
- Packed with crowds, even on weekdays.
- Every time I visit, there is at least one thrill ride closed for maintenance.
- I’ve waited over an hour for the biggest thrill rides. (Note: “Skip the line” tickets start at $25 for one ride)
- Outside food and drinks are NOT allowed unless you have medically related dietary requirements (require presentation of medical documentation)
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2. Whitewater World
Whitewater World is the newer of the 2 water parks on the Gold Coast, but still opened in 2006. It shares a car park and affiliations with Dreamworld, plus you can even walk between the two throughout the day.
They offer thrilling water slides with twists and turns that will surely leave you an unforgettable experience. Some of my favourites are The Wedgie, The Green Room, The Rip, and the SuperTubes Hydrocoaster.
The waves crash and vertical drops make the whole thing more exciting.
Of course, they also have a kid’s zero-depth splash section that is perfect for families with toddlers or babies. Here, they can dip their cute little feet in the water and create little splashes.
As for those who want to relax, there’s a wave pool you can hang out in or chill out on the lounge chairs.
✅ Pros
- Each attraction is lifeguarded
- Have a safe and shallower area for little ones
- Offers a lot of attractions for families and kids
- Guests can bring their own food and drinks to the park
➡ Purchase Theme Park Tickets and Combo Passes HERE with GYG
❌ Cons
- The ques leading to the slides can get pretty long. (Note: Summer, rainy days are the best)
- They close down slides on occasions for maintenance
- Video and photographic devices (e.g., mobile phones, go-pros) are NOT permitted on slides
- Only open during busy periods with Summertime, school holidays and weekends.
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3. Warner Bros Movie World
Warner Bros. Movie World is famous for its adrenaline-pumping rides (and rightfully so!). However, what makes the experience more fun and exciting is the fact that the rides are based on Hollywood movies and cartoons.
This includes the Green Lantern Coaster, Superman Escape, Wild West Falls and the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster.
Here, you can have the chance to meet DC Superheroes and Rivals, and even everyone’s childhood favourite, Bugs Bunny! They also hold regular entertainment shows like Hollywood Stunt Driver (precision driving), Marilyn Live, Looney Tunes Dance Party, and, of course, the daily iconic Star Parade at 3:30pm.
Whether you’re an avid fan of these characters or not, you will enjoy the dressed-up characters wandering the crowds and interacting with the guests.
✅ Pros
- Offers thrilling movie-themed rides.
- Movie stars and cartoon characters are entertaining you around every corner.
- Has a 4D movie Theatre
- Has a Looney Tunes Carousel and WB Fun Zone for Kids.
❌ Cons
- Long ques on most attractions and rides
- Limited options and smaller than other theme parks
- Some rides are closed on occasions due to maintenance work
4. Sea World Marine Park
SeaWorld is obviously your water-based theme park, and all the rides and animals circle that. Here, you can experience adventure rides like Jet Rescue Coaster, Leviathan, and Vortex.
And to keep the kids entertained, the Paw Patrol Team and some Nickelodeon characters visit the park to interact and take photos with their lovely fans! Or chill out around Castaway Bay, Dora’s Carousel, and Spongebob’s Boating School.
Apart from that, you can enjoy watching or interacting with dolphins and seals, or learn about the Sharks and Stingrays in Shark Bay. Guests can also watch penguins, jellies, and I especially loved the polar bears in the park’s marine life exhibit area.
✅ Pros
- Has an inbuilt SeaWorld Nara Resort accommodation for easy daily access.
- Offers Water-themed attractions, swimming, and marine life shows
- Provides an opportunity to encounter marine life up close
❌ Cons
- Not all activities are suitable for the winter period.
- Probably less suited for Adults visiting for rides.
- Long ques on rides, especially on holidays
- Not ideal on rainy days
5. Wet ‘N’ Wild
Wet N’ Wild is another favourite of mine and has been around since 1984. It’s home to the tallest water park slide tower in Australia called Kaboom, but I also love the Tornado, Super Ripper and Kamikaze!
Aside from that, guests can enjoy various levels of slides and wave pools that are suitable for family and little kids. Several private cabanas are also available at Calypso Beach for those who just want to relax or take a break from swimming.
Or you can head to the H2Oasis splash zone and watch your kids have fun with their new friends as you sit under the shades.
Keep in mind though, while it’s located next to Movie World, I wouldn’t say it’s too easy to walk between the two and they each have their own car park.
➡ Purchase Theme Park Tickets and Combo Passes HERE with GYG
✅ Pros
- Each attraction is lifeguarded
- Offers various levels of slides
- Outside food and drinks are allowed
- Suitable for Adults after thrills or families wanting to chill
❌ Cons
- Has limited in-park food options
- It’s an older park than Whitewater World and cement footpaths haven’t been protected with a heat-proof coating.
- Shorter opening hours in Winter, and it can also be chilly to swim during this time.
6. Australian Outback Spectacular
If thrilling rides or water parks aren’t really your thing, and you would rather watch live performance shows, Australian Outback Spectacular is the place to be!
Here, you can sit back and relax as you discover the story of Reg and Marge and their loyal farm animal friends. Watch their story unfold in a transformative arena. You’ll be given a FREE stockman’s hat with a ribbon of your team’s colour (we were on the “yellow Team”).
The arena will tell Outback and Stockman stories while also holding a competition between the two stations (Red and Yellow). And while you’re watching, enjoy a delicious three-course meal with drinks prepared and served by local farmers and businesses.
Before the show, guests can also have photo opportunities with their superstar cattle horses and dogs.
✅ Pros
- Everything is included in the ticket price
- Provides a three-course meal during the show
- The transformative arena and lights are a delight to see
- Opportunity to see farm animals like cows and horses perform live
- Row seating is elevated, so everyone gets a clear view.
❌ Cons
- The arena can be too loud for some
- I found it very pricey for only a meal and a show.
- The storyline may be hard for children to understand
7. Paradise Country
For those who want to see wildlife and farm animals up close and personal, visit Paradise Country.
This family-friendly attraction allows you to see various wildlife like Marmoset Monkeys, Tasmanian Devils, and Meerkats. And also, see how farm animals, such as a flock of sheep, work on the farm.
Aside from that, kids and kids-at-heart can also meet Shaun the Sheep and Bitzer. For older guests, they can delight themselves watching at the Stock Horse Arena. And if you ever get hungry, there’s the Farmhouse Restaurant and The Burrow Café at the park’s precinct.
✅ Pros
- Has an in-park restaurant and café
- Offer an opportunity to encounter wildlife and farm animals
- Can be a great learning opportunity for kids to learn about various animals
❌ Cons
- No thrilling rides to try
- Can be boring and uneventful for some people
- Can get too crowded, especially during the holidays
Tip: While Currumbin Wildlife Park is not considered a theme park, I think it’s another brilliant options for wildlife on the Gold Coast.
Wrap Up!
No matter your preference, there is a particular theme park on the Gold Coast that will cater to your budget and liking. If you’re a first-timer, then I think they are ALL worth seeing at least once.
I hope this blog post has helped clear up your questions and concerns regarding all the theme parks on the Gold Coast. If you want to make the most of your trip, read some more of my Gold Coast features to find other tourist destinations or ideas.
