Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast

One of the biggest drawcards for the Goldy are the theme parks, and with this 5-day theme park pass, you’ve hit the jackpot. Your golden ticket into Sea World, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild, you’ll get max value from this single pass. From thrilling rides and water slides to animal encounters and character meet and greets, there’s something for every age. The best part is you have five consecutive days to jump between the parks, giving you total flexibility to come and go as you please. Perfect if you’re staying for the week.

But wait, there’s more. Another major player in the theme park arena is Dreamworld, and with this day pass, you can experience Australia’s biggest theme park in all its glory. We’re talking extreme rides and wildlife areas for the big kids, then a range of kid-friendly spaces and roving entertainers for the little ones.

With no dramas keeping the entire clan entertained, you could easily spend the whole day here. Just remember to wear comfy shoes because you’ll cover plenty of ground.

After you've had your fill of theme parks, a Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary ticket is a must. Your family will have a ball getting up close and personal with a range of native Aussie and exotic creatures. With plenty to keep the little ones occupied, you can take your pick from hand-feeding roos, interactive displays, daily presentations and more.

Your ticket also includes 10% off food and beverages in-park, so make sure you take advantage of the discount by grabbing lunch while you’re there.

Continue the good times into the night with the Australian Outback Spectacular. An absolute crowd-pleaser, the whole family will get around this one. Bringing a whole new meaning to dinner and a show, you’ll sit tight and enjoy a delicious three-course meal as horses, cattle and daring stunts bring a heartfelt story to life.

This one is indoors, so you can enjoy it rain, hail or shine. And don’t forget to grab your free stockman’s hat – it’s the perfect memento to remember the exciting night.

For the full Surfers Paradise experience, the Gold Coast Aqua Duck is the way to go. Not your typical ride, the fam will have a blast on this amphibian vehicle that goes from land to water. Covering different angles of the Goldie, this journey takes you out to experience the famous “splash down” as you see the sights.

Make sure to keep an eye out while you’re on the water. Dolphins are just some of the wildlife that call this place home, so if you’re lucky, they might make an appearance.

It's not a Sunshine Coast family holiday without a visit the iconic Australia Zoo. With this entry ticket alone, you'll get access to over 100 different species of wildlife from all over the world. Big on animal education and conservation, the home of the Crocodile Hunter will keep the whole tribe entertained with feedings, shows and even an African safari.

Tickets include special entry to the Wildlife Hospital. A great way to educate the kids, you can watch on as the team treat and care for sick and injured animals.

Looking for some good old no-frills fun? The Aussie World day pass is all you need for some quality bonding time with the little ones. With unlimited rides on over 30 attractions including the Illusionarium and Mayhem Maze, this cosy park was designed to keep the kids at bay and the parents sane.

Good news if you’re leaning towards a hire car: it has free all-day parking. There’s also a great selection of eateries, so you’re all set for the day.

For something a little out of the ordinary, the Sunshine Coast Amaze World is a quirky surprise. You'll all have a blast navigating this larger-than-life maze as you try finding your way out. Brought to life by the magic of Augmented Reality, the brain teasers will challenge your family, putting your puzzle-solving skills to the test.

Once you’ve cracked the maze, keep the fun rolling with an 18-hole mini golf course and water play zone. Just make sure to pack swimmers and a towel.

Squeeze the most out of your day with the Sunshine Coast Aquaduck tour. A fun, fuss-free way to see the sights, you can kick back and enjoy the ride as you roll through town then cruise through the canals on this bus-turned-boat. It’s a hit for both young and old, with stories about the area and local wildlife to keep all entertained.

And the best part for little ones is they’ll even get to steer the Aquaduck while it’s on the water and score a souvenir captain's certificate at the end. Perfect for show and tell!