A fun-filled guide to the best mini golf on the Gold Coast (great for all ages!)
The Gold Coast has no shortage of golf courses. In fact, it’s one of the first things visitors will see of the city from any direction they come in.
No kidding, without the beaches, it’s the next most recognizable landmark in town.
The same can be said for the mini golf courses, which have started to resemble their 9- and 18-hole courses due to the sheer number scattered across the city.
To help you tee off in style, we’ve created a guide on the best and most trusted mini golf courses on the Gold Coast. We made sure to include family-friendly fun and courses where nightlife and entertainment meet!
1. Themed mini golf courses for family and friends
There is no better way to spend time on mini golf courses than with family and friends. Luckily, the Gold Coast offers visitors and locals various kinds of mini golf courses to satisfy their wants.
Putt Putt Mermaid Beach
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Address: 2492 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Contact details: [email protected], +61755753381
Operating hours: Everyday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Starting at $20 for adults and $16 for students and senior citizens, the whole family can enjoy all three 18-hole courses at Putt Putt.
WaterWays provides more environmental challenges with the water structures surrounding the greens. You don’t have to worry about the golf ball falling into the water because there are glass fences nearly everywhere to prevent out-of-bounds shots—so handy, right?
Meanwhile, Fun Run offers the more traditional mini golfing experience with its humps and turning putting greens—perfect for those just starting on the sport.
There’s also the Jungle Trail, which features walled putting greens to challenge players on the strength and accuracy of their shots. This is also the most popular course, so prepare for a long line if you intend to challenge this one.
All of these are in addition to the special public events hosted at the place during holidays like Christmas when the entire area is transformed to match the seasonal mood.
Outside of the usual mini golf courses, visitors can also avail themselves of Putt Putt’s special party packages to essentially “rent” the whole place to gain exclusive access to all the attractions.
Children’s birthdays can also be a little special at Putt Putt by availing the Twilight Glow Party package. Attendees can enjoy a mini golfing experience adorned with colorful lights sprouting from the water attractions.
Pro tip:
It’s best to go to Putt Putt Mermaid Beach in the afternoon or early evening since several mini golf courses don’t have any cover protection against heat and sunlight.
Carrara Mini Golf
– Media credits: carrara.minigolf
Address: Market Street, Carrara
Contact details: [email protected], 07 5579 9388
Operating hours: Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM,
Placing at the lower end of the price range on the Gold Coast, Carrara offers 18-hole and 36-hole courses for only $15 and $25 per head, respectively.
The golf club even has a special family package discount for 2 adults and 2 children, ranging from $40 to $70, which is $10 to $17.50 per head.
Themed around ancient civilizations and jungles, the whole course really suits Australia’s cool but dry weather. Some parts of the “abandoned temple” design outside even move to serve as obstacles—talk about interactive fun!
Inside, visitors are greeted with more exciting themed mini golf courses for them to explore and enjoy. This includes areas designed to look like a pirate cove, a Jurassic forest, and even a Medieval castle complete with a magical dragon atop the tower.
Several sections of the mini golf courses are also glow-in-the-dark and mirrored mazes, providing extra challenges for the kids and young at heart.
Best of all, they don’t have strict time limits, so you can enjoy each one to the fullest.
Pro tip:
Be sure to bring fans and personal air-cooling devices when playing indoors. While the indoor courses are equipped with air conditioning, it can still get hot during summer or when overcrowded.
Holey Moley Surfers Paradise
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Address: Cnr of, 3197 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Level 1 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Contact details: +61 7 3497 3509
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Surfers Paradise is the definitive spot if you’re looking for the best mini golf courses in the city. And there’s no better mini golf course in the area than the local Holey Moley golf club.
The golf courses here reflect its chaotic and fun atmosphere. It features themes like carnival, ocean danger, and even a children’s park on some of the putting greens.
Customers can enjoy the 9-hole course for only $18 per head from Monday to Wednesday and an additional $2 when playing from Thursday to Sunday.
As for the 18-hole course, prices start at $26 during weekdays and $28 for Thursday and the weekends.
Kids and students are also discounted at $12 any time of the week. And if you present a PWD card, you can get in for $10 only for its 9-hole course. Fun and affordable!
If you’re willing to allot more money for the full Holey Moley experience, the complex also provides party packages for almost every occasion imaginable.
They usually include full access to all the attractions in the complex and food and drinks from the in-house bar (non-alcoholic, of course).
All of these are in addition to other fun activities that family members can do after playing golf. This includes bowling, challenge rooms, and arcade games.
However, it’s better not to stay inside the mini golf courses for long, particularly for people with medical conditions. The strobe and flashing lights in the attractions can sometimes be overstimulating when exposed for too long.
Pro tip:
Be sure to look for directional signs, as it might be difficult to spot Holey Moley among other bright and colorful establishments inside the Hijinx Hotel.
Boulders and Badlands
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Address: 76/76-122 Napper Rd, Parkwood
Contact details: [email protected], 5563 3342
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Boulders and Badlands offer people the chance to experience the thrill of the sport at a much more leisurely pace.
Ranging from $12 to $16 per head ($75 for a full family package), the mini golf course is among the highlights of The Club at Parkwood Village. Often simply called The Club, it’s known for its seasonal-themed courses.
This means that visitors have the chance to experience different challenges and set designs depending on the season and holidays like Christmas and Halloween.
Availing The Club’s $5 “social membership” or its full $24 per week subscription offers even more discounts and advantages if you intend to visit the place more than once.
Of course, children aren’t the only players welcome at the mini golf course. Boulders and Badlands are divided into three parts, each designed for different age ranges, skills, and experience levels.
Each hole presents different challenges, gradually helping players improve their skill through various obstacles and angles they could use to their advantage.
And if that isn’t enough, players can always hop off the beginners’ courses and jump right into the full-fledged golfing experience along with local players and professionals.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning to play during the night, make sure to bring some flashlights because some parts of the mini golf course are barely illuminated, particularly the bumpy areas.
2. Mini golf courses with a mix of the local nightlife
Of course, the fun doesn’t stop with the sun’s setting.
On top of its numerous themed mini golf courses, Gold Coast offers night-goers the chance to enjoy sports with some drinks, parties, music, and bright lights.
Timezone Surfers Paradise
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Address: Level 1 Paradise Centre, Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise
Contact details: [email protected], (07) 3050 0793
Operating hours: Everyday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
There’s no surprise here that Timezone Surfers Paradise made it into our guide. From the budget-friendly prices to the wide array of attractions, the arcade complex welcomes everyone.
For only just $12 per head, children and adults alike can enjoy all the 12 glow-in-the-dark mini golf courses.
Timezone even offers special group packages, including a $50 per person package that covers glow-in-the-dark mini golf courses and several other attractions for two whole hours.
What more could anyone ask for?
The courses themselves vary in difficulty. This offers a chance for both beginners and long-time players to test their skills surrounded by the bright ultraviolet and neon lights.
If you’re worrying about tripping in the dark, fear not. The glow-in-the-dark attraction is carefully designed to provide enough light to players without fully disrupting the immersion.
Lighting equipment is attached alongside the course obstacles. There are also minimal obstructions and blind spots to compensate for the dim atmosphere and avoid hindering people’s shots.
Timezone is particularly lively during the night—a perfect chance for your group to interact and even compete with other players.
From 8:00 PM until midnight, the place is usually filled with young adults and friend groups hanging around the attractions. So, if you intend to know more about the city’s primary population, nighttime mini golfing at Timezone Surfers Paradise might be a good idea.
Pro tip:
The Timezone complex in Surfers Paradise is rather big and overcrowded during the weekend nights. It’s best to keep the kids close at all times if you plan to head during nighttime.
Topgolf Gold Coast
– Media credits: topgolfgoldcoast
Address: Cnr. Roadshow Way and Entertainment Drive, Oxenford
Contact details: 1300 008 442
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Despite being geared towards older kids and adults, Topgolf remains a top recommendation of ours for people looking to test their full golfing capabilities.
For $55 before 5:00 PM and $75 in the evening, you and up to seven of your friends can rent out a bay to yourselves as you try to score the most goals in its open field.
Since it’s part of the Village Roadshow Theme Parks in the city, customers may receive special discounts when they avail themselves of some of the package deals Village Roadshow has to offer.
During daylight hours, the place functions as a regular golfing range where a hundred or so people can play to their delight.
Of course, players wouldn’t need to worry about the sun. All hitting bays are climate-controlled and designed to prevent the sun glare from hitting the players.
Come at night, you can order some food and drinks at the in-house bar. Many players often use this chance to chat with others for some friendly competition or just enjoy the evening with strangers.
The club even hosts a DJ performance on weekend nights at the Rooftop Terrace for players to enjoy post-game celebrations with some drinks and funky music.
This is on top of the exclusive parties and Christmas celebrations the golfing range hosts regularly.
If you feel like socializing, Topgolf’s drinks and lovely atmosphere make it a perfect spot to mingle with locals and visitors interested in the same hobby.
Pro tip:
It’s best to book a golfing lane early to avoid waiting for hours during the evening, as players can easily extend their stay on the lanes regardless of other reservations.