Guide to Gold Coast Theme Parks: Thrilling Rides, Tickets, Tips, and a Lotta Fun
In case you don’t know, the Gold Coast is actually the theme park capital of Australia. We’re not just about beaches and sunny days, you know!
You can actually visit multiple theme parks in one day if your feet and wallet can handle it (so far, we’ve only been to two parks in a day).
So, if you want to skip the beaches and nightlife this time, take a trip to the best theme parks for adrenaline rush, thrill rides, parades, and sore feet! Here are our favourites, complete with our top attractions and ticket-saving tips!
Warner Bros. Movie World
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Address: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford
Contact: 13 33 86
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm (Click here for the complete schedule)
The Warner Bros. Movie World brings all the razzle dazzle of Hollywood all the way to the Gold Coast! All your favourite things on TV and the cinema come to life and you’ll meet your favourite superheroes, supervillains, and cartoon characters!
This Gold Coast theme park does not play when it comes to thrilling rides. It has some of the coolest and tallest rides for thrill seekers, as well as kid-friendly ones that aren’t too intense but just as exciting!
Top Rides and Attractions
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DC Rivals HyperCoaster
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Get ready to scream at DC Rivals HyperCoaster—the longest, tallest, and fastest HyperCoaster in the Southern Hemisphere! It’s a 61.6m high ride that can reach a top speed of 115km/h!
This isn’t for the faint of heart (literally!). There are the usual twists and turns, but the highlight is the 89° drop that feels like you’re about to drop!
Superman Escape
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Superman is here to save the day! He will push you forward away from the earthquake tremors while on the Metropolis Rapid Transit.
In reality, you’ll accelerate 100km/h in just 2 seconds! The ride is pretty short but memorable due to the vertical climbs and a very sharp turn.
The Flash: Speed Force
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Take on the newest ride at Warner Bros. Movie World—The Flash: Speed Force. It’s a half-pipe shuttle rollercoaster for the daredevils—this 30m high rollercoaster will spin you as you ride a giant surfboard reaching a speed of up to 70km/h!
Hollywood Stunt Driver 2
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If you love fast cars, head over to Hollywood Stunt Driver 2 for an action-packed stunt show! Instead of riding, you’ll be on the edge of your seat watching very intense precision driving by talented drivers!
This is an exclusive experience that’s not included in the park entry. To get in, you must purchase a separate ticket for $165.
Family Friendly Fun
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Kids’ WB! Fun Zone
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Bring the little ones to Kids’ WB! Fun Zone to meet Looney Tunes characters and enjoy mild rides.
Kids can enjoy the mini version of the theme park. They can ride cars at the Junior Driving School, hop on a train at the Yosemite Sam Railroad, and frolic in the water at the Looney Tunes Splash Zone.
Star Parade
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See your favourite heroes, villains, and Looney Tunes characters march down Main Street. The Star Parade will feature floats and the most iconic characters, such as Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Batman, and the Joker!
Ticket Options
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Single Day Pass
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Price: $109
For locals and tourists who want a single visit, this 1-day ticket will give you access to the whole park. You can enjoy the rides, except for paid experiences, like Hollywood Stunt Driver 2 and the Batmobile Photo Opportunity.
One Pass
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Price:
- Non-residents: $299
- Locals: $219
This is for guests who want a multi-day pass that will last a whole year. You get unlimited entry to 4 Village Roadshow theme parks for 12 months from the first date of use—this ticket also includes Wet’n’Wild, Sea World, and Paradise Country.
You also get single entries to seasonal events—White Christmas, Sea World Carnivale, and Sea World Spooky Nights.
Movie World Fast Track
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Price: $149
If you want to skip the queue, you can get a Fast Track! It’s valid for a single ride on selected attractions.
Park entry is not included. It’s also recommended to check if the ride inclusions are open before buying the passes to avoid wasting money. On non-peak days, you can get by without a Fast Track if you don’t mind waiting in line.
Dreamworld
– Media credit: dreamworldau
Address: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
Contact: +61 7 5588 1111
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 10:30am – 4pm
- Friday: 10:30am – 5pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
As the largest theme park in Australia, Dreamworld brings a bunch of kid-friendly and thrilling rides to the Gold Coast! It’s the ultimate destination if you want a whole day of fun!
Dreamworld is not your typical theme park; it’s also a wildlife conservation park that brings the largest zoological contribution to tiger conservation in the world—perfect for animal lovers!
Top Rides and Attractions
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Steel Taipan
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This is an extreme slithering ride that can reach a top speed of 105km/h and a 3.8 g-force! As the only triple-launch rollercoaster in the country, you’ll take on twists and turns, inversions, and forwards and backward launches!
The Claw
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For adrenaline junkies, The Claw will swing you 27.1m up in the air while spinning you 360°. It has a speed of up to 64km/h and is even considered the most powerful pendulum on the planet—talk about extreme!
Sky Voyager
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Experience the first flying theatre in Australia. The Sky Voyager is a simulation ride that will take you to see the most stunning sights of Australia, complete with lights, sounds, and scents!
And yes, kids can join in! Kids 4 and up with a height of 100cm can ride with an adult!
Wildlife Experiences
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Tiger Island
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You can meet majestic tigers while in their enclosures. This features crawl spaces for kids and viewing areas that will allow you to come face-to-face with a tiger—with a glass barrier, of course!
Dreamworld Corroboree
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The Corroboree is where you’ll find wildlife attractions full of different kinds of animals, like Goldie, the resident wedge-tailed eagle. You can also feed the crocs, tong-feed the tigers, meet the curious dingos, and take photos with the adorable koalas!
Here are the rates, which are separate from the park entry:
- Croc Feed Experience: $69
- Tiger Feed Experience: $55
- Dingo Encounter: $39.95
- Koala Photos: $39.95 – $59.95
Ticket Options
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To save money, buy your tickets online because they’re priced higher at the gate. To get your money’s worth, check out these different ticket options:
Single Day Ticket
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Price:
- Adult: $109
- Child: $99
The single ticket gives you a 1-day entry to Dreamworld, which is valid for 12 months after your purchase date. Ideal for quick visits and tourists with a packed schedule.
Multi-Day Tickets
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Price:
- 2 Day Ticket (Dreamworld + SkyPoint/WhiteWater World): $129
- 3 Day Ticket (Dreamworld + SkyPoint & WhiteWater World): $149
This is an option if you want to visit the Dreamworld theme park (and another amusement park) more than once—perfect for adrenaline junkies! The multi-day ticket gives you entry to various Gold Coast theme parks within 7 days of the first visit.
Annual Pass
– Media credit: dreamworldau
Price:
- For Locals: $129 – $149
- For Visitors: $169
This is recommended for frequent visitors who want to save money. This gives you 12 months of entry to Dreamworld and other parks and events.
Each annual pass has certain inclusions. The Locals and Visitors Annual Pass have discount vouchers for food, beverages, and merchandise.
Sea World
– Media credit: seaworldaus
Address: Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
Contact: 13 33 86
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
As a marine theme park, Sea World is a must-visit on the Gold Coast! It’s the place to enjoy rides, meet awesome animals, and support marine wildlife.
Marine Exhibits
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Penguin Encounter
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This is an indoor exhibit where you’ll see Gentoo and King Penguins in their natural icy habitat. There’s an underwater viewing area if you want to see them swimming.
And if their waddle is what you’re after, the top viewing area will show you that. For a special tour, join the Penguin Antarctic Adventure for $139.
Polar Bear Shores
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Meet the 3 polar bears at Sea World Gold Coast: Hudson, Nelson, and Mishka. You can find them at Polar Bear Shores chilling or sleeping in a replica of their Arctic natural habitat. For $99, you can join an educational and behind-the-scenes tour.
Shark Bay
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Shark Bay is a fully accessible 2-level exhibit of marine creatures, such as tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks, and bottom dwellers! You can view them from the top or underwater for a much closer look.
For an even closer look, book a snorkelling adventure for $69 or go inside an acrylic cage and meet marine predators for $229 (are you brave enough?).
Top Rides and Attractions
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Jet Rescue Coaster
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At this family-friendly attraction, you’ll ride a jetski that reaches a speed of up to 74km/h! Expect fast launches and sharp turns, just like riding the massive Australian beach waves (except there’s no water!).
Storm Coaster
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Hang on tight because the Storm Coaster will take you on a wild 20m wave. It has a maximum speed of 70km/h, complete with twists and turns and some cool splashes—yes, you’ll get wet on this ride, so bring an extra shirt!
Nickelodeon Land
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This is for the kids to enjoy mild rides, meet their favourite Nickelodeon characters, and watch cool shows. Check out SpongeBob’s Boating School Blast, a mini rollercoaster, and the Bikini Bottom Crosstown Express that will glide you along town.
Ticket Options
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Single Day Pass
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Price:
- Adult: $109
- Child: $99
If you only want a 1-day visit, this is the best option. You can use it one time for up to 12 months from your date of purchase and you can go on all the rides except for paid experiences.
Escape Pass (Combo Option)
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Price:
- 5 Days: $179
- 7 Days: $199
- 14 Days: $219
The Escape Pass allows you to visit on consecutive days with unlimited entry to Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, and Wet’n’Wild. This is ideal if you’re on vacation and want to see more theme parks in 1 week.
Pro Tip: Buy your tickets online for cheaper rates. There’s an extra $10 at the gates.
Wet’n’Wild
– Media credit: wetnwildgc
Address: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford
Contact: +61 133386
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast is for people who want to cool down and avoid Australia’s hot summer days—I mean, it is hot out here!
Instead of rollercoasters, you’ll be dashing through water slides on the Gold Coast. It even has the tallest waterslide in the country!
Top Attractions
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Giant Wave Pool
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At this family-friendly attraction, you and the kids can relax in the shallow water (the depth is only 1.8m) while waiting for the waves to come. The pool has 3 million litres of water, with waves rolling in every 10 minutes.
Calypso Beach
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This is for people who want to avoid intense attractions. Hop on an inflatable and float down Calypso Beach, a lazy river that will take you through different parts of the waterpark.
Wet’n’Wild Junior
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Sure, most of the thrilling water slides at this Gold Coast waterpark are suitable for young children. But if the kids want to avoid intense and tall slides, the Wet’n’Wild Junior is a must-visit!
It’s a precinct with mini versions of the thrill rides! The kids can enjoy the waterslides without worrying about heights and they can stay at the play structure—basically a giant playground but with water!
Year-Round Fun
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Whirlpool Springs
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Just because it gets cold in Australia doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the pool (yes, it gets a tad cooler in the winter on the Gold Coast!). Whirlpool Springs has 10 pools that are heated during the cool season, perfect after a thrilling time at the waterslides!
Ticket Options
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Single Day Pass
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Price: $109
If you only want one day of waterpark fun, the single pass is your best bet. It’s cheaper than purchasing a multi-pass and is ideal if you don’t plan on going to other parks.
Super Pass and Mega Pass
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Price:
- Super Pass: $199
- Mega Pass: $219
The Super Pass gives you 7 days of consecutive entry, while the Mega Pass gives you 14 days. The higher price means you can enter 4 Gold Coast theme parks, which are Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, Sea World, and Paradise Country.
WhiteWater World
– Media credit: dreamworldau
Address: 1 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
Contact: +61 7 5588 1111
Hours: Summer Season, Friday – Saturday: 10:30am – 5pm
WhiteWater World is actually in the same place as Dreamworld, which is awesome if you want to cool down after a sunny day running around for the rides. It’s family-friendly too, since young kids can find attractions that won’t be too scary for ‘em!
Top Rides and Attractions
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The BRO
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Time to race with the whole family! The BRO is an 8-lane slide that will send you down head first! Even though you can reach a speed of up to 50km/h, kids with a minimum height of 140cm can still join in!
The Rip
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You’ll ride a giant inflatable with your mates (up to 4 people are allowed in one inflatable) and slide into a tunnel, then onto a giant bowl, and then back to a tunnel until you reach the water landing.
It’s a short ride, but it does get a tad scary when you’re in the bowl! We do recommend 3 to 4 people to ride at once because the heavy weight can feel more stable.
The Green Room
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This waterslide sounds simple enough, but the experience is not. Like The BRO, you and your mates will ride a giant inflatable, but this time, you’ll speed through a massive funnel left and right until you enter the hole.
It kinda feels like you’ll accelerate up in the air, which is why it’s not for the nervous types.
Wiggle Bay
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Wiggle Bay is for the little ones not yet ready for the thrilling rides. It’s like an introduction for the kids because the rides are short but long enough to be exciting.
This is also a place where parents can take a break since it’s not going to be as crowded as the popular sections. There’s a bunch of lounge chairs to rest on.
Ticket Options
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1-Day Ticket
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Price:
- Adult: $79
- Child: $59
Like all 1-Day tickets, this will give you one entry to WaterWorld. Tickets purchased at the gate are priced higher, so it’s best to stick to an online purchase.
Multi-Day Ticket
– Media credit: dreamworldau
Price:
- 2 Day Ticket (WhiteWater World + Dreamworld): $139
- 3 Day Ticket (WhiteWater World + Dreamworld + SkyPoint): $149
If you want to visit more Gold Coast parks, a multi-day ticket gives you the best value. You can enter the included theme parks within 7 days after your first visit, which is a good deal if you’re on a Gold Coast vacation.
Annual Pass
– Media credit: dreamworldau
Price:
- Season Pass
- Adult: $89
- Child: $69
- Visitor Annual Pass: $169
Although the annual pass sounds enticing, it’s not recommended unless you actually want to visit WhiteWater World. This does give you 1 entry to Dreamworld, but WhiteWater World is seasonal, so pick this one if you’re visiting in the summer.
How to Choose the Right Theme Park
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For Thrill Seekers
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If you’re into intense rides, your best choices are Warner Bros. Movie World, Dreamworld, and Wet’n’Wild. These theme parks have lots of fast and high thrilling rides that will force you to scream your lungs out!
For Families with Kids
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Sea World and WhiteWater World are the best options for families with small children. These have dedicated areas for kids with attractions that aren’t intense and scary.
Sea World is an educational theme park as well. Parents and kids can learn more about Australia’s marine environment and wildlife, as well as see cool animals.
For Animal Lovers
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If what you want is to meet animals, Sea World and Dreamworld will give you what you need.
At Dreamworld, you can enjoy the rides and meet and support Aussie wildlife. When you go to Sea World, you can see cool marine animals up close!
Combo Passes: Best Ways to Save on Tickets
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You can save money by purchasing a combo pass, which usually comes in the form of multi-day tickets. These will allow you to enter multiple parks for a cheaper price.
For instance, a 1-day 1-park entry at Warner Bros. Movie World costs $109, while a multi-pass entry costs $189 to $219. The multi-pass includes entry to other parks for a specified time, which is highly recommended if you plan on visiting all theme parks.
Another way to save tickets is by looking for deals and buying them online. Tickets at the gate are usually priced higher.
If you’re visiting during peak seasons, the queues are going to get looong (more than an hour’s wait is typical). If you want to skip the line, check if there are fast passes available (and if you’re willing to pay the additional fee).
Getting to the Gold Coast Theme Parks
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Since the Gold Coast is considered the theme park capital of Australia, you can actually hop from one park to another without travelling far. If you’re driving, head to the Pacific Motorway (M1).
Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Wet’n’Wild are located on the Pacific Motorway, while Dreamworld and WhiteWater World are on Dreamland Parkway. No need to worry about parking spots because there are plenty.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take the bus. G:link has stations on Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach that will get you to Wet ‘n’ Wild, Warner Bros. Movie World and Dreamworld.
You can also take the TX7 from Helensvale Station to Warner Bros. Movie World. Taxis are an option too, but be warned that they’re pricey.