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Looking for fun things to do these school holidays? We've rounded up all the best school holiday activities Gold Coast has to offer!
Whether you’re entertaining a group of kids, a couple of teens or a single ‘tween – the Gold Coast is brimming with exciting things to do for all ages!
From free and low cost to extravagant adventures, here are all the exciting Gold Coast school holiday activities (guaranteed to blow the kid’s socks off!). Keep reading for epic discounts too!
1. Play a Game of Putt Putt
School Holiday Activities in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast
At Putt Putt Mermaid Beach we open our doors from 9 am and don’t close until 10 pm, 7 days a week! So you know what that means. Between our three fantastically-themed courses, your little ones will have fun all school holidays long!
Choose from the luscious Jungle Trail, featuring exotic animals, shady nooks and exciting obstacles.
If sea-life is more your jam, have a go at the Waterways course with dazzling waterfalls, blue lagoons and rainbow lighthouses!
Or try to kick someone’s putt on the Fun Run course with motorised obstacles, princess castles and the infamous ring of light loop-de-loop!
School Holiday Activity Rating: Putt-tastic!
Time spent: Around 20 minutes per course
Cost: From $15 per child (save 10% online!)
Can’t play all three courses on the same day? Not a problem! Your tickets never expire so you can come back anytime you choose! Score your school holidays games now!
2. Picnic on Burleigh Hill (Ft. Icecream!)
School Holiday Activities in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
If you’re a Gold Coast local, you’ll know just how breathtaking Burleigh Hill is. And no doubt you’re planning to hit the hill these holidays!
Visiting from out of town? Then this is one of the Gold Coast school holiday activities you won’t want to miss!
Dust off the picnic basket. And roll out the rug.
This popular hotspot is located in the heart of Burleigh Heads, so we recommend trekking out these school holidays with a game-plan. Whether that's a morning visit or little walk up the esplanade.
Snag a park at the of the hill, park behind the Burleigh Heads Surf Club or even the library and take a leisurely stroll up.
Then, grab an ice cream before heading to one of these many other school holiday activities on the Gold Coast!
Hot tip: In August, at dusk, you’ll find magical fireflies twinkling just inside the canopy of the rainforest!
School Holiday Activity Rating: A snacking good time!
Time spent: Travel at your own pace
Cost: Snack fund
3. Ride the Quack’r Duck
School Holiday Activities in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Kind of like ‘nutbush city limit’ – but not. The Duck Bus City Tour picks you up from Surfers Paradise and takes you straight into the big blue. Check out the Quack’r Duck for a school holiday activity not likely to be forgotten!
Feel that Gold Coast breeze, the fresh ocean spritzing your face and the kids having such a ball they'll be sleeping on the car ride home. #winning
School Holiday Activity Rating: Quack-tastic!
Time spent: About 60 minutes
Cost: From From $30 per child
4. Climb the SkyPoint Observation Deck
School Holiday Activities in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Okay, if you’re not so great with heights, this one’s probably not for you! But for the adrenaline junkies (and their kids), checking out the SkyPoint Observation Deck should be on your list.
Birds-eye 360 views of the Gold Coast are waiting for you at the top, morning and night. Bookings are essential and a 2:1 adult to child ratio applies.
School Holiday Activity Rating: Dizzying new heights of cool!
Time spent: Travel at your own pace
Cost: From From $19 per child
5. BBQ in the Jungle Retreat
School Holiday Activities in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast
Did you know that Putt Putt Mermaid Beach has a BBQ area free to hire? It’s true! And it’s also one of the best school holiday activities you can do on the Gold Coast!
Suited best to groups of 10 to 50, the Jungle Hideaway BBQ Zone means you get your own oasis just outside the heart of the Gold Coast!
Get delivery (hello, UberEats), bring your own spread or cook up on the day!
Your BBQ your way.
After all, you’ll be pretty peckish after a fun-filled game of putt putt! Bookings essential – get in touch to make yours!
School Holiday Activity Rating: Sizzlin'!
Time spent: 1-3 hours
Cost: From From $15 per child
BOOK GAMES HERE (and get in touch to reserve the BBQ zone)
6. Check Out Ripley’s Believe it Or Not
School Holiday Activities in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Like kooky stuff? Want to see a two-headed cow? Are you curious about how you and the little ones stack up against the world’s tallest man? Then a trip to Ripley’s Believe it or Not could be on the cards these school holidays.
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, this is the type of Gold Coast activity every one has to do at least once! Have you visited yet?
School Holiday Activity Rating: Mind-boggling!
Time spent: Browse at your own pace
Cost: From From $20.90 per child
7. Head Along to the Broadbeach Markets
School Holiday Activities in Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Running on the first and third Sunday of each month, the Broadbeach Markets are packed with interesting stalls and food trucks – all with the melodic soundtrack of epic live musicians. Lucky for you, they’re just a couple of bus stops from Putt Putt Mermaid Beach too!
Pick up a trinket, make your own candle and forage for one of a kind Australian-made gifts all in the name of school holiday fun.
School Holiday Activity Rating: #Fresh
Time spent: Browse at your own pace
Cost: FREE
8. The City of Gold Coast Guide
School Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast
The City of Gold Coast puts on some ripper events all year round! Check out their school holiday programs and see if there’s something your kids will love to do!
School Holiday Activity Rating: So many activities!
Time spent: Endless...
Cost: Varies
9. Get Spooky at Drax 4 Kids
School Holiday Activities in Broadbeach, Gold Coast
You’ve probably heard of Dracula’s. But did you know these guys also have a Drax 4 Kids attraction too?
Spooky, kooky and kid-friendly shows. What could go wrong? The only ‘boo’s’ at these performances are coming from the ghosts themselves! A great time for ghouls and boys these school holidays!
School Holiday Activity Rating: Mind-boggling!
Time spent: Various
Cost: More info via website
10. Embark on an Intergalactic Experience at Infinity
School Holiday Activities in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Infinity offers optical illusions, spooky rooms and crazy lighting. Not for the faint hearted, head along to Infinity, within the Surfers Paradise precinct and experience it for yourself!
School Holiday Activity Rating: Out of this world!
Time spent: 40 minutes - 1 hour
Cost: $17.90 per child
11. Search for Whales from Miami Headland
School Holiday Activities in Miami, Gold Coast
From May to June, whale watching season hits the Gold Coast’s shores with a splash!
But hot tip, from June until October you’ll have the best chance of catching a spout in the distance.
While the Gold Coast is home to a few headlands, Miami Headland is one that is never too busy. This gives you the ultimate access to scanning the seas and (hopefully) spotting a happy whale friend in the distance!
Out of all the Gold Coast school holiday activities, you’ll need the most patience for this one. But if it pays off, it’ll be totally worth it!
If you want to get right up close to these gentle giants of the sea, Spirit of Gold Coast will take you on a mesmorising journey.
12. Discover the Magic of Twilight Putt Putt
School Holiday Activities in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast
As the sun sets, the Putt Putt Mermaid Beach courses light up for a very special twilight mini golf experience these school holidays.
Play any of our three fantastically-themed courses right up until 10 pm, but we must make special mention of our dazzling Waterways Course! Shimmering blue lagoons, twinkling fairy lights and waterfalls galore.
Pick yourself up a magical glow ball and take advantage of our Shooting Star Special, 7 night s a week!
A must-do Gold Coast school holiday activity for the kids, and the kids at heart.
School Holiday Activity Rating: 10 out of 10 STARS!
Time spent: Around 30 minutes
Cost: From $15 per child
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13. Chow Down at Sizzler
School Holiday Activities in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast
As well as being a short stroll from Putt Putt Mermaid Beach, Sizzler has other cool stuff going for it too. You just need a quick peek at their menu items to know that you’ll need to bring your appetite these school holidays.
Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, choose tasty meals from the salad bar, build your own nachos, treat yourself to a fresh apple crumble or go all out with ice cream (and extra toppings).
Suited to even the fussiest of eaters, Sizzler is perfect for kids and parents alike all school holidays long. Bookings required on 55729411.
14. Get Creative or Catch a Show at HOTA
School Holiday Activities in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Hidden just inland from the bustling Surfers Paradise, HOTA runs all kinds of fun shows, workshops and performances perfect for kidlets, teens and everyone in between.
Air guitar competitions, science fairs and more – there’s never a dull moment! Check out what’s on and BYO creative flair!
15. Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Adrenaline Activities
School Holiday Activities in, Gold Coast
Are you a thrillseeker? A daredevil? A family of extreme sports addicts? Then you’ll love Jetboat Extreme and Jetski Safaris!
Hit the open waterways and zoom through the Gold Coast’s most breathtaking spots. All with the little kids strapped in tight. Suitable for children 8 years and over, check out the websites for more details!
16. Pedal Through the City
School Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast
Skip the parking queue and opt to take your pushy for an adventure across the Gold Coast. The City of Gold Coast has an excellent resource filled with all the best bikeways across the Gold Coast (there’s over 100km of them!).
Riding between Broadbeach and Miami is a breeze, with flat bike-friendly paths and bike lanes along the beach the whole way. Why not pull up and park your wheels at our bike racks? Cool off with a cold drink and a casual game of putt putt before heading out again!
17. Get Competitive with Arcade Games
School Holiday Activities in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast
The Putt Putt Mermaid Beach Arcade Game Centre calls for hours of fun these school holidays! Between air hockey tournaments, a couple of rounds of pool, car racing, a try at the hilarious Go Go Pony or Test Master claw – you and the kids will have an absolute hoot!
18. Embrace Nature at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
School Holiday Activities in Currumbin, Gold Coast
Fancy yourself a bit of a Steve Irwin? A real Tarzan or George of the jungle? Check out all the amazing animals and parklands Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has to offer, including koalas, rosellas and even crocs!.jpg)
19. Explore & Play at Cascade Gardens
School Holiday Activities in Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Looking for a playground, a place to kick the footy and gorgeous views all-in-one? Cascade Gardens is one of the Gold Coast school holiday activities we’re all about.
With a sparse field, loads of shade and even some little rotunda hideaways, Cascade Gardens is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a play in the park.
We’re naming it one of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets.
Make your way to the back car park and lap up all the serenity (and fun!), that this Gold Coast location has to offer.
20. Head out on a Scenic Day Tour
From air ballooning and glowworm watching to Tropical Fruit World and road trips to Byron Bay – The folks at Scenic Day Tour Group have something for everyone! Check out their great deals online.
21. Catch a Flick at Pacific Fair Movies
School Holiday Activities in Broadbeach, Gold Coast
This is one of the Gold Coast school holiday activities where mum and dad can - aaaah! - Sit back and relax! Head along to Event Cinema's Pacific Fair to watch the latest movie in regular seating or splash out with Gold Class if you’re feeling fancy.
22. Get Your Detective on at Padlockd
School Holiday Activities Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
These school holidays, try an activity that’s a little different! The escape rooms at Padlockd are suited to children over 7 and must be accompanied by a person over 15 at all times. The rooms may be a little spooky, but a fun time for the family if you’re all into enjoying a ghoulish time.
Want to tick four 'hole' things (pun intended) off your Gold Coast school holiday activities list? Buy online today and save 10% off all tickets for putt putt and twilight mini golf – then enjoy free BBQ hire and access to our arcade games room! Book today!
Tip from the green: After your game of Putt Putt pick up a copy of The Best Tours & Attractions Booklet in-store, to score sweet discounts on many of these activities!
Ready to tee into school holidays with putt-tastic fun? Score 10% off when you buy online today!
Tags: Gold Coast School Holidays, Gold Coast School Holiday Experiences, Gold Coast School Holiday Activities