“ You can also hire aqua-mobiles by the hour and design your own route, without a guide or group.”
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9 top picks for families in the Gold Coast
Here are some of our favourite adventures.
1. Head out water biking
Sitting somewhere between a dinghy and a push bike, Seaway Waterbike Tours’ aqua-mobiles are easy to manoeuvre and incredibly fun. Join a tour and pedal to a nearby island for snorkelling and wallaby-spotting in the bush.
2. Go hunting for thundereggs
For the mini geologists in your clan, thunderegg hunting is an ideal mix of discovery and getting muddy. But first, what is a thunderegg? These odd-looking rocks are formed from volcanic ash in layers, and Tamborine Mountain’s Thunderbird Park is basically the world’s largest mine. Little ones are handed a bucket and a pick and sent out to forage for souvenirs.
“ Once kids unearth their eggs, friendly staff will cut the rocks in half to reveal crystals hidden inside. ”
3. Tackle the treetops
Nestled in Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Tree Top walk is an easy 800-metre circuit through gorgeous bushland. The walk includes nine suspension bridges and rises up into the rainforest canopy for unique and expansive views. For an option in North Tamborine, we love the Mt Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, which includes elevated bridges and ground-level tramps.
4. Take your daredevils abseiling
Courageous kids and their caretakers should head straight to Point Danger at Coolangatta. Experienced guides provide excellent introductions to outdoor climbing and abseiling. Once everyone’s done their dash on the rockface, relax in the sunshine with a barbecue.
“For something a bit less intense, try Paramount Indoor Rock Climbing Gym. ”
5. Step into some virtual reality
Gamers will be in their element at Southport’s Holoverse. With 40 hologram rooms, you can live out wild experiences (virtually!). Sit on the seabed with massive turtles, explore ancient civilizations or fight fierce robots with huge swords. It’s magic.
6. Get wheels down on an island tour
Explorers will love a half-day island experience with Gold Coast Island Buggy Tours. You’ll hope on a luxury cruise from Marinas Cove, Main Beach, for a ride to South Stradbroke Island (if you’re lucky, you’ll even spot dolphins popping up to say hello!). Once you arrive at Couran Cove, you’ll take your pick of single, twin or family share 4WD beach buggies to tackle the bushland, sand dunes and picture-perfect beachfront.
7. Go for an outdoor movie
What with new movies screening and a classic drive-in-style menu, Yatala Drive-In has all the makings of a great night out. Bring blankets and chairs to sit under the stars or cosy up in your car!
8. Find some old-school fun
Head out for tenpin bowling at Go Bowling in Ashmore, mini-golf at King Tutt’s Putt Putt (ugh, say that three times fast) or, for more of an adrenaline rush, go-karting at Kingston Park Raceway or Pimpama.
9. Go big on a hot air balloon ride
For the ultimate game of “I Spy,” pack the family into the basket of a massive hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable drift over the hinterland or coast.
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