5 Free school holiday activities for kids on the Gold Coast

Open from dawn to dusk each day, a visit the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens at Benowa gives parents time to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings while the kids can run free and explore. There is a sensory garden where you can smell and touch the plants, look for butterflies in the butterfly garden and inhale the subtle aromas as you explore the rose garden. There are also lakes, bamboo forest, boardwalk areas for you to wander through and get lost from the real world for a little while.

Local community organisation Friends of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens host a range of free events in the gardens including weekly guided walks suitable for all ages. Why not take your family along and join the informative “This Fragile World” endangered species walk on 10th July.

Burleigh headland walk. At the end of Goodwin Terrace in Burleigh Heads you will find the entrance to Burleigh Head National Park. There are various walks up to 2.3km which meander around the headland and through lush rainforest areas. Keep your eyes open for butterflies, water lizards and Aquaduckh turkeys. Bring your camera as there are some great photo opportunities and Humpback Whales can often be seen passing by in season. For everything you need to know before you go, visit the official site here

Make a day of it. Pack yourself a picnic lunch and sit under a cabbage tree palm on the headland hill taking in the magnificent view across the coastline to Surfers Paradise and beyond while surfers ride the waves in front of you. If you’re up for a swim there is a patrolled beach at Burleigh Heads only 5 minutes walk down the hill. Even if the headland walk isn’t for you, a picnic lunch at Burleigh Hill is an easy way to waste away a leisurely afternoon. There is a great playground for the kids at the base of the hill too.

While you’re in Burleigh Heads why not call in and visit the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Discover the rich culture and history of the Gold Coast’s Yugambeh aboriginal people and see artifacts that were part of everyday life. Walk and learn as you explore the boardwalk storyboard before viewing the gallery of traditional paintings and other artworks. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm.

The Broadwater Parklands in Southport is the ultimate location for letting the kids run free and burn off some energy and only a 10 minute drive from Surfers Paradise. The parklands are located along the Broadwater at Southport. While parents sit back under a tree and take in the stunning view across the water, the kids can enjoy the myriad free play activities available including a jumping pillow, cycle monorail, flying fox, swings, giant lizards to climb on, endless green spaces to run play and kick a footy. Not to forget there is also the ‘Rockpools’ shallow water park featuring water spouting animals and a big bucket at one end, it’s a hit with kids of all ages!

Hop on board the Gold Coast’s iconic ‘Aquaduck’ tour, departing from Cavill Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Experience the Gold Coast as you never have before on our amphibious ‘Duck’.

It’s a spectacular city tour and fun Gold Coast river cruise all in one.

Quack around as your unique land and water adventure begins with a city tour past the landmarks and along the famous golden beaches of Surfers Paradise. Then, be amazed as your vessel is driven into the Gold Coast Broadwater and instantly transforms from bus to boat.

Read some of the fantastic Aquaduck customer reviews below:

Ready, set, jump! Bounce is an indoor trampoline park located at Burleigh Waters. Kids aged 2 years and older can jump, spin and flip themselves into space on the various trampolines and giant air bags throughout the centre.

Located in central Surfers Paradise, Infinity is an attraction unlike any other. A self-paced, walk through adventure that leads you through a series of rooms each with their own special effects, illusions and sensory experiences. The journey takes approx. 30 minutes and is recommended for children over 8 years.

Book a Infinity & Aquaduck combo and save money.

Enjoy learning about the local Gold Coast Hinterland and Scenic Rim region and its abundant flora and fauna as you are personally guided to experience to the best lookouts, waterfalls, local produce and scenic walking trails.
Experience the most popular Gold Coast Hinterland Tours with Southern Cross Tours.

Book the Aquaduck and Southern Cross Tour here

Children over 3 years can get in touch with their inner Elsa or Olaf at Planet Chill, located within Paradise Resort Gold Coast. They have Penguins to help with stability for younger kids (or the young at heart) who might be new to ice skating. Friday and Saturday nights 6-8pm are family disco nights on the rink including fun games and prizes. It’s the coolest place in Paradise.  A 2-hour skate session costs $20pp and you can book online.

Yes Day is a fun and fantastic way to spend a day with your family. Yes Day started out as a book then ended up a Netflix movie, but now families are joining in all over the world.

Yes Day is a day where the parents have to say YES to everything the kids ask for 24hrs…. What could go wrong?

Check out this fantastic Yes Day website to help explain what is Yes Day. Get some Yes Day Ideas, find out the Yes Day Rules, and discover why you should do Yes Day.