It is always hard to find activities for the entire family. You always run into a “you must be this tall to ride this ride” or “not appropriate for children”. But there is no shortage of fun activities for the entire family just a short drive out of Brisbane. So many, you simply can’t have a boring holiday in sunny Brisbane and your kids will be begging to return. Here we round up eight of our kids’ eight favourite spots just outside of Brisbane.
1. Movie World
Warner Brother’s Movie World is located on the Pacific Motorway, Oxenford on Queensland’s Gold Coast. It is about 45 minutes form Brisbane. If you love movies, movie characters, movie shows, and want to know more about how movies are made, Warner Bros Movie World is the perfect place for your family vacation on the Gold Coast. Just be ready to meet Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, and other movie and comic strip characters. Learn how movies are made behind the scenes and enjoy taking pictures with all of your favorite characters. This is fun for the whole family because these characters may even date back to when your parents were born.
2. Sea World
If you want to get up close and personal to the marine life, such as dolphins, stingrays, seals, sharks, and polar bears, then Australia’s Sea World is the best place for you. Bring the whole family and enjoy throwing fish into dolphins’ mouths and looking at the sharks swim. Shark Bay is the world’s largest lagoon system and the sharks will come face-to-face with you while swimming. Polar Bear Shores, Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach are only some of the attractions that will spark your family’s attention. This trip is for all ages, from toddlers on up.
3. Dreamworld
Dreamworld is a theme park attraction for everyone even if you don’t like riding the rides. This fun-filled park is filled with ice cream parlours, restaurants, cafes, and shops to enjoy while walking from ride to ride. Dreamworld offers The Big 6 Thrill Rides including the Tower of Terror, where you will scream your socks off on the world’s tallest and fastest thrill ride, the Giant Drop that has a freefall from 38 stories, and other exciting and jaw dropping rides. So, while those rides may not suit younger children, they will definitely enjoy Wiggles World, The Australian Wildlife Experience, and Tiger Island. This part of the park offers safe attractions for our younger audience.
4. Lamington National Park
This park is known for its bird life, rainforests, mountain views, and beautiful scenery. This park plays an important role in the conservation of several species of threatened birds and is part of the Scenic Rim Important Bird Area. Go enjoy Lamington’s tree top walk while being able to take pictures of the charming area. The spectacular views and sounds of the birds flying from tree to tree will offer you a surreal experience you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Bring your family and friends to enjoy this experience.
5. Daisy Hill Koala Centre
How many people can honestly say they have been face to face with a koala? There are the cutest animals and what better way to spend your trip in Australia than to spend it learning and interacting with koalas. Although there is no touching the three onsite koalas, there are still educational movies and viewing towers. After looking at the koalas, take the family to the shaded areas to have a BBQ. The facility provides wood for the wood fires, but you must provide the matches. This can be a fun get together and a great resting place to eat and relax before enduring in other adventures in Australia. The best thing is that this exhibit is free!
6. Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park
So, we all know that the weather in Brisbane can get steaming hot, so why not cool off at the water park? Located on the outskirts of Brisbane, and has fun water slides and splash areas for all kinds of activities. Owned by Warner Village Theme Parks, this attraction has almost 20 individual slides and four pools. The lines are particularly long at the pirate-themed Buccaneer Bay, the lazy river at Calypso Beach, the Giant Wave Pool, Surfrider, and more. Screams of excitement on the fast waterslides and laughter both make for a great weekend trip with family and friends.
7. Queensland ScienCentre
This science centre has been renovated and is overflowing with interesting displays, hands on activities, and impressive scientific exhibits. Enjoy learning about the science behind why animals are the way they are. Sure, you’ve seen a dolphin, but do you understand their body language or calls? On a rainy day, the center can become crowded, so try to come when the day is nice so that you can get the whole experience without being bombarded by the crowds.
8. Australia Zoo
Just north of Brisbane, this zoo was founded by the late Steve Irwin in 1970. As we all know, Steve was a world famous Australian crocodile hunter and television sensation. The zoo offers feeding demonstrations, viewings, and informative keeper talks. You will walk out with more knowledge than when you walked in. The snakes, crocodiles, spiders, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and other animals will spark your attention and amaze your children. Australia is known for its animals, so it is only right that you visit the Australian zoo.
Kristy Alexander is a freelance travel writer who loves taking family holidays in the sun and surf. When she’s looking for cheap accommodation in Brisbane she stays at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane.