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The Gold Coast is home to some of the best adrenaline experiences in Queensland, and that includes most of Australia’s theme parks! Movieworld, Seaworld, Wet ‘n’Wild, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World all call the Gold Coast home, and this means you can have a pretty epic family holiday going park hopping!
To fit them all in though, you will need some great Gold Coast theme park accommodation, so we have put together a list of the best places to stay for theme parks on the Gold Coast!
THE BEST GOLD COAST THEME PARK ACCOMMODATION
The Gold Coast theme parks are all relatively close together, with the exception of Seaworld being a little further from the rest. However they are all within a quick drive or bus trip from one another, so having a home base near any of the parks will suit a multi-theme park holiday!
However, if you are just planning on visiting one of the parks during your Gold Coast visit, or if you are looking for something in particular, we have grouped our top accommodation recommendations into categories to help you find the perfect place to stay!
Plan your Gold Coast visit with the best things to do with kids on the Gold Coast and indoor activities for rainy days!
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION NEAR SEAWORLD
Seaworld Gold Coast is located on the Spit, along Main Beach in Southport. This is a pretty active hub on the Gold Coast, which means there are loads of places to stay, eat and play!
This also means there is public transport available throughout the area, making it pretty easy to get around the surrounding Gold Coast area if you are not travelling by private car during your stay.
Family Accommodation – Seaworld Resort & Water Park
This is of course the obvious choice, as Seaworld Resort adjoins the Seaworld Gold Coast theme park.
The resort caters to families, with great Gold Coast theme park deals incorporated into many of the room rates. At the resort itself, kids will love the water park and swimming pool area, with waterslides and tipping buckets. There is also a kids’ club, babysitting, a gym and restaurants.
There is a monorail that will take you into the theme park, or a gate entrance into Seaworld if you are happy to walk a few minutes.
They also have a special dolphin encounter show just for guests, and Nickelodeon characters visit the resort before Seaworld opens in the morning. Super fun and not just for kids. We actually stayed here once before kids as well as several times after!
This is one of our favourite family resorts on the Gold Coast and we stay every 1-2 years.
Best parts:
- Theme park entry available with most room packages
- Water park and swimming pool
- Kids club
- Monorail to Seaworld
- Restaurants and casual dining
- Free wifi
Seaworld Resort is our favourite family-friendly Gold Coast accommodation. They have some crazy good deals a couple of times each year (usually in winter), where you can get room and theme park entry into Seaworld, Movieworld, and WetNWild for around $250AU a night for 4 people.
>Click for availability and prices at Seaworld Resort & Water Park
Luxury Accommodation – Palazzo Versace
If you want to splash out a little more on your Gold Coast theme park adventure, Palazzo Versace is located just around the corner from Seaworld and is within walking distance of the park.
They have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom rooms to cater for couples and families, all decorated in fine furnishings, with private balconies and spa baths. The resort has its own private marina, bars and restaurants. This is truly the luxury place to stay when visiting the Gold Coast.
Best parts:
- Family rooms available
- Swimming pool
- Spa bath in every room
- Free wifi
Palazzo Versace offers the ultimate home away from home, with water views and a great location, with only a short 10-minute walk to Seaworld and the Marina Mirage restaurant area.
>Click for availability and prices at Palazzo Versace
Other Things to do Near Seaworld
- Dine at one of the many restaurants at Marina Mirage
- Take a seaplane to Stradbroke Island
- Go on a fishing charter
- Enjoy the best fish and chips around at Peter’s Fish Market
- Whale watching
- Watersports
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION NEAR MOVIE WORLD & WET ‘N’ WILD
Movieworld and WetNWild are located in Oxenford, along the Pacific Motorway. Between them sits a whole load of other fun and attractions too.
Paradise Country, where you will get to meet native Australian and farm animals. Top Golf is the newest major Gold Coast attraction, with unique golf-themed games and a driving range and is suitable for the whole family. And Australian Outback Spectacular, a nightly performance incorporating Australian history, animals, a lights show, music and great food.
Pretty much any accommodation in Oxenford is going to set you up for an exciting Gold Coast family holiday!
While a car to get around will make your stay easier, there are buses, Uber, and taxis available, as well as many of the hotels in the area providing shuttle services between the theme parks.
Here are our top recommendations for Wet N Wild and Movieworld accommodation:
Family – Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park & Motel
Located only a 5-minute drive, or 1km from Movieworld or 1.5km from WetNWild, Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is essentially a holiday destination in its own right. The Big4 parks are known for fun, with swimming pools, a water slide, playground, outdoor activities and board games.
It is essentially the perfect family-friendly accommodation Gold Coast has to offer in the Coomera area. The best thing is the fact there is accommodation to suit all budgets too, from campsites to cabins and even two-bedroom villas.
Best parts:
- Suitable for families
- Swimming pools and water park
- Kids activity schedule
- Free wifi
- Loads of indoor and outdoor activities
- Restaurant
This holiday park is perfect for short or longer stay family holidays where you want the added fun of having entertainment at your accommodation, while still close enough for quick access to the theme parks.
>Click for availability and prices at Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Camping / Glamping – Paradise Country Farm Stay
Why not make your stay something special by booking a Paradise Country Farm Stay.
Located between Movieworld and WetNWild, the farm stay is the ultimate animal lover’s experience. Paradise Country is an Australian farm attraction that features both farm animals and native Australian animal encounters and you will have the chance to experience the farm after hours with exclusive tours and farm stay fun.
It also happens to be the closest Movieworld accommodation too! They have standard and eco tent options available.
Best parts:
- Unique camping accommodation
- Animal encounters
- Optional buffet breakfast
- Close proximity to theme parks
>Click for availability and prices at Paradise Country Farm Stay
The eco tents are the perfect option for those of you who love the idea of camping but still want a little extra home comfort mixed in with your theme park accommodation!
Other Things to do Near Movieworld and Wet N Wild
- Enjoy a meal and show at Australian Outback Spectacular
- Meet some furry friends at Paradise Country
- Master your swing at Top Golf
- Go Karting at Game Over Helensvale
Read next: 10 Things to do on the Gold Coast with kids
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION NEAR DREAMWORLD & WHITEWATER WORLD
Dreamworld is located in Coomera, Gold Coast, which is just over 45 minutes by car from Brisbane.
There are actually not a lot of hotels near Dreamworld Gold Coast, which makes it a little trickier if you do not have your own transport. However many Gold Coast hotels do provide shuttle bus services, either free of charge or at a reasonable cost to get you to and from Dreamworld and White Water World.
Dreamworld is located only a few minutes drive down the Pacific Motorway from Movieworld and WetNWild, so staying in either area is convenient if you wish to visit all the different parks in a single Gold Coast holiday.
There are also plenty of shops, restaurants, and other attractions in the area.
Here are some of our top picks for Dreamworld accommodation:
Budget / Family Friendly – Coomera Motor Inn
Located across the highway from Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, and only a short 7-minute drive to Movieworld and WetNWild. Coomera Motor Inn is a great budget Dreamworld accommodation that is family-friendly and in close proximity to shops, restaurants and the rest of the Gold Coast attractions.
The hotel offers rooms suited to solo travellers, double, triple quad and family rooms for up to 5 people, making it perfect for family accommodation Gold Coast.
Best parts:
- Swimming pool
- Theme park shuttle service
- BBQ & picnic areas
- Restaurant
Coomera Motor Inn is a popular budget family hotel for Gold Coast theme parks, with soundproof rooms and shuttle services available, situated only 0.5km from Dreamworld and White Water World
>Click for prices and availability at Coomera Motor Inn
Mid Range – Ramada By Wyndham
If you are looking for a modern, mid-range theme park accommodation Gold Coast, Ramada By Wyndham is a popular choice for couples.
While the hotel itself does not target families specifically, the Hope Island location is great for views and distance from other attractions and has great ratings for family travellers as well. It boasts two swimming pools, a sauna and a restaurant.
It is located approximately 5.9km or 15 minutes from Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, and close to Sanctuary Cove.
Best parts:
- Suitable for couples or smaller families
- 2 swimming pools
- Free wifi
- Shuttle service available
- Restaurant and bar
Although popular for families, this would be the perfect romantic theme park getaway option if you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping couples escape.
>Click for availability and prices at Ramada At Wyndham
If there are no available rooms, try The Peninsula Hope Island
Other Things to do Near Dreamworld and WhiteWater World
- Go trampolining at Spring Loaded
- Dine at Sanctuary Cove
- Do some shopping at Westfield Coomera
No doubt you will now have the best options for accommodation near theme parks Gold Coast so you can make the most of your thrill seeker holiday. The Gold Coast theme parks are fun for the whole family! And best of all, you can get Gold Coast theme parks super pass tickets before you visit, to save you big!
Buy Gold Coast Theme Park Tickets Online
Get your discount theme park tickets Gold Coast online:
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PLANNING YOUR GOLD COAST THEME PARK HOLIDAY SOON? SAVE THIS FOR LATER
