| 99% of visitors to the Gold Coast end up in one | | | | go to Once you've booked, the tickets are valid |
| of the fabulous theme parks. It's probably one of | | | | for up to one year. Go to for the other two |
| the key reasons that the Gold Coast is in fact | | | | parks. |
| one of the top holiday destinations in Australia. | | | | 4. Spend less time queuing |
| Are you like me and LOVE those Adrenalin rides? | | | | Before you even leave for your trip, book your |
| Perhaps you have kids and are looking for a place | | | | tickets on line It will save you lots of time as |
| that you can keep them entertained? The Gold | | | | there is no queuing when you get to the park |
| Coast Theme parks are definitely the right place | | | | entrance. You can just use the e-ticket express |
| to come. | | | | gates. |
| To get the most out of the theme parks, you | | | | If you think Dream World is the theme park for |
| need to plan your trip. This article is here to help | | | | you, then take my advice and get get the |
| you do just that. | | | | following extra tickets which will give you more |
| There are buses available that will take you to the | | | | time to enjoy the park. |
| parks so you don't need to hire a car. Surfside | | | | Early Entry. To get into the park an hour earlier |
| Shuttle Buses offer the best service and they | | | | than the crowds, you will need to pay an |
| have brochures in most key places such as | | | | additional $10. They usually have at least 2 of the |
| tourist offices, the airport and of course, on their | | | | big rides available but sometimes they have all 5. |
| buses. | | | | Well worth it to avoid those queues. As you |
| 1. Which Theme Park? | | | | would expect, tickets are strictly limited so book |
| There are 4 main Theme parks and it depends | | | | ahead. |
| what you are into as to which one you choose to | | | | Q4U. For two adults this will cost you an additional |
| go to. | | | | $20 (family of 4 $30) and it's probably the best |
| The first is Sea World. Perfect for smaller children | | | | money you'll spend all day! It gives you a beeper, |
| and anyone who likes Polar Bears, Whales and | | | | a bit like the ones you get in restaurants. Whilst |
| dolphins | | | | you still have to wait for the ride as long as |
| Movie World. If you are into movies, film stunts | | | | everyone else, you get to walk around the park |
| and super heroes then this is the place. They also | | | | rather than stand in line. The buzzer bleaps when |
| have some adrenalin rich rides here too. | | | | you can get on the ride. There aren't too many |
| DreamWorld. If you love the big thrill rides then | | | | of these available so make sure you book ahead. |
| this is the place for you. | | | | 5. Don't Miss The Theme Parks Main Attractions |
| Wet N Wild A classic water park with all the slides | | | | Don't run out of time. Plan your trip carefully by |
| and flumes you can imagine. | | | | looking at the online Theme Park Maps. Work out |
| Two more theme parks exist | | | | which of the attractions you really want to do |
| White Water World. Relatively new to the Gold | | | | and find out the times of the shows. That way, |
| Coast. This is another water park designed to | | | | you are less likely to run out of time. The website |
| give Wet n Wild a run for its money. | | | | link at the bottom will tell you what each of the |
| Outback Spectacular. A show and Aussie | | | | main attractions are. |
| Barbeque depicting life in the Outback. Only open | | | | 6. Book Ahead For Some Interesting Extras |
| in the evenings. | | | | Some of the parks offer additional experiences |
| If you are an adult or have teenage children then | | | | that can make the difference between a good |
| I'd go for Dream World and White Water World. | | | | day and a really memorable one. Sea World has |
| Sea World, Movie World and Wet n Wild are | | | | animal adventures that can be pre-booked. You |
| better if your kids are a bit younger or you really | | | | can scuba dive with a shark or swim with a |
| are into your movies or marine life. | | | | dolphin. You can also take surf lessons at White |
| 2. Getting The Right Ticket | | | | Water World. |
| There are two different owners of the parks so | | | | 7. Keep Costs Down By Taking Your Own Food |
| it's best to pick between them to get the best | | | | You can take a packed lunch to some of the |
| value for money. | | | | theme parks to save a bit of cash. Dream World |
| You can do Dreamworld and the White Water | | | | and White Water World won't allow it though. |
| World together orvisit the other three together, | | | | 8. Store Your Belongings in a Central Location |
| Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild. | | | | Use the lockers to store your belongings but pick |
| 3. Decide How Many Days You Want To Spend | | | | a good central location if you will need to keep |
| At The Theme Parks | | | | going back and forth. Don't just pick the first ones |
| Work out how much time you want to spend at | | | | you see as these could end up being really |
| the park. Don't be fooled. It's hard to get round | | | | inconvenient. |
| more than one park in a day. With the shows and | | | | 9. Take Lots Of Mobile Phones |
| queues, it's too much of a rush trying to do two | | | | If you plan to split up and meet back somewhere, |
| in one day. This is particularly true if you have | | | | take mobile phones - queueing for different rides |
| kids who want to do different things. | | | | will take different lengths of time leaving half the |
| With the exception of DreamWorld and White | | | | party frustratingly waiting at a meeting point. |
| Water World, the parks are not close together. | | | | 10. Spend Time In The Gold Coast Exploring Its |
| It's therefore only feasible to do two parks in one | | | | Other Charms |
| day if you want to do these two parks. I wouldn't | | | | The theme parks are just one aspect of the Gold |
| necessarily advice it though. You will feel rushed. | | | | Coast. For a truly memorable holiday, make sure |
| Instead, go for a two day pass. If you want to | | | | you incorporate some other attractions such as |
| do the three parks, go for a 2 or better still, 3 | | | | the Hinterland, known by the locals as the Green |
| day pass. | | | | behind the Gold. |
| To book your tickets for the big 3 theme parks | | | | |
