12 of The Best Gold Coast Resorts for Families

Best Gold Coast Resorts for families

If you’re looking for the best Gold Coast resorts for families, then this guide is for you!  We’ve asked fellow travel bloggers to tell us their tips on the best kids resort; Gold Coast has on offer as well as popping in a few of our own recommendations.

There is plenty to choose from when it comes to the best family accommodation Gold Coast has on offer – but in this guide, we’ve focused on the very best kid-friendly resorts Gold Coast has.  So think massive swimming pools, playgrounds, spacious rooms – everything you need for the perfect family Gold Coast holidays.

Not all the Gold Coast accommodation for kids mentioned in this guide is necessarily “thrifty”, but having said that, depending on what time of year you go, you can get some fantastic deals on most hotels.  We’ve personally stayed at most of these best family resorts Gold Coast has, and got some fantastic deals over the years.  So don’t dismiss them purely because they are some of the best Gold Coast family resorts – 5 star!

So without further ado – here are the best Gold Coast resorts for Kids.

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.

Planning a trip to Queensland? Have any questions? Join our Queensland Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired! Or get inspired on our Thrifty Family Travel Instagram Feed.

Best Gold Coast Family Resorts Map

Below is a map where you can easily see the location of all the best Gold Coast accommodation for families, which is covered in this guide.  Zoom in and out for a closer view.

Best Gold Coast Accommodation for Families Overview

Below are all the best resorts Gold Coast has for families in a comparison table, so you can quickly and easily see the different resorts reviewed in this guide and work out which kids resort, Gold Coast is best for your family.

ResortRoom AmenitiesResort FaciltitiesLocationCheck Price
Sea World Resort
Hotel style rooms to suit 2 to 5 peopleRestaurants and bars, day spa, pool, water park, gym and a kid’s club.Main BeachCheck Price
Paradise Resort
Paradise Resort
Hotel style rooms to bunk bed rooms for bigger familiesWaterpark, ice skating rink, pool, spa, restaurant, cafe, bar and kids club.Surfers ParadiseCheck Price
Turtle Beach Resort
1, 2 or 3 self contained bedroom apartmentsRestaurant, day spa, 4 pools, 4 spas, water park, tennis court, BBQ area and in-room childcare.Mermaid BeachCheck Price
Mantra Sun City
Studio or 1, 2 or 3 bedroom self contained apartments.3 pools, restaurant, gym, sauna and steam room.Surfers ParadiseCheck Price
Royal Palm Resort
2,3 or 4 bedroom self contained apartments.Pool, BBQ, spa, chessboard, putting green, tennis courts, games room, sauna and gym.Palm BeachCheck Price
NRMA Treasure Island
Cabins, villas or safari tents with basic kitchenettes.Kids club, pedal go-karts, water park, 3 playgrounds, mini-golf, outdoor games area, bouncing pillow, 4 swimming pools, outdoor cinema, kiosk, gym, camp kitchen and BBQ areas.Biggera WatersCheck Price
JW Marriott Resort
Hotel style rooms for up to 4 peopleSwimming lagoon with fish, gym, restaurant, bar and day spa.Surfers ParadiseCheck Price
Q1 Resort
1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom self contained apartments2 lagoon pools, spa, games room, BBQs, and cafe.Surfers ParadiseCheck Price
Nobby Beach Holiday Village
Villas, studios or houses for up to 12 people.Playground, 2 pools , camp kitchen, BBQs, laundry and mini-mart.MiamiCheck Price
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Studios, cabins or villas for up to 12 people.Pool, jumping pillow, tennis court, bike track, pedal carts, a spa, a camp kitchen, laundry and café.OxenfordCheck Price
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat
Basic motel rooms to luxurious self contained villas with spas on the deck.Wildlife encounters, glow worm tours, flying fox, treetop walking tracks, day spa, 2 pools, restaurant and bar. Lamington National ParkCheck Price
Paradise Country Farm Stay
Basic tents to luxurious glamping tentsAnimal feeding, milking cows, collecting eggs, wine tasting, restaurant and campfires.OxenfordCheck Price

12 of The Best Gold Coast Resorts for Families

Below, with the help of fellow travel bloggers, we list 12 of the very best kids resorts Gold Coast offers families.

Sea World Resort | Main Beach

Recommended by Holly from Four Around the World

One of the best kid friendly resorts Gold Coast has is the Seaworld Resort, Gold Coast – located right next door to the Sea World Gold Coast theme park. The resort is in Main Beach, situated on the beachfront and within walking distance to restaurants and shops, although you don’t need to leave the resort to have a great time.

The Sea World Resort has rooms to suit 2 to 5 people, with either garden or water views and basic amenities. This family resort Gold Coast was recently upgraded with modern furnishings and decor. There are several restaurants and bars, a day spa, a gym, plus a kid’s club. But those are not the only things to love!

All guests can enjoy the lagoon-style swimming pool and water park at the resort. There is also a nightly musical light and water show down at the water park area to delight kids.

In addition, each morning there are visits from Nickelodeon characters from Sea World and other bonus perks guests can enjoy depending on the length of stay or type of holiday package. These can include an exclusive morning dolphin show or unlimited entry into the Village Roadshow Gold Coast theme parks during your stay.

The Sea World Resort is an excellent choice for families visiting Sea World, not only is it one of the great kids hotels Gold Coast has, it’s also great for the adults. Why not pop the kids in the kids club, while you relax with a massage at the Resort Spa, or sneak in a workout at the fully equipped gym, or catch up on some zzzz’s… you know that sounds good! So if you’re after one of the best family resorts, Gold Coast offers, Sea World Resort could be it!

Click here for more information about the Sea World Resort

Paradise Resort Gold Coast | Surfers Paradise

 Recommended by Emma from My Rig Adventures

Paradise Resort

The Paradise Resort Surfers Paradise appears in pretty much every top 10 family resorts Gold Coast list there is and with good reason – it is one of the best kid friendly accommodation Gold Coast has! So if you’re looking for Gold Coast children’s resorts that are not only paradise for kids but also heaven for parents, then Paradise Resort is the place to be!  They’ve jam-packed so much into one resort; you won’t even want to leave.

Paradise Kids Resort is in the heart of the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise. It’s a great base to explore the golden beaches and wander through the popular Cavill Avenue shops and eateries.  You can also hit up the nearby Theme Parks, such as Wet n Wild, Sea World and Movie World or Dreamworld. For a more relaxed day trip, head for the hinterland and discover rainforests and waterfalls.

When it comes to kid-friendly accommodation, Gold Coast this resort has it all!  Facilities here include a waterpark, ice skating rink, lagoon pool and spa, convenience store, bistro, café, bar, daily activities and entertainment, kid’s club for children from 6 weeks – 12 years (one of the few Gold Coast resorts with kids club) and an adult-only zone. So it’s easy to see why it’s regularly recommended as one of the best family friendly resorts Gold Coast offers!

This Surfers Paradise family resort has various rooms available, from standard resort rooms to bunk house rooms, family suites and interconnecting suites.  All rooms include a private balcony, WiFi, air conditioning, a fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV.  The fancy suites also have a microwave, toaster, bunk beds, and a game console.

As far as kid friendly resorts, Surfers Paradise go, the Paradise Resort is, without a doubt, one of the most family-friendly resorts Gold Coast has!

Click here for more information about the Paradise Resort

The Turtle Beach Resort | Mermaid Beach

Recommended by Erin from Australian Mountains to Sea

Regularly featuring on top 10 kids resorts (Gold Coast) lists, the Turtle Beach Resort in Mermaid Beach is a fantastic resort for families.

Located on the Gold Coast Highway, it has easy access to everything you need. Free parking makes hiring a car from the airport so convenient or get the 17-minute airport shuttle and access all you need on foot. Just a 5-minute walk to the closest beach, a 20-minute walk to get lost in Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and a 10-minute drive to the nearest train station.

The 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartments means families of all sizes and ages can be well accommodated.  The self-contained apartments are clean, well presented and comfortable, allowing families to enjoy their holiday with great ease. The full kitchen and laundry facilities available in the apartments ensure you can be as self sufficient as you want to be, and save some budget by preparing meals – making this a great family friendly accommodation Gold Coast option.

The Turtle Beach Resort Gold Coast is jammed packed with a tonne of facilities for the entire family.  Here you will find a restaurant, full service spa, four outdoor pools, four spas, a water park with slides and splash zone, a tennis court, eight BBQ areas, cinema with 4 showtimes daily, and there is in-room childcare available – a bonus for parents wanting to take some ‘time-out’.

The Turtle Beach Resort is an excellent choice for anyone after the best Gold Coast hotels for families.

Click here for more information about the Turtle Beach Resort

The Mantra Sun City | Surfers Paradise

Recommended by Sally from Our 3 Kids v the World

The Mantra Sun City is one of the great Surfers Paradise hotels for families. Located on the Gold Coast Highway at the top end of the Gold Coast strip, it’s walking distance to the Cavill Mall, the heart of the Gold Coast. You can easily walk from the hotel along the beach to the Cavill Mall in about 10 minutes.

The Aztec inspired hotel has three swimming pools, and the main pool has two waterslides with a staircase up to the middle for access. There is another hidden plunge pool and hot tub behind the main pool, and then there’s an indoor pool for laps. The pools alone make this one of the great kid friendly hotels Gold Coast offers. The pool bar is open during the peak period for tourists but not all year round.

The apartments at this Surfers Paradise kids’ resort are spacious. We had a 2-bedroom apartment on the 36th floor with two balconies, one facing the beach and the other straight down the Gold Coast strip. This made for awesome sunrise and sunset photos.

Other room types include studio rooms as well as 1 and 3-bedroom apartments.  All rooms have air conditioning, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, while the apartments are fully self-contained with a full kitchen and laundry facilities – making this one of the great family resorts in Gold Coast… we all know how good it feels to get home after a trip with all your clothes washed, avoiding the huge post-holiday laundry pile!

There are restaurants on-site if you decide not to venture out, and there is parking underneath for those with rental cars. Other on-site amenities include a gym, sauna and steam room.

If you’re looking for Surfers Paradise kid-friendly resorts, the Mantra Sun City is well worth considering for your Gold Coast family accommodation.

Click here for more information about the Mantra Sun City

Royal Palm Resort | Palm Beach

Located on Palm Beach, the Royal Palm Resort is a fantastic option for families wanting to stay in a quieter spot on the Gold Coast.  While the resort is located directly on Palm Beach, it’s also just a 5-minute stroll to Currumbin Creek, where families can enjoy swimming in the calm water.  There is a great pirate-themed playground here too.

The resort itself has plenty on offer for families.  It has a large (by large, we mean 33-metres) lagoon-style swimming pool with a waterslide and waterfall.  There are also BBQ facilities, spa, giant chessboard, mini putting green, tennis courts, games room, sauna, gym and free parking on-site.

Accommodation is provided in self-contained 2, 3 or 4-bedroom apartments, so if you’re after large family accommodation, Gold Coast has on offer, the Royal Palm Resort can accommodate up to 8 guests.  All apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen, private balconies with ocean views, ceiling fans, TV and laundry facilities.

The Royal Palm Resort is the perfect place for families wanting to escape the busy Gold Coast strip while still having a great resort with all the family facilities ensuring the Royal Palm Resort is Gold Coast kid friendly accommodation.

Click here for more information about the Royal Palm Resort

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park | Biggera Waters

Holiday Parks are often the best place for families.  They offer affordable accommodation while still offering first-class facilities for kids.  NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park at Biggera Waters is just that – kid friendly Gold Coast accommodation!

The resort is located 15 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise, within easy reach to all the theme parks and only 15 minutes walk to Harbour town, one of the popular shopping centres on the Gold Coast.

There is a stack of kid-friendly features at this holiday park.  Some of the facilities for kids include a kids club, pedal go-karts, water park, three playgrounds, mini-golf, outdoor games area, bouncing pillow, four swimming pools and an outdoor cinema.  Other onsite facilities include a kiosk, gym, camp kitchen and BBQ areas.

Accommodation is provided in cabins and villas, or there is also the fully equipped Safari Tent option.  All rooms include air conditioning, TV, kitchenette and veranda.  Other options include caravan and tent sites. This range of accommodation ensures all family sizes and budgets can be accommodated at this kid friendly hotel Gold Coast.

The NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park at Biggera Waters is well worth considering for families wanting affordable accommodation yet first-class facilities.  Another one of the great Gold Coast resorts for kids.

Click here for more information about the NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park

JW Marriott Resort & Spa | Surfers Paradise

For families wanting a luxurious 5-star resort in Surfers Paradise, the JW Marriott Resort is the best family resort Gold Coast.  While located a little bit away from the centre of Surfers Paradise, it’s only a 10-15-minute walk, plus it’s only a short stroll from the beach.

If the 5-star rating has got you thinking; is this Gold Coast accommodation kid friendly? We’re happy to advise the stunning saltwater lagoon surrounded by lush tropical gardens and full of more than 300 tropical fish… is a real kid-pleaser!

The lagoon also features a waterfall, cave, waterslide and a whirlpool.  Kids will love going snorkelling, daily fish feeding and the poolside games, there is also cooking classes and a kids activities centre… you see, it really is a kid friendly resort Gold Coast has on it’s shores.

Facilities onsite aren’t just for the kids; there is plenty for the parents too.  There is a gym, restaurants (the Japanese teppanyaki restaurant is the best), bars and a day spa.

There is a range of accommodation options at the Marriott, with most rooms’ accommodating up to four people. All rooms include luxury amenities, including stunning panoramic views over the hinterland and river, marble bathrooms, TVs, air conditioning, WiFi, and tea and coffee making facilities.

The JW Marriott Resort offers families luxurious hotel-style accommodation, with excellent facilities and only a short walk away from the glitz and glamour of the heart of Surfers Paradise.  It’s perfect for families after one of the best Surfers Paradise family resorts.

Click here for more information about the JW Marriott Resort & Spa

Q1 Resort & Spa | Surfers Paradise

Q1 is another fabulous choice when it comes to 5-star family resorts on the Gold Coast.  Located in “Australia’s Tallest Residential Tower”, this 78-storey building offers fantastic, spacious accommodation as well as first-class facilities, which the entire family will love. Although quite upscale, Q1 is still one of the child friendly resorts Gold Coast has on offer for families.

Located just 600 metres from Cavill Ave, minutes from a tram station and 50 metres from the beach, Q1 has a prime position for exploring the local sites.  It is also surrounded by some great family-friendly restaurants too.

The Q1 resort has two giant stunning outdoor lagoon-style swimming pools and an indoor pool and spa.  Other facilities on-site include a games room, gym, BBQ facilities, onsite parking and poolside café.

The accommodation at Q1 is spacious and luxurious.  This is the ultimate home away from home with large self-contained apartments with either 1, 2, 3 or 4-bedrooms.  All apartments come with air conditioning, glass-enclosed balconies, fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities.

For families wanting a 5-star self-contained apartment with a gorgeous lagoon-style swimming pool, you can’t beat the Q1 Resort.  Certainly, one of the resorts for kids, Gold Coast, offers families.

Click here for more information about the Q1 & Spa

Nobby Beach Holiday Village | Miami

Another excellent holiday park on the Gold Coast is Nobby Beach Holiday Village.  Located in a quiet spot on the Gold Coast, yet surrounded by family-friendly places to eat and only 600 metres from the beach, Nobbys Beach Holiday Village is a great choice for families wanting Gold Coast kid friendly resorts that are good value.

Didn’t bring the car?  No worries, as there are buses on the doorstep that will take you straight to all the theme parks as well as into other tourist spots on the Gold Coast – perfect for family holidays, Gold Coast has so many attractions to experience.

Like most Gold Coast family hotels and holiday parks, Nobby Beach has some great facilities for the kids.  Here you will find a playground, two heated swimming pools and a 35-metre waterslide.  Other onsite facilities include a camp kitchen, BBQ facilities, laundry facilities, WiFI and an on-site mini-mart.

Accommodation options can cater for families of 4 right up to families of 12 in villas, houses, studios and powered sites.  All rooms include air conditioning and a TV, while the studios and basic villas include a kitchenette (fridge, electric frypan, microwave and appliances) and the deluxe villas and houses include a full kitchen.  Perfect for families after Gold Coast family friendly resorts, which can accommodate large groups.

For families wanting affordable accommodation yet great family-friendly facilities, the Nobby Beach Holiday Village is well worth considering – it’s an excellent Gold Coast kids resorts.

Click here for more information about the Nobby Beach Holiday Village

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park | Oxenford


If you plan on spending most of your time on the Gold Coast at the theme parks, then definitely consider the BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park.  The BIG4 is located right in the centre of Dreamworld and Movie World, making it the ideal base for exploring the theme parks.  With a bus stop right outside, it’s easy to reach all the theme parks too.

When you need a break from the theme parks, there is plenty here to keep the kids busy too.  There is a great resort-style swimming pool which is heated to 28 degrees all year round and also a huge water park with over 40 interactive play features!

There is also a toddler pool, jumping pillow, tennis court, bike track and pedal carts for the kids too.  Other on-site amenities include a spa, a camp kitchen, laundry facilities and a poolside café – with all these amazing facilities, making this BIG4 one of the best kid friendly accommodation Gold Coast has on offer.

There is a range of accommodation options with even families of up to 12 people being catered for.  Stay in either a motel style room, cabins or villas.  There is also a range of camping and caravan sites available too. Most rooms include air conditioning, kitchen, TV and balcony.

If you’re just wanting excellent accommodation to base yourself while you’re visiting the Gold Coast theme parks, the BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is great location wise and also great Gold Coast accommodation kids will love!

Click here for more information about the BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat | Gold Coast Hinterland

Recommended by Karen from Smart Steps to Australia

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland is an incredible family resort. Most people think the Gold Coast is only about beach holidays, but the scenery and experiences in the hinterland are just as spectacular! And if you’re looking for Gold Coast accommodation with kids that will help the little ones to relax and unwind as much as yourselves… then you’ve found it at the tranquil O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat!

There are so many reasons we love O’Reilly’s. It has luxurious villas with cooking facilities so we can all have our own space and can cook some meals for ourselves (there’s a great restaurant and café there, but it can get expensive for a family if you eat out all the time).  Some villas have hot tubs on the deck, which is fabulous, especially in winter when the air is crisp and cold.

There are so many different activities to participate in, including wildlife encounters, glow worm tours, scenic drives and adventure activities like the flying fox. There is a free treetop walk plus endless opportunities for walks around the resort where you’ll get to see so much wildlife, including the rare Albert’s Lyrebird and pademelons.

There’s also a spa so you can enjoy some well-deserved downtime, and the infinity pool has the best view I’ve ever seen from a poolside before!

Be prepared for much cooler temperatures than you’re used to on the coast (so take lots of layers, especially from March to September!). It might even be worth thinking about some travel sick tablets or wristbands for the kids for the drive up to the resort as it is long and winding. It’s also well worth making a stop to Canungra Valley Vineyards on the trip up to stock up on a few bottles of local wine and to walk an alpaca around the grass by the stream!

Click here for more information about O’Reily’s Rainforest Retreat or you can read our full detailed review here.

Paradise Country Farm Stay| Oxenford

Recommended by Stephanie from Navigating Adventure

Paradise Country isn’t exactly a typical Gold Coast resort, but it’s perfect if you’re looking for family-friendly accommodation Gold Coast has.  One of four Village Roadshow theme parks featuring farm animals and native wildlife, Paradise Country is a farm stay experience like no other.

Accommodation options include basic tents and stunning glamping tents – all set up for you. Vans are also available to hire, or you can rent a van site if you would like to bring your own. A toilet and shower block is provided.

Your accommodation includes entry to the Paradise Country theme park, where you can see all the animals, stockman and sheep sheering presentations, parrot feeding, and new Shaun the Sheep attractions!

Our favourite thing about Paradise Country is the sunrise and sunset activities. The kids get to feed the animals, milk cows, collect eggs and learn all about farm life. Parents can enjoy wine at sunset while the kids are taken to the animal nursery. Then families can enjoy dinner at the onsite restaurant before heading down to the campfire to toast marshmallows.

Paradise Country is right next to Movie World and Wet n Wild; it is a ten-minute drive to Dreamworld and a thirty-minute drive to SeaWorld and Surfers Paradise.

Whilst there are loads of family resorts, Surfers Paradise, what we love about Paradise Country is the authentic farming experience kids (and adults) get to enjoy. Escape the hustle and bustle of your lives, disconnect from the screens and enjoy one of the best family holidays Gold Coast has on offer at Paradise Country.

Click here for more information about Paradise Country.

________________________________________________________________________

Hopefully, you found this guide to the best resorts on the Gold Coast for families helpful. We have plenty of other awesome guides for the Gold Coast region, including things to do on the Gold Coast, things to do in Surfers Paradise and where to stay in Surfers Paradise.

Leave a Comment

Things to do in Surfers Paradise with kids

Get our Surfers Paradise with Kids Guide FREE!

Get our free guide which includes everything you need to know for a stress-free trip to Surfers Paradise with the kids.  

It includes the best attractions (including where to get discount tickets), best family hotels & how best to get around.

Start planning that Surfers Paradise trip now!

Thank you! Now check your email to confirm your request.