Planning a family trip to Gold Coast this June? We’ve got you covered! Our 8-day itinerary is filled with kid-friendly activities, exciting attractions, and unforgettable experiences—perfect for families with young kids! “
Australia has always held a special place in our hearts, especially before we had kids. (Explore our previous Australia travel itineraries for our adventures Down Under!)Now, as a family of five, we’re thrilled to embark on our first adventure together! This trip is the perfect mix of revisiting cherished favorites and discovering exciting new destinations. To make the most of our journey, we’ve planned a scenic road trip along the Gold Coast—an ideal choice since my husband enjoys the freedom of self-driving. With a rental car, we can explore at our own pace, uncover hidden gems, and create unforgettable family memories along the way!
Ultimate 8-Day Gold Coast Itinerary for Families
Day 1: Arrival & Beach Time Land at Brisbane International Airport & pick up rental car Drive to Gold Coast, Grab Lunch from Charis Seafood Check in to accommodation
Day 2: Wildlife & Nature Escape Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (feed kangaroos & see koalas)
Day 3: Pancakes and Beach Time Satisfy craving at Pancakes in Paradise Enjoy Beach time at Surfers Paradise beach
Day 4: Farm Tourand Timezone Experience best farm tour in Gold Coast Shop at Harbour Town Premium Outlets Enjoy the biggest Timezone in the World
Day 5: Indoor Playground and Shopping Play at Bella’s Wonderland Shop at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre – Kmart & BIG W
Day 6: Seaworld Experience thrilling marine life shows, exciting rides & wildlife encounters
Day 7: Broadbeach Enjoy Perfect blend of brunch and beach time
Day 8: Departure
Check out our top highlights from the itinerary below!
Day 1: Singapore -> Brisbane -> Gold Coast
What an unforgettable experience for Darius and Davis as they soared through the skies for the first time! Getting Darius to sleep on the plane was quite a challenge, but we came prepared. We packed plenty of snacks, fresh fruits, and milk to keep the boys comfortable and happy throughout the flight. With a little planning, their first travel adventure got off to a smooth and enjoyable start!
Yay! We’ve arrived at Brisbane International Airport! We picked up our rental car—a spacious and clean Kia Carnival—along with car seats from Hertz. It was the perfect fit for our luggage, and the boys could sit comfortably. The best part? The pickup process was a breeze since we could collect the car right at the airport. With everything sorted, we hit the road and headed straight to the Gold Coast for our family adventure!
Our first stop was our favorite seafood spot—Charis Seafood! Their impressive selection of fresh seafood never disappoints. We couldn’t resist indulging in their fresh oysters and crispy fried seafood platter—always a must-try! After a satisfying meal, we headed over to Broadbeach to check into our accommodation and settle in for our Gold Coast adventure.
Our apartment was absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views that made it feel like a showroom! It was clean, spacious, and the perfect home away from home. After settling in, we took a short stroll to the nearby beach and had an amazing time playing sand. To wrap up our first day, we enjoyed a cozy dinner in our apartment with the delicious leftovers from our Charis Seafood lunch. A perfect end to Day 1 of our Gold Coast adventure!
Day 2: Gold Coast: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
It was our first time visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and what an amazing experience it was! We had a blast watching the bird show, petting kangaroos, spotting koalas in the trees, and enjoying the captivating Aboriginal dance performance. The ranger presentations were both fun and educational, but the highlight for the boys was definitely the train ride around the sanctuary—they absolutely loved it! We wrapped up Day 2 with a cozy night in, enjoying pasta, cheese, and wine. A perfect way to end another fun-filled day in Gold Coast!
Day 3: Gold Coast: Pancakes & Surfers Paradise Beach Time
We satisfied our pancake cravings at Pancakes in Paradise, the most popular pancake spot in Gold Coast! Their fluffy, delicious pancakes did not disappoint—the kids enjoyed every bite and cleaned their plates! The cozy ambiance, with its hot-air balloon-themed decor, made the experience even more special. After that, we took a stroll and explored Surfers Paradise Beach, soaking in the vibrant coastal vibes. We wrapped up Day 3 with a simple yet satisfying dinner at McDonald’s, ending another fun-filled day in Gold Coast!
We had an unforgettable farm tour experience at Tropical Fruit World, one of the most popular farm tours in Gold Coast! From a fully guided tractor tour and exotic fruit tasting to an animal encounter and a scenic wildlife boat cruise, every moment was truly special. It was hands down the best farm tour we’ve ever had—definitely a must-visit! Don’t miss shopping at Harbourtown Premium Outlets too. The boys then had an absolute blast at Timezone Surfers Paradise, the largest Timezone in the world! We wrapped up Day 4 with an incredible dinner at Hurricane’s Grill & Bar, indulging in mouthwatering dishes to end the day on a delicious note.
Day 5: Indoor Playground and Shopping We had the best playdate at Bella’s Wonderland with our friends and kids! The boys had an absolute blast, while the adults enjoyed some relaxing downtime with delicious food. Afterward, we hit up Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, checking out Kmart and BIG W for some great shopping finds. One of my favorite things about Australia is grabbing fresh steak from the local supermarkets and cooking it ourselves—it’s always so tasty and satisfying. If you’re in Australia, don’t miss out on this fun combo of play, shopping, and homecooked meals!
Day 6: Seaworld “We visited Sea World on the Gold Coast even before having the boys, and we couldn’t wait to bring them back to experience the incredible wildlife and thrilling marine life shows. The kids had a blast on the fun, family-friendly rides, while the adults enjoyed some excitement of their own! After all the adventure, we treated ourselves to the best ramen in Gold Coast at Hakataya Ramen—perfect comfort food on a chilly day. Hot ramen in cold weather? Absolutely delicious!
Day 7:Broadbeach We had a delightful brunch at ELK Espresso in Broadbeach, though it was quite crowded, so be sure to arrive early if you plan to visit! The food was visually stunning, and the flavors didn’t disappoint. It was the perfect start to our day, blending brunch with beach time. The boys had a blast playing in the sand at Broadbeach, while we enjoyed the beautiful coastal views. For dinner, we headed to Peter’s Fish Market, highly recommended by a friend, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a fantastic alternative to our usual favorite, Charis Seafood, offering its own unique charm with some hits and misses. And of course, we couldn’t resist a visit to Gelatissimo for some amazing gelato to cap off the day
Day 8: Departure On our way back to Brisbane International Airport from the Gold Coast, we made a stop at Charis Seafood to grab our favorite fish and chips, along with some fresh oysters. It’s the perfect way to wrap up our Gold Coast trip with a delicious taste of the local seafood!
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