Gold Coast is ‘the Miami of Australia’ for tourists and ‘Goldy’ for locals, but it is a city that easily adapts to what you actually want. Gold Coast is what you make of it! Whether it is partying hard, surfing, vibrant beaches, stunning nightlife, theme parks or skyscrapers, it serves them all up effortlessly!
Which takes us to our point of focus: the adventure scene in Gold Coast! And of course, just like all the other things the city is famous for, its adventurous activities are also hard to beat, with their stunning blend of fun, thrill and adrenaline! Let’s explore some of the fun things to do in Gold Coast...
There are different types of Surfers Paradise cruises operating on the waters, such as sightseeing, lunch, sunset and dinner cruises. But apart from these, the Aquaduck experience and jet boat rides are the ones that truly stand out as fun and adventurous.
Think for a second... You are sightseeing on the Gold Coast in a bus, and suddenly the captain heads straight towards the water and doesn’t stop the vehicle! Don’t worry, you’re still alive! That’s the Aquaduck cruise experience for you, an amphibious vessel that lets you see the Gold Coast scenery both on land and from the water, along with live commentary. This works particularly well for families looking for fun things to do with kids.
Jet boat rides in Gold Coast, on the other hand, are the ones that deliver peak adrenaline rushes! As you race across the water, expect sudden turns, twists and spins! It is sightseeing with a twist (literally)! You can also combine your jet boat ride with a trip to other attractions like Lamington National Park, Mt. Tamborine, and many more!
The Q1 building in Surfers Paradise is the tallest building in Australia and the second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. The SkyPoint Climb takes you up the outside of it and makes it “Australia's highest external building climb”! Now, take a moment to process that… yes, it really is that big!
Surfers Paradise Cruises
There are different types of Surfers Paradise cruises operating on the waters, such as sightseeing, lunch, sunset and dinner cruises. But apart from these, the Aquaduck experience and jet boat rides are the ones that truly stand out as fun and adventurous.
Think for a second... You are sightseeing on the Gold Coast in a bus, and suddenly the captain heads straight towards the water and doesn’t stop the vehicle! Don’t worry, you’re still alive! That’s the Aquaduck cruise experience for you, an amphibious vessel that lets you see the Gold Coast scenery both on land and from the water, along with live commentary. This works particularly well for families looking for fun things to do with kids.
Jet boat rides in Gold Coast, on the other hand, are the ones that deliver peak adrenaline rushes! As you race across the water, expect sudden turns, twists and spins! It is sightseeing with a twist (literally)! You can also combine your jet boat ride with a trip to other attractions like Lamington National Park, Mt. Tamborine, and many more!
SkyPoint Climb
The Q1 building in Surfers Paradise is the tallest building in Australia and the second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. The SkyPoint Climb takes you up the outside of it and makes it “Australia's highest external building climb”! Now, take a moment to process that… yes, it really is that big!
First, you’ll start with a safety briefing, get fitted with a full-body harness and climb suit. A high-speed elevator then takes you to Level 77, where a glass airlock leads outside. The climb follows a secure rail system and takes you 30 metres to the summit. You can choose to climb during the day, at twilight or at night, but the twilight climb steals the spotlight with its golden views.
Gold Coast Skydive has been running tandem jumps since 1988 and operates from Kirra Beach, where tandem jumps from 12,000 feet give you 60 seconds of free fall before the parachute opens, finally bringing you down onto Kirra Beach! When it comes to adventure, nothing on this list really beats skydiving at Kirra Beach! Beyond the thrill factor, this can also be a cathartic experience that offers a completely different perspective on life and the city itself.
This is a family-owned business with an award-winning track record. The instructors are highly qualified and have extensive tandem experience, so there is no need for concern, leave the safety side of things to them!
Movie World is located in Oxenford, around 35 minutes from Surfers Paradise. There are multiple roller coaster rides here, but the top attraction is the DC Rivals HyperCoaster, which is the tallest, longest and fastest HyperCoaster in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring an 89° near-vertical drop across a 1.4 km track. Other roller coaster experiences include Green Lantern, Road Runner, Superman Escape and many more! Apart from the roller coasters, there are also several other thrilling attractions and rides at Movie World.
So, adventure holidays might sound brilliant in theory, but they can become difficult in reality. Gold Coast solves that problem by refusing to stick to one speed. It can be calm in the morning, chaotic by lunch and unexpectedly muddy by the afternoon. Choose your adventure and have fun on the coast!
Skydiving at Kirra Beach
Gold Coast Skydive has been running tandem jumps since 1988 and operates from Kirra Beach, where tandem jumps from 12,000 feet give you 60 seconds of free fall before the parachute opens, finally bringing you down onto Kirra Beach! When it comes to adventure, nothing on this list really beats skydiving at Kirra Beach! Beyond the thrill factor, this can also be a cathartic experience that offers a completely different perspective on life and the city itself.
This is a family-owned business with an award-winning track record. The instructors are highly qualified and have extensive tandem experience, so there is no need for concern, leave the safety side of things to them!
Rollercoaster Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World
Movie World is located in Oxenford, around 35 minutes from Surfers Paradise. There are multiple roller coaster rides here, but the top attraction is the DC Rivals HyperCoaster, which is the tallest, longest and fastest HyperCoaster in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring an 89° near-vertical drop across a 1.4 km track. Other roller coaster experiences include Green Lantern, Road Runner, Superman Escape and many more! Apart from the roller coasters, there are also several other thrilling attractions and rides at Movie World.
So, adventure holidays might sound brilliant in theory, but they can become difficult in reality. Gold Coast solves that problem by refusing to stick to one speed. It can be calm in the morning, chaotic by lunch and unexpectedly muddy by the afternoon. Choose your adventure and have fun on the coast!
Author Bio: Amanda Clark
A Sydney-based travel writer who loves chasing experiences that defy expectations - especially when great food and entertainment are part of the mix. From unforgettable hits to unexpected flops, I share real stories to keep the adventure honest and fun for everyone!
