18 Sep School Holiday Survival Guide: Queensland
With warm weather already settling in, Queensland’s spring holidays are all about outdoor adventures, splashing around, and discovering wildlife. From the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, and right up to the Great Barrier Reef, there’s no shortage of family fun. Here are some fresh ideas for making the most of the break, no matter where in the Sunshine State you are.
Outdoor Adventures
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Gold Coast) – koalas, lorikeet feeding, wildlife hospital.
- TreeTop Challenge (Tamborine + Currumbin) – high ropes for kids + teens.
- Aussie World (Sunshine Coast): Medium-size theme park, lots of rides, family-friendly.
- Scenic Rim Adventure Park: Located in Scenic Rim region; adventure park for kids.
- Tamborine Mountain – Thunderbird Park: High ropes, bush camping, skirmish, fossicking etc. Forested setting.
- WhiteWater World (Gold Coast): Water rides, slides, splash zones etc. Big seasonal water park.
- TreeTop Challenge (Brisbane / Gold Coast area): Rope and wire courses, challenges in the trees. More active/adrenaline.
- Thunderegg Crystal Mine/A Day at Dig IT – Thunderbird Park at Tamborine Mountain Glades
Nature & Free Play
- South Bank Parklands (Brisbane) – Streets Beach swimming lagoon.
- Sunshine Coast Hinterland bushwalks (Mary Cairncross Reserve).
- Picnic + pedal boats at Roma Street Parkland.
Rainy-Day Fun
- Queensland Museum & SparkLab (Brisbane) – hands-on science.
- iFly indoor skydiving (Gold Coast + Brisbane).
- Big cinemas with beanbag screenings (Event Cinemas, Brisbane City).
Notes & Things to Check
- Opening Seasons / Hours: Many adventure or water parks are seasonal. Places like Jamberoo and WhiteWater World, for example, sometimes close in cooler months or for maintenance. Always check before planning.
- Age / Height / Skill requirements: High-ropes, zipline, etc, often have restrictions (min height, supervision). Good to make sure it’s suitable for your kids.
- Cost + Booking: Private ones often have higher entry fees + require bookings in advance (especially in peak holiday times).
- Distance / Travel Time: Some of these involve a drive; mix some local ones with “special day trip landmarks” so not every day means a big trip.
Tips / Reminders
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Weather check: Spring can be unpredictable. Plan at least one indoor backup plan per week.
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Book ahead: For workshops, shows, or special places, make bookings early (spots fill up).
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Variation: Mix free + paid, outdoors + indoors, high-energy + relaxed days. Keeps things balanced.
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Budget: parks, free events, and the local library can be great low-cost hits.
