Headed to the Gold Coast with the family? Check out our guide to awesome places to stay with waterparks! We’ve got you covered from fancy to wallet-friendly options. Get set for a fun-filled holiday as we walk you through the best spots perfect for your family getaway! But first, here are our tips for the top hotels.
Best Waterparks
- BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park – This holiday park has a monster waterpark that features over 300 meters of water slides. The water is heated so it’s great for all seasons.
- North Star Holiday Resort – At this resort, your kids will love Sammy’s Adventure Lagoon. It is a giant water play area with 65 interactive water features. They recently added two new 8-meter-high Super Slides. There’s also a spa for adults to ensure relaxation for all.
- Paradise Resort Gold Coast – With an ice rink, waterpark, kids club, lagoon pool, and spa, there is something for everyone here. The huge waterpark has lots of slides, water cannons, and climbing frames to ensure the kids won’t get bored.
Most Luxurious Accommodation
- JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa – The Residential King Suite and Double Room with Two Double Beds are among the best rooms at this resort. The waterpark is not the biggest, but it has a lagoon with tropical fish and waterslides for the kids.
- Mantra Crown Towers – There’s plenty of room for the whole family in the Two-Bedroom Apartment with Sea View. It’s also mere yards from Surfer’s Paradise Beach. More importantly, the kids will love the pirate ship and waterslide.
Most Affordable Accommodation
- North Star Holiday Resort – This is a cheap resort since it’s further away from Gold Coast. It’s about $150 AUD outside school holiday periods, but you do have to stay for a minimum of 2 nights. The waterslides here are huge!
- Nobby Beach Holiday Village – If you have a caravan or tent, this is a very cheap option. To rent a powered site, it can be as little as $60 AUD outside school holiday periods.
Convenient Locations
- Theme Parks – Sea World Resort is easily the best option if you plan to visit Sea World. They also have theme park deals, however, this resort is always booked out. You’ll have to book ahead several months. BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is the other good option since it’s close to Warner Bros. Movie World.
- Beaches – Besides the beautiful long stretch of sand, Surfers Paradise is where all the action is. JW Marriott, Paradise Resort, and Mantra Crown Towers are the best options here. A bit further south, you’ll find Mermaids Beach. Have a look at Turtle Beach Resort which is about a 10-minute walk away. And If you venture even further south, you’ll get a very peaceful getaway. North Star Holiday Resort is a good option since it’s very close to Maggies Beach.
1. North Star Holiday Resort
Located to the south of Gold Coast, North Star Holiday Resort is a great choice for families who don’t mind a road trip. The resort has a splash park, Sammy’s Adventure Lagoon, which has two giant super slides. There’s also an adult-only leisure center with a pool, spa, and gym. For food, there is a licensed café that has excellent desserts and a kids’ menu. A range of lodges and villas are available catering to small and big families.
- Guest Reviews: The three-bedroom villa was amazing. Loved the waterpark for kids and the adult pool & spas for grownups.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Tuscany Three-Bedroom Villa
- Address: 1 Tweed Coast Road, 2489 Hastings Point, Australia
2. NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort
The NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort lies just to the north of the Gold Coast. The resort itself has plenty to do, with a pirate-themed mini-golf course, four swimming pools, a splash park, and Neptune’s Castle Kids Club. There’s also a giant bouncing pillow and an outdoor cinema that comes to life after sunset. With so many villas and townhouses to choose from, there’ll be enough space for the biggest families.
- Guest Reviews: The place is perfect for families with so many things to do without leaving the park.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Three-bedroom Townhouses
- Address: 117 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, Biggera Waters, 4216 Gold Coast, Australia
3. RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast
This five-star resort is nice and close to the center of the Gold Coast. While they cater to kids, it’s more suitable for mature families. In the main pool area, there are waterslides and a small splash pad. However, they’re more known for their championship golf course and classy on-site restaurants. The Executive Suite is their top room and features a hot tub.
- Guest Reviews: The room was very clean with a beautiful view. Wonderful facilities and food options.
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Best Rooms: Executive Suite
- Address: Ross Street, Benowa, 4217 Gold Coast, Australia
4. BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park
Located to the south of Gold Coast, the Tweed Billabong Holiday Park is a short distance from the airport. The waterpark here has four large slides and an area for smaller children. Some visitors even go swimming in the nearby billabong or river – just keep an eye out for fishermen. Like other holiday parks, there’s a range of villas to suit all families. Be aware that the holiday park is close to a busy motorway, and there is also occasional noise from planes overhead.
- Guest Reviews: The cabins were clean and spacious. The water park and pools were great and we all loved using them.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Three-bedroom Villas
- Address: 30 Holden St, Tweed Heads South, 2486 Tweed Heads, Australia
5. BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
If visiting the Gold Coast’s theme parks is high on your agenda, this is the best holiday park to visit. The property is huge! The main features are the water park, water slides, pool, and spa. They have a wide range of rooms to suit different needs. If you’re looking for something spacious, the Two-bedroom Villas are the best options. They also have pet-friendly cabins if you want to bring your dog.
- Guest Reviews: The rooms were spacious and modern. The water park and the pool kept the kids occupied.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Two-bedroom Villa
- Address: 66 – 86 Siganto Drive, 4212 Gold Coast, Australia
6. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
If a five-star resort in Surfers Paradise sounds good, then the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa could be the perfect base for you. The resort’s large pool was awarded Australia’s Best Hotel Pool 2021. It features pools of different depths, sandy beaches, and waterfalls. For families, their Double Rooms with balcony views are the best options. As a Marriott hotel, there are also good dining options on-site. And they also have a few fun kids’ activities, but not as many as some of the other hotels on our list.
- Guest Reviews: The ocean view room was great. The pool and the saltwater lagoon were the highlights of our stay.
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Best Rooms: Double Rooms
- Address: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, 4217 Gold Coast, Australia
7. Turtle Beach Resort
Just a short stroll from Mermaid Beach, this resort offers self-contained apartments, four pools, and a restaurant. They run a special kids’ program with fun activities including video games, party theme nights, and movie screenings. But first, you may have to drag them away from the on-site Splash Zone Water Park. For meal times, the Deck Restaurant offers a good selection of salads and drinks. Although most kids go for their superb wood-fired pizzas. Some special offers include free vouchers for Club Turtle Kids Club and putt-putt golf.
- Guest Reviews: Everything was ideal. Our room had the pool and a BBQ right outside. It’s perfect for families.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Three-bedroom Apartment
- Address: 2346 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218 Gold Coast, Australia
8. Sea World Resort
With direct access to Sea World, this resort is perfect for a family with kids who love the ocean. The resort features a 50-yard lagoon pool with a waterfall, an aquatic playground, and a 12-seater hot tub. You’ll also have unlimited access to the Water Play Aqua Playground in the main pool area. If you stay here, it’s best to book the 3 Theme Parks Package. This includes Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, and Paradise Country.
- Guest Reviews: The room was great and the theme parks were included. We loved the buffet breakfast! Lots of yummy food.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Deluxe Queen Rooms
- Address: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, 4217 Gold Coast, Australia
9. Mantra Crown Towers
A mere five-minute walk from Surfers Paradise Beach, Mantra Crown Towers is blessed with a great location. Besides the beach, you’ll be close to the bars, cafes, and shops on Cavill Avenue. The resort has a large indoor heated pool, a spa pool, a sauna, and a fitness center on-site. For dining, make sure you try some spicy food at the Chiangmai Thai restaurant. While some of the rooms are a little dated, they offer good value for money and are in a great location.
- Guest Reviews: We were very happy with the room. The lagoon beach and the pools were great for the kids.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Three-bedroom Apartments
- Address: 5-19 Palm Avenue, Surfers Paradise, 4217 Gold Coast, Australia
10. Paradise Resort Gold Coast
Paradise Resort Gold Coast is located in the middle of Surfer’s Paradise. They have been consistently voted Australia’s Best Family Resort because of their excellent kids facilities. Described as a ‘cruise ship on land,’ there are areas for kids, activities for teens, and some quieter areas for adults. There’s a water park, lagoon pool and spa, kids club, ice skating rink, and live entertainment shows. With all the facilities and central location, keep in mind it can get a bit noisy at night.
- Guest Reviews: We had a comfortable room at a good price. Lots of food options and activities for children.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Interconnecting Rooms
- Address: 122 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise, 4212 Gold Coast, Australia
11. Ashmore Palms Holiday Village
Ashmore Palms Holiday Village is a huge resort just a 10-minute drive from Surfers Paradise. It’s a good option if you want a quiet holiday away from Surfers Paradise. On-site, they have two swimming lagoons, two children’s playgrounds, and a tennis court. Arts and crafts, balloon modeling, tennis lessons, and face painting are also free for the younger guests. If you want the best experience here, the Macaw Mansion is a good option. But if you’re spending more time outdoors, the cottages and villas will be more than enough.
- Guest Reviews: Our cottage was great and had all we needed. Amazing facilities for kids, especially the pools.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Macaw Mansion
- Address: 71 Hinde Street, Ashmore, Ashmore, 4214 Gold Coast, Australia
12. Nobby Beach Holiday Village
A little to the south of central Gold Coast, this is another holiday park in a peaceful area. It’s one of the only waterpark resorts that has powered sites for hire. So if you’re after a fun camping experience, this is the best place to visit. The kids will love the easy beach access, the pool, and the water slides. There is also a children’s playground and bicycles to rent.
- Guest Reviews: We had a beautiful house, with plenty of room for both families. Kids loved the beach, the pool, and the slides.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Four-bedroom Garden Penthouse
- Address: 1 Hillcrest Parade, Miami, 4220 Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast Hotels Map
Best Gold Coast Accommodation
| Gold Coast Hotels | Best Rooms |
| North Star Holiday Resort | Tuscany Three-Bedroom Villa |
| NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort | Three-bedroom Townhouses |
| RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast | Executive Suite |
| BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park | Three-bedroom Villas |
| BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park | Two-bedroom Villa |
| JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa | Double Rooms |
| Turtle Beach Resort | Three-bedroom Apartment |
| Sea World Resort | Deluxe Queen Rooms |
| Mantra Crown Towers | Three-bedroom Apartments |
| Paradise Resort Gold Coast | Interconnecting Rooms |
| Ashmore Palms Holiday Village | Macaw Mansion |
| Nobby Beach Holiday Village | Four-bedroom Garden Penthouse |
