5 of the best things to do with kids in Queensland

For family adventures and thrilling experiences, you’d be hard pressed to find a more exciting destination than Australia’s more tropical northeastern regions

Sublime views and diverse adventures await fun-loving families in Queensland (Tourism and Events Queensland)

Whether it’s riding the roller coasters of the Gold Coast, meeting koalas at a wildlife sanctuary or zip lining through the canopies in the Daintree, Queensland isn’t short on things to do for families – and Travelbag can help take the hassle out with a tailor-made trip to fit. Here are some of the best things to do across the region if you’re travelling with kids.

Get the adrenaline pumping on the Gold Coast

There are slides for all ages at Wet ‘n’ Wild, Australia’s biggest water park (Tourism and Events Queensland)

Nicknamed the ‘theme park capital’ of Australia for good reason, the Gold Coast is something of a playground for families. Kick off your trip with a visit to Dreamworld – the largest theme park in the country, offering rides, shows and other attractions, alongside adrenaline-pumping slides at the neighbouring WhiteWater World waterpark.

Elsewhere, swing by Warner Bros Movie World for rides inspired by superheroes, Scooby Doo and other iconic characters or head to Wet ‘n’ Wild to experience Australia’s biggest water park. Set among 20 acres of tropical gardens, you’ll find slides for all ages here – including the trapdoor-style AquaLoop, which sends riders plunging down a sheer-drop freefall.

Explore Queensland’s rainforests

Queensland is home to more than a million hectares of rainforest, and no family visit here would be complete without a trip to the Daintree, around two hours north of Cairns. The oldest tropical rainforest on earth, you’ll find adventures for every age here – from crocodile cruises on the river to a treetop adventure through the canopies – with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way.

Closer to Cairns, you can hop on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a birds-eye view of the lush, leafy surroundings, or take a ride on the family-friendly Kuranda Scenic Railway – a historic, 130-plus year-old train that meanders through the spectacular Barron Gorge National Park, passing mountains, waterfalls and carpets of trees on a journey to long remember.

Meet the residents at Australia Zoo

Kangaroos, koalas, crocs and quokkas can be spotted at Australia Zoo, the 1,000 acre plot founded by legend Steve Irwin (Tourism and Events Queensland)

Over on the Sunshine Coast, you’ll find more in the way of wildlife-watching at the acclaimed Australia Zoo. Founded by Steve Irwin’s family and expanded under the vision of Steve and his wife Terri, this 1,000-acre plot is home to more than 100 species – from kangaroos and koalas to crocs and quokkas – with plenty to keep kids occupied, from a ‘zoo keeper for a day’ programme to wildlife encounters with the residents. There’s also a dedicated team of conservationists on site, and an animal hospital visitors can tour for a behind-the-scenes peek.

Swing through the trees at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Australia wouldn’t be Australia without its wildlife, and Queensland isn’t short on family-friendly spots to admire its koalas and kangaroos from. For an especially interactive experience, head to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can swing through the canopies on a treetop course (complete with 14 zip-lines), go behind the scenes to see the wildlife rehabilitation centre, or join a twilight tour to witness Tasmanian Devils and other night-time creatures at play.

Take on Brisbane’s Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Don a harness and summit the architectural wonder that is Brisbane’s Story Bridge for unrivalled views of the city (Tourism and Events Queensland)

For more in the way of family-friendly adventure, pay a visit to Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge – an architectural feat home to one of only three bridge climbs in the world (open to anyone over the age of six). You’ll be harnessed up before you climb to the summit with a guide, admiring the city skyline, Scenic Rim mountains and Moreton Bay from on high; climb at twilight for especially magical views as the lights twinkle below.

Book it: Explore the Gold Coast and Brisbane on Travelbag’s 12-day self-drive Gold Coast Family Holiday, or speak to Travelbag’s experts to find out how they can tailor-make a trip to fit.