Northern suburbs of the Gold Coast
The northern suburbs of the Gold Coast may be perhaps the most residential, but they are the most wild ones, containing many of the Gold Coast's theme parks.
Get in
By car
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Going to the theme parks? Don't take Exit 62
If you decided to rather follow your unreliable GPS and you are heading northbound on the M1 to get to Wet'n'Wild or Movie World and your GPS tells you to take Exit 62, ignore it and use Exit 60 instead. Exit 62 can get you to the theme parks, but the interchange is poorly signed, and to get to the parks, signage only appears a few metres before Entertainment Road, which is easy to miss if you're on the wrong lane. Otherwise, you'll end up back on the motorway. |
The primary means of entry via car is via the M1 Pacific Motorway which extends down from Coffs Harbour in NSW to the state capital of Brisbane and the primary exits are exits between (and including) 54 to 62.
From the suburbs of Surfers Paradise, Southport or Broadbeach, use the Godl Coast Highway (SR 2) to reach the western parts of the north, and use Oxley Drive (SR 4) to reach the east.
By light rail
From Surfers Paradise, the G:link heads north passing Main Beach, Southport, and stops at three places in the region; Parkwood East, Parkwood, and Helensvale where the line terminates.
See
- 1 Gold Coast Motor Museum, 107 Kriedeman Rd, Upper Coomera, ☏ +61 452 076 292, info@gcmm.com.au. W Th 9AM–4PM, F–Su 8AM–5PM. A large shed that houses 75 motor vehicles and bikes from the late 20th century. Some vehicles, such as some of the electric vehicles, span all the way to 1900. The precinct also includes a restaurant and a shop (that has some car cleaning products). $20 per adult, $15 per senior citizen, children under 15 free.
- 2 Garage 25, 1 Boatworks Drive, ☏ +61 7 5500 0000. M-F 8:30AM–2PM, Sat 8:30AM–11AM. Parts of the personal car collection of Tony Longhurst, two-time Bathurst 1000 winner. Includes vehicles from as early as 1910, assorted motorbikes, even mowers and outboards. Longhurst was also a co-founder of the nearby Dreamworld and owns the Boatworks Marina. Donation Box.$.
Do
- 1 Warner Bros. Movie World, Helensvale Rd., Oxenford, ☏ +61 13 33 86. Daily 9:30AM–5PM. Australia's only movie-based theme park which contains several film studios, shows, and perhaps most importantly, rides. As the park's name is called "Warner Bros. Movie World" (and that can also be backed up as the park advertises itself as the Hollywood of the Gold Coast), you may be able to spot several Marvel, Warner Bros. and DC Comics characters walking around the park.
- 2 Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast, Entertainment Rd., Oxenford, ☏ +61 13 33 86. Daily 10AM–5PM. The prime water park located in South-East Queensland or even Australia and one of the many Wet'n'Wild's found worldwide. Most of the park is comprised of water-based rides, but there are some land-based rides too.
- 3 Dreamworld, Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera, ☏ +61 7 5588 1111. Daily 10AM–5PM. Australia's largest theme park which contains about 40 rides, and even a zoo. The theme park contains a mix of land and water rides, but beware, the park has a poor safety reputation, and in 2016, four people were killed on a ride. Since then, several rides have closed and have been demolished.
- 4 Australian Outback Spectacular.
- 5 WhiteWater World, 1 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera, ☏ +61 7 5588 1111. Considered the sister park of Dreamworld, this water park contains many water slides, and is perhaps convenient for visitors visiting Dreamworld without having to come all the way south to Wet'n'Wild. There are fewer rides than Wet'n'Wild though, but nevertheless an experience in its own right.
Buy
Eat
- 1 The Neighbours Hope Island, 126 North Quay Cct, Hope Island, ☏ +61 423 732 722. A small cafe located on Hope Island next to the sales centre. Food here tends to be a bit more expensive than other cafes in the area though.
- Hope Island Deli, Shop 15, Hope Island Shopping Village, 10 Santa Barbara Rd, Hope Island, ☏ +61 488 789 078. Daily 6:30AM–4PM.
- 2 Plant Based Eatz, 1/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point, ☏ +61 7 5529 5247. 11AM–7PM (closed Mondays).
- Jonez on Ephraim. A seafood restaurant
Drink
- Hope Island Tavern, 87-97 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island, ☏ +61 7 3558 3308.
- 1 The Boathouse Tavern, 101 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera, ☏ +61 7 5502 9800. Daily 10AM–4PM.
- 2 HarborVue Tavern, L1/941 Harbour Village Parade, Coomera, ☏ +61 7 5501 9351. Dine in, Take Away and Delivery. Views over Coomera Waters Marina.
Sleep
- Coomera Motor Inn, 11 Whitewater Way, Coomera, ☏ +61 7 5573 2311. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM.
- 1 Coomera Village, 2 Reserve Rd, Upper Coomera, ☏ +61 7 5573 1665.