10 THINGS TO DO WITH TODDLERS ON THE GOLD COAST

1. TAKE YOUR BABE TO THE BEACH

North-facing Rainbow Bay serves up gentle waves that are perfect for mini beach babes.  Golden sands, an epic park, a shallow channel for paddling and a toddler-friendly walk around the headland for ice cream makes this southern beach a firm fave with families.  Even better – the surf club balcony is within easy reach when you need some shade, sustenance and a couple of schooners (and a juice box) after a big day of beachside fun.

2. CUDDLE A KANGAROO

Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and lots of other furry, scaly and feathery friends at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.  Your little joey will love hand-feeding curious kangas and this pram-friendly park also offers up playgrounds, animal encounters, Aboriginal dance shows, serene picnic spots and world-famous lorikeet feeding sessions twice daily.

3. HIGH FIVE BUGS BUNNY

Visit Warner Bros. Movie World’s Looney Tunes Village and say hi to Sylvester, Tweety, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.  With toddler-friendly rides (we know everyone 3 feet tall and under loves Yosemite Sam’s Railroad Train), a cool splash zone, character meet & greets, a cracking carousel and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on tap (OMG New York Super Fudge!), your little movie star will have a rocking rollercoaster of a grand ol’ time.  That’s all folks!

4. CHANNEL MR MAKER AT THE CRAFT PARLOUR

Get your mini-maker’s creative juices flowing with a workshop at The Craft Parlour in Palm Beach.  In the shady courtyard and inspiring art studio little artists can paint, glue, thread and get as messy as they like – and you don’t have clean up!  Grab a coffee from Spikexx Espresso (nestled right next door) and join your babe for a crafternoon of creativity exploring textures, shapes and colours.  Mr Maker and Tocky would be impressed.

5. PUTT PUTT THROUGH THE ICE AGE AT LILIPUTTS

This is mini putt putt golf – but in a big way.  And when we say ‘big’ we’re referring to the huge animatronic dinosaurs your aspiring palaeontologist will go nuts for.  Set within Robina Town Centre, this easy-to-access, air conditioned and interactive course is perfect for golf tots as well as their bigger, more competitive “caddies”.

6. TEMPT YOUR TOT’S TASTE-BUDS AT TROPICAL FRUIT WORLD

A quick drive south of the border delivers you to a garden of tropical delights – tropical fruits to be precise.  Your little fruit bat can ride a miniature train, meet cute farm animals, tour the plantation on a tractor train and sample exotic and delicious tropical fruits.  We bet there are a few here you haven’t tried… caramel fruit, jaboticaba or ice cream bean anyone?

7. VISIT WATER BABY WONDERLAND

Head to one of the many Aquatic Centre’s along the Coast, including the one in Southport that played host to swimming greats during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, for some splishy splashy good times!  The outdoor toddler pools have plenty of shade and a super-fun water-play area with a tipping bucket and a cool corridor of water jets your water-babe can run though (repeatedly, while you sit serenely, sipping your latte).   The Upper Coomera Centre also houses a city library with a great children’s section and a program of holiday activities for both littlies and bigger kids.

8. FOOD AND GROOVES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

If your toddler is a picky eater who loves to dance (or if they’re a mini-foodie that prefers to chill) then Miami Marketta serves up the best of all worlds with food trucks, live music, a safe and well-lit dance area for littlies to bust some moves and epic cocktails and craft beers for mums and dads (you totally deserve it).  Settle in on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday evening for a smorgasbord of international food, music and a boho-beachy vibe to boot.

9. BREAKFAST DONE RIGHT

Set within a beautifully restored weatherboard cottage (complete with white picket fence) Paddock Bakery in Miami isn’t your average breakfast spot.  Locals line up for their epic menu that includes toddler faves like dippy eggs, creamy porridge and vegemite & cheese toasties. Get there early to grab your spot because this place is popular – for good reason.  Hot tip: order a coco pop shake and pretend it’s for your toddler.  Totally worth the calories, trust us.

10. FARMYARD FUN

Want to make friends with koalas, roos and a cuddly collection of farmyard folk?  An overnight stay at Paradise Country is just the ticket to get away and get back to nature.  Sleep soundly in a luxurious eco tent, wake up to fresh country air and collect eggs from the chicken coop. Your little ones will love feeding the animals, milking cows and meeting the cutest babies on the Coast.  Once the sun sets you’re looking at beers and toasted marshmallows around the campfire.  Total toddler-friendly family bliss!

Travelling with older kids? Check out 10 Things to do with Kids on the Gold Coast