15 Best Family-Friendly Accommodations on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of those places where every trip feels like an adventure, especially when you’re travelling with kids.
When we visited in 2023, we stayed in an Airbnb in Bilinga. The spot itself was nice enough, but being a bit away from the theme parks meant longer drives through busy traffic.
That’s when I realised how much it matters to stay close to where you’ll spend most of your time.
If you’re planning theme park days, beach breaks, or exploring the hinterland, choosing the right location can make your holiday smoother and much more enjoyable.
With that in mind, here are 15 of the best family-friendly accommodations on the Gold Coast to help you pick a stay that suits your plans perfectly.
Where to Stay on the Gold Coast For Families
🏨 Paradise Resort Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)
This self-described “cruise ship on land” is built for families. It has an award‑winning Kids’ Club (for ages 6 weeks to 12 years) with themed rooms, arts and crafts, disco and even a “pamper parlour,” plus a full waterpark, ice‑skating rink and miniature train.
The resort pools include a giant saltwater lagoon with a waterfall grotto and an adjacent freshwater slide pool – a standout even on the Gold Coast.
Guest rooms range from standard rooms to family suites and interconnecting suites (many with kitchenettes and laundry), and parents can relax in the adult‑only spa pool or café while kids play.
Paradise Resort is just 250m from Surfers Paradise Beach and offers resort meals, activities and even after‑hours kids’ parties – one reviewer notes “the kids loved the nightly SpongeBob light shows” and endless pool fun.
🏨 Turtle Beach Resort (Mermaid Beach)
This expansive 4.5-hectare apartment complex at Mermaid Beach is often voted the “best family apartments.”
It offers 1–3 bedroom self‑contained suites (with full kitchens and laundry) plus extensive resort facilities.
Four swimming pools (two for kids and toddlers) and six water slides (plus four spas) surround a large splash park.
There’s also a 15‑hole mini golf course, a 22‑seat kids’ cinema (shows daily), a games room with video games and a floodlit tennis court.
A supervised Club Turtle kids’ club and babysitting are available, so parents can relax in the adults‑only pool or spa with food and drinks from “The Deck” café while children run wild in the waterpark.
The property is a 5‑star holiday park in feel, and many families give it top marks. Bookings directly include free parking and nearby shuttle transfers to theme parks (Movie World, Wet’n’Wild) on request.
🏨 JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa (Surfers Paradise)
This luxury beachfront resort features one of the Gold Coast’s most spectacular pool complexes. Its centrepiece is a huge saltwater lagoon pool with grottos, waterfalls and over 200 tropical fish, plus a connected freshwater slide pool.
Kids enjoy the slide and separate wading pools, while the hotel runs daily family activities – from guided fish feedings and treasure hunts to pizza- and chocolate-making classes for kids.
Accommodations are spacious and well-equipped (modern rooms with marble bathrooms, balconies and Wi-Fi).
The resort also features multiple restaurants and offers free trams or shuttles to nearby Cavill Avenue shops and Surfers Paradise’s nightlife.
Its “Kids Eat Free” package and turn-down treats for children make it a hit with families seeking a 5-star experience.
🏨 Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort (Main Beach)
A landmark 5-star property on Main Beach, the Sheraton Mirage is known for its grand, tropical pool and beachfront setting.
The main lagoon pool is enormous (65m long) with a swim‑up bar and a shallow children’s wading area, while a second quiet pool lies closer to the beach.
Beyond the pool, families enjoy direct access to a patrolled sandy beach. On-site features include tennis courts, a fitness centre, a kids’ menu and a children’s playground.
Rooms are large, and many are multi‑bedroom suites or villas with balconies. Reviewers consistently note the “great kids’ facilities” – a games room, kids’ menus and spacious family rooms are often mentioned.
Parents appreciate the extensive afternoon activities (beach games, pizza parties) and on-site babysitting.
The Sheraton often packages complimentary breakfasts for kids or discounts on adjoining rooms, and its oceanfront pools and gardens create a true island‑resort feel for families.
🏨 Sea World Resort (Main Beach)
Located right next to SeaWorld theme park, this resort is tailored for families with young children.
The resort has a lagoon‑style pool with shallow areas and a SpongeBob-themed splash pad, plus nightly light-and-water shows on the pool.
Kids meet SpongeBob and other Nicktoons in daily character events. The resort runs an on-site kids’ club and offers a miniature golf course and a pirate ship play area.
Importantly, Sea World Resort offers theme-park combo packages, allowing guests to book special rates that include tickets to Sea World, Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, and Paradise Country.
Accommodations range from twin‑bed rooms to large family suites (some with full kitchens), and all have balconies overlooking Broadwater or the pool.
Parents say rooms are “spacious and comfortable” and appreciate the convenience of strolling straight into the parks.
The resort also provides free daily breakfast buffets for kids under five and has multiple dining outlets that are family-friendly (buffets, casual grill, ice cream parlour).
Overall, Sea World Resort is described by visitors as “the ultimate destination for families,” with nonstop entertainment and easy access to all Gold Coast theme parks.
🏨 NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort (Biggera Waters)
This sprawling holiday park (15–20 minutes north of Surfers by car) is like a theme park for families.
Spread over 10 hectares, Treasure Island offers cabins, villas and safari-style glamping tents (all air-conditioned) as well as powered caravan sites.
The resort runs a supervised kids’ club and even a “Kids vs Wild” survival adventure program. Its four free-form pools include a massive water fortress splash zone, a river lagoon, and three waterslides.
Children race go-karts on a private track or bounce on an oversized inflatable pillow. There’s also mini-golf, tennis, basketball and a giant jumping pillow.
The on-site café/pub (The Galleons Bistro) serves kid-friendly meals by the pool. Guests note that “the kids are never bored here” – the park schedule has organised activities literally every hour (craft, movies, treasure hunts).
Rates are very affordable: powered sites can be as low as $50/night, cabins start at around $100, and glamping tents (with a queen bed) are priced at around $60, making it a budget-friendly option for families.
🏨 BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park (Helensvale)
A flagship BIG4 property near Dreamworld and Wet’n’Wild, this park is built around family fun.
Highlights include a massive water park featuring multiple slides and interactive splash structures (heated to ~28°C year-round), a lazy river lagoon pool with private cabanas, and a toddler pool.
Active kids zoom around on a remote-controlled car track or ride pedal karts; they also have a jumping pillow (inflatable bed) and fenced bike track.
The park features tennis and basketball courts, a playground and an indoor games area.
Accommodations range from basic campsites to air-conditioned villas and modern cabins.
On-site amenities include a camp kitchen, barbecue areas, playgrounds and a licensed café. BIG4 Gold Coast is frequently rated “outstanding” by families – one reviewer wrote that it “feels like a kids’ holiday camp where they live their best life”.
All told, it delivers a resort‑style experience at budget‑park prices, perfect for families attending the nearby theme parks (free shuttle to the parks is occasionally offered as a package extra).
🏨 RACV Royal Pines Resort (Benowa)
This five‑star resort on the Gold Coast hinterland edge is famous for its championship golf, but it’s also very family-friendly.
Its pool complex is enormous: the main pool is 85m long and shaped like a lagoon, and a separate toddler pool features three slides (with shallow drops into a tiny pool) specifically designed for little kids.
A large shaded playground with swings and slides sits next to the pool, and a giant jumping pillow keeps children entertained.
The resort operates a kids’ club during school holidays, as well as daily supervised activities (movies, mini golf, outdoor games) on its sprawling grounds.
All rooms are suites with two queen beds, and many families take advantage of connecting rooms. Cribs and high chairs are available upon request at no additional charge.
Dining is very family‑oriented: multiple casual restaurants serve kids’ menus, and the hotel offers early-bird buffet breakfasts.
Parents rave about the “incredible” pool area and say that even the on-site mascot (RACV’s platypus) comes out for kids’ events.
Though on the higher end, Royal Pines often includes complimentary breakfast for families or reduced tickets to nearby attractions in its package deals.
🏨 Broadbeach Holiday Apartments (Broadbeach)
Located on Queensland Avenue in the Phoenician complex, this self-contained apartment hotel is popular with families.
Guests stay in spacious 1–3 bedroom apartments (full kitchens and laundries), and the resort boasts amenities on par with a small hotel.
There are two swimming pools (one indoor and one outdoor), a sauna, a gym, and a children’s wading pool.
Barbecue facilities and a rooftop terrace offer a family-friendly space. The complex also has 10 restaurants and 4 bars on-site (plus cafes and a convenience shop), so dining out is easy.
Free parking and unlimited Wi-Fi are included, and it’s a short walk (or a quick tram ride) to Kurrawa Beach and Pacific Fair shopping.
Reviews emphasise how “everything you need is right here” – especially the kids’ pool and the convenience of being in Broadbeach’s entertainment district.
🏨 Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach (Broadbeach)
This 5-star hotel offers beachfront luxury with family packages. Rooms and suites are elegantly appointed, and parents appreciate touches like 24-hour room service and babysitting.
Sofitel regularly runs a “Family Offer” where kids’ connecting rooms are 50% off and buffet breakfast is included.
The hotel features two adult pools, an outdoor infinity pool with a lagoon-like feel, and a spa and wellness centre for parents.
On-site, there are several fine restaurants and casual cafés, as well as an in-house kids’ menu.
While there’s no kids’ club, the hotel’s concierge can arrange babysitting and supplies (including cots, strollers, and kids’ toiletries) in advance.
Sofitel’s location is steps from Cavill Avenue, Pacific Fair and the Kurrawa Surf Club, and it has its own lagoon fed by the Broadwater.
In short, it caters to families seeking upscale comfort: “our kids felt like VIPs,” one family review noted, highlighting the themed family afternoon teas and adjacent kids’ outdoor play area.
🏨 The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast (Broadbeach)
Part of the Star casino complex, this modern hotel combines casino-hotel glam with surprising family appeal.
It offers large multi‑room suites (many with kitchenettes), free cribs and kids’ amenities. Facilities include two adult pools, two large hot tubs (separated by age), a well-equipped spa, and a sauna.
There are eight restaurants on-site, ranging from casual to fine dining, and one restaurant (Buffet 89) is especially child-friendly with a huge dessert station.
The hotel also provides free shuttle buses along the Gold Coast and can assist with arranging theme-park transfers.
Notably, children under 12 eat free at many dining outlets when parents purchase a meal.
Guests praise the “clean, friendly” rooms, which feature entertainment consoles, as well as the hotel’s proximity to family-friendly shopping and beaches.
🏨 Nobby Beach Holiday Village (Miami)
For a more laid-back beachfront vibe, Nobby Beach Holiday Village (on Gold Coast Hwy at Miami) is a great budget option.
It’s just 600 m from a patrolled beach, and offers units ranging from studios to 2-bedroom villas (many with kitchenettes) as well as powered campsites.
The park’s amenities include two swimming pools (one heated to 28°C) with sun decks, as well as a 35-metre waterslide that is a massive hit with kids.
A large playground, a camp kitchen with communal BBQs, laundry facilities, and even an on-site mini-market mean families have everything they need on-site.
There is no formal kids’ club, but the family-friendly layout (private villas plus grassed play areas) and evening movie nights in the BBQ area give it a community feel.
Rates are low – families note this as an affordable base for visiting the theme parks (about 10–15 min drive) and enjoying the southern GC beaches.
🏨 Ashmore Palms Holiday Village (Ashmore)
This 4.5‑acre resort on the western outskirts of the Gold Coast is well geared for families on a budget.
Accommodations include motel rooms, cabins and self‑contained villas. Resort amenities are resort-style: two large free-form lagoon pools, two children’s playgrounds, a tennis court and multiple BBQ areas.
Unique to Ashmore Palms is a large aviary featuring exotic South American macaws, as well as a petting zoo that kids love to feed.
The park’s on-site Wonderland activity centre runs nightly entertainment in high season – everything from kids’ discos and sandcastle competitions to laser tag and quizzes.
Parents report that cabins and villas are basic but clean, and that the park “feels safe and friendly.”
Proximity-wise, it’s about 15 minutes south of Surfers Paradise, so some driving is needed. Still, it has become a favourite for Aussie families (especially in school holidays) who want a self-contained holiday park.
🏨 Broadwater Tourist Park (Southport)
For families travelling with campers or caravans, this is the Gold Coast’s main budget camping park. It sits on the edge of the Southport Broadwater waterfront and offers powered sites, cabins and glamping tents.
The park boasts two pools (one lagoon-style), a giant inflatable jumping pillow, playgrounds, tennis courts, and even a boat ramp.
There’s direct access to Broadwater for fishing or kayaking. The park often highlights that it’s “relaxing but close to the excitement of the Gold Coast” – it’s only a short drive to Southport’s retail/dining and to Sea World, Movie World, etc.
Reviewers praise the clean amenities and note the availability of free barbecue areas and a camp kitchen.
It’s a very affordable stay: powered sites can be as low as $30/night, and cabins range from $80 to $100, making it ideal for extended family stays.
🏨 Gold Coast Hinterland (Tamborine & Mt. Nebo)
Finally, for a nature‑focused family retreat, consider the hinterland. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (near Canungra, 90 min from the coast) has 48 rainforest villas.
It offers daily wildlife shows (featuring gliding possums and birds of prey), a treetop canopy walk, and guided glow-worm tours.
Kids can learn to ride Segways, take part in 4WD adventure tours, or spot wombats on a dusk safari.
The retreat’s expansive grounds and friendly guides ensure that children are always engaged. Paradise Country Farmstay (Oxenford) lets kids live a day as farmers – collecting eggs, feeding calves, milking cows, and cuddling koalas.
Families sleep in luxury safari tents or lodges here, and meals (farm buffet) are included.
Tamborine Mountain Glades (formerly Cedar Creek Lodges) offers rainforest cottages and luxury tents plus access to an on‑site adventure park with mini-excavators (“Dig It Park”), treetop adventure courses and zip‑lines.
These hinterland options are farther out, but they give older kids a memorable break from the beach – most family reviewers say the novelty of night walks, campfires, and wildlife easily justifies the drive.
The Wrap-Up
Across the Gold Coast, there are family-friendly accommodations in every category. Luxury resorts (Sheraton, JW Marriott, Sofitel) offer prime beachfront pools, kids’ clubs and on-site dining.
Mid‑range resorts (Paradise, Sea World Resort, Turtle Beach, Treasure Island) combine apartment or villa lodging with waterparks, kids’ activities and theme‑park packages.
Budget options (Big4 Holiday Park, Ashmore Palms, Nobby Beach Village, Broadwater Tourist Park) offer cabins or campsites with amenities such as pools, playgrounds, basketball courts, jumping pillows, and self-catering facilities.
In every case, these properties consistently top family-review lists for spacious accommodations, close beach access or shuttle links, and on-site activities that keep kids of all ages entertained.
