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Best time to visit theme parks in Gold Coast?

by Sumithra
(Malaysia)

I would like to visit Gold Coast in either June, July or August. I have 3 kids and want to visit the theme parks and we are trying to escape from the heat and humidity of Malaysia.

Can you please tell me when is the best time. I want miss the crowds and queues at the theme parks. Also, it is winter will the weather still be nice?


Quick answer, early June, late July and August, but read on for more information.

Theme Parks in the Gold Coast tend to be busiest during Queensland and NSW School holidays. Check my school holidays pages and follow the links for the latest dates for the actual holidays.

Rule of thumb early June, late July and August are generally school holiday free. If you can plan your trip around these times you will also benefit from off peak accommodation rates and deals.

One big proviso, I cannot promise short queues or no crowds. The theme parks and other attractions are generally quieter at this time of year when the schools are not on holidays, but there are sometimes really odd days... like last year my husband and I went to Sea World on a Wednesday and it happened to be Brisbane Show Day and the place was packed! The day before it was dead as a dodo! So those things can happen.

The water parks such as Whitewater World and Wet 'n' Wild are also worth visiting even in the winter. Most people don't realise that the water is heated during the winter, so it can be a brilliant time to go! My tip, is to pick a less windy day! It's the wind chill factor that will get you, or is it just us hardened Queenslanders!

As for the weather! The weather is changeable but if you check out the tables on my weather pages you will see that it is not humid and certainly not too cold! You can also check out current weather conditions.

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Comments for Best time to visit theme parks in Gold Coast?

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Nov 14, 2021
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Can You Go Around Movie World in One Day?
by: Annie

Hi Crystal,
In general you can go around Movie World in one day. It's unclear how any limitations or restrictions will make any difference to this general rule of thumb. If you have the opportunity to go on more than one day, then it will be more "comfortable". Queues are usually long during these peak times. I am sorry I cannot be more specific. I would recommend that you figure out which rides and attractions you really want to go see, arrive early before the park opens so you can get in before the crowds arrive. A lot of people show up as the park opens, you can get a head start on those ones and go to the rides you really want to go on. Hope that helps.
Annie

Oct 02, 2021
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visiting during December and January
by: crystal

Hi, I want to visit movie world in the late December or January, how crowded is it during that time and how long are the lines. Would I be able to go around the whole park and on all the rides in one day or do I need to go on more than one day in order to have the full experience?

Jun 26, 2016
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Reply to: How Busy Are Theme Parks Second Week of July School Holidays
by: Annie

In general the theme parks are busiest during school holidays, especially the Queensland School holidays.

Queensland School holidays started last Friday 24 June 2016 and run for the next two weeks, however other states have different dates, so after the Queensland schools go back around 11 July 2016 it is usually a little quieter, but it will still be fairly busy.

Which theme parks are you thinking of going to? If you want a bit more information contact me directly and I can talk you through it.
Cheers
Annie

Jun 25, 2016
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Visiting theme parks July school holidays
by: Anonymous

How busy are the theme parks in the 2nd week of July school holidays ?

Jul 08, 2012
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Brisbane Show Day at Theme Parks
by: Anonymous

About the Brisbane Show Day, the theme parks are packed because it is a public holiday for Brisbane residents. Thhey all have the same idea:

Everyone will be at the Ekka so we'll go to Dreamworld/WetnWild/etc.

I made this exact mistake about 3 years ago and it was the busiest day I'd ever visited the park, busier than weekends.

Annie Adds Ha Ha, had the same thing myself! So very true! The time I went to Sea World on EKKA Show Day it even caught the staff off guard! Thanks for sharing. Annie

Jan 08, 2010
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Which two theme parks to visit on Gold Coast?
by: Annie

That is such a hard question to answer in a comment!

It depends what you are looking for.

If it were families with small children I would probably say Dreamworld and Sea World.

If you are a thrill seeker then perhaps Dreamworld and MovieWorld.

If you like water parks then Wet n Wild is bigger than Whitewater world.

If you are looking for a value deal, Dreamworld and Whitewater world go together with their WorldPass.

The other three Seaworld, MovieWorld and Wet n Wild have various passes.

If you have specific question please use contact form and I will try to answer for you.

Hope this is useful.
Annie

Jan 08, 2010
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What about WHICH theme park is the best to visit?
by: Anonymous

If you've only got a choice of two theme parks you could visit, which would be the best???

I've heard that Dreamworld is the best, what about the others? there's so many of them.

May 21, 2008
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Other Quiet Times to Visit Theme Parks
by: Annie

Thanks Ed for the comments and the add on question.

Basically, the theme parks are busiest during peak school holiday times, particularly when Queensland and NSW schools are on holidays. The only exception to this is probably February and to some extent March, because there aways seems to be lots of visitors around then. Universities don't generally get started back until around then, and also people who don't have to holiday during school holidays...

The other times when it is busy, is when there is a specific event on, like Gold Coast Indy in mid to late October and Schoolies in late November.

The theme parks also like to keep themselves busy, so there are sometimes promotions to bring visitors in - particularly us locals!

Us Locals tend to go to the theme parks on the weekends in or out of school holidays, so that means that during the week it is generally quieter.

Hope that helps!
Annie

May 21, 2008
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What about other times of the year?
by: Ed

Great info, thanks for that. What about other months? Are there any other times that are not crowds at the theme parks?

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