SeaWorld Gold Coast Information

SeaWorld Gold Coast Australia All You Need To Know About Planning A Day At The Park

Information on this page about Sea World Gold Coast Theme Park:

On this page you will find information about Sea World Gold Coast.

This information changes, so I try to keep it general but useful.

This Gold Coast theme park has many attractions which I have tried to describe both in words and pictures.

It is unique as it is (to my knowledge) the only theme park in Australia with its own resort, which makes it a very special option for families with children and those who just love theme parks!

Staying at Sea World Resort is a great option for families with their family rooms, but it is also popular couples who want a bit of peace and quiet away from the hub-bub of Surfers Paradise.

There are many additional benefits to staying in the resort including certain perks, behind the scenes tours and the fabulous water park area and kids water play areas.

Don't forget to check out the reviews about this theme park or if you have been to the park and want to let others know about your experience, you can leave your own review and comments!

Opening Times for SeaWorld Gold Coast

Daily:	10.00am to 5.00pm (gates close 5.30pm)
Exceptions:	Closed Christmas Day 25 December. Closed ANZAC day morning 25 April, open from 1.30pm to 5pm*

* Check on the day, sometimes these times change.

Show Schedule

Show schedules change depending upon the day, time of year and if there are any shows being refurbished or maintained.

Unfortunately, because of the changes I cannot make any recommendations as to a daily itinerary with the park.

However, the schedules do include several suggestions which should help you decide when to do each of the different shows and attractions.

When you arrive at the entry gates you should receive a current schedule.

If you don't get one at the ticket booth, you will find staff handing them out just as you enter the park.

There are also signs which have the information on for the day's schedule.

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Buying Tickets for SeaWorld

You can buy tickets at the gate when you arrive, online or at ticket booths around the coast.

I have not found anywhere that discounts the theme parks significantly, you might save a couple of dollars a ticket, but it is minimal. But there are some smart ways to buy theme park tickets in the Gold Coast.

You should not pay any more for the convenience of buying tickets online and usually there is a small discount. The benefit you get is that you get to go in the pre-paid line which usually just as long, but much quicker!

Main benefit of buying your tickets before you go to Sea World is that you get to go in the pre-paid ticket line. This is usually just as long as the other lines, but much quicker because they are not having to process money at every transaction!

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Getting To Sea World Gold Coast

Sea World Qld is on Sea World Drive, Main Beach.

Coming from Brisbane, it is well signposted from the M1 turn off to Southport along Smith Street Motorway.

There is plenty of parking, so driving is a great option you can byo car or hire a car.

Sea World Transfers

Gold Coast Shuttle Transfers are great for transfers directly from your accommodation. Their Freedom and Gold Passes are flexible options for Gold Coast airport transfers and theme parks transfers that will save you money too.

Surfside Buslines run the public bus sustem on the Gold Coast Tel: 131 230. They run theme park services which stop at Sea World, including services from Helensvale Railway Station and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre amongst many others..

Translink run the train services which run from Brisbane to Robina. Helensvale railway station is the best stop for Sea World with Surfside buses providing the bus connections.

Personally, I think it is better to pay a bit extra and go with a shuttle service such as Gold Coast Shuttle Transfers as the public bus service can be frustrating. One visit I was left waiting for over an hour at Sea World for Surfside bus to show.

If you want to be really decadent you could transfer by helicopter so you don't have to mix with the riff-raff! More details on transfers to theme parks.

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Things To Consider

Food and Drinks

SeaWorld changed their food policy in 2009. You cannot take any food into the park unless it is a dietary requirement or baby food (check their exact requirements). The grey area in their policy is food for babies and infants and what exactly that means. If you have any queries you should direct them to Sea World staff.

They may check your bags. You cannot take sharp knives or glassware. This means you are captive to the food inside. They do have Halal and a variety of food options. You may take in a water bottle with water in it and fruit. Check here for latest FAQs on their website.

There are a limited number of strollers for hire and free wheelchairs - the park is mostly wheel friendly - but there are some restrictions on some rides, so you will need to check.

Accessibility and Getting Around

To help get around the park and reduce some of the traipsing up and down - there is a monorail and Sky High Cable Car.  

The Monorail goes around the outside of the park.  You can get on or off at the Main Station near the entrance, the Mid Station which is close to Shark Bay and the Centre of the Park or Resort Station for resort Guest only.

The Sky High Skyway cable car has a station near the main entrance and another near the centre of the park.

Only four persons to a car. They close it during high winds. Halfway you stop whilst they load and unload and you are directly over the sea world dolphin pools. This is a great way to see the dolphins.

We enjoy this ride and it saves a bit of the walking.

Things to Take

You are going to be out and about most of the day, so make sure you have the following essentials:

• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses

On some of the rides you have to take off your hat and sunnies, so it is worthwhile having a bag to put them in safely.

There is a small water play area at Sea World for the kids, so make sure they are wearing clothes that are okay to get wet or bring a change of clothes and a towel! This is especially important if you are a parent. Your kids will not forgive you if they cannot get wet!!!

There used to be a larger water park but that is now part of the Sea World Resort and can only be accessed by guests in the resort, or for an additional fee. It does not generally operate during the cooler winter months.

Weather

Sea World do have plastic capes that they sell when it rains.  If you can take wet weather gear if it looks like rain, you will save yourself a bundle on a one use cape, that is nearly impossible to get back in its bag!  

It is quite exposed out on the Spit and the wind whips up there. A light raincoat or rain jacket can double as a wind cheater.

Don't forget the sunscreen. Even when it is overcast and in the winter, the sun is very strong.

Money

There are EFTPOS machines and ATMs at Sea World Gold Coast, but I find cash easier.  

As with any tourist spot you need to be careful with your wallet and precious items.

A good rucksack or bum bag (fanny pack for our friends from USA) can be useful.

You'll need money for lockers if you want to use them, souvenirs, ice creams, drinks and foods.

And for any extra Animal Adventures, Sea World Helicopters, behind the scenes tours and the pay as you use rides.

Personally, other than money for food and drinks, you can easily enjoy a day at Sea World on most of the rides, at the shows and seeing the animals without paying for any of the additional activities.

Pre-paid Tickets

I always buy my tickets ahead of time, as the pre-paid lines are much faster than those where you have to buy the tickets at the gate.

If you want to do any of the extras like the Animal Adventure Tours or Sea World Reef Adventures make sure you organise them ahead of time. You can be lucky and turn up on the day and there be spots, but you may be disappointed particularly at the peak times.

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Shops at Sea World Gold Coast

I must admit I don't go to SeaWorld to shop, but there are shops inside.

The usual Sea World souvenirs you would expect including variations on T-shirts, toys and general souvenirs.

Towards the end of the day, they sometimes have really good deals on the soft toys as you are exiting the park. If you look through the entry gates before you exit through the souvenir shop you should be able to see what they are selling! Can be quite a good and money saving move!

There is also a Chocolate shop, photo shop where you can get prints and enlargements from your camera and an environment shop.

Food in Sea World

Please Read: Things to Consider Section for information about bringing in your own food to Sea World.

At the main entrance there is the Terrace food court, the Paradise Room which offers an international buffet and the Endeavour Coffee Bar.  This is the best place to get coffee in Sea World!

Tucked away behind the Monorail station and the donut factory is the Broadwater Cafe.

This is one of three food outlets in Sea World which has Halal certified foods.

The other two are Paradise Room Restaurant and the Plaza Burger Bar.

Most of the rest of the food is fast-food.

Fries, burgers, fish, chicken, but you can also get pizzas, pies, fresh fruit, rolls, wraps, foccacias, sandwiches and salads you just have to be prepared to hunt it out!  

We usually eat in the central plaza area and the Plaza Bakery is usually our pit stop.

You are a captive audience, expect to pay more to eat inside Sea World than out and it isn't exactly gourmet food!  

Sweet treats and real holiday food like churrios, fairy floss, popcorn and ice-cream are available in a couple of locations too.

Once you go past the plaza heading north towards Sea World Resort, there is very little in the way of food.  

During the peak times there are carts with drinks and fast food and down by the water park is the the Water Park Snack Bar.

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Where To Stay Close To SeaWorld Gold Coast

SeaWorld is on the Spit and is just north of the main part of Main Beach. It is about 4kms north of Surfers Paradise.  Southport and Labrador are within a 10 minute drive and Broadbeach takes just over 10 minutes by car.

The ultimate places to stay close to Sea World are:

• SeaWorld Resort - formerly known as Sea World Nara Resort.  This resort is located at the northern end of Sea World and is particularly suited to families.  It was renovated in early 2008 and now includes a fabulous water park for the use of guests.

• Palazzo Versace (6 star) - this is a truly opulent place to stay situated next door to Marina Mirage.

• Sheraton Mirage (5 star) - fabulous accommodation set in a brilliant location opposite Marina Mirage and a short trip to Sea World, Main Beach and Surfers Paradise.