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The Gold Coast comes alive during the winter school holidays, offering families the perfect mix of sunny days, exciting attractions, seasonal events and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a longer family holiday, there's no shortage of things to see and do during one of the most popular times of the year to visit the Gold Coast.
From world-famous theme parks and whale watching adventures to free family activities, local events and what's happening right here at Paradise Resort, we've brought together everything you need to help plan your winter getaway in one convenient guide.
We'll also share some handy holiday planning tips, current family deals and seasonal experiences that can help you get the most out of your Gold Coast winter school holiday.
Paradise Resort
If you're dreaming of escaping the cold this winter, the Gold Coast is the perfect family holiday destination. While much of Australia experiences chilly temperatures, the Gold Coast enjoys mild, sunny days, making it an ideal place to explore, relax and create unforgettable family memories.
Winter is one of the best times to visit the Gold Coast. Comfortable daytime temperatures make it easy to enjoy everything from world-famous theme parks and beautiful beaches to outdoor adventures and family attractions without the intense summer heat. It's also the start of the annual humpback whale migration, offering families the chance to experience one of nature's most spectacular displays.
The winter school holidays also bring plenty of extra excitement, with seasonal events, family-friendly entertainment and special experiences happening across the Gold Coast. Whether you're planning a short getaway or a week-long escape, there's something to keep every member of the family entertained.
Better still, travelling during winter can often provide excellent value. With seasonal accommodation offers, family holiday packages and unique winter experiences available throughout the region, it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy a memorable Gold Coast holiday while making the most of your budget.
Below, we've rounded up some of our favourite ways to experience the Gold Coast during the winter school holidays, along with what's happening at Paradise Resort and some fantastic family-friendly experiences to add to your itinerary.
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If you're staying at Paradise Resort during the winter school holidays, there's plenty happening to keep the whole family entertained from morning through to night. Alongside our year-round family favourites, winter brings a range of seasonal experiences designed to make your holiday even more memorable.
One of the biggest highlights is our Snow & Glow Winter Party - a magical evening filled with snow play, glow-themed entertainment, family games and plenty of winter fun. It's the perfect way to embrace the season while creating unforgettable holiday memories together.
Outside of our seasonal events, there's always something happening around the resort. Kids can spend hours enjoying our famous waterpark, lagoon pool and Kids Club, while the whole family can take part in our daily activities program, games, train rides and family entertainment throughout the day.
If it's your first time staying with us, or you're wondering how to fit everything into your holiday, we've got plenty of helpful guides to get you started.
❄️ Snow & Glow Winter Party – Experience a magical winter celebration with snow play, glow-themed entertainment and family fun.
💦 Waterpark & Lagoon Pool – Splash, slide and swim all year round.
🎨 Daily Activities Program – Games, craft, competitions and family entertainment every day.
🧸 Kids Club - Supervised fun for younger guests while parents enjoy some well-earned downtime.
🎠 Cleo's Carousel - Hop aboard our beautifully themed carousel for a classic family favourite.
🚂 Dusty's Safari Train - A favourite for little adventurers.
⛸️ Ice Skating - Glide into the fun with one of our most popular winter activities.
💆 Pamper Parlour* - Treat the kids to a little holiday pampering.
Seasonal activities and availability may vary.
Want to make the most of your visit? These guides are a great place to start:
Paradise Resort
No Gold Coast family holiday is complete without a visit to one (or more!) of the region's iconic theme parks. Winter is one of the best times to experience them, with comfortable temperatures, plenty of sunny days and often shorter wait times than the peak summer season.
Whether your family loves thrilling rollercoasters, getting up close with marine life or splashing around at a water park, there's something for every age and adventure level.
Meet your favourite DC Super Heroes, experience exhilarating rides and enjoy world-class entertainment throughout the park.
Discover amazing marine animals, family-friendly rides and entertaining live shows, making it a fantastic day out for younger children and older adventurers alike.
If the weather warms up during your stay, Wet'n'Wild is the perfect place to cool off with thrilling slides, wave pools and family attractions.
From adrenaline-pumping rides to family attractions and wildlife experiences, Dreamworld offers something for everyone and is well worth adding to your school holiday itinerary.
If visiting the theme parks is on your family's must-do list, it's worth looking at holiday packages that combine accommodation and attraction tickets. They can often provide excellent value while making holiday planning much easier.
Our Ultimate Theme Park Playcation Package includes family-friendly accommodation at Paradise Resort along with theme park tickets, helping families enjoy more of the Gold Coast while getting great value from their holiday.
If you're still deciding which parks to visit or how to fit everything into your itinerary, check out these helpful guides:
Movie World Gold Coast | Image taken by Paradise Resort
One of the biggest reasons families visit the Gold Coast during winter is the chance to witness the incredible annual humpback whale migration. Between June and October, thousands of humpback whales travel along the Queensland coastline, creating one of Australia's most spectacular natural experiences.
Whale watching is a memorable adventure for all ages. Children will love spotting whales breaching, tail slapping and playing alongside their calves, while adults can appreciate the breathtaking beauty of these gentle giants in their natural environment. It's an experience that many families say becomes a highlight of their Gold Coast holiday.
Several operators offer whale watching cruises throughout the season, with departures from locations across the Gold Coast. To give your family the best chance of seeing whales up close, we recommend choosing a tour with experienced guides who can share fascinating facts about the migration and the marine life you'll encounter along the way.
If whale watching is on your family's winter bucket list, our Winter on the Water package makes it easy to combine an unforgettable whale watching cruise with a relaxing family stay at Paradise Resort.
The package includes family-friendly accommodation plus a whale watching experience with Sea World Cruises, making it a fantastic way to experience one of the Gold Coast's most popular winter attractions.
Looking for even more inspiration? Check out our Winter on the Water guide to learn why winter is one of the best times to visit the Gold Coast and what you can expect during whale watching season.
Sea World Cruises
One of the best things about the Gold Coast is that not every day needs to come with an admission ticket. Some of the most memorable family moments can be spent exploring the region's beautiful beaches, parks and family-friendly attractions - all without stretching the holiday budget.
Pack a picnic and spend the day at the Broadwater Parklands, wander through the vibrant streets of Surfers Paradise, build sandcastles on one of the Gold Coast's famous beaches or enjoy a scenic walk through Burleigh Head National Park. Throughout the winter school holidays, you'll also find a variety of free community events, markets and entertainment happening across the region.
If you're staying at Paradise Resort, you'll find there's plenty to keep the family entertained before you even leave the resort. With our waterpark, lagoon pool, Kids Club, daily activities program and family entertainment, it's easy to enjoy a full day of fun without needing to spend extra.
Looking for even more inspiration? Check out our Play All Day blog for ideas on making the most of your stay, or explore our Smart Ways to Save Money on a Gold Coast Family Holiday guide for practical tips on stretching your holiday budget even further.
Remember, a great family holiday isn't about how much you spend - it's about the memories you create together. By mixing world-class attractions with free experiences and the many activities available at Paradise Resort, you'll enjoy the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation and value.
Paradise Resort
While the Gold Coast is famous for its sunshine, it's always a good idea to have a few indoor activities up your sleeve - whether you're escaping a cooler winter morning, taking a break from the beach or simply looking for something different to do with the kids.
If you're staying at Paradise Resort, there are plenty of indoor experiences to enjoy without leaving the resort. Kids can get creative with our daily craft activities, enjoy supervised fun at the Kids Club, challenge the family to games and activities throughout the day, or treat themselves to a little pampering at the Pamper Parlour.
Looking to venture out? The Gold Coast is home to plenty of fantastic indoor attractions for families, including Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Infinity Attraction, Timezone Surfers Paradise, HOTA Gallery, Holey Moley and a range of shopping, dining and entertainment precincts that are perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
No matter what the weather has in store, there's always something to keep the whole family entertained on the Gold Coast.
Looking for even more rainy-day inspiration? Keep an eye on our blog for our upcoming guide, What to Do in Paradise When It Rains, where we'll share even more family-friendly indoor attractions, hidden gems and wet-weather activities to help make the most of your holiday.
Paradise Resort
With so much happening across the Gold Coast during the winter school holidays, a little planning can help you make the most of your family getaway.
If you're staying for a few days, consider mixing exciting attractions with slower-paced experiences. Spend one day exploring the theme parks, another enjoying a whale watching cruise, and leave plenty of time to relax at Paradise Resort, where the kids can enjoy the waterpark, daily activities and seasonal events like our Snow & Glow Winter Party.
Don't forget to leave room in your itinerary for spontaneous adventures too. Whether it's discovering a new beach, stopping at a local playground or enjoying an ice cream by the ocean, some of the best holiday memories are often the unplanned ones.
With so much to see and do, planning ahead can help you make the most of your Gold Coast winter school holiday. Booking popular attractions, whale watching cruises and seasonal experiences in advance can help you secure your preferred dates and avoid missing out during the busy holiday period.
Whether your family is excited to visit the Gold Coast's iconic theme parks, experience the annual whale migration, enjoy beachside adventures or simply relax together at Paradise Resort, there's something to delight every member of the family.
Offers & Events
29/06/2026
