25 Best Things to Do at Night with Kids on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is known for its beaches, but what things are there to do with kids on the Gold Coast at night?
Turns out, there are plenty of fun places to take the kids on the Gold Coast at night.
From theme parks to night markets, shows to arcades, and even a glow worm tour, it is easy to keep the kids entertained at night on the Gold Coast.
Many of the things on this list occur in Surfers Paradise, though others are spread out throughout the Gold Coast.
Keep reading to find the best things to do at night with kids on the Gold Coast.
Special Events
Theme Parks
Sure, the Gold Coast theme parks are open during the day, but sometimes they are also open at night.
Dreamworld has specific Park After Dark events on select nights throughout the year and Halloween events at night throughout October.
Movieworld’s hours change throughout the year, and some nights they are open until 7 pm. Fright Night runs in October and is a separate ticket from the general theme park admission. Though Fright Night guests can enter Movieworld at 4:30 pm, the official event runs from 6 pm to 10 pm. Fright Night is recommended for those 14+.
SeaWorld opens as late as 7 pm on select days and is open late for events. Sea World Spooky Nights take place in October. Guests can enter Seaworld at 5 pm, and the kid-friendly event runs from 5:30-8:30. Seaworld is also open late for Carnivale, which takes place in January and February.
Wet n Wild hosts Dive n Movies at night during the summer.
See a Show/Attend an Event
Australian Outback Spectacular
Enjoy a 3-course dinner and a show at Australian Outback Spectacular. The show takes place in a large arena and includes animals, acrobats, and lots of entertainment.
The hour-and-45-minute-long show begins at 7:30 pm, while the preshow entertainment begins when the doors open at 6:15 pm.
Illusions Magic Show
See a magic show on the Gold Coast with Illusions Magic Show. Dinner packages are available as is transportation. The Illusions Magic Show is family-friendly and recommended for kids 3+.
Spirits of the Red Sand
Starting with transportation from your hotel to the Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show and a 3-course dinner, followed by hot chocolate, your night is set.
The show includes Aboriginal storytelling and rituals along with singing and dancing.
Movies Under the Stars
The Gold Coast Council hosts movie nights outside for free. Check their calendar for upcoming movie night events.
Home Of The Arts
See what’s on at HOTA. Besides a cinema, there are live events for families, some of which take place in the evening.
People First Stadium
Cheer on the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium, or take the kids to a concert there. In addition to the AFL and AFLW games at Metricon Stadium, fans can also attend a cricket match.
Take a Boat Ride
Sunset Boat Ride
Options for a sunset boat ride include a Sunset Guided Boat Cruise on a luxurious yacht with drinks, a cheese board, and live music, a Sunset River Cruise with cheese and crackers, a bar, and indoor seating, as well as a Buffet Dinner Cruise.
Families can take a private Gondola Dinner Cruise from Main Beach on the Gold Coast.
Play
Putt Putt Mermaid Beach
Open until 10 pm, Putt Putt Mermaid Beach has 3 different 18-hole miniature golf courses that are fun for all ages. One of the courses is even covered so that players can play putt-putt during the rain without getting wet.
Time Zone Arcade
Heading to the arcade is always a fun thing to do on the Gold Coast with kids. Time Zone has 3 locations on the Gold Coast: Surfer’s Paradise, Robina, and Coolangatta.
Time Zone is open until 10 pm on weeknights and 11 pm on weekends, so there is plenty of time to keep the kids entertained after dark on the Gold Coast.
In addition to arcade games, Time Zone has bumper cars, escape rooms, glow golf, laser tag, and bowling.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
While Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is open even later, under-18s are only allowed in until 8 pm on Sundays and 9 pm every other day of the week.
A large arcade, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is located at Surfers Paradise. In addition to arcade games and lots of ways to earn tickets for prizes, guests can bowl, play laser tag, and experience a simulated thrill ride.
Kids can have a late-night meal or snack at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and snacks are available. Archie Brothers even has a kids’ menu with sandwiches and chicken tenders. For adults, there is a bar with many unique cocktail options.
Archie Brother is located by Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel.
Hijinx Hotel
Not a hotel, Hijinx Hotel is more like a game. Groups of 2 to 6 play in a room at a time.
During a visit to Hijinx Hotel, groups participate in 5 different themed rooms. The goal is to solve clues and play games quickly to score the most points.
More than 5 rooms are available at Hijinx Hotel, but groups are put into the 5 rooms randomly.
Food and drinks are available for purchase at Hijinx Hotel.
While Hijinx Hotel is open late every night of the week, under-18s are only allowed to play before 8 pm on Friday and Saturday nights and before 9 pm every other night of the week.
Level Up Arcade
Let the kids spend the night playing arcade games at Level Up Arcade, open til 10 pm nightly. Level Up Arcade has plenty of game options for all ages.
Escape Rooms
Take the kids to an escape room and solve clues and puzzles in family-friendly escape room options on the Gold Coast. The following escape rooms have kid-friendly rooms and are open late.
Strike
Strike Bowling at Surfer’s Paradise is open until 10 p.m. or later every night. In addition to bowling, there are escape rooms for kids 15+, karaoke, and a bar and restaurant.
Holey Moley
Take the kids to play putt-putt indoors, where every hole has a different theme at Holey Moley Gold Coast. Under-18s are allowed into Holey Moley Surfer’s Paradise until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends.
Holey Moley has a bar with a few food items available.
Be Active
Core Climbing
Kids can climb the walls at Core Climbing, an indoor rock climbing gym on the Gold Coast. Open til 10 pm nightly, there is plenty of time for the kids to climb out their energy.
Top Golf
Open until “late” daily, Top Golf is a family-friendly golf complex on the Gold Coast where all ages are welcome to participate. In addition to a driving range, there is a restaurant, and food and drinks can be ordered at your table at the range or eaten at the restaurant.
Skypoint Climb
Check out the views from Skypoint, open til 8 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Kids 12+ can participate in a 90-minute climb during the day, twilight, or at night. The climb starts with a safety demonstration and gear preparation, and then groups are taken to the 77th floor, where they climb up to the top.
Those who don’t want to climb or have kids younger than 12 can admire the views from the viewing platform or enjoy a meal at Skypoint Bistro and Bar.
Springbrook National Park Glow Worm Tour
Hike through Springbrook National Park and see the glow worms during the Natural Bridge Glow Worm Night Tour. Don’t forget your torch and be on the lookout for owls, bats, frogs, and stars in the sky.
Another option for hiking and glowworms is the Evening Rainforest and Glowworm Experience.
For those looking for even more evening fun, there is an Evening Rainforest Walking Tour and Jet Boat Ride. This tour even includes dessert at a restaurant. The jet boat ride can be taken on another day or the same day as the rainforest walk.
Read about our day trip to Springbrook National Park.
Bounce
Bounce out all of your energy before bed at Bounce on the Gold Coast. Occasionally, Bounce has an After Dark event that runs from 7-10 p.m.
Every Friday at Bounce, there is a Friday Super Session with 3 hours of jump time from 6-9 pm.
Shop
Moonlight Night Market
See a different side of Dreamworld during the Moonlight Night Market. The rides aren’t running during the Moonlight Night Market, open from 5-9 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night.
Entry to the market is cheap, and there are always lots of food and drink options. Entertainment includes live music, movies, and paint-and-sip classes that are family-friendly.
Miami Marketta
Beginning at 5 pm every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night, the Miami Marketta opens its food stalls and has live music for entertainment on the Gold Coast. Food is available from a large variety of cuisines, so there is definitely something for everyone at the Miami Marketta.
Explore New Things
Infinity
Open until 10 p.m. daily, Infinity on the Gold Coast offers a unique 30-minute interactive experience. Infinity is designed for kids 8+.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Another option to take the kids out at night on the Gold Coast is to explore Ripley’s Believe It or Not, open til 10 pm daily. They even have a 7D moving theatre ride in addition to 300 exhibits and artifacts.
More Fun on the Gold Coast
- Things to do When it is Raining on the Gold Coast
- Cheap Things to Do on the Gold Coast
- Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Playgrounds on the Gold Coast
- Kids Eat Free on the Gold Coast
Accommodations on the Gold Coast with Kids
If you are looking for kid-friendly accommodations on the Gold Coast, there are lots of incredible options. For a full list of budget, moderate, and luxury options and options for large families, read our guide to Kid-Friendly Accommodations on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast with Kids at Night FAQ
There are so many things to do at night with kids on the Gold Coast! Scroll up for 25 fun ideas.
Surfer’s Paradise has the most options for things to do at night with kids on the Gold Coast. Surfer’s Paradise has quite a few arcades, escape rooms, bowling, miniature golf, and other fun venues for kids.
For something different, head inland to the Gold Coast Hinterland and spot glow worms at Springbrook National Park.
The Gold Coast Council hosts free movie nights that can be kid-friendly. Check their website to see what events are being held. Other special events on the Gold Coast can be free and kid-friendly.
Hiking in Springbrook National Park is free. Kids can hike at night to see the glow worms.
Gold Coast with Kids at Night Wrap-Up
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down on the Gold Coast. There are plenty of fun things to do with kids at the end of the day.
From dinner shows to evening hikes, and playing indoor sports to browsing the markets, there are plenty of fun things to do on the Gold Coast at night with kids.
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