A Kid-Friendly Two-Week Queensland holiday: One Week in Brisbane, One Week on the Gold Coast

Queensland's southeast shines for families - Brisbane's riverside playgrounds and wildlife meet the Gold Coast's beaches and theme park magic. Split your two weeks here: seven days of gentle Brisbane exploration, then seven of coastal thrills. With an easy drive between spots, base in family hotels with pools. Enjoy beaches, animals, and rides. Perfect for kids aged 4–12, with shaded play areas everywhere.

Day 1: Arrival and South Bank Splash

Settle in at the Holiday Inn Brisbane and take a walk to South Bank Parklands.

Kids can enjoy Streets Beach lagoon swims, the massive Epicurious Playground (slides, climbing nets), and Wheel of Brisbane spins with skyline views.

On a hot day, pop into Queensland Museum's Sciencentre for hands-on exhibits (and air conditioning)

Dinner at family-friendly Howard Smith Wharves - pizza under the Story Bridge lights.

Day 2: Riverside Play and Ferry Fun

Ride CityCat ferries along the river and spot the fish from the decks.

Dock at New Farm Park for picnics, playground swings, and ice cream trucks.

Spend the afternoon at Eat Street Northshore (weekends) and enjoy Kid-sized global foods, carousels, and buskers.

Day 3: Mount Coot-tha Drive-Up Views and Gardens

Drive to Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout café for panoramic views. Below, cruise the Brisbane Botanic Gardens by car loop, stopping at bonsai exhibits and ponds for duck-feeding.

Pack a Picnic for the playground.

Day 4: Lone Pine Koala Cuddles

World-famous Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Hold koalas, feed kangaroos, watch wombat talks. Stroller paths everywhere; platypus viewing is mesmerizing.

Evening CityCat back for Fortitude Valley arcade games and kid menus.

Day 5: West End Playgrounds and Markets

Boundary Street's playgrounds and splash pads in West End. Sample kid bites at Jan Powers Farmers Markets (Wed/Sat)—fruit skewers, mini donuts.

Carousel rides or face painting keep it light.

Day 6: Moreton Island Sand Fun

Ferry to Moreton Island: Sand tobogganing (guides pull sleds downhill), shallow snorkel at Tangalooma Wrecks, and dolphin feeding at dusk. All flat or boat-based.

Day 7: Parkland Play and River Boat Ride

Roma Street Parklands: Xpress Fun Train rides, massive playgrounds, and lily pond boats.
Sunset Kookaburra Queen river cruise - storytelling and bubbles for kids.

Week 2: Gold Coast – Beaches, Parks, and Easy Adventures

Base the holiday in Surfers Beach or Broadbeach (recommend Novotel or JW Marriott) for easy access to everything.

Day 8: Surfers Paradise Beach Day

Surfers Paradise Beach: Calm lagoons, beach play, and SkyPoint Observation Deck elevator views (no stairs).

Cavill Mall arcades and mini-golf evening.

Day 9: Warner Bros. Movie World Thrills

Full day at Movie World: Looney Tunes meets, Justice League rides, character parades. Nickelodeon Land for toddlers.

Day 10: Currumbin Wildlife and Beach Play

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Lorikeet feedings, tree rope playground (easy levels), alligator shows. Nearby Elephant Rock beach for rockpool splashing.

Day 11: Wet & Wild Gold Coast

Full day at Wet and Wild (or Sea World or Dream World)

Day 12: Pool Day at the Hotel

Pool Day!

Day 13: Tamborine Mountain Easy Tastings

Cedar Creek skywalk, glow-worm caves viewing, and drive-thru distilleries for mocktails. Cheese tastings and playgrounds.

Day 14: Broadbeach Wrap-Up

Full Day at Dream World (or Sea World)

Recommended Hotels:

Novotel Hotel Gold Coast

Novotel Surfers Paradise is the ultimate family-friendly Gold Coast hotel for your kid-centric Brisbane-to-GC itinerary. Perched above a shopping mall with direct Cavill Avenue access, it's just 2 minutes' walk to Surfers Paradise Beach - perfect for Day 8 beach play and arcades.

Why It Fits Families - Spacious Family Rooms sleep 2 adults + 2 kids (king bed + singles, split by bathroom with bath/shower), plus free cribs and balconies with city/hinterland views—no cramped quarters.
Kids under 16 eat free at BLVD Cafe & Bar breakfast buffet; poolside kids' meals and in-room dining keep hangry moments at bay.

Kid Amenities

Lagoon-style heated outdoor pool with shallow end, hot tub, and sun loungers—ideal post-theme-park splash
Outdoor tennis/basketball court (holiday hours) and downstairs Timezone arcade for the kids (and adults)
Stroller-friendly: Elevators, ramps, soundproofed rooms, laundry - hassle-free for a base.

JW Marriott Gold Coast

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is Australia's luxury beachfront icon, blending tropical lagoon paradise with 5-star family magic—perfect as your Week 2 base for the no-hike kid itinerary (Days 8–14). Just 300m from Surfers Paradise Beach and 10 minutes from Movie World, this 223-room retreat (opened as Marriott, rebranded JW) delivers upscale relaxation without leaving the grounds.

Why Families Love It - Spacious Ocean View Family Suites (42–93sqm) fit 2 adults + 2 kids easily: plush king beds, daybeds/rollaways (free), interconnecting options, deep soaking tubs, and private balconies overlooking the lagoon or Pacific. Soundproofed for nap times; welcome packs with crayons and toys seal the deal.

Standout Kid Amenities

Epic Lagoon Pools: Heated resort pool + 4m-deep saltwater lagoon stocked with 300 tropical fish (daily 9:30am feeding), waterfalls, grottos, kids' waterslide, shallow splash zone, and man-made beaches—endless play rivaling external theme parks.
Family by JW Program: Free daily activities like junior chef classes (pizza/sushi-making), mixology, herb gardens, fish-feeding, scavenger hunts, plus arcade games room (8am–10pm), playground, and babysitting.
Sports & More: Outdoor tennis/basketball courts, gym (parents' turn), EV charging, laundry—stroller-flat paths everywhere.

Dining Delights

Misono: Teppanyaki shows thrill kids; sushi-making classes available.
Chapter & Verse: All-day share plates, Lyrebird cocktails (mocktails too), pool views.
Breakfast Buffet: Family-focused with eggs, pastries, fruits—kids often eat free in packages; Sunday seafood lunch.
In-room service keeps it easy post-Currumbin (Day 10)

Holiday Inn Brisbane

Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central is a smart, budget-friendly family base for your no-hike Week 1 itinerary (Days 1–7), putting South Bank, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and CityCat ferries within a 10–15 minute walk or tram ride. This modern 226-room high-rise in Brisbane CBD offers clean, soundproofed comfort without frills—ideal for parents prioritizing free breakfast and cribs over pools, at half the luxe price of JW Marriott.

Why Families Choose It - Compact but practical Standard Rooms (queen + single or 2 twins, 20–30sqm) sleep 2 adults + 1–2 kids: hypoallergenic bedding, blackout curtains, free cribs/infant beds, mini-fridges for milk/snacks, and connecting rooms for space. Hydromassage showers and USB desks keep routines smooth post-South Bank splash (Day 1).

Family-Friendly Perks

Free Express Start Breakfast: Daily buffet (6:30–9am) with eggs, cereals, fruits, yogurts—kids eat free, saving AUD 20+/head before Lone Pine (Day 4).
Gym (No Pool): Basic fitness center for parents; common TV lounge for kid downtime.
Convenience Wins: 24/7 room service, snack bar/deli, guest laundry (self-serve, gold for sandy Moreton Island gear Day 6), free WiFi, parking—stroller-accessible with elevators and 10 accessible rooms.

Dining and Location Edge

On-site bar/snack bar for easy evenings; nearby Roma Street Parklands (Day 7) has food trucks.
CBD spot: 500m to Queen Street Mall, 1km to South Bank playgrounds—trams/Go Card simplify no-car days.

The Gold Coast has over 400 hotels available to book - our recommendations are above however click here for a full list of Gold Coast Hotels

For other Brisbane hotels available to book click here

For Car Hire we recommend booking here (for travel between Brisbane and Gold Coast)

Brisbane and the Gold Coast Australia