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Things To Do · Family Guide
Broadbeach During School Holidays
The best activities, accommodation tips, and what to book ahead — your complete family planning guide.
School holidays are peak time in Broadbeach. Families from Brisbane, regional Queensland, and interstate converge on the Gold Coast, and Broadbeach’s combination of beach, shopping, dining, and theme park access makes it one of the most popular bases.
The upside is energy — Broadbeach comes alive during school holidays with extra events, entertainment, and a buzzing beachfront atmosphere. The downside is demand — accommodation prices rise, theme park queues lengthen, and restaurant tables need booking.
This guide covers the best activities for families during school holidays, what to book in advance, and how to avoid the worst of the crowds while still having a brilliant time.
2026 QLD School Holiday Dates
- Autumn break: 28 March – 12 April 2026
- Winter break: 20 June – 5 July 2026
- Spring break: 19 September – 5 October 2026
- Summer break: 12 December 2026 – 25 January 2027
- Note: NSW/VIC dates vary — check your state. Overlap weeks are busiest.
| Activity | Distance | Age Group | Cost (approx) | Book Ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadbeach Beach & Kurrawa Park | Walking | All ages | Free | No |
| Pacific Fair shopping + cinema | Walking | All ages | Free–$25 | Cinema only |
| Dreamworld | 25 min drive | 5+ | $80–110/person | Yes — online cheaper |
| Movie World | 30 min drive | 4+ | $80–110/person | Yes |
| Sea World | 15 min drive | All ages | $80–110/person | Yes |
| Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary | 25 min drive | All ages | $55–70/person | Recommended |
| Topgolf | 5 min | 8+ | $45–65/bay hour | Weekends yes |
| HOTA Gallery & Outdoor Cinema | 10 min | Varies | Free–$20 | Cinema yes |
| Infinity Attraction (Surfers) | 10 min tram | 6+ | $30/person | No |
| SkyPoint Observation Deck | 10 min tram | All ages | $27–32/person | No |
Free Activities in Broadbeach During School Holidays
The beach is the obvious centrepiece, but there’s more to school holiday fun than sandcastles:
Kurrawa Park & Beach: The flat, shaded park behind Kurrawa Beach is ideal for families. There’s a playground, barbecue facilities, picnic shelters, and the beach is patrolled by lifeguards daily during school holidays. The surf is generally gentle at Broadbeach compared to the open breaks further south.
Broadbeach foreshore walks: The paved oceanfront path runs from Broadbeach south through Miami to Burleigh Heads (about 4 km). Kids can scoot or bike while parents walk — it’s flat and accessible the entire way.
Pacific Fair free activities: Pacific Fair often runs free school holiday programs — face painting, craft workshops, character appearances. Check the Pacific Fair website or their social media for what’s on during your visit.
HOTA (Home of the Arts): The Gallery at HOTA in Surfers Paradise (10 minutes north) has free exhibitions and often runs free school holiday workshops for kids. The outdoor lakeside area is perfect for running around.
Rock pools and beach exploration: At low tide, the rocks near Burleigh Heads (10 minutes south) have excellent rock pools with small fish, crabs, and sea anemones. Great for curious kids aged 4–10.
Theme Parks During School Holidays
The Gold Coast theme parks are the big drawcard for school holiday visitors. Broadbeach is well-positioned — all major parks are within 30 minutes:
Crowd tips:
• Arrive at park opening (9:30–10am) and head straight to the most popular rides
• Tuesday–Thursday are significantly less crowded than weekends and Monday
• Buy tickets online — always cheaper than gate price, and you skip the ticket queue
• Consider multi-park passes if visiting 2+ parks. Village Roadshow (Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild) sells 3-park passes at significant savings
Best park for each age group:
• Under 5: Sea World — gentler rides, animal encounters, Paw Patrol World
• 5–10: Dreamworld — mix of rides, wildlife, and WhiteWater World splash park
• 10+: Movie World — the best thrill rides (DC Rivals HyperCoaster, Superman)
• Teens: Wet’n’Wild — water slides, wave pool, group fun
See our Gold Coast theme parks guide for full details and our distance guides for Dreamworld, Movie World, and Sea World.
Rainy Day Backup Plans
Queensland weather is generally reliable, but rain during school holidays (especially winter and spring breaks) does happen. Have a backup ready:
• Pacific Fair — 400+ stores, cinema, food court, entertainment. Can easily fill a full day.
• The Star Gold Coast — family-friendly dining, bowling, escape rooms
• Timezone at Surfers Paradise — arcade games, laser tag, bumper cars
• HOTA Gallery — free exhibitions, often with school holiday programs
• Infinity Attraction at Surfers Paradise — immersive light/sound experience, great for kids 6+
See our full rainy day activities guide for more options.
Accommodation Tips for School Holidays
School holidays push Broadbeach accommodation prices up 30–60% above normal rates, with the summer holidays (December–January) the most expensive.
Book early: For summer holidays, book by September. For autumn/winter/spring breaks, 4–6 weeks ahead is usually sufficient.
Best value tip: 2-bedroom apartments with a kitchen save significantly over hotel rooms for families. You’ll save $50–100/day on meals alone by cooking breakfast and packing lunches for theme park days. Meriton Suites, Aria Broadbeach, and Phoenician Resort all offer good family apartments.
Location tip: Stay within walking distance of the beach and Pacific Fair. This eliminates the need for a car on non-theme-park days and gives kids independence (older ones can walk to the shops or beach).
Tips for School Holidays in Broadbeach
When QLD, NSW, and VIC school holidays overlap (usually the first 1–2 weeks of summer and winter breaks), crowds peak. If you have date flexibility, the final week of holidays is typically quieter.
Gate prices are $15–30 more per person than online. Book at least the day before. Most parks offer flexible date tickets that let you change your day if weather turns.
With 2–3 kids, restaurant breakfasts add up fast ($60–80/morning). Cook breakfast in your apartment, pack lunches for day trips, then enjoy Broadbeach’s restaurant scene for dinner.
The beach is best before noon — less wind, gentler surf, and the UV is lower. Use mornings for the beach and afternoons for indoor activities, shopping, or pool time.
Frequently Asked Questions
QLD school holidays in 2026 are: autumn break 28 March – 12 April, winter break 20 June – 5 July, spring break 19 September – 5 October, and summer break 12 December 2026 – 25 January 2027. NSW and VIC dates differ — overlap weeks are the busiest on the Gold Coast.
Broadbeach offers beach and park activities (free), Pacific Fair shopping and cinema, theme parks within 30 minutes (Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World), Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Topgolf, HOTA gallery, and school holiday programs at various venues. The beach and Kurrawa Park playground are daily go-tos.
For summer holidays (December–January), book 2–3 months ahead. For autumn, winter, and spring breaks, 4–6 weeks is usually sufficient. Apartments with kitchens offer the best family value. Prices are 30–60% above normal rates during school holidays.
Yes — school holidays are peak time for theme parks. Visit Tuesday–Thursday for shorter queues, arrive at opening, and buy tickets online in advance (always cheaper than gate price). The first 90 minutes after opening have the shortest ride queues.
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Book Your Family Holiday
Secure your Broadbeach apartment before school holiday prices climb.
Written and maintained by a Broadbeach local. I update this guide regularly to keep it accurate.