GOLD COAST
Spring ACTIVITIES CAMPS WORKSHOPS CLASSES
SCHOO
E D I U G Y A L HOLID 2026
K I D S O N T H E C O A S T.C O M . A U
SAT 19 SEP 2026 1 PM–8 PM
JIMBOOMBA PARK, SOUTH STREET
🔍🔍 flamefestival.com.au Tickets include entertainment, unlimited rides and activities.
• BBQ & FOOD TRUCKS GALORE • LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC • LINE-DANCING • RIDES • MARKETS • VINTAGE CARS & MUCH MORE
From $20 per adult Under 18s FREE
School holidays in full bloom! Welcome to the most idyllic school holidays of the year! Spring has officially arrived, and in Queensland, that means pure perfection — golden sunshine, crisp coastal breezes, and that glorious sweet spot of warm weather before the intense summer heat sets in. It’s the absolute best time to shake off the winter hibernation, pack a picnic, and get outdoors to explore with the family. Our Spring School Holiday Guide is bursting with ideas across Southeast Queensland — Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast. From outdoor adventures and wildlife encounters, to the best shows and hands-on creative workshops, we’ve rounded up something for every kind of kid — the active explorers, the crafty creators, and the ones who just want an ice cream by the playground. To make planning effortless, we’ve split the guide into three regional editions: Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast, so you can easily map out your holiday fun. This is your GOLD COAST edition! Enjoy!
Simply click the covers below to view the other regions.
Spring school holiday activities for kids on the SUNSHINE COAST
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Spring school holiday activities for kids in BRISBANE
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Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
MYFIRSTGYM COOMERA SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
MYFIRSTGYM ROBINA SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
COOMERA | SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 2 MyFirstGym Coomera’s School Holiday Programs are back, packed with action, games and activities your child will love! Each day is filled with exciting themes, obstacle courses, skill development, team games and plenty of opportunities to burn energy while making new friends in a safe and supportive environment.
ROBINA | SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 2 Looking for an exciting way to keep the kids active these school holidays? Whether your child loves Gymnastics, Parkour, Ninja Warrior, Nerf battles, or simply being active, there’s something for everyone! Spaces are limited and many days book out quickly, so we recommend securing your child’s spot early.
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CODE CAMP SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
RACKLEY SWIMMING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
VARIOUS ACROSS THE REGION SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 3 Code Camp is back for Spring and their newest activities have kids learning to fly and code real drones, get hands-on with AI, or go completely screen-free with crochet, macramé and miniature-house building! Designed for children aged 5–13, there is something for every kind of kid. CLICK FOR MORE >>
RACKLEY SWIMMING POOLS SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 2 The Rackley Swimming Holiday Program is a great opportunity for your kids to fast-track progress and boost your children’s swim skills in a short period. Runs for two weeks across the school holidays, with 30-minute lessons each day (Monday to Friday) CLICK FOR MORE >>
Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
Escape to the ultimate family getaway, where comfort and adventure meet. Stay in a range of self-contained Cabins and Safari Tents or camp on our spacious sites. Enjoy the Monster Waterpark, heated pool, spa, and eco-friendly playground. Dine at Nibbles Café or the dog friendly The Fire Place, shoot hoops on the basketball court, or enjoy any of our other great indoor and outdoor activities. Fun, relaxation, and connection — all in one place! P: (07) 5514 4400 | E: stay@gcpark.com.au W: goldcoastholidaypark.com.au
Spring School Holiday Feature
Play Away
WHAT ‘INCLUDED’ REALLY MEANS The biggest holiday stress usually isn’t the destination; it’s the constant drip-feed of daily extras once you arrive. Cruising flips that model completely by bundling your biggest line items together. Main meals are covered across main dining rooms, buffets, and casual bites, so feeding a family of four or five won’t blow your budget. Entertainment is built-in too, featuring live shows, pool deck parties, and movies under the stars. Even accommodation is locked in with your stateroom home base, eliminating the hassle of paying for separate hotels. Best of all, supervised kids’ programs replace the expensive day camps, entry fees, and activity hire you would normally budget for on land. You know the exact cost before leaving the driveway, making your getaway completely predictable.
WHY A CARNIVAL CRUISE IS THE ULTIMATE VALUE FAMILY HOLIDAY
If you’ve ever priced up a family holiday, you know the drill. Flights are one line item. Accommodation is another. Add three meals a day for the whole crew plus endless activity fees to keep the peace, and “relaxing” is the last word that comes to mind.
“With year-round sailings, you can escape whenever it fits your family calendar.”
A Carnival cruise quietly changes both the maths and the mood. With main meals, entertainment, kids’ clubs, and accommodation bundled into a single upfront price, parents can actually enjoy the holiday instead of keeping a running mental tab in the back of their minds. 6
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Spring School Holiday Feature SOMEWHERE NEW EVERY MORNING Part of the magic of cruising with kids is unpacking just once while the destinations come to you. Wake up in a new port—from Moreton Island to Airlie Beach or the South Pacific—explore for the day, and return in time for dinner without airport queues, luggage dragging, or repacking suitcases. With year-round sailings, you can escape whenever it fits your family calendar, choosing from shore excursions that range from laidback beach trips to action-packed tours. NEXT-LEVEL FUN FOR EVERY AGE Carnival’s youth programs are built specifically for every stage to keep everyone entertained from morning to night. For the tiniest cruisers, the Turtles program offers parentaccompanied, expert-led play packed with arts, sensory fun, and gentle games, while toddlers can jump into high-energy Zumbini® dance classes. Storytime gets a major upgrade with Seuss at Sea, bringing beloved characters to life through interactive story sessions, character breakfasts* and the highspirited Seuss-a-palooza Parade dancing down the deck.
There’s fun for every age on board a Carnival cruise ACTION AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE CREW Older kids and teens have just as much to look forward to onboard. Creative sessions yield genuine fridge-worthy masterpieces, while Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea* lets kids craft their own furry friends. Tweens and teens aged 12 to 14 get their own dedicated hangout spot at Circle “C”, complete with dance parties, games, and movie nights supervised by engaging counsellors. Outside the youth clubs, Carnival’s WaterWorks waterpark delivers heart-pumping waterslides for maximum excitement, alongside pools and Dive-In Movies under the stars. For parents wanting an evening to themselves, Night Owls offers supervised late-night parties for kids 11 and under for a small fee.
THE BOTTOM LINE A Carnival cruise is the rare holiday where the value genuinely works in your favour. Main meals, entertainment, accommodation, and kids’ clubs are all part of the deal. So skip the spreadsheet, pack the sunscreen and let the kids have fun while you actually get to relax. It’s time to play away on Carnival. *Charges apply.
CARNIVAL.COM.AU
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Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
KIDS TAKE OVER
HOTA | SEPTEMBER 14 - SEPTEMBER 26 You’re invited into a world of imagination where things are wonderfully strange and delightfully unexpected. Dive into a vibrant program of performances, free daily activities, immersive installations, and handson workshops at HOTA these school holidays. With something new to discover every day, one visit is never enough… well, not for a true adventurer!
LITTLE LIFESAVERS
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BRISBANE, BRIBIE ISLAND, REDCLIFFE, RABY BAY, GOLD COAST & SUNSHINE COAST | SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 4 Keep kids active, engaged and learning vital water safety skills these school holidays with Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Little Lifesavers Program. For ages: 5–12 years. Running in Queensland since 1993, Little Lifesavers is a fun and supportive introduction to surf lifesaving and lifelong water safety. CLICK FOR MORE >>
MEET THE QUOKKAS AT CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
NATURALLYGC SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY SEPTEMBER 18 - OCTOBER 5 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is giving Gold Coast families the perfect school holiday outing with a chance to get up close with one of Australia’s most distinctive native species.Meet the Quokkas launches Friday 18 September 2026, letting guests interact with these beautiful marsupials. CLICK FOR MORE >>
VARIOUS GOLD COAST SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 2 Looking for free, nature inspired adventures to keep the kids busy this Spring school holidays? Kids are invited to join Gold Coast City and its environmental partners these school holidays at guided bushwalks, wildlife shows, eco-crafting activities and incredible encounters with sea creatures. CLICK FOR MORE >>
G O L D C O A S T S C H O O L H O L I D AY G U I D E S P R I N G 2026
play away Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
You bring the family, we’ll bring the fun. When school’s out, adventure’s in with a Carnival cruise. With free kids clubs that keep them entertained, waterslides and splash parks for endless thrills, Seuss at Sea, plus all your main meals included – parents can actually relax, and kids get the school holidays of their dreams. 9 W W W.K I D S O N T H E C O A S T.C O M . A U | W W W.K I D S I N T H E C I T Y.C O M . A U
Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
TECH-ED ACADEMY HOLIDAY CAMPS
FLAME BBQ & MUSIC FESTIVAL
TECH-ED ACADEMY, ASHMORE SEPTEMBER 21 - SEPTEMBER 30 Lorem Looking for something your kids will LOVE these September school holidays? At TechEd Academy Holliday Camps, kids spend the day playing, creating, learning and making new friends – while developing real coding, technology and STEM skills!
JIMBOOMBA PARK | SEPTEMBER 19 The big country day out is back on at Jimboomba this September 19th with a huge range of entertainment, great food and a relaxed, festival atmosphere to be enjoyed by all ages. With gourmet BBQ courtesy of some of the region’s best BBQ specialists, bootstomping music all afternoon, bar and beer garden, market stalls, fun rides, line dancing, plus much more.
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Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
MINI MAKERS TOTE BAG WORKSHOPS
THE STRAND, COOLANGATTA SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 3 This hands-on workshop invites young creatives to design and paint their own premium cotton tote bag. Guided through a simple, design-led process, children experiment with colour, composition, and pattern before creating a stylish piece, they’ll proudly use long after the workshop ends. CLICK FOR MORE >>
BLEACH FESTIVAL
HOTA, HOME OF THE ARTS OCTOBER 1 - 11 BLEACH Festival returns in 2026 with its boldest program yet – an 11‑day takeover of the HOTA precinct filled with live music, contemporary dance, world‑class theatre, interactive installations and mind‑bending art. One of the Gold Coast’s most loved cultural celebrations. CLICK FOR MORE >>
USE CODE KOC10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT
GREEN
SCHOOL HOLIDAY E
SWAP SCREEN TIME FOR IM
T
TENNIS CAMPS A FUN AND ACTIVE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
BIG ADVENTURES FOR LITTLE EXPLORERS! Explore the Tree Top Walk, meet colourful wildlife, soar through the canopy and discover the magic of the ancient Rainforest after dark! SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN PACKAGE From $1120 for 2 Nights accommodation with inclusions based on 2 Adults and 2 Children.
Visit O’Reilly’s these school holidays! BOOK NOW AT OREILLYS.COM.AU *T&C’S apply - see website
VOYAGER TWEED HEADS CAMPS AVAILABLE FROM 28 SEP-9 OCT:
BOOK NOW
Junior Tennis Camps UTR Performance Camps rebrand.ly/KOT3 Fun, Professional Coaches | Award-Winning Tennis Team
Gold Coast Spring School Holiday Activities
ROCK ON ICE
PARADISE RESORT SEPTEMBER 18 - OCTOBER 9 Get ready for an unforgettable night of live entertainment as Rock on Ice explodes onto the ice at Paradise Resort. Featuring world-class figure skaters, breathtaking aerial tricks, spectacular choreography and a soundtrack packed with legendary rock hits, this electrifying production delivers an experience the whole family will love. CLICK FOR MORE >>
FLICKS & FIREWORKS
THE ESPLANADE, SURFERS PARADISE SEPTEMBER 27 Grab your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket and settle in on the sand for a movie under the stars – with a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean at 8pm! And the best part? The movie doesn’t end when the fireworks begin! They’ll pause for a short intermission, enjoy the fireworks over the ocean, then settle back in to finish the movie. CLICK FOR MORE >>
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME 25 JUL - 8 NOV 2026 #IAGKIDS
Alice Nightingale, Cake 2025 Reclaimed fabric soft sculpture Image courtesy of the Artist
Rest of SE QLD
LIBERTI FESTIVAL
KINGSTON BUTTER FACTORY, KINGSTON SEPTEMBER 26 @ 2:00 PM Liberti Festival is Queensland’s premier celebration of African and Pacific cultures, bringing together thousands of people from all backgrounds to experience the vibrant sounds, flavours, creativity, and traditions that make our communities so unique. CLICK FOR MORE >>
SPRING HOLIDAYS AT TREVENA GLEN
TREVENA GLEN FARM, MOUNT SAMSON SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 3 Just over 30 minutes from central Brisbane, Trevena Glen Farm offers animal farm experiences with a huge range of kids activities. Enjoy Brisbane’s largest range of animals and the friendliest group of ponies you’ll meet! Open 6 days per week Monday to Saturday. So if you’re ready for an adventure, Trevena Glen is a must do farm experience. CLICK FOR MORE >>
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: KOOZA
UNDER THE BIG TOP, EAGLE FARM AUGUST 1 - SEPTEMBER 27 KOOZA is Cirque du Soleil’s breathtaking return to classic circus artistry, blending nail‑biting acrobatics, bold slapstick comedy, and a vibrant world of characters that take audiences on an unforgettable journey of self‑discovery. A rare chance to see one of Cirque’s most beloved touring shows right here in Queensland. CLICK FOR MORE >>
MAKE, BELIEVE, MAGIC: THE WORLDS OF THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
QAGOMA, SOUTH BRISBANE SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 - APRIL 18, 2027 Celebrating 70 years of creativity and innovation, the exclusive-to-Brisbane exhibition ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company’ will be an unprecedented exploration of world-building and imaginative storytelling. CLICK FOR MORE >>
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Rest of SE QLD
BETSY BALLOON AND THE VERY GREAT TERRIBLE FLOOD
QPAC | SEPTEMBER 23 - SEPTEMBER 26 Welcome to the island of Helium where Betsy lives with her balloon-factory-owning family. They’re cheerful, a bit money-mad and life is on the up. But when the world turns against balloons, their world pops and Betsy must start a new life in a faraway city with her eccentric uncle, Hercules Snark, an inventor of mostly half-finished things. CLICK FOR MORE >>
SPRING INTO CREATIVITY AT MUSEUM OF BRISBANE
BRISBANE | SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 5 Museum of Brisbane’s Spring school holiday program brings colour, craft and creativity to the heart of the city. Families are invited to make, explore and create at Museum of Brisbane these school holidays, with a colourful lineup of free and low-cost drop-in activities, hands-on workshops and family favourites. CLICK FOR MORE >>
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PINKY MCFLUFF NEEDS HELP
KINGSTON BUTTER FACTORY, KINGSTON SEPTEMBER 30 @ 10:00 AM This whimsical, one-of-a-kind, fully improvised musical adventure for children, stars the wonder-filled Pinky McFluff (the alter ego of internationally award-winning comedian Jenny Wynter). Pinky has a wonderfully muddled memory and needs help! Write down your suggestions and help create an instant musical comedy adventure on the spot. CLICK FOR MORE >>
LOST GIANTS TO LIVING LEGENDS
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM | OCTOBER 24, 2025 - OCTOBER 5, 2026 Walk alongside one of the planet’s most powerful and fascinating animals, on a journey stretching back over 130 million years. Experts from Queensland Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory have created this world premiere, interactive all-ages exhibition. CLICK FOR MORE >>
G O L D C O A S T S C H O O L H O L I D AY G U I D E S P R I N G 2026
T he
EDUCATION Fair un, f f o y a d A f re e very o c s i d & learning
Gold Coast
13 March 2027
Runaway Bay Stadium
Brisbane 17 April 2027 Nissan Arena
Sunshine Coast
7 August 2027 UniSC Arena
A one-of-a-kind event. It’s QLD’s biggest interactive education expo Bringing together providers from every stage of a child’s learning journey under one roof, it is a one-stop shop for families and educators. From early learning and schooling to extracurriculars and activities, it is an unmissable event for anyone looking at growing awesome little humans in southeast Queensland.
educationfair.com.au Australia’s leading education expo
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EDUCATION Fair
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