Sea World, Gold Coast, Qld

Sea World was at the top of our list when we chose to go to the Gold Coast, mainly it was to keep our 6 year old daughter happy as she was a bit sad at finishing up at her school in Darwin.  It appeared a bit older looking than Movie World but very tidy and well maintained.  We didn't get to the Dolphin Show but we did see the Sea Lion show which was so entertaining for both young and old.  Make sure you get a program before you go so that you can plan your day better than we did.  You would probably be best suited to do it over two days if you have little ones.  The girls loved the Dora Show and the kiddie rides.  When we first arrived we didn't know where to start so we took the sky rail to get a birds eye view of where everything is.  Word of warning, bring your own food!  Unlike Movie World the food here is pizza, burgers and hot chips and it isn't all that flash either and you pay a premium!  I chose a wrap and that wasn't too bad but if you are even slightly health conscious I'd bring your own.  The Sponge Bob show was good what we could see of it, we were one minute past starting time and they block off the road so you can't get to the stand which was frustrating but they have to so that the floats have somewhere to turn around.  I know people go on about how sad it is for the animals but the trainers here show a real love and passion for the animals and for what I could see the animals looked happy.  You can pay for a glass boat viewing of the aquarium but I wouldn't as you get a better view from walking around and going downstairs to view it from the glass windows.  A good day, but movie world was my favourite.

Movie World, Gold Coast Qld

We ended up buying a VIP pass while we were staying at Gold Coast Holiday Park as it gave us the best value as it included 1 year entry to Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild.  We didn't end up visiting Wet n Wild as we have two little ones and most of the slides etc. are for bigger kids.  I had always thought Sea World was the pinnacle but I was wrong, my whole family loved Movie World!  What an atmosphere.  The music, the characters and breakout shows are fantastic.  The stunt show was fantastic!  I have 4 and 6 year old girls and they loved the rides and having their photos taken with bugs bunny, Sylvester the cat and tweety just to name a few.  Batman was the best character!  We only had time for one ride on the way out for the big kids in the family and I chose the Green Lantern, which was loads of fun.  The food here was really well done.  We ordered food from the bakery and sat on the turf to eat it, was really yummy, healthy and good prices.

Gold Coast Holiday Park, Helensvale Qld

We stayed at Gold Coast Holiday Park for two weeks.  The park is very tidy, staff are friendly at reception, the pool is gorgeous, especially at night, it changes colour, is heated, there is a water slide, it's very clean and has fire torches automatically lit at night, they have spent a lot of money on this pool area and it shows.  The café staff are top notch super friendly, make great cocktails, coffees and the food is reasonably priced, ample serves and spot on.  It is pet friendly, you can even take your pooch to the café!  The bathrooms are to die for!  The entrance area has an amazing fish tank, my girls used to ask to go see them, getting them to shower was not a problem.  There is also a family room with a bath tub, which is great to be able to sit the kids in the bath.  There is also a jumping pillow and petting zoo.  If you have older kids they would love the bmx tracks!  You can hire go carts and as it's the closest holiday park to the theme parks you can get your tickets from reception so you don't have the hassle of sorting it out at the gate.  The managers are the best I have seen yet in a holiday park, they are always visible, checking that everything is in order, making pancakes on the weekend (free), cooking sausages for the sausage sizzle which is also free!  Definitely one of the better parks we have stayed at, you can see why they have won so many awards.  The cabins look to die for!

Dalby Tourist Park, Dalby Qld

Dalby really impressed me.  We only stayed overnight but the town was really inviting and if you have the time I highly recommend spending the day having a walk around as it was quite big compared to what I was expecting.  We stayed at Dalby Tourist Park which was a relatively small park on the river.  It was clean, they have a free sausage sizzle on a Thursday night and we were treated to a live performance around the campfire.  You can't ask for much more than that.

Mitchell Hot Springs, Qld

Small little town which we stayed overnight at Major Mitchell Caravan Park which was very friendly, tidy and they have a open pit which they light the most fantastic bonfire which brings everyone together, it was so freezing but sitting around this was great, took the cold away.  It is worthwhile going to Mitchell just for the hot springs alone.  Just a short walk over the bridge (from the Major Mitchell Caravan Park) back into town will see you at the hot springs.  Apparently the town was struggling until they built these hot springs which pumps water in from the Great Artesian Basin.  One pool is cooler than the other but we chose to stay in the warm one.  Makes your skin feel really good.  You can get a day pass and come and go as you please.  Highly recommend.

Fire Pit at Major Mitchell Caravan Park.  Made the cold more bearable.