It’s right under our nose, but sometimes we forget how many activities there are for the small, medium, and big kids (aka us) in good ‘ole Surfers Paradise. And we’re not just talking about the beach, but a myriad of other cool stuff to keep them entertained and whinge-free these school holidays.

Here are ten ideas to help fill the blanks in your school holiday schedule, with some old faves and a few newbies thrown in for good measure. The best part is not only will you score ‘cool mum’ kudos from the kids, but you’ll get a kick out of them too!

Timezone
I mean, does this place really need an introduction? We’ve all racked up many-an-hour at Timezone in days gone by, and your mini-me’s will love it as much as you did. Probably more, because it’s levelled up its epic-ness in recent times. With arcade games, bowling, mini bowling, mini golf, laser tag, and bumper cars, it’s actual kid heaven…with a touch of nostalgia for us.
Where: Paradise Centre, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Holoverse
This new hi-tech entertainment centre using holograms which look oh-so-real will make you feel like you’re in a Star Wars flick! Pick hologram grass to feed a dinosaur, swim with life-sized holographic whales, compete against your kiddos in holographic sports, play holographic arcade games, and more! Special shoutout for their birthday party packages #theshizzle.
Where: Paradise Centre, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Infinity
To infinity and beyond! Challenge their sense and ignite their imaginations with a unique and mind-blowing 30-minute journey into spectacular, interactive, futuristic maze-like worlds of wonder! This walk-through experience is choccas with unique special effects, emotive atmospheric sound fields, sensuous aromas, awesome tunes and amazing illusions. Suitable for kiddos aged 8 and above. Get an exclusive 15% off here.
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, G31/3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise 

Ripley’s Believe it or Not
This iconic home-grown ‘odditorium’ – now with over 300 exhibits and artefacts – is out of this world! A highlight is the new state-of-the-art Ripley’s 7D Moving Theatre where you feel every twist and turn as you compete against your seatmates. Enjoy a Ripley’s LaseRace, find out just what happens to your body in space, make friends with a life-sized R2-D2™ and more. Click here for a special offer.
Where: Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise

The Wax Museum
Fancy some famous people watching? There’s no better place than The Wax Museum, home to the largest collection of wax figures in the Southern Hemisphere. Super realistic replicas of celebs, nursery rhyme characters, scientists, explorers, villains, world leaders, and even the crown jewels await (#RIPQueenElizabethII)! For the big kids (if you’re game) check out The Chamber of Horrors (shriek!!). Fancy a discount voucher? You’re welcome.
Where: 56 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise 

Quack’r Duck
Is there any such thing as a kid who doesn’t go loco when they spot the big duck cruising down Ferny Ave? Imagine if you actually took them on said duck #eeep. Check out the pristine beaches and landmarks by road, then experience the thrills as the duck splashes into the Broadwater! Admit it – you’ve always wanted to do it too…. Grab a special offer here.
Where: 7 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Escape Rooms

Fox in a Box
Ever wanted to break out of prison (without actually going to prison)? Or break into a diamond-filled vault in a bank? Or perhaps work out how to open a mysterious chest and unlock its contents and the secret within? You can do all of this and more at Fox in a Box! The rooms are recommended for ages 10 and above, but everyone is welcome to play. Good times!
Where: Level 1/3173 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Padlock’d Escape Rooms
Boasting ten immersive rooms themed to perfection, a visit to Padlock’d Escape Rooms is a great way to ditch reality for a bit (an hour to be exact…) and put your mind to the test. You’ll have a blast and the kids will be tuckered out from all that clue finding, code cracking, and puzzle solving #missionaccomplished. Recommended for ages 10 and above but all ages welcome.
Where: 3177 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Eclipse Escape Rooms
With five diverse, highly immersive, and technologically advanced rooms with insane special effects, bespoke props, and unique storylines leading up to an unforgettable grand finale, what’s not to love? Puzzle solving is designed to be fun and rewarding, with different levels of difficulty available. Kids as young as five can join in the fun, plus babies in prams are welcome in some rooms #StartEmYoung!
Where: Level 1, Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise River Cruises
Kids get as pumped about boat rides as we do, so why not jump on a morning, midday, afternoon, or sunset cruise with Surfers Paradise River Cruises! Friendly guides will point out landmarks and homes of the rich and famous around our glitter strip’s waterways, whilst you kick back with the kiddos enjoying complimentary snacks. And mum/dad – there’s a bar…. Cheers! Get 10% off your cruise here.
Where: 63 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Bianca Trathen.

If the mere thought of the phrase ‘I’m bored’ (honourable mention also to ‘I’m hungry’), is enough to involuntarily send your eyeballs rolling off their very axis, chances are you’ve probably heard it on repeat since (what feels like) the beginning of time, aka every weekend and school holiday in recent memory. It’s a time honoured tradition, children complaining that there’s nothing to do, while parents instantly blank on every fun activity option they’ve ever known, like a quiz show guest faltering under the pressure of the bright studio lights.

So we’re here to tell you, #ICYMI one of the Coast’s most tried and true boredom buster destinations recently got a major upgrade meaning more fun for well, everyone. Because if it’s been a while since you last ventured in for a nostalgia fix at the HQ of all-round fun and Surfers icon, Timezone, you might be bowled over to learn that along Zone Bowling recently opened right next door #convenient. Already boasting activities galore, with laser tag, glow in the dark mini golf, bumper cars, and more arcade games than you can poke a token at (showing our age), throw in a slick bowling joint and it’s 10’s all round for the actual kids, and the big kids alike #winnersallround.

Which is excellent news for parents who felt our intro strike a chord, but also for all you fun Aunty’s and Funcle’s trying to win ultimate cool-points with the niblings, through to Gigi’s, Grandads, Godparents and everyone in between. And why let the kids have all the fun, we reckon Timezone has long been underrated as the ultimate date night destination that’s guaranteed not to strike out. Bring the fun back to date nights we say!

Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise boasts 12 interactive bowling lanes decked out with alllll the mod cons in some pretty swanky surrounds, which quite frankly couldn’t be any further from the dungeon-chic bowling alleys of our youth #stillfuntho #corememories.

The spacious, modern dining area is way more luxe than it has any right to be, providing the perfect post or pre game pit-stop for friends and fam to gather, kick back and rib each other about their bowling skills (or lack thereof). Thankfully, the fare is every bit as good as we remember, with all the family friendly classics like burgers, loaded fries, pizzas and hot dogs set to go down a treat for all ages. Of course, after working up a thirst, a milkshake or ice-cream spider will go down a treat for the littles – while the adults can swing by the bar to indulge in a range of delicious cocktails.

And the final strike of genius – there’s a range of special passes to choose from, giving guests access to activities across both Zone Bowling and Timezone #gameon. We don’t know about you guys, but we’re suddenly in the mood to play a good old-fashioned game of crocodile whack-a-mole #ow #nowi’mangry.

And with school holidays around the corner (yes, again) keep your eyes peeled for the top secret Winter offer coming soon for some slam-dunk holiday entertainment. Who doesn’t love the opportunity show the young’ns how it’s done and flex our mad Daytona USA skills.

So for more fun than you can pac-man a joystick at, channel your inner Mario Kart and zoom on down to Surfer’s one-stop-shop for games, good times, tasty treats and wholesome family fun.

Where: Timezone & Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise, Paradise Centre, Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: 9am – 12am daily.

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY TIMEZONE & ZONE BOWLING.

Magazines. We love them any which way, every day and twice on Sundays. The accessibility of an online mag means our favourite read is only a click away. And don’t even get us started on hard copies, coz we all still have an embarrassingly large pile of vintage Dolly magazines stashed away somewhere.

Well, we have some most excellent news for all mag enthusiasts / proud Gold Coasters – regardless of whether you’re Team Online or still partial to the tangible experience. No, this isn’t some shameless self-promotion (wink wink), but a legit shout-out to our good friends at the new-you-beaut Paradise Centre. Just when you think they can’t knock our socks off again after last year’s sleek $40 million redevelopment, the serial sockknockers have come out slinging again. This time, it’s with their very own signature magazine, aptly named Paradise Magazine. In fact, Volume 1, AW edition has just launched and to quote Paris Hilton circa 2005, “that’s hot”.

Catering to the mouse pushers, phone addicts and traditionalists, the free Paradise Magazine is available both online and in hard copy form. With quality content for days, take a deep dive into its luxurious pages for fabulous features on the Paradise Centre’s food, fashion and fun. Oh and PS – you might just spot one of your friends within its pages…or perhaps even yourself…and LBH, that never gets old #AutographsLater.

Getting into the nitty-gritty, precisely what exactly can we expect from the very first edition and get comfy (with a coffee or cocktail in hand) coz it’s.a.lot. We’re talking a round-up of who’s who in the Paradise Centre’s beachfront bites scene, like the fresh and homely Italiano goodness of Enzo’s Cucina, big energy flavours of Tex-Mex fave El Camino Cantina, bangin burgers and #GoodVibrations of Wahlburgers, and Thai with an exhilarating modern twist at Nahm Talay Thai to name a few.

Maybe some insight into the top spots for cocktails is more your jam (doughnut shot), and with a line-up of stunning watering holes overlooking the big blue, there’s plenty to read about here. To give you a taste…or a sip…say cheers to a French Martini at La Playa, enjoy a Margarita Tasting Paddle at El Camino Cantina, or sample one of TGI Fridays’ 30+ types of cocktails and srsly, you had us at 30.

Or, perhaps you’re looking for intel on family fun options? Save yourself the googling because Paradise Magazine has you and your mini-me’s covered. Unpacking everything from Timezone and MANIAX Axe Throwing to Go Ride a Wave for the more outdoorsy types, it’s your entertainment-information-one-stop-shop, and try saying that after a Vodka Pink Lotus at Nahm Talay Thai.

Faaarshion fans (not a typo) can lust over the 90s vibing winter looks from the centre’s retail hard hitters like Vans, Rip Curl and Surf Dive N Ski. Those keen on filling their calendars can check the chocca-block ‘What’s On’ guide, with deets on everything from August’s epic three-day must-see Pacific Airshow, three-day music, arts, entertainment and skateboarding festival SPRINGTIME, right through to the AFL/NRL grand final weekend and GC 600 celebrations.

This is just the tip of the palm frond though so whether you’re a local or visitor, do yourself a favour and get your free copy of the beautiful Paradise Magazine from Paradise Centre, or online at www.paradisecentre.net.au.

Also, don’t forget to follow their FB and Insta.

Where: Hard copy – Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise. Online.
When: Volume 1, AW edition out now.

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE