Wet’n’Wild is a must-visit Gold Coast attraction if you love water parks. Visit the action-packed theme park on a sunny day, or enjoy the heated pools and hot spas in winter. Thrilling rides for taller children and adults, as well as a splash pool and playground for smaller kids, provide fun for the whole family.
This amusement park is a Gold Coast institution. Since 1984, it’s been a favourite holiday or weekend destination for many Australian families. Start the day early to enjoy the rides before the crowds arrive. Head straight to the Extreme H2O Zone, which offers heart-stopping, high-speed plunges and slides. Spin around in a giant funnel on the Tornado, speed through dark tunnels on the Black Hole, share a tube on the twisting Mach 5 or the nearly vertical drop of the Kamikaze.
There are also 10 less extreme, but still thrilling rides to choose from for younger kids or the less adventurous in your group. Raft the triple 360-degree coils of the Constrictor or defy gravity at the AquaLoop, which drops you 12 metres (40 feet) in free fall. Enjoy the calmer waters at Calypso Beach or play in the Giant Wave Pool. Surf is up at the Flow Rider. The pirate-themed Buccaneer Bay is a playground for the little ones.
Wet'n'Wild Water World is located on the Pacific Highway. The park is open daily, except Christmas Day and ANZAC Day, April 25. There are shops and food outlets, and if you decide to bring a picnic don’t pack glassware. Cabanas are available to rent.
Consider buying a VIP Pass if you plan on visiting the three major parks: Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild. During school holidays, the lines get long, and the pools crowded.
Before you visit, be aware that there are height requirements for most rides, and children under about 1.2 metres (four feet) tall will miss out on a lot of the rides. Some attractions allow a chaperoned ride for younger children.