Think you’ve done the Gold Coast? Think again—thrills await

There are moments that become the stuff of family legend. The first drop on a rollercoaster that leaves your stomach in the clouds. That moment a child locks eyes with their favourite superhero. These aren’t just thrills – they’re the stories you recount with each other for decades.

For Kiwi families, the Village Roadshow Theme Parks on the Gold Coast have long been the obvious choice – a short, relatively inexpensive flight away, yet offering world-class attractions that rival those of the US and Asia.

But here’s what many Kiwi visitors don’t realise: the parks they visited some years ago barely resemble what’s there now. After thousands of families ticked the Gold Coast off their bucket lists and moved on, Village Roadshow has been quietly rolling out one of the most aggressive expansion programmes in its history.

“You have to keep refreshing, keep giving people new reasons to come back. That’s just the nature of what we do,” says Village Roadshow Theme Parks CEO Clark Kirby.

“This is one of the most exciting summers I can remember. The breadth of new attractions across all our parks is extraordinary.”

At Warner Bros. Movie World, families can wander straight into The Wizard of Oz™ precinct – a vividly realised new world that feels lifted from the 1939 classic. Built on the former Arkham Asylum coaster site, the precinct brings the magic of the Yellow Brick Road to life with two family coasters – Kansas Twister and Flight of the Wicked Witch – each telling a different part of the story through detailed theming and immersive queueing zones.

Kirby says the aim was to bring more “movie magic” back to Movie World with large-scale sets, modern effects and richly layered environments that simply weren’t possible two decades ago. The lower height requirements mean younger kids can enjoy a true big-ride moment alongside their older siblings or parents.

For returning fans, there’s another drawcard: the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster has recently reopened after extensive refurbishment, restoring all the lighting, theming and storyline details that fans remember from its early years. Kirby notes it’s the only true dark ride of its type in Australia, and its mix of atmosphere and gentle thrills makes it another special attraction for families with younger children.

Warner Bros. Movie World’s new stunt show promises explosions and thrills that really lean into the park’s cinematic identity. “We’re the only park in Australia with a proper stunt show,” says Kirby. “This one mixes humour, action and pure spectacle. Everyone will be gasping at the wow moments.”

Meanwhile, Sea World has debuted a new dolphin presentation that puts conservation front and centre. “Our Sea World Foundation has completed about 10,000 marine rescues over the past decade,” Kirby explains. “The new show builds on that – it’s about showcasing the bond between our marine science team and the dolphins, and inspiring people to protect our oceans.”

Over at Wet’n’Wild, the new Zoom Zone introduces four new slides built around the park’s second-tallest slide tower, sitting just behind the towering Kaboom! ride opened in 2021. Each slide offers a different thrill level for varying ages and confidence, with bright, aqua-lucent tubes that create a kaleidoscope effect.

And at Paradise Country, you can get up close with farm animals and wildlife in a hands-on setting that’s perfect for younger families.

That intergenerational appeal sits at the core of what Village Roadshow is trying to achieve. “Our mission statement is to create joy and memories that last a lifetime,” Kirby says. “We hear so many beautiful stories of grandparents and grandkids sharing these moments, young children meeting Batman or Wonder Woman or connecting with the dolphins at Sea World. When you hear about the impact that’s had on a family, it really can turn a day around.”

“New Zealand is such an important market for us – and with new flights from Dunedin and Hamilton, it’s easier than ever to come over,” says Kirby. He recommends Sea World Resort as an ideal base for families wanting to maximise their park time.

Beyond the theme parks, Kirby says the Gold Coast itself has evolved dramatically in recent years with a stronger hotel offering and upgraded infrastructure, but one of the most noticeable shifts has been the dining scene. The Covid-19 era saw the region benefit from an influx of chefs and hospitality operators from larger Australian cities, contributing to a more varied and ambitious food culture across the coast.

Over the past decade, Village Roadshow has invested approximately A$500 million in capital projects across its parks. It’s a figure that signals the company’s commitment to constant reinvention isn’t slowing down any time soon.

Whether it’s flying through Oz on a family coaster, plunging down Wet’n’Wild’s newest slides, or watching a whole family gasp in unison at a spectacular stunt show, there are plenty of reasons to rediscover what the Gold Coast’s theme parks have become. For Kiwi families who thought they’d already done the Gold Coast, it’s time to think again.

Plan your visit at themeparks.com.au.