The Gold Coast

Gold Coast Family

From making art together at HOTA to exploring wildlife, joining outdoor adventures or finding practical parenting and youth support, Gold Coast families have options for many ages and circumstances. Use the details below to choose an activity, connect with other families or take the next step towards appropriate support.

✨ Art, wildlife and outdoor adventures

HOTA ArtLab & Little ArtLab

Children and their adults can experiment with visual art through hands-on workshops at HOTA in Surfers Paradise. Little ArtLab is designed for children aged 3–5 with a parent or carer, while ArtLab is recommended for ages 6–12. Children must remain accompanied and cannot be left unsupervised. Check the individual workshop listing for its theme, tickets and booking arrangements.

HOTA Art Explorers

Art Explorers gives children aged 2–5 a playful introduction to HOTA Gallery through movement and storytelling. Registration is required for each child and includes their accompanying parent or carer. It can be a useful choice for families seeking a structured cultural activity that invites young children to engage with artworks in an age-appropriate way.

David Fleay Wildlife Park

At this Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service park in Burleigh Heads, families can follow boardwalks, visit the nocturnal house and see Australian native wildlife, including a platypus. Ranger activities are offered during school holidays, while curriculum-linked excursions are available for school groups. Review current entry conditions, fees and accessibility information before setting out.

Birdwings Forest School Adventure Club

Birdwings runs nature-based programs at Guanaba for children at different stages. Its offerings include WildPlay Adventurers sessions for ages 4.5–6 and 5–9, a nature playgroup attended by a caregiver and child, and school-holiday forest-school days for ages 5–12. Some activities are drop-off sessions, so read the particular program’s eligibility, attendance and booking conditions carefully.

🌟 School holidays and activities for older children

Gold Coast Recreation Precinct school holiday program

Queensland Recreation Centres provides full-day holiday sessions for children aged 5–12, mixing outdoor adventure, sport, water-based activities and active play. The published September 2026 program runs from 21 September to 1 October. Families should use the official program page to check available dates, bookings and current prices.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary school holiday programs

Educator-led holiday programs at Currumbin focus on wildlife, nature and conservation. Formats and eligible ages change between holiday periods, and current offerings include opportunities for both children and teenagers. Advance booking is required, making it important to confirm the age range, session arrangement and availability for the relevant school break.

Wesley Mission Queensland Gold Coast Youth Hubs

Young people aged 12–17 can access free supported spaces in Pacific Pines, Runaway Bay, Upper Coomera, Coomera, Pimpama, Nerang and Palm Beach. Depending on the hub, activities may be cultural, artistic, recreational or educational, with social groups, homework help, résumé guidance and written driving-test support also available. Holiday activities are offered, but locations and operating times vary by term and holiday period. The hub contact is 0408 734 061.

👶 Early parenting and child development

Gold Coast Health Child and Family Health Service

Families with children from birth to school age can access free breastfeeding support, development checks, parent education groups and early parenting sleep support for babies aged 0–6 months. Depending on what is appropriate, appointments may be available at home, in a clinic or by telehealth. Locations are listed across the region, including Coomera, Helensvale, Labrador, Nerang, Palm Beach, Robina, Southport and Tugun. Call 07 5687 9183 and select option 1.

Gold Coast Health Child Development Service

This free service assesses and supports children and young people with developmental or behavioural concerns, from birth until they complete high school. It can provide assessment, diagnostic support and guidance towards local therapies, although its own therapy capacity is limited. Access requires residence in the Gold Coast Health catchment, Medicare eligibility and a referral from an eligible health professional. Call 07 5687 9183 and select option 2.

Studio Village Community Centre Village Family Support Program

Upper Coomera families can find centre-based programs for children, young people and caregivers. Playsteps is an eight-week program for children aged 0–3 and their caregiver, centred on play and parent–child interaction. Other offerings include Circle of Security Parenting and Girls with a Purpose for young people aged 12–15. For program information, contact Melissa on 07 5529 8253.

YHES House Young Parents Program

Young parents aged 12–25 can access childbirth education, ongoing support and a new-parent support group through YHES House in Southport. The hub also provides drop-in support on Mondays and Thursdays for young people aged 8–21. Contact YHES House before attending to confirm the right access pathway for the program or drop-in service you need.

🤝 Family wellbeing and culturally responsive support

Kalwun Family Wellbeing Program

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families with children from the antenatal stage to age 18 can seek culturally responsive support through Kalwun, including services in Burleigh and Coomera. The program works with families around wellbeing, safety, life skills and connections with kin, culture and Country. Families can contact the Family Wellbeing Service on 07 5520 8600.

Kalwun Family Based Care

Family Based Care supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship carers, children and families, with attention to safety, identity and cultural connection. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers looking for an agency serving the Gold Coast area can contact Kalwun on 07 5520 8600 to discuss the service.

Act for Kids SafeCare

SafeCare is an early-intervention, in-home parent education program for families with children aged 0–5. Weekly educator visits generally continue for about four to six months and cover parent–child interaction, child health and safety in the home. Families may self-refer, while practitioners can refer with the family’s consent.

Act for Kids Flourish – Child and Family Therapy

Flourish provides free counselling and support to Gold Coast children, young people and families who have experienced trauma or are at risk of harm. Support can address concerns such as family stress, difficulties at school and the effects of trauma. Families may call 07 5656 8600 directly to discuss access or arrange an appointment.

Act for Kids Family and Child Connect

Family and Child Connect is a Queensland Government-funded entry point for information, advice and referrals relating to a child’s or family’s safety and wellbeing. With consent, staff can connect families with suitable local or specialist services and may meet at home or another safe place. The Gold Coast office is at 1–3 Casua Drive, Varsity Lakes; call 07 5508 3800, or use statewide access through 13FAMILY on 13 32 64.

💬 Youth wellbeing, housing and mental health support

Wesley Mission Queensland Gold Coast Youth Support Services

Young people aged 12–21 can access free, voluntary practical and emotional support around family relationships, education, employment or training, homelessness and harm. Assistance operates through the Robina Service Hub, YHES House in Southport and outreach locations. The program contact is 07 5569 1811.

Gold Coast Youth Service

Based in Miami, this specialist youth support and homelessness organisation assists young people and their families across the Gold Coast who may be disadvantaged, marginalised or experiencing homelessness. Services include open access support, housing assistance, youth accommodation, emergency relief and a Chill Out Zone. Visitors are asked to call 07 5572 0400 before attending the Miami service.

Gold Coast Health Child and Youth Mental Health Service

Free and confidential specialist mental health care is available for children and young people up to age 25 and their families through community and hospital-based services. For people under 18 experiencing complex or severe mental health challenges, referrals to the Access Team may come from the young person, family, school, doctor or another professional. The access number is 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255).

📌 Before you book, visit or refer

• Check the exact age range: holiday and youth programs often separate participants by developmental stage, and age requirements can vary between sessions.
• Confirm supervision: some activities require a parent or carer throughout, while others permit drop-off attendance under stated conditions.
• Ask about access needs: contact the provider before visiting if your child needs physical access arrangements, communication support or adjustments to participate.
• Review bookings and costs: places may be limited, and activity fees, schedules and availability can change between terms or holiday periods.
• Prepare for referral conditions: health and development services may require catchment residence, Medicare eligibility, professional referral or an initial access discussion.

🌈 Do you run a family-focused business, activity, support service or community group that serves the Gold Coast? Add your own listing, or update an existing entry, so local families can find clear and current information about what you offer.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on goldcoast.info.