Amusement parks and waterparks are scattered across the country, offering attractions for every member of the household. They’re perfect to tire out kids during a long weekend, a school holiday or if you have upcoming weekends.
Based on TripAdvisor data, we’ve created a list of the best theme parks in the country.
Some are known, and others are gems that you might not have heard about but which have been praised.
SeaWorld Marine Park at Seaworld Drive in Main Beach, Queensland
SeaWorld Gold Coast is ranked number one in TripAdvisor’s list of Australia’s best Water & Amusement Parks.
SeaWorld is more than just a marine park. It also offers various other attractions, such as shows, presentations, and rides.
There are 15 rides for all ages. Jet Rescue Coaster is a thrilling ride for those who want to experience the maximum amount of excitement. Young children will enjoy Patrick’s Jellyfish Frenzy.
Don’t forget about the exhibits, shows and adventures that feature marine animals.
Castaway Bay, SeaWorld’s water park, is a separate attraction.
Adventure World Perth, Australia – Bibra Lake, Western Australia
Adventure World, Perth’s only amusement park, has climbed to the second spot on TripAdvisor’s list of Australia’s best Water & Amusement Parks.
This park in Perth’s suburb of Bibra Lake offers fun for everyone thanks to its 28 rides, slides, and attractions.
The Kraken is one of the most exhilarating rides. It’s a complex network of water slides that claim to be the world’s longest, steepest, and tallest funnel slide.
You can also try Goliath, an exhilarating world-class thrill ride, the giant pendulum ride, or Abyss, a roller coaster.
There are many other activities to enjoy if thrill rides aren’t your thing.
Visitors can purchase a limited-access pass that allows them to enjoy attractions such as Aussie Wildlife & Koala Kingdom, Yarli’s Safari Ride, Kingdom Falls Interactive Water Play Structure, Rail Rider, Bumper Boats, Kahuna Falls, and a Lagoon Pool without having to pay the full entrance fee.
Warner Bros. Movie World, Oxenford, Queensland
Warner Bros. Movie World is ranked third on TripAdvisor’s list of Australia’s best Water and amusement Parks.
This thrilling destination is known as “Hollywood on the Gold Coast”. Superheroes and celebrities come together in this park to provide a unique experience for visitors.
The park features shows and entertainment all day long, such as the Hollywood Stunt Driver Show and the Looney Tunes dance party, culminating in a Star Parade each day.
The list also includes family rides and thrill rides ranging from the DC Rivals Hypercoaster with its maximum level of thrill to the Wild West Falls Adventure Ride, or the mild Justice League 3D Ride.
Wet ‘n‘ Wild Water World in Oxenford, Queensland
TripAdvisor’s top 10 list of Australia’s best Water & Amusement Parks includes the iconic Wet ‘n‘ Wild on the Gold Coast.
This popular theme park offers 19 attractions that are categorised as ‘thrilling‘ or ‘family-friendly’. There is something for everyone.
You can choose from the Super Ripper, Tornado, or Kamikaze if you want to experience maximum thrills.
The H2Oasis Splash Zone, junior slides, or splash play structures are great for younger kids, while your whole family can enjoy the lazy river at Calypso Beach or Whirlpool Spring.
Gumbuya World, Tynong, Australia
Gumbuya World, located in Tynong North, is Victoria’s only theme park that combines water, wildlife and a theme park.
This unique precinct, which is 50 minutes south-east of Melbourne CBD, features a splashtastic family wave pool and Australian bush.
TripAdvisor reviews have given the venue four out of five stars. One reviewer called it the most affordable park in the world, while others praised its walking-friendly layout.
Thanks to such reviews, Gumbuya World was ranked 13th on TripAdvisor’s list of Australia’s best Water and amusement Parks.
The theme park offers a mixture of family-friendly rides and thrill rides. Oasis Spring, the water park, is the perfect place to cool down at the end of the day.
WhiteWater World in Coomera (Queensland)
WhiteWater World is a seasonal waterpark located in Coomera along the Gold Coast. It is open from May to September. Ardent Leisure operates and owns the park, which is a sister park to Dreamworld.
It is currently ranked 15th on TripAdvisor’s list of Australia’s best Water and amusement Parks. The park features 11 attractions, from the exciting Fully Six and The Green Room to the kid-friendly Wiggle Bay.
Jamberoo Action Park, Jamberoo, New South Wales
Jamberoo Action Park is the largest water park owned and operated by a family in NSW. It offers world-class activities in a natural environment.
There are rides to suit all ages. The park has rides for all ages.
Rapid River and Outback Bay Wave Pool are also popular attractions, along with land-based activities such as mini golf, a chairlift ride, bobsled and train rides.
TripAdvisor’s top 20 list of Australia’s best Water & Amusement Parks ranked the park 19th.
The park is closed in winter.
WetSide Water Park, Hervey Bay, Queensland
WetSide Water Park, located in Queensland’s Hervey Bay, is a big hit on TripAdvisor. It has received a whopping 4 1/2 stars.
TripAdvisor currently ranks it number 21 in its list of Australia’s best Water & Amusement Parks.
This is the perfect place to cool down. It has a wide range of pools and slides for children of all ages.
Fraser Coast Regional Council operates the water park.
There are also water slides, a special area for under-5s, a water play area, and a coffee shop.
The entry is free. However, there are charges for the Aqua Ninja and water slides.
Be warned, if you plan a trip. It closes every year from May to September for maintenance.
Aussie World, Caloundra, Queensland
Aussie World in Caloundra, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor and is ranked 22nd on the list of Australia’s best Water & Amusement Parks.
It is more compact and easier to navigate than some of the larger theme parks, and parents and grandparents with young children love it.
There are 28 attractions, ranging from family-friendly to ‘extreme,‘ including one of the newest: SX360.
It is Australia’s tallest, fastest, 360-degree pendulum. The first thrill ride of the Sunshine Coast, this attraction reaches speeds up to 80km/h.
There is also a carousel, a Ferris wheel, mini golf, a maze, and a log ride.
The Leak’n Logs Water Play Area features a walk-through mist feature, tipping buckets and a waterfall that mimics a typical Queensland Storm.
Adventure Park Geelong Wallington, Victoria
Adventure Park, located in Geelong, Victoria, is the largest water theme park in the state.
The park is suitable for both children and adults. It has 21 rides, including the exciting Tsunami.
The monster ride is 7 1/2 storeys tall and 172 meters long. It features massive waves, raging water, dark tunnels, and swirling rips.
There is a 300-metre lazy river with water cannons, a waterfall and other amenities.
For those who don’t want to get wet, there are also some rides on land.
The park ranked 35th on TripAdvisor’s list.
Magic Mountain in Merimbula (New South Wales)
Magic Mountain on the NSW south coast is a local favourite. Although it may not be ranked in the top 10 of TripAdvisor’s list of Australia’s Best Water and amusement Parks, it still ranks high among the best.
The theme park is located on the Sapphire Coast, just a few minutes from Merimbula. It offers family-friendly rides and adventure rides.
There are several adventure rides, including a rollercoaster, racing cars, and toboggan slides. The park also has two adventure water slides.
While waiting for the ride to begin, families can play mini-golf, enjoy the pirate playground, or take a dip in the splash pool.