Hotels near Dreamworld

Exploring Dreamworld

Dreamworld, which is surrounded by similar attractions, is a fantastic alternative to the beaches of the Gold Coast. This aptly named family theme park is a collection of ‘worlds’, such as the Australian Wildlife Experience and the Ocean Parade, and boasts dozens of rides for all ages. There are more than a dozen ‘worlds’ here in all, and they go from sedate affairs for infants and interactive shows up to thrilling areas with fast, high roller coasters.

Other worlds are DreamWorks Experience, Wiggles World, Tiger Island, Gold Rush Country, V8 Supercars RedLine, Rocky Hollow, WhiteWater, FlowRider, and the Big 8 Thrill, with one of the top rides here being Pandamonium. There are also animal exhibits, along with shops and eateries, plus Dreamworld sometimes opens at night for Screamworld. There are several inns and motels nearby, but one of the best resorts is the highly rated Azzura Greens Resort.

Sights nearby

There is more to see and do along the coast, although this area boasts some interesting side attractions. Not far from Dreamworld is Movie World and Wet'n'Wild, and the surrounding suburb of Coomera is a good place to eat and shop. Surfers Paradise is a short drive east.

- Coomera

Dreamworld is situated within the suburb of Coomera, one of the main developments on the Gold Coast. Located between Brisbane and Surfers Paradise, nearby Upper Coomera, in particular, has a lot going for it, with loads of shops and places to eat. Connected by rail to the Queensland capital, it is worth visiting after you’ve been to Dreamworld.

- Cavill Avenue

This is the top draw in the area, with its name not only representing the busy beach but the town, too. Surfers is one of the main towns that makes up the Gold Coast conurbation and, along with having the busiest beach, it offers the best entertainment and hotels and apartments. The beach has good surf and is patrolled and flagged. Go opposite Cavill Avenue to be in the thick of it.

- Tamborine National Park

About 30 minutes’ drive west of the Dreamworld district is the pretty Tamborine National Park. This relatively small park has some nice walking along nine well-posted tracks and great views out to sea. The rainforest and the stunning Witches Falls are sublime, and the area is strewn with brush turkeys, other birdlife, and butterflies. Get here early as the park has short hours, from 10:00 to 15:00. Staying at the Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa will put you within close reach.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

There is lots of opportunity to eat, have fun, and shop within the Dreamworld district, with everything from pizzas, buffets, and fast food joints to cafés, vending machines, and even a full-blown bar at the theme park itself. There’s loads of shopping outlets, too—mainly selling souvenirs based on the park for the little ones. Upper Coomera has the best of it in this district, however, with Lost City being especially popular at night thanks to its restaurant, bars, gaming room, and club. This suburb also has shopping malls and department stores like Woolworths, while Coomera is less busy. If you are staying on nearby Hope Island, the hotels there, like the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, have everything.

Public transport

Surfside Buslines runs to the Dreamworld district from Surfers Paradise and nearby beaches and towns. Services run 24 hours and are on the ticketless Translink GoCard system. There is a bus stop at Dreamworld which receives buses from nearby Coomera Train Station on Foxwell Road, which is about 20 minutes away on foot. This area is also easily accessed via the Pacific Motorway for those with hire cars.