As a somewhat delayed but very welcome 30th birthday celebration, our two families came together for a Movie World holiday on the Gold Coast in May. It was the perfect place to "meet in the middle." My brother drove about 1,400 kilometers, and we came from 1,000 kilometers away. Close enough to equal effort, and a great excuse to enjoy one of Australiaโs top family holiday destinations.
The Gold Coast is the heart of Australian theme parks. Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, and Wet N Wild are all nearby, giving it that Florida-style vacation energy right here in Queensland.
Cousins on a Holiday
Adrian brought his three kids, Karlee, Lachlan, and Brodie, who are similar in age to my own, Nevan, Liam, and Hayden. Though weโve gotten together before, this was the first time we had all traveled somewhere new together for a family holiday. That made it even more special. It was great seeing the cousins play and bond.
Perfect Accommodation with a View
We scored big with our accommodation. Our hotel rooms were located on the 30th floor with beach-facing views. Even better, they were adjoining rooms with a shared hallway, which meant we had privacy but could easily come and go between rooms. The kids loved it. We did keep a close eye on the balconies though, especially with the younger ones.
Once the little ones settled in for the night or watched a movie, the adults stepped out for a quiet drink and soaked in the stunning view with a rum and coke in hand.
A Day at Movie World
Movie World was the big event. Think of it as a smaller, more intimate version of Disneyland. While it doesnโt have the scale or size of its American counterpart, it makes up for it with accessibility and charm. You are much closer to the action, from street parades to meet-and-greets with beloved characters.
The thrill rides delivered plenty of excitement. When we visited, the queues were manageable, making for a stress-free day. Nevan, at nine years old, was tall enough to go on nearly everything, and having him join me for the big rides made it all the more enjoyable.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
With my brother there, it felt like a flashback to our own childhood trips to theme parks. Sharing that with our kids was a full-circle moment. It left me wanting more holidays like this in the future.
From Bungee to Ink
As part of the birthday celebrations, my brother and I planned to go bungee jumping and film it. He backed out at the last minute due to his fear of heights, so I took the opportunity to do something different. I got my first tattoo. That story deserves its own blog post.
Looking Ahead
The kids had a fantastic time. Movie World catered perfectly to their age group, and it was filled with memories weโll talk about for years. I can easily see us returning in a couple of years. Maybe next time, weโll mix it up and try Dreamworld, which was my personal favorite growing up.
I never chickened out!!! You didn’t show, then rocked up with a new tattoo. Still a great time. Cant wait until the next one.
Ahahahahaha, yeah you did you nufty! You helped me pick the tattoo!