72 Hours on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia

The Gold Coast is known for its theme parks and we hadn’t visited them for a couple of years so it was time to load the family in the car, drive down the mountain from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and load the Candy kids up on adrenaline.

Day One – Dreamworld

I didn’t take many photos at Dreamworld as we were too busy admiring the animals, laughing at the snoring wombat and enjoying the rides.

Thunder River Rapids Ride was my favorite with its “moderate excitement” but I was also wrestled onto the “extreme excitement” of the Wipeout. Yes I was squealing. Lots. Check the Wipeout out on video here. I think you’ll be impressed.

Dreamworld is fun because as well as a huge range of rides from tame to terrifying to suit every type of thrill seeker, you can also enjoy shows, catch a 3D movie and interact with the animals.

Then there are the silly activities like the giant cage where you can shoot spongy balls at your family and at complete strangers for far longer than you ever intended to. I liked that one.

Expect to get wet on Thunder River Rapids. It will feel great.

The dogems or bumper cars are always fun aren't they?

Posing opportunities abound for Kiara

But Max and Kiara bothwant their photo taken with Puss in Boots. Fiona gets in on the action too after an energetic Shrek show.

Kiara's favourite ride, the vintage cars - she drove us round the bend - I mean track - twice.

Day Two – Lamington National Park

We rented a holiday home, the Bavarian Hut, a 30 minute drive from the theme parks so we took a day to explore the Binna Burra side of Lamington National Park 30 minutes higher up the mountain and enjoyed a long walk down through the rainforest to the Kweenbari caves.

The rest of the day was spent chilling out at the Bavarian Hut eating, drinking and playing table football.

Max learning about the original owners of the land

Kiara enjoying a natural swing

Day Three – White Water World

White Water World is probably even more fun that Dreamworld on a hot day. White Water World is a blast because the whole family can enjoy most of the rides together.

We ran around carrying huge blow up rings up hundreds of stairs then whizzing down them squealing.

Wear a rash top and pile on the suncream for a day of family fun and lots of happy memories.

The Bro or Blue Ringed Octopus ride - you'll want to whoosh down it again, and again and again. Well, we did anyway.

Many thanks to Gold Coast Tourism and Dreamworld for kindly treating me and the Mucho Man to go to Dreamworld and White Water World. It was mega fun and the Candy kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves too.