Self-Drive Sydney to Gold Coast: Six Days, Five Nights

Sydney to Gold Coast Round Trip: Six Days, Five Nights During the school holidays, flight tickets were too expensive, so we decided to drive ourselves. The main challenge was the 9-10 hour drive between the two destinations, so we planned a one-night stopover midway. For accommodations, we chose only two places to avoid wasting time on frequent check-ins and check-outs. As for meals, we kept it simple and convenient, so we won’t elaborate on that. Day 1: Departure and Stopover at Stoney Park Early in the morning, we set off from Sydney, heading north towards the Gold Coast. Given the long drive, we decided to rest for a night at Stoney Park. Unlike bustling cities, this place is full of natural charm. We spent a peaceful night at a cozy resort surrounded by nature. Day 2: Water Activities at Stoney Park and Arrival at Gold Coast The next morning, we jumped straight into the inflatable water park activities at Stoney Park. The lake was filled with inflatable slides, diving platforms, and balance beams, providing endless fun. Everyone had a blast, and the morning was well spent. Afterward, we continued our journey north, aiming for the Gold Coast. By evening, we arrived and visited the SkyPoint Observation Deck, where we enjoyed a panoramic view of the city and its stunning coastline. The sunset over the skyscrapers and ocean was like a breathtaking painting. That night, we stayed at Ruby by Serain, a centrally located apartment with excellent facilities and views. Day 3: A Full Day at Dreamworld On the third day, we headed to one of Gold Coast’s famous theme parks, Dreamworld. It features cartoon-themed areas perfect for younger kids, and we even watched a tiger show. Though we were exhausted by the end of the day, we felt incredibly fulfilled. After dinner, we returned to Ruby by Serain to relax and enjoy the night view from the balcony. Day 4: A Day at WhiteWater World On the fourth day, we chose to visit WhiteWater World, the water park next to Dreamworld! The park offered a variety of water slides, from the leisurely lazy river to adrenaline-pumping vertical slides. We tried almost every attraction. The kids loved the water maze, while the adults enjoyed the relaxing floating pool. We returned to Ruby by Serain in the evening. Day 5: Aquaduck Experience and Departure from Gold Coast On the fifth morning, we took a ride on the famous Gold Coast "Aquaduck," an amphibious vehicle that operates on both land and water. The guide provided entertaining commentary about the city and coastal scenery. When the vehicle drove straight into the water, everyone was thrilled, as if entering a magical world. In the afternoon, we began our journey back, arriving at Stoney Park by evening for another night’s rest. Day 6: More Water Activities at Stoney Park and Return to Sydney On the final day of our trip, we enjoyed more water activities at Stoney Park. This time, we took a more relaxed approach, canoeing and snorkeling by the lake, while the kids remained enthusiastic about the inflatable facilities. After lunch, we packed up and headed back to Sydney. ～～～～ Stoney Holiday Park & Aqua Park (Accommodation & Water Sports) 📍Address: 16 Hacks Ferry Road, Telegraph Point NSW 2441, Australia ～～～～ Ruby Gold Coast by Serain (Accommodation) 📍Address: 9 Norfolk Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia ～～～～ Dreamworld & WhiteWater World Theme Parks 📍Address: 1 Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera QLD 4209, Australia 💰Cost per person: You can purchase combo tickets in advance, or if you plan to visit twice within a year, consider getting an annual pass.