The Southern Gold Coast and Tweed Coast are surrounded by beautiful farms, animal experiences, outdoor playgrounds and nature-based activities that are perfect for toddlers and young children.
From feeding farm animals and riding ponies to hunting for macadamias, exploring working farms and making mud pies in the woodland, here are five of our favourite outdoor activities for kids near the Gold Coast and Northern NSW.
Tropical Fruit World, Duranbah
Just south of the Gold Coast in Duranbah, Tropical Fruit World is a great family day out for little explorers.
Set on a working tropical fruit farm, there is plenty for children to discover. Families can explore the plantation, taste unusual tropical fruits and take a tractor journey around the property.
For kids, there is much more than fruit. With farm animals, outdoor play and plenty of space to explore, it is an easy way to spend a few hours outdoors.
If you are searching for farm experiences for kids near the Gold Coast, this is one to add to your list.
Great for: Tractor rides, farm animals, fruit tasting and curious little explorers.
Hosanna Farmstay, Stokers Siding
Have a child who would happily spend the entire day around animals?
Hosanna Farmstay in the Tweed hinterland gives families a taste of country life, with hands-on farm and animal experiences for kids in a beautiful rural setting.
Children can get outdoors, meet the animals and experience the simple excitement of being on a real farm. It is a particularly fun option for families looking for outdoor activities with kids in Northern NSW or wanting to escape the busier Gold Coast attractions for the day.
Great for: Animal lovers, farm experiences and little country adventurers.
Farm & Co, Cudgen
Farm & Co is one of those places that manages to keep both children and parents happy.
Located in Cudgen on the Tweed Coast, you can grab a coffee or something delicious to eat while the kids enjoy the playground and explore the farm.
Then there is one of the simplest, and somehow most entertaining, activities for little ones: hunting for fallen macadamia nuts around the farm. Give a toddler a little bucket and something to search for in nature and you have practically planned the morning.
With food, coffee, a playground and plenty of outdoor space, Farm & Co is an easy option if you are looking for things to do with toddlers on the Tweed Coast.
Great for: Coffee, food, playground time, farm exploring and macadamia hunting.
Little Oaks Woodland Play, Chinderah
If your little one loves animals, getting muddy and imaginative outdoor play, the Little Oaks Woodland Play experience offers something a little different.
Located in Chinderah in the Tweed Shire, just south of the Gold Coast, Little Oaks is a nature-based woodland play experience created especially for children aged 1 to 6 years.
Little ones can spend their morning making creations in the mud kitchens, exploring the woodland, dressing up, cuddling bunnies, feeding geese, enjoying a pony ride and simply being kids.
Rather than a large indoor play centre or busy attraction, Little Oaks is intentionally small and relaxed. Parents can settle into the undercover seating area while children explore the fenced woodland space nearby.
Families can join one of our regular Woodland Playgroups, or gather their own little crew and enquire about a Private Woodland Play experience.
Small-group sessions run on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am.
Book a Woodland PlaygroupGreat for: Ages 1 to 6, nature play, toddlers, preschoolers, bunnies, pony rides and woodland adventures.
The Farm, Byron Bay
For a family day trip a little further south, The Farm Byron Bay combines a working farm, open spaces, a children’s playground and some very good food.
Kids can enjoy the playground and farm environment while parents grab a coffee, wander around the property or settle in for something to eat.
There is plenty for little ones to look at as you explore, and the relaxed farm setting makes it an easy place to spend a few hours without needing an elaborate itinerary.
You can also combine it with a trip into Byron Bay or a beach stop afterwards and turn it into a full family day out.
Great for: Playground time, farm exploring, good food and a Northern NSW family day trip.
More things to do with toddlers and young kids near the Gold Coast
Some of the best things to do with kids around the Gold Coast and Northern NSW are not necessarily the biggest attractions.
For a three-year-old, feeding an animal, finding a macadamia nut, making the world’s messiest mud pie or riding a pony can be the highlight of their entire week.
And for parents, sometimes the best family activities are the ones that allow everyone to slow down, get outside and enjoy a morning together.
Whether you are searching for Gold Coast toddler activities, Tweed Coast kids activities, farm experiences, animal encounters or outdoor things to do with young children, there is plenty to explore just over the Queensland and NSW border. Animal-loving families can explore our guide to animal experiences for kids near the Gold Coast, while coffee-loving parents might enjoy our guide to family-friendly cafés with playgrounds around the Southern Gold Coast and Northern NSW.