Australia can get very hot during summer and there’s no better way to cool off than at one of its amazing parks. With options available all over the country, you can find thrill rides, casual splash zones, and much more. Discover it all with our guide to the best water parks in Australia.
Adventure World Perth Australia, Bibra Lake, Western Australia
Built on an old limestone quarry, Adventure World Perth has around 25 rides, including the Abyss steel roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 85 kilometres (53 miles) per hour during a roughly 2min ride. The Kraken slide is one of the tallest, longest, and steepest funnel water slides of its kind in the world.
Kids under the height requirements can still find plenty of rides and attractions to have fun at Dragon’s Kingdom, an interactive aqua playground with spray loops, a mushroom rain tree, and a giant tipping bucket. Dragon’s Kingdom also has slides, barrel spins, and more for those with a shorter height (some require an adult to accompany kids).
- Address: 351 Progress Dr, Bibra Lake WA 6163
- Where to stay: The Norfolk Hotel is a great option about 15min away by car.
WetSide Water Park, Hervey Bay, Queensland
Perfect for families, WetSide Water Park sits on the Hervey Bay foreshore, at the junction of Main Street and the Esplanade. It has water slides, a splash area, and a TotSide area where kids under five can play. It’s usually open seven days a week between September and May, from 10 am to 5 pm; on Saturday nights at 7 pm, you and your family can settle in to watch the beautiful Fountain Light Show. You can easily spend a full day here, with a coffee shop, restaurant, and fish-and-chip shop on site where you can either have a sit-down meal or grab some takeaway.
- Address: 267 Esplanade, Pialba QLD 4655
- Where to stay: Mantra Hervey Bay is a four-star hotel that overlooks the marina and has two outdoor pools.
Aqua Park, Darwin, Northern Territory
Aqua Park is a fantastic inflatable water park in the Darwin Waterfront precinct, carefully designed to provide non-stop fun with paths that lead you onwards to more inflatable slides, obstacles, and jumping points. The minimum age for entry is six, and children aged between six and nine will need to be accompanied by an adult. All attendees will be provided with mandatory life jackets, and there is always a brief safety induction session to ensure everyone has fun and stays safe. Aqua Park is a great place to cool off during Darwin’s hot, dry season between May and October; just remember to pack your sunscreen.
- Address: Waterfront Precinct Recreational Lagoon, Kitchener Dr, Darwin City NT 0800
- Where to stay: The upscale apartments at Adina Darwin Waterfront Hotel are the perfect way to treat yourself.
Magic Mountain, Merimbula, New South Wales
Magic Mountain Merimbula has a speedy roller coaster and an intricate Tree Climb Challenge to go along with its excellent water slides, perfect for cooling off. The Tube Rider gives you the option between two tracks, with the first taking you down fun twists and turns and the second picking up the pace for a speedy descent.
One of their top attractions is the Black Hole, a water slide that plunges you into darkness for a few heart-stopping seconds before bringing you back to the outside world. The park has lots of variety, with mazes, a race car track, and a dinosaur park that are great for anyone who isn’t a fan of rides.
- Address: 134 Sapphire Coast Dr, Merimbula NSW 2548
- Where to stay: Sapphire Waters Motor Inn is a gorgeous three-star hotel with a casual vibe.
GC Wake Park, Queensland
Masterminded by legendary Australian wakeboarder Daniel Watkins, GC Wake Park was designed to be a world-class attraction that gives visitors from all around the world the opportunity to learn how to wakeboard. Along with wakeboarding, the park offers skiing, kneeboarding, inflatable obstacle runs, and the opportunity to just relax on the lake. On the shores of the lake, you’ll find Wakeview Cafe, which doubles as the perfect people-watching spot to watch people having fun on the water and as an amazing place to get some delicious food to refuel at the end of the day.
- Address: 34 Maudsland Rd, Oxenford QLD 4210
- Where to stay: Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is a great casual resort offering stylish cabins surrounded by gardens.
Gumbuya World, Gippsland Victoria
Gumbuya is a water park, theme park, and wildlife park that’s perfect for the whole family, with tons of ways to have fun. You can splash out on around eight waterslides, ride the mini coaster, or battle it out with dodgem cars and then get to know koalas, pythons, kangaroos (which you can hand feed), and more Australian wildlife. There’s a fantastic wave pool, a splash zone for younger kids, and a lazy river that’s roughly 300 metres long. There are three on-site cafes that offer a variety of local Gippsland produce and a poolside bar for adult visitors.
- Address: 2705 Princes Hwy, Tynong North VIC 3813
Jamberoo Action Park, New South Wales
Jamberoo Action Park lives up to its name, with heart-pumping action available between September and April every year. The park has roughly 15 attractions, including a roller coaster and water rides such as Velocity Falls, Rapid River, and Surf Hill. Thrill-seekers should be sure to visit The Perfect Storm, which is one of the tallest and longest water rides of its kind in the world; swirling winds and thunderclouds form three tornadoes that will send you spinning into zero gravity vortexes. Jamberoo is great for the more competitive types, as several of the rides operate as races where you compete in teams or solo to be at the top of the leaderboard.
- Address: 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo NSW 2533
- Where to stay: Jamberoo Resort is an excellent nearby three-star hotel with an outdoor pool and outdoor tennis courts.
Aquazone Waterpark, Yarrawonga, Victoria
Aquazone Waterpark is an inflatable waterpark that sits on Lake Mulwala in Yarrawonga, a town on the south bank of the Murray River separating Victoria from New South Wales. This aquatic obstacle course is roughly 300 square metres and welcomes visitors as young as five to test their skills on climbing walls, monkey bars, and hurdles. The Iceberg Tower, a climbable iceberg open to kids seven and up, is billed as the Everest of Inflatables, and you’ll have tons of fun climbing to the top and jumping off into the water. Other fantastic rides include the Wiggle Bridge and the Spinner, and the park also offers paddleboard sessions and party bookings.
- Address: Yarrawonga Foreshore, Hunt St, Yarrawonga VIC 3730
- Where to stay: Murray Valley Resort is a great three-star hotel close to the waterfront.
Wet’n’Wild, Oxenford, Queensland
Wet’n’Wild in Queensland is one of the best parks in Australia and is only around 40min from Brisbane and 15min from Surfers Paradise. With water slides, roller coasters, and much, much more, this park is great for all ages, including those who love a heart-stopping ride (check out the Kaboom! Master Blaster + Tailspin Slide) and those who want a milder thrill or some casual fun (try the H20asis splash zone or the Mammoth Falls raft ride). The park has a number of places to grab food and drinks, including the Bombora Burger Bar (which includes vegetarian options), Frozen Coke Stand, Village Bean Coffee House, and a DIY Soft Serve Station.
- Address: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford QLD 4210
Discovery Parks, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Barossa Valley is mostly known as one of South Australia’s best wine regions, but it’s also home to a fantastic waterpark perfect for both day trips and longer stays. Discovery Parks Barossa Valley in Tanunda, South Australia, includes a giant tipping bucket, three slides, and plenty of splash zones. Highlights include the Mega Soaker, the Charger, and an activity tower with giant showering leaves and grape buckets, all with designs inspired by the surrounding landscape. There’s also a standard playground and a swimming pool on-site, so there’s plenty of fun to be had for the whole family.
- Address: Barossa Valley Way, Tanunda SA 5352
Water parks in Australia: WhiteWater World, Queensland
WhiteWater World is located inside Dreamworld and harnesses cutting-edge technology to provide an amazing day out. WhiteWater World is great for everyone, with a blend of intense rides perfect for thrill-seekers and more casual rides and play areas that the whole family can enjoy. The Fully 6 slides offer a few thrilling experiences, including a steep slide and an enclosed slide with light effects, while Wiggle Bay is the perfect way for young children to dip their toes in and have fun with mini slides and interactive sprays. One of the best attractions is The Green Room, a remarkable funnel designed to emulate the deepest part of a wave, usually experienced only by the best surfers.
- Address: 1 Dreamworld Pkwy, Queensland 4209
