Sea World

Sea World is a sea themed amusement park on the Gold Coast in Queensland, with amusement rides, adventure activities, sea life exhibits, and shows.

Sea World was established in 1972, with the introduction of dolphins, marine displays, swimming pool, and a replica of the Endeavour ship. These were additions to the water ski shows when it first began as the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens.

The first major ride began in 1978, the Viking’s Revenge Flume Ride. Viking’s Revenge operated for around 38 years until it closed in 2016. A similar ride is still available, The Plunge at Aussie World at the Sunshine Coast.

New rides come and older rides go over time. The aquatic shows and sea wildlife have remained fairly constant, even though they are sometimes adapted to modern changes. For example, the water skiing show is now a jet ski show with a display of tricks and stunts along with some entertaining narration and comedy.

Sea World is part of a group of five amusement parks in the Gold Coast region. Sea World sits by itself on the coast at Main Beach, while the other parks are to the west on the Pacific Highway at Oxenford.

The other major parks are Movie World , themed around Warner Brothers movies, and Wet n’ Wild , a water park that is particularly popular in the hotter months, and still popular for interstate travellers coming north to the warmer Queensland weather during the winter months.

Paradise Country is a farm-themed park with animal encounters including interactive areas to mingle with farm animals.

Outback Spectacular makes up the last of the five parks. However, it is more of a dinner show than a themed park.

Multiple park passes can be purchased to allow access to most of the parks at a significant discount to purchasing a ticket individually.

Amusement Rides

• Storm Coaster
• Nickelodeon Land
• Bikini Bottom Crosstown Express
• Boots’ Banana Boogie
• Donatello’s Ninja Flyers
• Dora’s Fiesta Carousel
• Patrick’s Jellyfish Frenzy
• SpongeBob’s Boating School Blast
• Castaway Bay Reef – Interactive Splash Zone
• Castaway Bay Battle Boats
• Castaway Bay Sky Climb
• Castaway Bay Sky Fortress
• Jet Rescue
• Sea World Monorail
• Vortex
• The New Atlantis (opening mid-2021)

Shows

• Affinity Dolphin
• PAW Patrol on Holiday
• Little Penguin Keeper Talk
• Ray Reef Presentation
• Nickelodeon Character Meet and Greet
• Seal Guardians
• Turtle Power Live Show
• Thunder Lake Stunt Show

Exhibitions

• Penguin Encounter – Indoor Penguin Exhibit
• Penguin Point – Outdoor Penguin Exhibit
• Polar Bear Shores – Polar Bear Exhibit
• Ray Reef – Outdoor Ray Exhibit
• Sandy Shores Lagoon – Dolphins Exhibit
• Sea Jellies Illuminated – Sea Jelly Exhibit
• Seabird Rehabilitation Aviary – Outdoor Seabird Exhibit
• Seal Harbour – Seal Exhibit
• Shark Bay – Lagoon Exhibit

Experiences

• Shark Bay Glass Bottom Boat
• Dolphin Couple Adventure
• Behind The Scenes Polar Bear Shores
• Dolphin Aqua Adventure
• Dolphin Deep Water Adventure
• Seal Aqua Adventure
• Shark Bay Discovery
• Tropical Reef Snorkel
• Dolphin Family Adventure
• Marine Rescue Ranger
• Meet the Dolphin
• Penguin Antarctic Adventure
• Seal Encounter

Links

• Sea World – Sea World website
• Village Roadshow Theme Parks – purchase tickets to Village Roadshow theme parks

To get there

From the Surfers Paradise Visitor Centre, follow the road onto Orchid Ave and at the end turn right into Elkhorn Ave. At the end of Elkhorn Ave, turn left onto The Esplanade and follow it to the end for 1.4km. Turn right onto Main Beach Parade and follow 2km. Turn right onto Seaworld Dr and follow for 1.5km and turn left into the entrance of Sea World.

Alternatively, turn left into Elkhorn Ave, follow for 220m and turn right into Gold Coast Hwy. Follow Gold Coast Hwy for 2.3km and turn right into Waterways Dr. Follow Waterways Dr, becoming turns into Seaworld Dr, for 2.3km and turn left into the entrance of Sea World.

If travelling south along the Pacific Hwy, take exit 66 for the Smith St Motorway with the brown sign for Sea World. Follow the motorway to the end for 5.9km, continuing straight on North St until reaching Marine Parade. Turn right onto the Gold Coast Hwy following the brown sign for Sea World. Follow Coast Coast Hwy for 2.4km and turn left at the first lights after crossing the bridge into Waterways Dr. Follow Waterways Dr, becoming turns into Seaworld Dr, for 2.3km and turn left into the entrance of Sea World.

If travelling north along the Pacific Hwy, take exit 66 for the Smith St Motorway. At the lights, turn right onto Smith St. Follow the motorway to the end for 7.9km, continuing straight on North St until reaching Marine Parade. Turn right onto the Gold Coast Hwy following the brown sign for Sea World. Follow Coast Coast Hwy for 2.4km and turn left at the first lights after crossing the bridge into Waterways Dr. Follow Waterways Dr, becoming turns into Seaworld Dr, for 2.3km and turn left into the entrance of Sea World.