Get Lost In A World Of Fantasy & Fun
Warner Bros. Movie World is the ultimate destination for diving into your favourite movies and watch them come to life. This guide offers insiders tips on where to stay, eat, play and shop.
Australia’s only movie-themed park, Warner Bros. Movie World opened back in 1991 with four distinct sections: Main Street, Kids’ WB Fun Zone, the Wild West and an area dedicated to DC Comics superheros.
In 2016 the park celebrates its 25th anniversary with the unveiling of a new themed section, the DC Comics Super-Villain Unleashed area, and a new attraction called the 'Doomsday Destroyer'.
In a world where everyone’s a star, at Movie World you can watch characters go by on the Main Street parades, take a selfie with Batman or Tweety Bird, witness an action-packed stunt show or try a 4D movie experience in Main Street theatre that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
The essentials
- Country Australia
- Currency AUS Dollar
Gold Coast Weather
Temperature (avg °C) | Rainfall (max mm) |
J - 29 | J - 136 |
F - 29 | F - 184 |
M - 28 | M - 119 |
A - 26 | A - 136 |
M - 23 | M - 119 |
J - 21 | J - 116 |
J - 21 | J - 54 |
A - 22 | A - 66 |
S - 24 | S - 46 |
O - 25 | O - 94 |
N - 27 | N - 127 |
D - 28 | D - 150 |
Getting There
The Gold Coast is a short flight away from Sydney and Melbourne, with over 24 direct flights from Sydney and 14 direct flights from Melbourne each day. With one or two direct flights from Adelaide and Perth, most flights from Australia’s other major hubs connect via Sydney and Melbourne.
Gold Coast Airport is the closest airport. From here it’s a 30- to 40-minute drive to Movie World. Brisbane Airport is another option for interstate visitors, which is a 50- to 60-minute drive away.
There are several shuttle services operating on the Gold Coast throughout the day. Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle meets each plane that lands at the airport and also provides transfers to the theme parks from your hotel.
Tickets start at $21 for a one-way transfer from the airport to your hotel. You can purchase 3-, 5-, 7- or 10-day passes, as well as family passes.
Flight information
- Average flight time: 1hr 20m from Sydney or 2hr 5m from Melbourne
- Daily direct flights from: Sydney and Melbourne. Some direct flights from Adelaide and Perth. Other capitals can fly via Sydney or Melbourne
- Major airlines: Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar & Tigerair
Getting Around
By foot
With its compact size and flat terrain, Movie World is easily explored on foot. Most of the park is accessed from the aptly named Main Street. At the end of Main Street the park spits into two directions, one path leads to the Kids’ WB Fun Zone, which has rides more suited to younger kids, while the other takes you to Wild West.
Did you know...? Many actual films have been shot in Movie World's studios including 'Peter Pan', 'San Andreas', 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' and 'Nim’s Island'.
Where To Stay
There are endless accommodation options on the Gold Coast, to suit most budgets, from campgrounds and holiday parks to apartments, hotels and luxury resorts. Most of these can also be booked as part of a theme park holiday package with tickets and shuttle services included.
You’ll find most accommodation along the region’s long beachfront, from Burleigh Heads in the South to Surfers Paradise and Southport. All are roughly a 40-minute drive from Movie World.
Our top picks
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
Paradise Resort Gold Coast continues the fun after you’ve returned to the hotel with a water park, games room and ice-skating rink. There is a wide range of room configurations available, from Resort Rooms and the funky Bunkhouses, to interconnecting suites that sleep up to four adults and four kids.
The resort has a great buffet-style restaurant, along with a poolside cafe and bar. Kids eat for just $8 per meal and there’s a poolside barbeque every Wednesday and Saturday night.
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa
This gorgeous resort has its own private saltwater lagoon complete with tropical reef fish and cascading waterfall, all surrounded by a white sandy beach.
With a kids club for children aged four-14, parents can take a breather and dine on the fine cuisine to be found at the resort’s three first-class restaurants: Misono Japanese Steak House, Citrique or Chapter & Verse bar and lounge.
Feel free to indulge in a spa treatment at Ruby Spa while the kids are snorkelling in the lagoon.
Mantra Crown Towers
This family-friendly resort is 100 metres from Surfers Paradise Beach and offers various facilities including a large lagoon pool and kids zone with pool, sandy beach, waterslide and pirate ship.
There are two onsite dining options: Thai feasts at Chiang Mai Thai or cafe-style food at Regale Restaurant, which is open for breakfast lunch and dinner.
Where To Eat And Drink
Warner Bros. Movie World has a lot of movie-inspired dining options, from hotdog stands and themed restaurants serving pizza and burgers, to Aussie BBQ and a Wild West saloon.
Get your early morning java buzz at Village Bean, and cool down in the afternoon with a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cone – now offered on Main Street, the first Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop in Queensland.
Our top picks
Gotham City
This is the place to go for a juicy Prime Burger, made to order with melted cheese and signature special sauce. It's located at the end of Main Street near the Arkham Asylum coaster.
Ricks Cafe
Ricks Cafe is (of course) a replica of the famous cafe that features in the Humphrey Bogart classic, Casablanca – at least on the outside. Inside, it’s a buffet-style dining experience with all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and a salad bar.
Dirty Harry Bar
At this San Francisco-style bar, named after the Clint Eastwood classic, you can grab a drink and share some Mexican. Depending on your appetite, there’s a choice of Make My Day, Magnum, Fully Loaded Nachos or Chicken Quesadilla.
Wild West Roadhouse
Over in the Wild West area you’ll find cowboy-sized meals at Wild West Roadhouse. Here you can try some smokey BBQ chicken, fish fillets or even some baby back ribs straight off of the grill.
Character Photo Opportunities
While there are no character-dining options in Movie World, there are plenty of opportunities for a selfie with one of the Movie World characters.
Everyone from Tweety and Sylvester to Batman and Wonder Woman wander Main Street at some point throughout the day and they’re only too pleased to stop for a photo.
Shopping
Want to take home a movie-themed souvenir? There is no shortage on offer throughout the park and each year new ways are invented to showcase Movie World, from key rings and mugs to boxer shorts and t-shirts.
Various shopping outlets match nearby rides throughout the park. Find your favourite superhero's cape or get an autographed photo from some of your favourite Warner Brothers characters.
Our top picks
Superman Escape Store
One of the most popular outlets in the park, this is the best place to find DC Comic merchandise. Almost opposite the park’s entrance, by the Batwing Spaceshot, you’ll find a great selection of t-shirts, capes, boxer shorts, drink bottles and more.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Candy Store
No golden ticket is required to step into the world of Willy Wonka and go mad on the range of chocolate and candy on offer in this incredible candy store.
Special Events
Fright Nights
During Halloween Movie World is transformed into a terrifying world of ghosts, ghouls and demons, with spooky mazes and scary street entertainment.
Get dressed in your scariest Halloween costume and make your way to the park for a Halloween like you’ve never experienced.
White Christmas
Movie World stages a White Christmas each year, with a special Christmas-themed parade, snow-covered streets, Christmas carols and a Fairy Garden.
Carnivale
New Orleans comes to Movie World with the annual Carnivale event, where you can listen to smooth New Orleans jazz and sample Creole food at all of Main Street’s food stalls.
Top Attractions
Superman Escape
Superman Escape is an epic ride that takes your from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just two seconds. Experience how Superman feels as he flies through the skies, with vertical drops, weightlessness and a whole lot of screaming and laughing.
Batwing Spaceshot
Batwing Spaceshot shoots you up 60 metres into the sky before dropping you on a stomach-curdling descent. You’ll go so high you'll be able to spot your car in the parking lot.
Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster
One of the park’s most popular rides, Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster takes you into the world of Spooky Island, surrounded by monsters and accompanied by the catchy Scooby Doo soundtrack.
Hollywood Stunt Driver 2
This action-packed stunt show will have you completely tensed as you watch Showtime FMX precision drivers show off their skills while pretending to film a new movie trailer.
Wild West Falls Adventure Ride
Travel past Native American reserves, ghost towns and geysers, before slowly making your way up past wagon trains and plummeting down a steep 20-metre drop, creating a huge wave that is guaranteed to soak you from head to toe.
Shhh ... Insider Secrets
Be sure to arrive at the park bright and early, if possible 30 minutes before opening time during school holidays.
Make your way to Superman Escape and Batwing Spaceshot first before the queues build up, and then tick off Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster. This way you should avoid the longest queues.
Other Gold Coast Destinations
Australian Outback Spectacular
Located next door to Movie World, Australian Outback Spectacular lets you step into Outback Australia with dinner and a show.
Sit back and enjoy some classic Aussie tucker, which usually includes a steak followed by pavlova for dessert, and watch some amazing horse riding stunts.
Stand Up Paddle at Currumbin Lagoon
Currumbin Lagoon, on the lower reaches of the Gold Coast, is a great place to learn the basics of stand-up paddle boarding with JM SUP.
You can simply hire a board and go for it, or opt for a 60-minute lesson to learn a few of the trickier manoeuvres. Trust us ... it's not as easy as it looks.
Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides
Ride along winding trails through cool, green rainforest on a horse that's perfectly matched to your size and experience with Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides.
There is a 30-minute trail ride suitable for beginners, while more experienced riders can venture further on a one-hour or 90-minute ride.