We've been living in that stage of parenting where the words 'holiday' and 'kids' don't feel as though they belong together anymore. There has been very little relaxing in the airport lounge, and our holiday expectations have slowly downgraded from 'reset and recharge' to 'please, for the love of my remaining sanity, make this easy.'

That was before our recent trip to Queensland.

Old me thought a real holiday involved passports and at least 12 hours of recycled cabin air. But then I had two kids, and suddenly the two-hour hop up the coast has become a stroke of genius. It's the ultimate manageable family getaway. The sun is almost always out, the coffee is familiar, and you don't need to worry about time zones ruining anyone's bedtime routine.

But while the Gold Coast coastline is iconic, the real reason we were there — the thing I haven't stopped talking about since we touched back down — was our day at Dreamworld.

Image: Supplied.

I hadn't been to Dreamworld in years. In my head, it was the place I went to with my parents, usually bringing along a friend I'd roped into coming for the (literal) ride. So, walking through the entrance with my own kids felt like a weirdly emotional full-circle moment.

Before you even see anything, you hear it — the distant whooshing screams from the big rides. And suddenly that instant hit of nostalgia just washes over you. You're excited, a bit nervy, and you just know you're in for a great day.

In that time though, the park has evolved so much. There's a fresh energy to it, and you can see the deliberate improvements everywhere, from the new immersive "worlds" to the general flow of the park. One thing that really gave me peace of mind as a parent was learning about their behind-the-scenes safety standards. They've also made some key hires recently, including former aviation safety and engineering staff.

We started our day at Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, which is essentially heaven for the under-five portion of your tribe. If your kids are obsessed with The Wiggles or Bananas in Pyjamas, be prepared to spend a significant amount of your day happily parked here. It was here my four-year-old rode her very first roller coaster, The Wiggles Big Red Boat Coaster. In true four-year-old style, it took some negotiating to get her on… and then even more negotiating to get her off to explore the rest of the park.

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From there, we wandered into Rivertown, which is one of the brand new immersive areas. It feels like stepping into a lush, hidden jungle. The kids' highlight here was Murrissippi Motors — a vintage car trek where they actually got to sit in the driver's seat. There's something both funny and slightly terrifying about watching your preschooler behind the wheel (don't worry, they're not actually steering).

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For the slightly older kids (and the parents bold enough to join them), the Jungle Rush coaster in Rivertown is the sweet spot. It's got enough thrill to get the blood pumping and remind you you've still got a bit of adventure in you, but it's still accessible enough for the whole family to go together.

By midday, the "hangry" warnings were starting to flash. I'd always thought of theme park food as sad, lukewarm chips in a cardboard box, but definitely not here.

We headed to Jane's Rivertown Restaurant which was such a fun surprise. The restaurant is an attraction unto itself, filled with interactive animals and lots of cool artifacts and details to take in and explore. The food was excellent too. My husband and I ordered ribs and a prawn salad — yes, you read that right — while the kids happily stuck into a few of their usual favourites.

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After lunch, we wandered over to the Wild area for a slightly slower pace.

There's a certain magic in seeing your kids get up close to a kangaroo or excitedly point out animals hiding in plain sight. Tiger Island was incredible too — seeing those tigers up close is pretty unforgettable. But the WILD highlight for us was definitely the koala cuddle. The photo has already made its way to school news, as well as shown to all the grandies.

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And while the rides and animal encounters are obviously the main event, one thing that genuinely made the day easier as a parent was the Parent Centre.

It was huge — genuinely comfortable and convenient, with nappy change and rest areas, nursing spaces, plenty of comfy spots to sit down and even its own indoor playground. It meant I could take one child to the bathroom without worrying about the other one making a run for the exit. Those small details make a big difference in the middle of a long day at a theme park.

We finished the day by hopping next door to WhiteWater World. Because let's be honest, after a day of walking, there is nothing better than a wave pool and a few steep slides to burn off the last of the kids' adrenaline (and ensure they fall asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel).

What I loved most about Dreamworld is that there really was something for everyone — gentle rides for the little ones, bigger thrills for the older kids, wildlife encounters and even a water park all in the one place. We were on the move all day, but it never felt overwhelming. Somehow, it manages to deliver all the fun and nostalgia of a classic theme park day, without the usual stress that comes with it.

Get tickets to Dreamworld for your next family holiday.

Featured image: Supplied.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Dreamworld

Dreamworld is filled with new experiences for families to explore together. Little adventurers can step into Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, home to Aussie favourites The Wiggles and ABC Kids. Wander through the lush new world, Rivertown, and enjoy delicious dining at Jane's Rivertown Restaurant before hopping aboard Jungle Rush—the world‑first family coaster that's full of surprises. Older kids and grown‑ups can take on King Claw, Steel Taipan and a huge lineup of thrill and family favourites, then cool off at WhiteWater World. As Australia's biggest theme park, Dreamworld brings rides, slides, wildlife encounters and playful worlds together in one easy day out.