At a glance
- Parking
- On-site parking for guests; Sea World does not publish a fee or space count
- Address
- Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
- GC500 week
- Open; Waterways Drive stays open from Monday 19 to Tuesday 27 October
- Bus
- Route 705 from Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, about every 20 minutes
- Hours
- 10:30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday; 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday (see the table)
- Help
- Sea World 13 33 86; Translink 13 12 30
Sea World stays open during Gold Coast 500 week, and Waterways Drive, the main road to Sea World, The Spit and Main Beach, is open and is not part of the racing circuit. The organisers warn there may be delays on the Gold Coast Highway, Waterways Drive and Southport Bridge, and changed traffic conditions run from Monday 19 October to 5am on Tuesday 27 October.
Sea World says on-site parking is available for guests, but its park information page does not publish a fee or the number of spaces, so we cannot give you a price. Everything below is from Sea World’s own pages, the Gold Coast 500 organisers’ traffic FAQ and Translink’s stop notices, checked on 15 October 2026.
Is there parking at Sea World?
Yes. The Sea World park information page says “On-site parking is available for guests.” It gives the address as Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. The page does not list parking charges, opening times for the car park or a capacity. If you need those, call Sea World on 13 33 86 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5:30pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm, Sunday 8am to 4pm).
Is the road to Sea World open during the Gold Coast 500?
Yes. The organisers’ traffic and transport FAQ answers “Is Sea World still open during event week and the GC500 weekend?” with “Yes, absolutely”, and says Waterways Drive is not closed. It remains the key access route for Main Beach, The Spit and Sea World.
- Northbound on the Gold Coast Highway: use Waterways Drive to reach Main Beach and The Spit.
- Southbound on the Gold Coast Highway: get into the appropriate left-hand lane before the Southport Sundale Bridge.
- Expect delays from changed lane arrangements, more visitors and congestion on the highway, Waterways Drive and Southport Bridge. Allow extra time and follow traffic-control directions.
Roads inside the circuit turn one-way from about 5am on Monday 19 October, and the Gold Coast Highway is reduced to fewer lanes. Our Gold Coast 500 road closures guide covers the street-by-street changes.
How do I drive there from Brisbane or the Gold Coast Highway?
Sea World’s directions are short. From Brisbane, take the M1 southbound, exit at Smith Street (Exit 66) and follow the signs to Sea World. From the Gold Coast Highway, head north, turn right onto Seaworld Drive and continue until you reach Sea World.
Can I get there by bus or tram?
Sea World says route 705 runs directly to the park from Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, about every 20 minutes. For the tram, it says to take the G:link to Southport station and transfer to route 705. Public bus facilities are at the main entry to the car park on Sea World Drive, about 120 metres from the main park entrance.
During the Gold Coast 500 several stops on those routes are closed. Translink’s notices say:
| What | When | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Main Beach Parade stops (route 705) | From Tuesday 13 October to Tuesday 3 November | Stops at Breaker Street, Cable Street and Esplanade Surfers Paradise closed, with alternatives shown on the notice |
| Tedder Avenue stops (route 704) | 6pm Sunday 18 October to 5am Tuesday 27 October | Route 704 services towards Sea World terminate at Scarborough Street, and services towards Helensvale station start there |
The organisers list routes 70, 704, 705, 731, 737, 738, 740, 741, 742 and 747 as the services most affected by the changed traffic, and plan temporary stops on Main Beach Parade opposite Tedder Avenue for return services towards Sea World. Open the Translink notice for your stop before you travel, or read our Gold Coast 500 bus stop closures guide. Translink’s journey planner and the 13 12 30 line have the latest times.
What are Sea World’s opening hours this fortnight?
Sea World lists these hours (gate open and attractions the same) as of 15 October:
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday 16 October | 10:30am – 4:00pm |
| Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October | 10:00am – 5:00pm |
| Monday 19 to Thursday 22 October | 10:30am – 4:00pm |
| Friday 23 October | 10:30am – 5:00pm |
| Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October | 10:00am – 5:00pm |
| Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October | 10:30am – 4:00pm |
Sea World says opening hours change between seasons and that it is closed on Anzac Day and Christmas Day. For a day in the race weekend, leave extra time for the trip in.
More guides: Gold Coast parking guide · Gold Coast 500 2026 guide
Sources
- Sea World — Park info (parking, directions, hours; checked 15 October 2026)
- Sea World — FAQ
- Supercars — Gold Coast 500 transport and traffic (traffic and transport FAQ)
- Translink — Tedder Avenue, Main Beach temporary stop closures
- Translink — Main Beach Parade, Main Beach temporary stop closures
Featured image: Sea World Australia sign, Gold Coast (photo: Telluride / CC BY-SA 3.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Sea World, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Supercars or Translink. Arrangements can change; check the official pages above before you travel.