JW Marriott Gold Coast launches new adventure centre
The new JW Adventure Centre Water Cave at JW Marriott Gold Coast brings conservation and Indigenous storytelling to the resort’s young guests
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa has unveiled the Water Cave, Gwongbah, JW Adventure Centre, a new immersive experience designed to connect young guests with the Gold Coast’s natural environment, wildlife and cultural heritage through play, discovery and storytelling.
Developed with support from the City of Gold Coast through its Nature Based Tourism grant program, the new JW Adventure Centre brings together marine conservation, environmental education and Indigenous storytelling, offering children a meaningful way to discover the destination beyond its beaches and traditional attractions.
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Designed for children aged 5 to 12, the experience transforms complex conservation themes into interactive activities that invite young guests to see, touch, smell and participate, with a particular focus on the Gold Coast’s sea turtles and marine ecosystems.
At its heart is a simple goal: to help children better understand the natural world, so they are inspired to care for and protect it.
The centre features a series of hands-on experiences designed to make learning playful and memorable. Help the Turtle to the Beach is an obstacle-based activity that demonstrates the challenges turtles face on their journey to nesting areas and the risks hatchlings encounter as they make their way to the ocean.
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At the Marine Scent Station, children can put their senses to the test by identifying playful ‘poop’ scents associated with local species including turtles, dugongs and pelicans, while Turtle Dig invites young explorers to uncover shells, tracks and other environmental clues beneath the sand.
All educational content has been developed in collaboration with Al Mucci, Gold Coast wildlife educator, First Nations advocate and wildlife and Indigenous relations expert, drawing on his knowledge of local wildlife, conservation and cultural connection.
Through accessible, hands-on learning, children are introduced to sea turtle biology, nesting behaviour, habitats and the human impacts affecting marine ecosystems.
Connection to Country is also woven throughout the experience, with a dedicated Story Room providing a space for Indigenous storytelling. Developed with Traditional Custodian Rory O’Connor, the experience includes The Moon Turtle Dreaming, introducing young guests to local Indigenous perspectives and the cultural significance of the land and waterways surrounding the resort.
Ravinder Dhesi, Multi-Property General Manager, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa said “The JW Adventure Centre reflects a growing focus within the resort on creating experiences that connect guests more deeply with the destination.
“By bringing together storytelling, play and environmental education, the centre aims to turn curiosity into connection, and connection into a greater sense of responsibility for the natural world.”
The project has received a $100,000 Nature Based Tourism grant from the City of Gold Coast, alongside additional investment from the resort ownership, supporting the development of a new nature-based tourism experience for families visiting the Gold Coast.
The Water Cave, Gwongbah, JW Adventure Centre is open exclusively to hotel guests aged 5 to 12 staying at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, providing families with an opportunity to discover the wildlife, ecosystems and cultural heritage that sit at the heart of the destination.
