Australian Outback Spectacular — Attraction in Gold Coast City

We had the pleasure of attending a celebration for my daughter's 22nd birthday, and I must say, the show was truly enchanting and beautiful. It transported us into the world of Australian wildlife, outback and the splendor of nature. The performance authentically depicted the hardships and struggles faced by real farmers, while also celebrating the beauty, love, and sense of community that defines their lives.

Before the main show, the pre-show entertainment provided a delightful atmosphere with feel-good music, country dancing, meet & greet horses & “red” dog - that allowed guests to immerse themselves in the experience. The venue provided ample space with plenty of tables, ensuring that everyone could find a comfortable spot to dance, stand, or sit.

The bar was impressively decorated and offered a wide variety of beverage options, including beers on tap, soft drinks for the younger guests, and refreshing cocktails. Throughout the show, guests were generously provided with free lemonade, wine (red and white), beer, and water. Tea and coffee were also served at the end of the show.

The venue was designed with accessibility in mind, as the toilets were easily located and plentiful. Furthermore, the entire venue was disability and wheelchair friendly, ensuring that all guests could fully enjoy the experience.

The food served during the show was absolutely divine. Each dish was expertly cooked, tender, and incredibly satisfying. The appetizers were not only delicious but also presented beautifully on the seating. The steak, according to a group member, was cooked to perfection and paired wonderfully with the accompanying Australian-grown vegetables. The chicken dish I had was delicate, tender, perfectly cooked, and tantalized my taste buds. The warm, crusty-edged apple pie, a quintessential Australian dish, evoked a sense of nostalgia and anticipation, reminiscent of homemade pies cooling on the windowsill.

The show, with its captivating lights, use of technology, and live performance, effectively raised awareness for the challenges and triumphs faced by Australian farmers on a daily basis. It evoked heartfelt emotions, fostered understanding, and brought joy to all in attendance. Considering everything that was offered, the show provided exceptional value for money. While opinions may vary, I must disagree with the notion that a better experience can be found elsewhere for a lower price.

The gift shop offered a wide variety of beautiful gifts and keepsakes, allowing guests to take a piece of the experience home with them.

Regarding the photo package, priced at $60, it did not provide value for our group since we took our own photos throughout the night and had declined the VIP package that included photos. However, it is important to recognize that opinions on the value of photos can vary among individuals. Rest assured, there was absolutely no pressure to purchase the package, and the staff kindly accepted our decision to decline.

The service provided by every single staff member was exceptional. They were friendly, welcoming, warm, and embodied the true spirit of hospitality that is synonymous with being Australian. Regrettably, the only negative aspect of the night was the absolute rudeness of a young individual sitting in front of us. Throughout the evening, this person chose to set up their phone and watch an entire footy game, which was even captured in some of the photos and videos. It was disheartening to witness such disrespectful behavior, especially considering they were part of a group celebrating a 50th birthday. I hope their family addresses this issue appropriately.

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the staff, chefs, waiters/waitresses, trainers, vets, and all the dedicated employees working behind the scenes. Their hard work ensures the well-being of the animals, the creation of perfectly crafted meals, and ultimately, a fantastic and memorable experience for all. Thank you, and we eagerly look forward to visiting again in the...

Nothing Spectacular: A Disappointing Experience for a Premium Price for Top Rail

I’m genuinely puzzled by the abundance of 5-star reviews. After our experience last year, I feel compelled to share what was an underwhelming and frustrating visit — especially after paying $600 for Top Rail tickets for our family of four.

Poor VIP Experience and Lack of Communication

We expected a premium experience, but the reality was far from it. Upon arrival, we approached the Top Rail queue only to be redirected to the general queue. The receptionist had to walk over to retrieve our arrival bags from the Top Rail counter. This disorganised process immediately shattered any sense of “VIP treatment.”

We were told our tickets included photo opportunities with the animals. However, once inside, we discovered this offer ended at 7 pm — just five minutes after we arrived. This crucial detail was never mentioned in the booking confirmation or any communication. The instructions on the tickets merely advised arriving one hour before showtime, with no indication of when the pre-show entertainment would end. Traveling with kids, we aimed to arrive at a reasonable time rather than too early. Had we been properly informed, we would have planned our arrival accordingly.

Inconsistent Service and Poor Seating

At the bar, we encountered long lines with no apparent dedicated queue for Top Rail guests. Then, we lined up in general admission to enter the arena, which further diminished any premium feel.

When escorted to our seats, we discovered one of us had been allocated a seat in the next column, despite our seat numbers being consecutive. Additionally, there was no option to select our seats during booking, which should be standard for a “VIP” experience.

Disappointing Food Quality

The food was, frankly, a letdown. Every course — from the pre-set tart to the main and dessert — was served cold and overcooked. Shockingly, the Top Rail section was served after the general admission rows, yet our plates were cleared first. This was far from the exclusive, high-quality dining experience promised.

Underwhelming Show and Photo Experience

While the beautiful, well-trained animals and helicopter scene were impressive, the storyline itself was dull and confusing for our kids. Instead of feeling inspired or entertained, we left feeling heavy-hearted and saddened by the portrayal of the farmers’ struggles. Even the supposed “uplifting” wedding ending did little to improve the overall experience.

To make matters worse, we received four identical photos even though we took several different shots upon arrival. The only optional photo available for purchase featured only our children — another missed detail.

Unhelpful and Dismissive Customer Service

After filling out the feedback survey, I received what felt like a generic, dismissive response. Hoping for better, I called to discuss our experience and request a refund for the Top Rail upgrade. Instead, I was met with a condescending representative who refused to transfer me to a more senior staff member.

When I tried again via email, the responses were riddled with excuses about factors supposedly beyond their control. Ultimately, they made it clear they were “disinclined” to offer any refund or compensation.

Conclusion: Poor Value for Money

For a business marketing itself as a premium experience, the Outback Spectacular has fallen far below expectations. It feels more like a cash grab than a genuine effort to provide memorable entertainment. The extra paid for the Top Rail experience is definitely not worth it.

Would you trust a business that treats its paying...

There are so many elements of this show that are actually spectacular that it is mind-blowing how subpar the experience was. Here’s my feedback:

EDITED TO ADD: There is a huge missed opportunity of working with First Nations to tell a shared story. The First Nations people of Australia are experts in fire and water and story-telling. They have over 60,000 years of history to draw from. I was very sad to not see them included in the show other than a tokenistic video at the beginning. Even as a New Zealander I could tell how lacking the show was in their history.

1. they should apologise to the cows that the steaks came from. You can get better Australian steak at the supermarket and cook it yourself. The meals were a 2/5 star pub meal attempting to be something more.

2. the audience didn’t know when to applaud so there was no energy coming from the audience. It made it a very stagnant and bored atmosphere despite the amazing performances. I would recommend an MC or ring-master to hype the crowd and give them cues as to when acts are beginning and ending. Our crowd was mostly an Australian audience… maybe Australians just don’t like and appreciate their fellow Australians?

3. The big finale acts were interrupted by plate-clearing after dinner service. Absolutely shocking. The staff have to serve from in front of you due to the poor seating design, so they block your view when they come to do anything. The cardinal rule of dinner service is to serve from behind on the right and clear from behind on the left, interrupting your guests as little as possible. At the very least change plate-clearing to a better time.

4. The show isn’t planned to have lights on while you eat so you may have to eat your dinner in the dark. The audience was all ages so it was chaos.

5. There is a long and convoluted storyline and a lot of talking. The story either needs to be re-written or cut entirely. This isn’t Les Miserables on broadway. Less is more. The performances are amazing and the plodding story diminishes them.

6. The misogyny is everywhere, all the time. Just get rid of it.

7. the bad jokes which are often very inappropriate for an all-ages audience. One was “size matters!” Um… no. No it doesn’t.

8. The actor for Bazza was the most charismatic but the character itself was very annoying and scenes were too long. There was so much Australiana in these scenes that my American partner didn’t understand 80% of it.

9. The aerial acts during the wedding scene… The serial artists looked nervous making me wonder if they are not trained aerial artists and I was disappointed that they weren’t a full aerial silks act.

10. Someone came to try to sell us photos mid-show while there was a performance on. It smells of desperation for money.

11. The performers were all incredible and they should be very proud of their work. It made me sad for them that the audience...