Prepare to be AMAZEd and challenged when you visit the popular family-friendly Amaze World on the Sunshine Coast.
Amaze World on the Sunshine Coast
Amaze World is a place where you can find everything from mazes and puzzles, to mini golf, a playground, waterplay and more, all in a tranquil tropical rainforest setting.
Since it first opened in 1993 as Bellingham Maze, the venue has changed and grown over the years, and is now happily known as Amaze World.
As soon as you leave the carpark you will be faced with your first challenge – will you and your guests be able to enter through the tunnel without getting wet from the waterfall trickling above you?
Mazes at Amaze World
Hedge Maze
The main attraction at Amaze World is of course the massive (80m x80m) Lilly Pilly star-hedge maze that commands your attention and challenges even the most avid maze goer.
After entering the maze guests will work their way around the laneways of neatly trimmed hedges to eventually arrive at the centre of the maze. When you reach the centre be sure to climb the steps to the platform and snap a selfie of your victory.
You can then view the entire maze from up above and plan your exit route.
Other than just strolling through the maze in the sunshine, there are several other ways to enhance your adventure including quizzes and augmented reality.
Upon entering Amaze World, collect your quiz sheets and pencil, to add a fun element when conquering the hedge maze.
The Harry Potter Quiz asks guests to locate letters on hidden coloured posts throughout the maze. You are then required to jot down these letters, do some decoding and complete a find-a-word, all in the hope of solving the phrase.
If you have a device with you, why not download the Amaze World app and fire up the augmented reality (AR) feature. As you work your way through the hedge maze, scan the icons to activate the enchanted creatures hiding within the maze.
Word of warning – this maze is tall and would be easy for little ones to become lost and distressed, so please accompany small children at all times when inside the maze.
BRISBANE KIDS TOP TIP
Brisbane Kids recommends preparing for a lengthy stint winding through the hedges. Plan ahead with toilet stops and weather-appropriate attire (hats, sunscreen or gumboots) before entering the maze.
Timber Maze
Next to the main hedge maze you will find the timber maze, which consists of timber walls which all look the same. Your job is to find your way from one end to the other in record time. Maybe you could use a timer to see who can reach the exit the quickest!
Tyre Maze
Challenging yourself at the tyre maze may require some time and patience. Guests are invited to work their way from the starting red plank to the large centre tyre, by always moving forward and stepping onto a new tyre each time.
The catch is – you have to follow a particular colour sequence – red, blue, green, red, blue, green etc. Will you be clever enough to get to the centre?
Rope Maze
If your child doesn’t love the big hedge maze and finds the timber maze claustrophobic, then perhaps they will enjoy the rope maze. There are no walls, and it’s shaded by a shade sail, providing a unique challenge to those willing to give it a go.
The premise is simple, you find a rope of a particular colour (purple, green, red or blue) clip it onto yourself. Then clip the other end of the rope to the corresponding-coloured rope.
You then need to work your way from one end of the rope to the other, ducking, weaving, and stepping over the other coloured ropes until you finally arrive back at your starting post.
Toddler Maze
Near the playground you will find a very colourful maze which is suited to the younger children. The walls are colourful, there is a small tunnel but best of all it is not too big. The panels are placed off the ground, so children (and adults) can climb under should a child panic and want to escape via a short cut.
Additional Puzzles and Maze
Courtesy of the upgrades in March 2024, there are now even more mazes and puzzles to test and entertain visitors.
Situated around the outside edge of the main hedge maze are several challenging floor puzzles. Designed with older children and adults in mind, these new additions will have you scratching your head while seeking the answer, of which there is only one!
Many require you to move around in a particular manner (eg. only turning right) or progressing from one entry point to another following a particular colour sequence. Like the saying goes, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!!’
Other Activities at Amaze World
Mini Golf
When you are ready for a change of pace enjoy a round of mini golf on the 18-hole (Par 2) putt putt course. While the course is flat and relatively simple, there are some obstacles (big rocks) which could stand in the way of you scoring a hole in one!
A variety of clubs are available at the start of the course, as are golf balls. Scorecards and pencils can be collected from the desk at the entrance. And the best part is, it is included in your admission so you can play as many games as you like!
Just don’t forget to let other people join in the fun and try and score the elusive hole in one.
Playground and Water Play
Brisbane Kids will be drawn to the colourful playground that proudly stands in the picnic area at Amaze World. Boasting climbing opportunities, a tunnel slide, rope tunnels and a fabulous platform up high so little adventurers can look out over the picnic area.
Adjacent to the playground is a small water play area with jets and misting features, which can be turned on with the press of a button. It is bound to be popular on those hot summer days.
A party pavilion, covered picnic tables, mini golf, the toddler maze, lawn games and toilet facilities can also be found in the area surrounding the playground, making it an ideal spot to sit back, relax and fuel up before heading back into the mazes.
Lawn Games
The picnic area and play area are a great place to relax and watch the kids play. A few fun lawn games are dotted about the area and can be a fun activity to engage in when you want to rest tired legs. Will you be able to score ‘four in a row’ or be crowned the towering legend in a game of mega Jenga.
Puzzles
From the minute you exit your car you will be presented with a variety of puzzles which aim to challenge and amuse visitors. The question is are you clever enough to solve them all?
Café at Amaze World
Amaze World has a small cafe serving hot and cold drinks as well as snacks and ice creams, which is located not too far from the playground. You will also find the ticket office at the cafe, so why not grab a snack and fuel up before you tackle the mazes.
Amaze World features
- Hedge maze
- Maze viewing deck
- Timber maze
- Tyre maze
- ‘Floor’ puzzles
- Playground
- Waterplay
- Lawn games
- 18-hole mini golf
- Café
- Picnic tables
- Party pavilion
- Grassed area for picnics
- Free car parking
- Accessible toilet facilities
Accessibility at Amaze World
There are two car park areas, and overflow beside the road, with one area being bitumen and the other gravel.
After recent upgrades to the entrance and pathways, Amaze World is now fully accessible, with an entryway bridge and sealed paths making it easy to navigate with a wheelchair, pram or stroller.
Accessible toilet facilities are available at Amaze World near the playground area and there are plenty of shaded picnic tables in this area, the café area and in the viewing area overlooking the hedge maze.
Many of the mazes would be wide enough for prams and wheelchairs, though it could get cramped with people trying to pass you in busy times, so perhaps opt for quieter periods.
What We Thought of Amaze World
Our family loves a maze and we have been to many of them in our time, so our expectations were high. I am proud to report that Amaze World did not disappoint.
The kids loved the freedom of entering the mazes as often as they liked and also enjoyed playing mini golf.
Miss 8 and her friend preferred the rope maze and spent a long time trying out the different colours, ducking and weaving under the ropes to make their way to the end.
The more energetic Mr 10 and his friend revelled in dashing about the big hedge maze to see who could reach the middle first.
As for the dads, they spent waaaay too long (> 20 minutes) trying to work out the tyre maze and would not leave until they solved it. There was much deliberation, trial and error, theories and tactical meetings trying to work out how to get from the start to the centre tyre using the red, blue, green sequence and thankfully, in the end they made it!
Recent renovations and updates at Amaze World
IMAGE CREDIT: Amaze World
In March 2024, Amaze World completed the revitalisation of its iconic Dutch windmill. Standing at 13m high, the windmill has undergone significant improvements to provide visitors with an enhanced experience.
Aside from the windmill renovation, there are also several new floor puzzles and a maze to be enjoyed, as well as a new entryway, bridge and upgraded paths throughout the attraction.
A new commercial kitchen for the cafe top off this update, making it a refreshed and exciting new experience for all visitors – even if you’ve visited before.
Tickets, Group Bookings and Parties
It is advisable to book your tickets online at Amaze World, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend or during the school holidays.
If it is a group booking, excursion or party you are interested in, then call the friendly staff for associated costs and booking details.
While You are in the Area
It would be easy to spend half a day at Amaze World, exploring the mazes, solving puzzles and relaxing in the tropical rainforest environment.
Before or after your ‘amazing’ adventure why not visit the nearby (under 10min drive) Aussie World theme park.
And when you are peckish, relax and have a bite to eat at the seriously bright and quirky Banana Bender Pub, located right beside Aussie World. If you have visitors from overseas this pub would make the perfect place to visit.
Why not make these and other wonderful Sunshine Coast attractions part of your next day trip or a fun outing on a coastal holiday.
How to Get to Amaze World
Amaze World in located at 274 Tanawha Tourist Drive, Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast, not far from the Bruce Highway between the Mooloolaba and Forest Glen exits.
274 Tanawha Tourist Drive, Tanawha 4556
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