The Kay family from Brisbane arrived at Sea World before the gates officially opened at 9.30am.
Oliver Kay said they did it to beat the crowds.
“We hope to be one of the first ones in,” he said.
Helen Kay said they wanted to support the local Gold Coast tourism industry, with the borders still closed to interstate travellers.
“We immediately booked our favourite hotel and they upgraded us to a bigger room,” she said.
“We just went out everyday and spent money with the local retailers – we’ve done a lot of shopping.”
Mr Kay said protective measures taken by the State Government helped his family feel safer.
“I personally want them to keep [the borders] closed a little longer so we can see those numbers come down again,” Mr Kay said.
Crowds are lining up outside the entrance to Sea World on the first day of theme parks reopening.
Kayne Evans from Beaudesert said his children had been looking forward to this day.
“We haven’t been here in a while and the kids have been pestering for it,” he said.
Ashton, 11, and Emma, 8, were excited for their first visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Mum just asked Emma if she wanted to go to it because it’s her birthday,” Ashton said.
“I’ve never have seen a red panda before and I really want to see it,” Emma said.
Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones welcomed guests back to Sea World in limited numbers, under government-approved COVID-19 plans.
“To be able to reopen Sea World today means thousands of their team members will be back at work, doing what they love best which is welcoming tourists to the beautiful Gold Coast,” Ms Kate Jones said.
“Come out and support the thousands of jobs that rely on us visiting them during tourism hot season,” Ms Jones said.
Village Roadshow will cap ticketing at 50 per cent of capacity and has introduced an app for guests to pre-book rides. Tickets for Currumbin must be booked online.
