Timezone Surfers Paradise named world’s best at US awards

A GOLD Coast amusement parlour has been named the best family entertainment centre in the world.

Sienna Silverstein, 5, having a blast at Timezone on the Gold Coast which was voted the world's best attraction at a gala function in the US. Pic by Luke Marsden.

A GOLD Coast amusement parlour has been named the best family entertainment centre in the world.

Timezone Surfers Paradise beat more than 40 finalists from around the globe to take out the prestigious prize, announced at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions awards ceremony in Florida on Wednesday night.

Previous winners of the award have come from Europe, Hawaii and Iceland.

The largest indoor family entertainment centre in Australia and the biggest Timezone franchise in the world, the prestigious IAAPA award is a massive coup for the Queensland business which completely reinvented an old-fashioned video arcade to become a major tourist attraction.

As well as games ranging from pinball machines to the latest 3D consoles, the Timezone centre also features laser skirmish, bumper cars, miniature golf, a vintage shooting gallery, basketball games and a bowling alley.

Owner/director Juan Uribe said looking through the eyes of a child was the key to the centre’s success.

“What motivates me is when the parents come and tell me they’ve learnt something about their kids,” he said.

However, he said the parents were just as important.

“We changed the concept to focus on families by bringing in attractions and activities rather than video games,” he said.

“Now 80 per cent of our visitors are families.”