50 free things to do on the Gold Coast

We know, we know – the cost-of-living convo is a serious downer. At best, it’s threatening your international travel plans; at worst, it has you wondering where you’ll move to when the lease on your already-too-expensive shoebox apartment is up. But with these 50 free things to do on the Gold Coast, you don’t have to sacrifice fun, fitness or time with friends in order to save your cash.

Hit the beach

1. Go surfing – if you don’t have a board, borrow one from a friend or join the Facebook group ‘Buy Nothing – Gold Coast’.
2. Take a dip at the Snapper Rocks rock pool and watch the impressive surfers taking on the waves.
3. Head to The Spit for a fun beach day (with your dogs in tow) or to walk the jetty.
4. Paddle (either on a surfboard or kayak) 300m across the Gold Coast Seaway over to South Stradbroke Island, starting at The Spit.
5. Relax in a slice of paradise at Echo Beach, on the north bank of Tallebudgera Creek.
6. Lean into the Gold Coast’s Glitter Strip reputation and soak up all that Surfers Paradise has to offer – both the weird and the wonderful.
7. Climb the Miami headland for a killer view, then take your pick between beautiful Nobby and Miami for a beach day.
8. Head to Burleigh to see what all the fuss is about – the beach is beautiful (that view? Come on) but the bustling suburb certainly adds to the appeal.
9. Surfing, sunbathing, fishing, or food – whatever you’re interested in, Currumbin offers it all.
10. For a break from the waves, head to the Broadwater Parklands.

Get active

1. Try one of the many free health and fitness sessions offered by Active and Healthy Gold Coast.
2. Join Cold Nips for a mid-week dip at ever-changing locations around the Gold Coast.
3. Shoot hoops at one of the dozens of public basketball courts on the Gold Coast – find them right here.
4. Go for a walk through the Coombabah Lake Conservation Park, a beautiful nature reserve in the northern suburbs. Bushwalks and wild animals abound.
5. Further south, Tarrabora and Beree-Badalla Reserves make for a nice short walk or run by the water (followed by a dip in Currumbin Creek).
6. Spend the day at a park with a view – these are the Gold Coast parks with lookouts.
7. Go for a walk or run, followed by a free gym session at one of these outdoor fitness stations.
8. Grab your skateboard (or, again, find one for free on ‘Buy Nothing – Gold Coast’) and hit one of these local skateparks.
9. Hike through the Burleigh Heads National Park. Keep your eyes up for koalas!
10. There are so many bike paths on the Gold Coast, so take a ride around town.

Go out (day or night)

1. Go to one of these trivia nights. It’s usually free to play, though you’ll need to buy a meal or a few drinks to secure your table.
2. See a live comedy set every Sunday at The Star.
3. Or pull on your boots and head to The Henchman’s free line dancing night, held in partnership with Retro Fit events.
4. Grab your friends, some good food and a few bevs for a sunset picnic on Burleigh Hill.
5. Have a beach or park sports day with your friends (you can make the most of the beach volleyball courts at Mermaid Beach).
6. Have a barbeque – breakfast, lunch or dinner – at one of these spots.
7. Visit Miami Marketta for free live music and affordable street food on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night.
8. Or head to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets for free entry and an exciting entertainment schedule (check out other great markets right here).
9. Have a fun amateur photoshoot at these beautiful photo locations around town (and beyond).
10. Or perhaps, stay in? Find some free/cheap board or backyard games from friends or local marketplaces.

Get cultured

1. Did you know that the Jellurgal Cultural Centre in Burleigh offers free entry?
2. HOTA, the city’s literal ‘home of the arts’, has a great line up of free exhibitions.
3. While you’re there, check out the sculpture walk around the lake.
4. Café, bar, gallery and function space Dust Temple is well worth checking out – especially for their free exhibitions and live music sessions.
5. Check out one of the many impressive art galleries on and around the Gold Coast.
6. The Gold Coast is home to a few free music festivals, including Blues on Broadbeach (on during May) and Groundwater Country Music Festival (taking place in October).
7. Love poetry? Join the group ‘Gold Coast Poets’ for free and affordable poetry events happening around the city.
8. Premier art and culture festival BLEACH* takes place in August, bringing free activations and events along with it.
9. Swell Sculpture Festival brings impressive large-scale sculptures to Currumbin Beach during September.
10. Catch a free flick at the Broadwater Parklands or the Pimpama River Parklands, part of ‘Movies under the Stars’ program. Note: This is a seasonal event.

Get back to nature

1. Take a stroll through the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens at Benowa (make sure you check out the Butterfly Garden).
2. Or head up the mountain and check out Tamborine Botanic Gardens.
3. Tired of the beach? Head inland to the Currumbin Rockpools for a refreshing dip.
4. See hundreds of lorikeets descend upon Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary every day at 8am and 4pm for feeding time.
5. Watch for migrating whales between June and November – we recommend climbing up to the Miami or Kirra lookouts.
6. Take a scenic drive through Currumbin Valley to Freeman’s Organic Farm.
7. Visit the glow worm caves at Springbrook National Park (being sure to follow the basic cave rules of course).
8. Chase waterfalls all the way to the Cougal Cascades in Currumbin Valley.
9. Walk through the trees with O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk.
10. Last but certainly not least, grab your snorkel and head out to the Kirra reef dive site.