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
- Go surfing – if you don’t have a board, borrow one from a friend or join the Facebook group ‘Buy Nothing – Gold Coast’.
- Take a dip at the Snapper Rocks rock pool and watch the impressive surfers taking on the waves.
- Head to The Spit for a fun beach day (dogs included) or to walk the jetty.
- Paddle (either on a surfboard or kayak) 300m across the Gold Coast Seaway over to South Stradbroke Island, starting at The Spit.
- Relax in a slice of paradise at Echo Beach, on the north bank of Tallebudgera Creek.
- Lean into the Gold Coast’s Glitter Strip reputation and enjoy all that Surfers Paradise has to offer.
- Climb the Miami headland for a killer view, then take your pick between beautiful Nobby and Miami for a beach day.
- See what all the fuss is about and take a visit to Burleigh – the beach is beautiful (that view? Come on) but it’s the bustling suburb that surrounds it that adds to the appeal.
- Surfing, sunbathing, fishing, or food – whatever you’re interested in, Currumbin offers it all.
- For a break from the waves, check out Broadwater Parklands.
Get active
- Try one of the many free health and fitness sessions offered by Active and Healthy Gold Coast.
- Join Cold Nips for a mid-week dip at ever-changing locations around the Gold Coast.
- Shoot hoops at one of the dozens of public basketball courts on the Gold Coast – find them right here.
- Go for a walk through the Coombabah Lake Conservation Park, a beautiful nature preserve in the northern suburbs – bushwalks and wild animals abound.
- 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).
- Spend the day at a park with a view – these are the Gold Coast parks with lookouts.
- Go for a walk or run, followed by a free gym session at one of these outdoor fitness stations.
- Grab your skateboard (or, again, find one for free on ‘Buy Nothing – Gold Coast’) and hit one of these local skateparks.
- Hike through the Burleigh Heads National Park.
- There are so many bike paths on the Gold Coast, so take a ride around town.
Go out (day or night)
- Catch a free flick at the Broadwater Parklands or the Pimpama River Parklands, part of ‘Movies under the Stars’ program.
- Go to an open mic or trivia night – we love Chameleon Lounge Bar (free) or Last Night on Earth ($10 entry, but redeemable for a drink)
- Grab your friends, some good food and a few bevs for a sunset picnic on Burleigh Hill
- Have a beach or park sports day with your friends (you can make the most of the beach volleyball courts at Mermaid Beach)
- Have a barbeque – breakfast, lunch or dinner – at one of these spots.
- Visit Miami Marketta for free live music and affordable street food on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night.
- Or head to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets for free entry and an exciting entertainment schedule (check out other great markets right here).
- Then, finish your weekend on a wholesome note with a visit to the Village Markets, which offers free live entertainment and great vibes.
- Have a fun amateur photoshoot at these beautiful photo locations around town (and beyond).
- Or perhaps, stay in? Find some free/cheap board or backyard games from friends or local marketplaces.
Get cultured
- The Gold Coast Film Festival has officially kicked off, and there are some fun, free events to take part in before it wraps up on April 30.
- Did you know that the Jellurgal Cultural Centre in Burleigh offers free entry?
- HOTA, the city’s literal ‘home of the arts’, has a great line up of free exhibitions.
- While you’re there, check out the Evandale Sculpture Walk around the lake.
- Café, bar, gallery and function space Dust Temple is well worth checking out – especially for their free exhibitions and live music sessions.
- 19Karen is a contemporary art space in Mermaid that’s not just for art aficionados.
- The Gold Coast is home to a few free music festivals, including Blues on Broadbeach (coming May 18-21) and Groundwater Country Music Festival (coming later in October).
- Love poetry? Join the group ‘Gold Coast Poets’ for free and affordable poetry events happening around the city.
- Premier art and culture festival BLEACH* returns August 3 to 13, bringing free activations and events along with it.
- Swell Sculpture Festival will bring impressive large-scale sculptures to Currumbin Beach from September 8 to 17.
Get back to nature
- Take a stroll through the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens at Benowa (make sure you check out the Butterfly Garden).
- Or head up the mountain and check out Tamborine Botanic Gardens.
- Tired of the beach? Head inland to the Currumbin Rockpools for a refreshing dip.
- See hundreds of lorikeets descend upon Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary every day at 8am and 4pm for feeding time.
- Watch for migrating whales between June and November – we recommend climbing up to the Miami or Kirra lookouts.
- Take a scenic drive through Currumbin Valley to Freeman’s Organic Farm.
- Visit the glow worm caves at Springbrook National Park (being sure to follow the basic cave rules of course).
- Chase waterfalls all the way to the Cougal Cascades in Currumbin Valley.
- Walk through the trees with O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk.
- Last but certainly not least, grab your snorkel and head out to the Kirra reef dive site.