It is a dream for many to visit the Gold Coast, Australia, for the first time and explore all its beauty. But, with a budget constraint, most of the time, people just cannot afford such luxury. The good news is we’re here to help you with that. Just grab your map and try out these free things to do in Gold Coast!
1. Where is Gold Coast?
Gold Coast is a metropolitan city located on Australia’s east coast, in Queensland. It might not be as famous as Sydney or Melbourne, but it’s still one of the most popular tourist destinations not only in Australia but in the entire world. This beautiful place is full of amazing beaches, historic sites, and attractions, the most famous being the Gold Coast theme parks.
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2. Free Things To Do in Gold Coast
Witnessing The Magnificent Sighting of Humpback Whales
Gold Coast is a great place to see whales in their natural habitat since it has the longest whale-watching season. You can go on a whale-watching tour with one of the many different operators, or you can choose to go by yourself. It is one of the best free things to do in Gold Coast you must do!
Just be sure to follow the safety guidelines set by the Australian Marine Wildlife Foundation if you go solo. The best places to get the view of this magnificent creature on the Gold Coast for free are:
- The Spit
- Point Danger Lookout
- Burleigh Hill
- Elephant Rock
Price: Free To Go On Your Own
Being One With Nature at The Regional Botanic Gardens
The Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens are a great place to connect with nature. With over 31 hectares of land to explore, the gardens offer a variety of landscapes to enjoy, from lush gardens and woodlands to open wetlands.
There are also several trails to take advantage of, making it easy to get around and explore all the gardens. In addition, the gardens are home to various plant and animal life, providing a chance to see some of the region’s most beautiful flora and fauna up close. Visit Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens to relax and learn about nature for free.
Price: Free Entry
Hiking Through The Coolest Walking Trails
Hiking benefits your mind, body, and spirit. It’s a chance to escape the daily grind and relax. Fresh air and beautiful sights might help cleanse your thoughts. It’s also a fantastic workout. It is one of the best free things to do in Gold Coast you must do!
You’ll discover the right track, whether you want a leisurely walk or a heart-pumping workout. So grab your map and explore these awesome Gold Coast walking trails for free:
- Tamborine Mountain
- Nerang National Park
- Currumbin Border Trail
- Lamington National Park
- Coomera Parkrun
- Koala Track
- Surfers Paradise Esplanade
Price: Free To Go On Your Own
Riding The Best Gold Coast Waves
What is the fun of Gold Coast if you don’t surf? Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a complete beginner, it is the perfect place to catch some waves. With the “6-week Surf & Wellness program”, you can even surf the Gold Coast waves for free!
Starting on 19 October, this program offers participants the opportunity to learn how to surf, as well as enjoy the many other benefits that come with being in the water. With experienced instructors, this program is perfect for those looking to improve their surfing skills or simply want to enjoy the waves in a safe and fun environment.
Price: Surf For Free With The “6-week Surf and Wellness program for men” This October
Watching Sunrise & Sunset At The Gold Coast Seas For Free
Nothing is more magical than watching the sunrise and sunset over the sea. The colors of the sky change from a deep blue to a bright orange and red, and the waves sparkle in the light.
The Gold Coast is the perfect place to experience this natural wonder for free. With its long sandy beaches and clear blue waters, the Gold Coast is a paradise for beach lovers. Soak up the sun during the day and watch the stars come out at night! Save your spot at these places for the best view:
- Tallebudgera
- Moonlight Crag
- Main Beach
- Snapper Rocks
- Currumbin
- Burleigh Hill
- Surfers Paradise
Price: Free
Swimming in Free Gold Coast Waterfalls
Swimming in a waterfall is an exhilarating experience. The rushing water creates a natural massage that can relax and rejuvenate your body. And the best part is that you can find waterfalls of all sizes in Gold Coast – from small ones that you can splash around to large ones that you can dive into.
It is one of the best free things to do in Gold Coast you must do! Free yourself from the daily grind with these Gold Coast waterfalls for free:
- Elabana Falls
- Cronan Creek Cascades
- Cedar Creek Falls
- Killen Falls
- Cougal Cascades
- Twin Falls
- Unicorn Falls
Price: Free
Cycling Along The Coast
Enjoy the free feeling of the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin as you cycle along the coast of many beautiful Gold Coast beaches. Take in the stunning views of the ocean as you go, and maybe even stop for a swim if you fancy it.
There’s no need to spend any money on this activity, as you can bring your bike. If you don’t have one, you can hire a bike for $35. So why not give these Gold Coast cycling trails a go?
- Gold Coast Oceanway
- Currumbin Valley
- The Hinze Dam
- Nerang Mountain Bike Trails
- Boomerang Farm Bike Park
- Upper Coomera Adventure Parklands
Price: Free If You Have A Bike or Hire A Bike For $35/Full Day
Browsing Through The Flea & Street Markets
There’s something special about flea markets. Maybe it’s the feeling of finding a hidden gem or the sense of community that comes with browsing through stalls full of unique items.
Whatever the appeal, Gold Coast’s flea markets shouldn’t be missed. And the best part is, you’re free not to buy anything. Just enjoy browsing and chatting with the friendly stallholders. You might even find yourself leaving with a new favorite trinket or two at these awesome flea markets:
- Carrara Markets
- Desert Digs Vintage Markets
- Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
- Miami Marketta
- The Village Markets
- Gold Coast Art And Craft Markets
- HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets
Price: Free To Browse
Lorikeets Feeding
If you’re looking for a fun and unique birdwatching experience, look no further than Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary! Home to colorful lorikeets, this sanctuary is a must-visit for any bird lover. And best of all, entry is free with a gold coin donation for the feeding experience!
Price: Free Performance With a Small Donation For Feeding
Picnicking With A View
What could be more perfect than a picnic with a view? Spread out a blanket and enjoy the scenery while enjoying some delicious food. Pack a few sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, and you’re all set! And don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the memories!
It is one of the best free things to do in Gold Coast you must do! Grab your map and bring your loved ones to these free Gold Coast picnic spots:
- Evandale Parklands
- Wavebreak Island
- Lamington National Park
- Unicorn Falls
- The Hinterland
- Tallebudgera Creek Park
- Doug Jennings Park
- Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
Price: Only Cost You The Food Expense
Enriching Your Cultural Knowledge
You’re missing out if you haven’t visited the Jellurgal Cultural Centre in Burleigh Heads. This is the perfect place to learn more about the local Aboriginal culture. On your free tour, you can explore the stunning Indigenous artwork and learn about the native Yugambeh People on Gold Coast.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about the local Aboriginal culture or simply want to experience it first-hand, the Jellurgal Cultural Centre is the perfect place to start.
Price: Free Entry
Letting Your Creativity Run Wild at HOTA
HOTA – Home of the Arts in Surfers Paradise, is a great place to get creative and appreciate many cool artists’ overall visions for free. And best of all, most art exhibitions here are free, so you can enjoy the arts without breaking the bank.
Price: Free Entry
Diving Into Any Gold Coast Beach For Free
With over 57 kilometers of coastline, the Gold Coast boasts some of Queensland’s best beaches. One of the best ways to experience the beaches in this city is to jump into one of them for free simply.
Let the water wash over you and feel the sand between your toes as you soak up the sun and the incredible views. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your towel and head on down to these Gold Coast beaches:
- Main Beach
- Broad Beach
- Surfers Paradise
- Tallebudgera Creek
- Burleigh Heads Rock Pools
- Rainbow Bay Beach
- Mermaid Beach
- Home of the Arts (HOTA) Swimming Lagoon
- Ian Dipple Lagoon
Price: Free
Make cheers
One brewery at a time, savor the booming craft beer scene in this city. In Currumbin, Balter Brewing, Miami’s Lost Palms Brewing Co., or Surfers Paradise’s Sandbar.
Price: It is not free, but you’ll need about $15 for a beverage (or two).
Drinks and a show
Your Friday, Saturday and Wednesday nights have improved. Visit Miami Marketta at 4 p.m. for delectable street cuisine and a sunset viewing.
As you enter this culinary paradise, you’ll smell everything from tapas to French crepes and gelato. The atmosphere is set by live music, making this the ideal place to spend a late night.
Price: It does depend on how ravenous you are.
Visit David Fleay Wildlife Park: Unmissable place to visit on the Gold Coast
At the David Fleay Wildlife Park, meet Wally the platypus, say hi to a bilby, and get up and personal with a friendly lizard.
When you take a stroll through the natural ecosystems of this wildlife park with a twist, you nearly feel like you’re out in the wild yourself. Take your time spotting Queensland’s native animals as they roam around, enjoying life in their naturalistic enclosures. Their theory, pioneered by man himself, is that animals should be housed in similar conditions to their original environment.
Price: The cost of admission for adults is only about $21.50.
Check out Queensland’s surfing museum: One of the best places to visit on the Gold Coast
If your life’s mantra is “sun, sand, and surf,” you just must visit Surf World, Queensland’s only surfing museum.
View Australia’s greatest collection of surfboards to gain insight into how design and technology have changed from the early 1930s to the present. Along with excellent photography capturing early surf scenes and the evolving beach culture, there are also artworks and collectibles related to surfing on display.
Price: Adults can enter for just $10. Oh, and parking is free as well.
Enjoy a nature spa
When you take a dip in the Currumbin Rock Pools, you can experience the feeling of being pampered without spending a lot of money. It is one of the best free things to do in Gold Coast you must do!
The drive to this natural spa, which is located in the verdant Currumbin Valley, is soothing in and of itself as you pass lovely farms, gardens, cottages, and local fruit stands.
Price: Free
Cinema and lights
Visit the Nerang Cineplex to see the newest drama or gripping thriller. You won’t ever have to choose between popcorn, Skittles, or a choc-top again, thanks to tickets that are as cheap as chips because you can eat the lot without it costing you an arm and a leg.
Price: Budget Adults can get by on Tuesdays for $6.50 throughout the week and $8.50 on the weekends.
- Location: 52 Price St, Nerang QLD 4211, Australia
Go home or Go bare
It’s no secret that this traditional pastime has had a resurgence as participants from all around the state remove their shoes to participate.
So gather your friends—hell, even your grandparents—and head over to the Burleigh Heads Bowls Club on a Sunday.
Price: $5 for each person, but set aside some extra cash for a few drinks. Reservations are required. It is that well-liked.
Food in great outdoors
A BBQ by the beach is the epitome of Australia. The best outdoor BBQ locations offer mouthwatering vistas while you eat lunch or dinner.
Do you prefer cheese and crackers more? Set up a picnic at the lovely Gold Coast Botanic Gardens or at Point Lookout in Burleigh Head National Park by bringing a blanket and a basket of treats (where you can watch the sunset behind the coastline).
Price: Whatever you want to spend on food.
Quit bitting your sweet tooth
If you have a sweet craving, there is nothing better than trying a scoop or two of the creamy bliss at Coolangatta’s Gelato Messina. With a staggering 40 freshly churned flavors, five of which are weekly specials waiting to be enjoyed.
You’ll quickly see why the southside of the Gold Coast reveres these individuals as its gelato gods. The price for one scoop is $4.80.
Go for a swing
Who needs a golf course when you can tee off for a fun-filled day at Holey Moley Surfers Paradise, Putt Putt Mermaid Beach, or King Tuts Putt Putt?
You’ll find spinning windmills, eerie mansions, and glow-in-the-dark caves instead of verdant meadows and sand dunes, as well as mummies, King Kong, and a baby dinosaur.
Price: With adult passes starting at $15 for one course, you might as well acquire three courses for a maximum price of $23 to maximize your savings.
Don’t miss stand-up paddleboard
From Currumbin Creek’s Boatshed, you may rent a SUP (stand-up paddleboard, for those who don’t know) for 1.5 hours. Once you get to Tallebudgera Creek, you can proceed.
Price: For 1.5 hours, $20.
Run forward
On the Gold Coast, being outside is the greatest option. Bring your best running or walking shoes and hit the coastal sidewalks. It is one of the best free things to do in Gold Coast you must do!
Price: Free
3. Extra Tips to Save Money on Gold Coast
- Plan and book everything for your trip in advance
- Get coupons from Gold Coast tourist magazines
- Shop with only Early Bird and Happy Hour deals
- Explore the coast on your own with our comprehensive list of free things to do in Gold Coast
- Cut down on unnecessary expenses
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