Free things to do · Gold Coast · Australia
7 free things to do in Gold Coast
Gold Coast without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lewi Hirvela, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Gold Coast without paying an entry fee: Surfers Paradise Beach, Burleigh Head National Park, Snapper Rocks and Point Danger and HOTA, Home of the Arts are all free. Beaches, Burleigh Head National Park and the hinterland walks are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 1
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–March, May–June, August and October
Free sights and experiences
Beach · Surfers Paradise
1.Surfers Paradise Beach
Swim between the red-and-yellow flags; rips are common, and the flags move with conditions each day.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
Nature · Burleigh Heads
2.Burleigh Head National Park
Walk the coastal track in the early morning, then grab breakfast on James Street.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Viewpoint · Coolangatta
3.Snapper Rocks and Point Danger
Bring binoculars between June and November; Point Danger is one of the best spots to watch whales from land.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
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Gallery · Bundall
4.HOTA, Home of the Arts
Come on Sunday morning for the farmers' market in the grounds, then visit the gallery.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Free
Nature · Main Beach
5.The Spit and Federation Walk
Walk out to the end of the seaway wall at high tide to watch boats come in through the channel.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Coolangatta
6.Kirra Beach
Watch the surfers from the Kirra Hill lookout, which also has wide coastal views.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Burleigh Heads
7.Tallebudgera Creek
Go at high tide on the incoming flow, when the water is clearest; avoid swimming on a fast outgoing tide.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Surfers Paradise | Surfers Paradise Beach | Half a day |
| Burleigh Heads | Burleigh Head National Park and Tallebudgera Creek | 1–1.5 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Coolangatta | Snapper Rocks and Point Danger and Kirra Beach | 1–2 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Bundall | HOTA, Home of the Arts | 2 hours |
| Main Beach | The Spit and Federation Walk | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Zoo · Burleigh Heads
David Fleay Wildlife Park
Time your visit for the keeper talks and the nocturnal house, where you can see gliders and other night animals.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Beaches, Burleigh Head National Park and the hinterland walks are free.
- Multi-park theme-park passes cost much less per day than single tickets if you visit more than one park.
- Self-catering apartments are widely available and save on meals for families.
- Travel outside school holidays and Schoolies week for noticeably lower rates.
- Free electric barbecues in beachfront parks make for a cheap dinner.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Gold Coast expensive to visit?
Gold Coast is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Gold Coast?
Surfers Paradise Beach: Swim between the red-and-yellow flags; rips are common, and the flags move with conditions each day.