25 Things To Do For Under $25

Gold Coast is the kind of place where you don't need to break the bank to have an amazing experience. There's a huge variety of free activities, cheap eats and affordable fun. From natural beauty to affordable attractions, we've scoured the city to find the best things to do for under $25 so you can have the best time on a budget. 

1. What’s raucous, rainbow coloured and can fly? The rowdy rainbow lorikeets that you can feed at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary every day. While you need a ticket to see the more exotic animals here, it’s free of charge to enter the gift shop and lorikeet feeding area, where hundreds of these parrots congregate every morning at 8am and every afternoon at 4pm. A gold coin donation will get you a plate of nectar to feed them and these curious, cheeky parrots will land on your head and hands to get a taste.

2. All you need is a packed lunch and a picnic blanket for the perfect free activity on the Gold Coast. We’re blessed with many picturesque picnic spots to enjoy an alfresco meal in nature. Take your pick from lush hinterland locations, creekside settings or beautiful beaches.  

3. Throw in a line at some of the best local fishing spots – no boat required. If you’re lucky, you might catch yourself some free dinner too!   

4. For 10 days every September, Currumbin Beach is transformed into an incredible outdoor art gallery where large-scale sculptures line the shore and beachfront parklands for SWELL Sculpture Festival. Combine it with a swim in the sea and a stroll along the sand for a magical experience that doesn't cost a cent - extra wow factor if you visit at sunrise. SWELL Sculpture Festival runs from September 11 - 20 in 2026.

5. Treat yourself to some old-fashioned fun with round of mini golf at Putt Putt in Mermaid Beach ( adults $22 | kids $18). Choose from three themed 18-hole courses nestled in a labyrinth of tropical gardens and putt your way around waterways, motorised obstacles and creative courses that are fun for everyone.

6. Our beaches aren't the only beautiful swimming spots on the Gold Coast. Head inland to discover some incredible fresh water swimming holes and rock pools deep in the rainforest. 

7. The Gold Coast rivals Melbourne when it comes to our cafe culture and we’re calling it – our baristas are better! Grab yourself a hot cup of takeaway coffee (and maybe a pastry too) to enjoy with ocean views, sea breezes and a beach walk. A quintessential Gold Coast experience for under $10. 

8. The Gold Coast’s HOTA Gallery is the largest public gallery outside a capital city in Australia and is absolutely free to visit for a fabulous cultural experience. The spectacular contemporary gallery features inspiring and through provoking exhibitions across many mediums, a dedicated childrens’ gallery with interactive displays and incredible views across the whole Gold Coast from the top floor.

9. Weekend markets on the Gold Coast are nothing short of awesome and whether you’re looking to fill your basket with fresh produce or browse stalls filled with fashion, jewellery, accessories and homewares, we’ve got you covered. Spend your $25 on snacks or hunt for some bargains, before enjoying some live tunes in the sunshine.

10.  You can find free, live music and good vibes every Wednesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday at Miami Marketta. Four evenings a week this street food market and local laneway dining experience comes to life with vendors, visitors and talented musicians who will sing while you enjoy your supper. Sample some entrees and enjoy a frosty beverage for under $25.

11. If you’ve got a full tank of petrol and packed lunch, you can have a lot of fun for very little cash on a road trip. Just you and the open road, adventures ahead of you and your worries left behind. The Gold Coast is an ideal home base to explore south east Queensland and northern NSW – here are a few of our favourite day trips.

12. Free festival fun! The Gold Coast is home to some epic annual events and many come at absolutely zero cost to those who attend. Check out Blues on Broadbeach (May), Groundwater Country Music Festival (October), Cooly Rocks On (June). Enjoy free music and amazing performances from local and international acts on the streets, beaches and parks of our sunny city.

13. Head to the park at Point Danger where you can straddle the border between Queensland and New South Wales, standing with one foot in each state. There’s a monument to mark the spot and not only does it make a great souvenir snap of your Gold Coast holiday, but this elevated headland is an ideal spot to watch the waves and surfers below and marvel at beautiful views of the surrounding coastline.

14. Did you know all public transport fares on the Gold Coast cost just 50c per journey, no matter how far you travel? Explore the city on bus, train or the G:Link tram for less that a dollar. 

15. You can't beat fish n' chips on Burleigh Hill for an iconic Gold Coast experience. Head to Fishmongers or Red Hot Cod in Burleigh for takeaway, and enjoy a seafood feast on the grassy slope on Goodwin Terrace as the sunsets.

16. Play, climb, slide, skip, spin and swing the day away. There are endless hours of free fun to be had on the many amazing playgrounds found all across the Gold Coast.  

17. The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a unique eco adventure that takes you up into the canopy for a birds eye view of ancient rainforest, towering trees and natural beauty. The 1.5km walk traverses a combination of forest floor trails, 300m of steel bridges and bridge that soars 30 metres above the creek and bushland below. Tickets are $21.50 for adults and $10.50 for kids (under 5s are free). 

18. $24 is the cost of entry for one adult to the Gold Coast Motor Museum (seniors are $18 and kids under 13 are free). The museum showcases an impressive private collection of 75 beautifully restored cars and bikes from 1900 through to 1988, as well as horse-drawn buggies, old pushbikes and peddle cars and other relics of history, from telephones to tools and the finest period fashion. The museum has been designed to evoke memories and inspire great stories and is a fascinating look at life before the digital age. 

19. Head to HOTA Cinema where you can see arthouse, independent and international films alongside select mainstream releases for just $15.50 a ticket. (HOTA members pay just $10!)

20. One of the best ways to explore a new destination is on two feet. Stretch your legs and get to know some truly beautiful parts of the Gold Coast on foot. Choose from easy nature walks (suitable to do with kids) or more hardcore hikes for those who love a challenge.

21. There’s a whole other side of the Gold Coast to explore – the underwater world. Our fair city features some amazing snorkelling sites including islands, wrecks and reefs that are easily accessible from the beach. Grab a mask and fins and get out there!

22. Who doesn’t love a sundowner? A refreshing, cold beverage enjoyed at the end of the day, as dusk paints the sky pretty colours. An excellent venue to enjoy a sundowner is on the balcony of one of our iconic surf clubs. There’s one in just about every beachside suburb along the coast and they all have well priced food and beverage options, plus open air balconies to enjoy the views. Some favourites include Currumbin, Rainbow Bay, Palm Beach, Kurrawa, Tallebudgera, Burleigh and North Burleigh.

23. 13 times a year there’s a magical show put on by Mother Nature – full moonrise over the Pacific Ocean. If you’ve never experienced it before, you’re in for a treat. It’s a stunning sight, the moon peeking it’s face over the horizon, it’s rosy glow reflected in the water. Here are some of the best spots on the Gold Coast from which to view this spectacle on a clear evening. 

24. If you like chasing waterfalls you've come to the right place. The Gold Coast has some stunners! Some of them require a hike to access but Curtis Falls in Mount Tamborinen is a 500m walk through the bush to a magical grotto of waterfall wonder. 

25. Pedal power can get you a long way on the Gold Coast and exploring by bike is a brilliant way to see the city. There’s a trail, track, road or pathway for every kind of cyclist on the Gold Coast from toddler-terrors on training wheels to lycra-clad long-distance athletes. Hire a bike and go for a cruise along the flat, beachside cycleway that runs from Burleigh to Main Beach, with pit stops to visit the beautiful beaches or nearby cafes along the way.

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