Free Things to Do on the Gold Coast: Beach, Parks and Wildlife

The Gold Coast's greatest free asset is its 57-kilometre stretch of beach, accessible at dozens of points from Coolangatta in the south to The Spit at Main Beach in the north. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has a free daily lorikeet feeding session at certain times, though general entry to the sanctuary carries a fee. The Broadwater Parklands at Southport and Biggera Waters offer waterside parks with no entry cost. Burleigh Head National Park and the hinterland parks at Springbrook and Tamborine Mountain are free to enter, with paid parking at some trailheads. The Gold Coast Arts Centre (Home of the Arts, HOTA) runs free events and gallery exhibitions alongside its ticketed program.