10 Free Things to do on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is an amazing place to visit whilst in Australia. It’s a very popular destination with Australian’s and for good reason, there’s some great waves and almost perfect weather year round. There are plenty of activities and sights on the Gold Coast and your credit card won’t take a battering because we have 10 of the best free things to do for free:
#1 Hit the Beaches – Swim or surf at one of many Gold Coast Beaches, all free to the public. Many swimming beaches are patrolled by lifeguards and are protected from sharks but be sure you only swim between the flags.
#2 Bushwalk in the Gold Coast hinterland – All gold Coast National Parks have free entry and the views and fauna are breath-taking. You can run through an ancient rainforest, walk under a waterfall, and swim in a mountain stream without paying a cent
#3 Gold Coast Botanical Gardens – The 31 spectacular hectares of Gold Coast City’s Regional Botanic Gardens offer residents and visitors a green haven in the middle of a bustling metropolis. There’s something for everyone – horticultural display gardens, a world class sensory garden, mangroves to mountains transect displaying local species in garden settings, a native butterfly garden, rose gardens, an extensive boardwalk system around the central lake, picnic areas, children’s playground, and even an off-leash dog exercise area.
#4 Pacific Fair – Be a mall rat for a few hours and walk around the massive mall. There are 7 major stores including Myer Department Store as well as About 300 specialty retailers and a vast array of bars, restaurants, cinemas, cafes and the Food Court.
#5 Cascade Gardens & Library – Cascade Gardens is a sensational waterfront park located on the Gold Coast highway on the border of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Facilities include a library, gazebo, glass house and man made waterfall and walking tracks.
#6 Springbrook National Park and Numinbah Forest Reserve – http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=31 Springbrook National Park | Distance: 700 metres | Duration: 15-30 minutesThe name says it all. Come to Springbrook National Park to see for yourself highest lookout on Springbrook Plateau passes through some ancient Antarctic Beech forest. The lookout lives up to its name by providing a panoramic view across Mount Warning to Byron Bay and Coolangatta, though the view can also quickly disappear in the fog and mist that can suddenly roll in from the coast.
#7 Go Bush – All gold Coast National Parks have free entry and the views and fauna are breath-taking. You can run through an ancient rainforest, walk under a waterfall, and swim in a mountain stream without paying a cent.
#8 Marina Mirage - A great place for a stroll would be at the Gold Coast Spit has a great boardwalk around the marina. Enjoy the views of the sun glistening on the water housing million dollar boats. If your in the mood you can even window shop such designer boutiques as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Calvin Klein and Carla Zampatti just to name a few. Marina Mirage even has a large walk through bird avery with no admission fee.
#9 Skateparks – The Gold Coast strip has a number of free skateparks ideal for skaters, in-line skaters and bmx’ers looking for a smooth surface with bowls, ramps, roll-ins. Check out the skatepark at the end of the runway of Gold Coast Airport but phone 5581 6782 for one near you.
#10 BMX Track – There’s a BMX track on the Currumburra Road which is floodlit for nighttime riding and offers a challenging circuit. Bring some food and make a day of it using the free electric bbq’s and water fountains.
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