Brisbane and the Gold Coast can be expensive when you add up theme parks and tours, but the region also has an unusual amount of free, high-quality things to do. A smart mix of free days and a few paid highlights keeps costs sensible.
Free in Brisbane: South Bank
The parklands are the centrepiece. Entry is free, and so is the swimming at the lagoon beach, the gardens, the playgrounds and the river walks. Pack a picnic, or buy simple food from the cafes. Spend a morning here and you have a full, free day.
Free galleries
The Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art are next door and free to enter apart from special exhibitions, which carry a charge. They are a good option for a hot or wet afternoon, and the gardens and river outside are free too.
Free views
Mount Coot-tha is Brisbane's best free panorama. The lookout is open around the clock, and the Botanic Gardens on the same hill are free to wander. Go late in the afternoon for the sunset over the city, and allow time to walk some of the bushland tracks. For a river view of the Story Bridge, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the cliff-top parkland cost nothing, and they are lovely at night.
A free tour
The City Hall clock tower tour is free but must be booked, with a ticket for every member of your group. It takes about fifteen minutes, runs through the day, and includes a ride in a heritage cage lift and a view over the CBD. It is not suitable for everyone, so read the accessibility notes first, and note that it may be cancelled on very hot days.
Cheap travel
The river is the best-value sightseeing route. A CityCat or ferry ride on the Brisbane River costs only public transport fares, which makes it the cheapest cruise in town. Translink fares and offers change, so check the current fare structure and use a go card or a contactless bank card. On the Gold Coast, the light rail along the Gold Coast Highway links Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and is an easy way to avoid parking costs.
Free on the Gold Coast
The beaches are the main attraction, and patrolled sand at Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and other spots costs nothing. Walk the foreshore, watch the surf and swim between the flags. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is paid, but its shows and lorikeet feeding are included, so it gives good value for a full day. Many beaches have free barbecues and picnic areas, but parking can cost money in busy areas, so use the light rail where you can.
Where to spend, and where to save
Spend on the experiences you will remember: the Story Bridge climb, one theme park day, the SkyPoint deck at sunset or a hinterland tour. Save by choosing one park rather than three, looking at multi-park or multi-day passes if you really want more, travelling outside school holidays and booking tickets online in advance. A guided tour can also save money on transport and parking if you would otherwise hire a car for the day.
Budget stays
The ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street is our budget pick in the CBD, close to the Queen Street Mall and the river. On the coast, midweek rates are often lower than weekends, and apartment rooms with kitchens help you save on meals.
Free events and markets
Both cities run seasonal festivals, outdoor markets and beachfront events, many of them free. Check the Brisbane and Gold Coast tourism sites for what is on during your dates, and do not assume a festival is free until you have read the details, since some events charge for entry or for particular sessions. Libraries, public gardens and the riverside paths are always good fallbacks on a tight budget.
A sample free day
Start with swimming and a picnic at South Bank, walk through the free galleries, take the clock tower tour if you have booked it, then ride a CityCat along the river and finish with sunset at Mount Coot-tha. That is a full day in Brisbane without paying for a single ticket.
