Free things to do with teenagers in Gold Coast

Teenagers are the hardest audience, and the Gold Coast has a decent track record with them. The beaches give them something physical, whether that is surfing, bodyboarding or just lying on the sand with friends in sight. Burleigh's Tumgun Lookout and the headland walks provide a bit of height and a view worth posting. At HOTA in Surfers, the arts precinct gives them something to look at when the weather turns, and across the border the Tweed Regional Museum at Murwillumbah adds a thoughtful option for those who like history. The secret is giving teens some say. Let them choose the beach, the walk or the cafe afterwards, and keep your own part to the lift home and a packed lunch. Independence matters at this age, so a plan that allows for a little wandering will go down better than a scheduled itinerary. Safety rules stay the same: swim between the flags and look out for each other. Free options are a good way to keep days out sociable without a bill at the end. Check each listing for what is on, since some programs are seasonal or change from week to week.

Our picks

  • Tumgun Lookout Tumgun Lookout Burleigh Heads

    Tumgun Lookout is on the Rainforest circuit in Burleigh Head National Park, a 27.6ha park managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

    ★ 4.8 (859)

  • Surfers Paradise Beach Surfers Paradise Beach Surfers Paradise

    Surfers Paradise Beach is a patrolled surf beach run by the City of Gold Coast, with a busy foreshore used by walkers, cyclists and skateboarders.

    Patrolled All year · ★ 4.7 (1,778)

  • Burleigh Heads Beach Burleigh Heads Beach Burleigh Heads

    Burleigh Heads Beach is a council-managed beach where a protected corner near the headland is often calm enough for a swim when other beaches are choppy.

    Patrolled · All-abilities access · ★ 4.7 (2,755)

  • Kirra Beach Kirra Beach Kirra

    Kirra Beach is a City of Gold Coast beach on Marine Parade, Kirra, just north of Kirra Point and Coolangatta Beach.

    Patrolled · ★ 4.8 (402)

  • HOTA, Home of the Arts HOTA, Home of the Arts Surfers Paradise

    HOTA, Home of the Arts, is an arts precinct at 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, with HOTA Gallery, theatres, a cinema, an outdoor stage, dining and 17 hectares of…

    ★ 4.6 (6,022)

  • LEGO Drop-In at Nerang LEGO Drop-In at Nerang Nerang

    Free LEGO building sessions at Nerang Library, run by City of Gold Coast Libraries.

    ★ 4.7 (118)

Before you go

Best for which ages

These ideas suit thirteen and older, from early teens who still want a parent nearby to older teens heading out with friends. Surfing and walking appeal to the active, while galleries and museums reward those who like quiet and ideas.

What to bring

Sun protection, water, a charged phone and a power bank. A towel and swimwear for the beach, and sturdy shoes for walking tracks. Snacks, because teenagers are always hungry, and a little spare cash for the cafe stop they will inevitably ask for.

Parking and facilities

Check the listing for toilets, showers and shade. Public transport can be a good option for older teens travelling in a group, which also gives them a sense of independence. Parking at popular beaches fills early on weekends. Bike racks or short walks from a station are easier than hunting for a spot.

Best time of year

Summer is for the beach, with patrols at the main beaches and the water at its warmest. Autumn and winter suit headland walks and galleries, with cooler, clearer days and fewer people competing for the same view. School holidays are the most crowded, so go midweek if you can.

How to make a day of it

Pair a morning swim or walk with lunch somewhere social, then give them space to explore. Agree on meeting times and places in advance, and let them have the final say on one part of the day. Everyone is happier that way.

Waterfalls, lookouts and forest walks

Walks the park service or council describes with a length and grade. Each listing says how far, how hard, and what is at the start.

  • Tumgun Lookout Tumgun Lookout Burleigh Heads

    Tumgun Lookout is on the Rainforest circuit in Burleigh Head National Park, a 27.6ha park managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

    ★ 4.8 (859)

All walks, waterfalls and lookouts in Gold Coast, free and paid

Beaches, rock pools and ocean baths

Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrol seasons and hours on each listing come from the surf club or council page.

  • Surfers Paradise Beach Surfers Paradise Beach Surfers Paradise

    Surfers Paradise Beach is a patrolled surf beach run by the City of Gold Coast, with a busy foreshore used by walkers, cyclists and skateboarders.

    Patrolled All year · ★ 4.7 (1,778)

  • Burleigh Heads Beach Burleigh Heads Beach Burleigh Heads

    Burleigh Heads Beach is a council-managed beach where a protected corner near the headland is often calm enough for a swim when other beaches are choppy.

    Patrolled · All-abilities access · ★ 4.7 (2,755)

  • Kirra Beach Kirra Beach Kirra

    Kirra Beach is a City of Gold Coast beach on Marine Parade, Kirra, just north of Kirra Point and Coolangatta Beach.

    Patrolled · ★ 4.8 (402)

  • Tallebudgera Beach Tallebudgera Beach Palm Beach

    Tallebudgera ('Tally') Beach is at the northern end of Palm Beach where it meets Tallebudgera Creek, overlooked by the Tallebudgera Surf Club.

    Patrolled All year · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (200)

  • North Kirra Beach North Kirra Beach Bilinga

    North Kirra Beach, north of Coolangatta Creek, is described by the City of Gold Coast as one of the most protected beaches on the Gold Coast from the dominant southeast…

    Patrolled November – April and school holidays

  • Palm Beach South Palm Beach South Palm Beach

    Palm Beach South is the southern end of Palm Beach, beside Palm Beach Parklands.

    Patrolled September to April and school holidays

  • Miami Beach Miami Beach Miami

    Miami Beach sits between a rocky headland to the south and Nobby Beach to the north.

    Patrolled · All-abilities access

  • Mermaid Beach Mermaid Beach Mermaid Beach

    The City of Gold Coast describes Mermaid Beach as generally much quieter than its busy neighbours Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, as most of the beach is fronted by…

    Patrolled All year (Tower 26); November to April and school holidays (Tower 25)

  • Greenmount Beach Greenmount Beach Coolangatta

    Greenmount Beach is the south-eastern end of Coolangatta Beach, beside the headland; the City of Gold Coast describes a wide, sheltered beach.

    Patrolled

  • Currumbin Beach Currumbin Beach Currumbin

    Currumbin Beach runs along Pacific Parade beside Elephant Rock, where stairs lead to a viewing platform.

    Patrolled All year round

  • Tugun Beach Tugun Beach Tugun

    Tugun Beach looks north to the Surfers Paradise skyline, with Flat Rock Creek running into the ocean at the northern end through a shady park.

    Patrolled November to April and school holidays

  • Coolangatta Beach Coolangatta Beach Coolangatta

    Coolangatta Beach faces north, which the City of Gold Coast says makes it more sheltered from the predominant east to southeast swells; council describes clear water…

    Patrolled

  • Nobby Beach Nobby Beach Mermaid Beach

    Nobby Beach lies at the foot of the rocky hill known as North Nobby, and the City of Gold Coast describes the suburb as having a family-friendly atmosphere.

    Patrolled · All-abilities access

  • Broadbeach Broadbeach Broadbeach

    Broadbeach is the beach just north of Kurrawa and, according to the City of Gold Coast, typically a quieter beach.

    Patrolled All year (Towers 30 and 31); September to April and school holidays (Tower 29)

  • Bilinga Beach Bilinga Beach Bilinga

    Bilinga Beach is on the southern end of the Gold Coast near Coolangatta.

    Patrolled September to April

  • Main Beach Main Beach Main Beach

    Main Beach lies between Surfers Paradise to the south and The Spit to the north; the City of Gold Coast calls it Southport's closest surf beach.

    Patrolled All year round

  • Narrowneck Narrowneck Main Beach

    Narrowneck is the slender stretch of sand between the Nerang River and the ocean, with Macintosh Island Park behind it, reached by a bridge.

    Patrolled All year round

  • Tallebudgera Creek Tallebudgera Creek Burleigh Heads

    Tallebudgera Creek is framed by Burleigh Heads National Park on one side and Tallebudgera Beach on the other; the City of Gold Coast describes its sheltered, crystal…

    Patrolled September school holidays to first weekend of May

  • Palm Beach Palm Beach Palm Beach

    Palm Beach ('Palmy') is patrolled by two surf life saving clubs; the City of Gold Coast describes Pacific Surf Life Saving Club as a smaller, family-oriented club.

    Patrolled November to April and school holidays

  • Kurrawa Beach Kurrawa Beach Broadbeach

    Kurrawa beach and parkland are part of the Broadbeach oceanfront, with several playgrounds in the beachside parks.

    Patrolled All year (Towers 27 and 28); November to April and school holidays (Tower 26A) · All-abilities access

  • North Burleigh North Burleigh Burleigh Heads

    North Burleigh is the quieter northern end of the Burleigh beach strip, below the headland locals call Miami Hill, where Mick Shamburg Park has a lookout platform.

    Patrolled All year · All-abilities access

  • Northcliffe Beach Northcliffe Beach Surfers Paradise

    Northcliffe Beach is just south of the Surfers Paradise shopping precinct, among high-rise towers.

    Patrolled All year round

All beaches and rock pools in Gold Coast, free and paid

Free museums, galleries and science

Permanent collections with free entry. Special exhibitions can be ticketed; the listing says so.

Skate parks, pump tracks and bike paths

Council-run and free. Bring helmets; the listing notes lighting, shade and whether there is a beginner area.

All skate parks and bike tracks in Gold Coast, free and paid

Questions parents ask

What can teenagers do on the Gold Coast for free?
Swim and surf at patrolled beaches, walk headland tracks, visit the arts precinct and browse the markets. The listings show what is free and what changes with the season.
Is it safe for teens to go to the beach on their own?
Only if they swim between the flags at a patrolled beach and understand the rules. Make sure they know about rips, avoid swimming alone and have a way to contact you.
What is there for teens when it rains?
HOTA at Surfers is a good option, as are museums and libraries. Check the listing for what is on and whether it is free.
How do we get a teenager to come along?
Give them a choice and a role, such as choosing the beach or planning lunch. A bit of independence and good food make a difference.

Other kinds of free day in Gold Coast

For teens in other cities