73 free things to do with kids on the Gold Coast
Free playgrounds, free events and free play spaces across the Gold Coast. No tickets, no entry fee, just somewhere to take them for an afternoon.
Banora Point
π Banora Community Centre Park Inclusive Playground
Banora Point Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeShadePicnic areaNature play
Benowa
π Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens Playground
Benowa Β· Daily 5am to 7pm Β· Free
FreeToiletsCoffee nearbyBBQPicnic areaSwingsβ 1.4km to coffee
Broadbeach
π Cascade Gardens Playground, Broadbeach
Broadbeach Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaSwingsClimbingβ 320m to coffee
β Christmas in Broadbeach gingerbread village
Broadbeach Β· Daily Mon 14 to Sun 20 Dec, 10am to 4pm Β· Free (storytime theatre needs booking)
Freeβ 50m to coffee
π Movies Under the Stars at Pratten Park, Broadbeach
Broadbeach Β· Sat 2 Jan, gates 6pm, movie 7pm to 8:30pm Β· Free, no tickets needed
Freeβ 270m to coffee
β Movies Under the Stars: Elf, Kurrawa Park Broadbeach
Broadbeach Β· Fri 18 Dec, open from 6pm, movie 7pm Β· Free
Freeβ 140m to coffee
π Pratten Park All Abilities Playground
Broadbeach Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsFencedBBQPicnic areaSwingsβ 130m to coffee
Broadbeach Waters
π Albert Park Fenced Playground, Broadbeach Waters
Broadbeach Waters Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsFencedBBQPicnic areaOvalβ 770m to coffee
π Movies Under the Stars at Albert Park, Broadbeach Waters
Broadbeach Waters Β· Fri 29 Jan, gates 6pm, movie 7pm to 8:30pm Β· Free, no tickets needed
Freeβ 1.1km to coffee
Burleigh Waters
π Deodar Park Slides Playground and Pump Track
Burleigh Waters Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeShadePicnic areaBasketball courtBMX trackSwingsβ 400m to coffee
Byron Bay
π‘ Cape Byron Lighthouse
Byron Bay Β· Lighthouse lawn 8am to sunset. Maritime Museum daily 10am to 4pm. Info centre 9:30am to 4:30pm Β· Free entry; parking at the lighthouse $10 per hour (1 hour max)
FreeParkingβ 20m to coffee
π Railway Park Playground, Byron Bay
Byron Bay Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsShadeβ 80m to coffee
Coolangatta
π―οΈ Cooly Carols, Coolangatta
Coolangatta Β· Sun 13 Dec, 5:30pm to 7:30pm Β· Free
Freeβ 220m to coffee
Coomera
β Coomera Christmas Flicks & Fireworks
Coomera Β· Fri 18 and Sat 19 Dec: from 5:30pm, movie 7pm, fireworks 8:30pm Β· Free
Freeβ 620m to coffee
Currumbin Waters
π―οΈ Currumbin Christmas Carols, Currumbin Waters
Currumbin Waters Β· Sun 20 Dec, 5pm to 7:30pm Β· Free
Freeβ 1.1km to coffee
Helensvale
π Buckler Park, The Surrounds Helensvale
Helensvale Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsCoffee nearbyBBQPicnic areaWater playβ 850m to coffee
Hope Island
π―οΈ Carols on the Lawn & Christmas Market, Sanctuary Cove
Hope Island Β· Thu 10 Dec: market from 4pm, carols 5pm to 8pm, fireworks 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 980m to coffee
π Santa's Arrival and Buggy Parade, Sanctuary Cove
Hope Island Β· Sat 28 Nov, from 10am Β· Free to watch
Freeβ 980m to coffee
Kingscliff
π―οΈ Carols by the Coast, Kingscliff
Kingscliff Β· Tue 15 Dec, 6:30pm to 8:30pm NSW time Β· Free
Freeβ 40m to coffee
π Jack Bayliss Park, Kingscliff Foreshore
Kingscliff Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsPicnic areaβ 440m to coffee
Labrador
π Harley Park Nautical Playground and Lagoon
Labrador Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsFencedBBQPicnic areaSwingsβ 670m to coffee
π Len Fox Park, Labrador
Labrador Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaSwingsβ 160m to coffee
Mermaid Waters
β¨ Mermaid Waters Christmas Park Party and Flotilla of Lights
Mermaid Waters Β· Sat 12 Dec, 5pm to 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 1.3km to coffee
Miami
πͺ Miami Twilight NYE family party at Thorn Park
Miami Β· Thu 31 Dec, 4pm to 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 420m to coffee
π―οΈ North Burleigh Carols by the Sea, Miami
Miami Β· Thu 3 Dec, 4pm to 8pm, carols from 6pm Β· Free
Freeβ 10m to coffee
π Pizzey Park, Miami
Miami Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaBMX trackSkate parkβ 690m to coffee
Mount Nathan
πͺ Cowboys & Country Day at Historic Rivermill
Mount Nathan Β· Sat 5 Dec, 8am to 3pm Β· Free entry, parking $5; turtle feeding $12, mechanical bull $10
Free
Mudgeeraba
π―οΈ Christmas Saturdays on the Village Green, Mudgeeraba
Mudgeeraba Β· Sat 5 Dec 6:30pm to 8:30pm; Sat 12 and Sat 19 Dec 5:30pm to 7:30pm Β· Free
Freeβ 100m to coffee
π Mudgeeraba Rotary Park Train Playground
Mudgeeraba Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreePicnic areaSwingsClimbingβ 450m to coffee
Mullumbimby
π Heritage Park Climbing Playground, Mullumbimby
Mullumbimby Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreePicnic areaClimbingNature playFor older kidsβ 320m to coffee
Murwillumbah
πΆ MEPS Community Playgroup, Murwillumbah East
Murwillumbah Β· First Friday of each month, 9:30am, school terms Β· Free
Freeβ 730m to coffee
β Mini Museum Explorers at Tweed Regional Museum, Murwillumbah
Murwillumbah Β· Fridays 6 and 13 Nov, 10am to 10:30am Β· Free, no booking needed
Freeβ 600m to coffee
Murwillumbah South
β Artmaking for Everyone free drop-in at Tweed Regional Gallery
Murwillumbah South Β· 12 Dec to 14 Feb 2027, 10am to 4pm on gallery open days Β· Free, no booking needed
Freeβ 50m to coffee
π¨ Gallery Playdate for 3 to 5s at Tweed Regional Gallery
Murwillumbah South Β· Wed 2 Dec, 9am to 10am Β· Free, booking essential
Freeβ 50m to coffee
Natural Bridge
π‘ Natural Bridge Glow Worm Cave, Springbrook National Park
Natural Bridge Β· Open daily. Glow worms visible only after dark, best December to March Β· Free
Freeβ 920m to coffee
Nerang
π Country Paradise Parklands Windmill Playground
Nerang Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaWater playSlides
Ocean Shores
π Waterlily Park Flying Fox and Nature Playground
Ocean Shores Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeShadeBBQPicnic areaSwingsSlidesβ 690m to coffee
Oxenford
π Gaven State School Twilight Christmas Concert & Markets
Oxenford Β· Fri 20 Nov, 5pm to 8pm Β· Free entry
Freeβ 1.4km to coffee
Pacific Pines
π Pacific Pines Central Park
Pacific Pines Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaOvalβ 110m to coffee
Palm Beach
π Laguna Park Pirate Ship Playground
Palm Beach Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsFencedShadeBBQPicnic areaβ 310m to coffee
π Movies Under the Stars: Minions & Monsters at Palm Beach Parklands
Palm Beach Β· Sat 21 Nov, kids activities and food trucks from 5pm, movie at 7pm Β· Free
Freeβ 0m to coffee
π―οΈ Palm Beach Christmas Carols
Palm Beach Β· Sat 12 Dec, 5pm to 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 80m to coffee
π Pirate Park, Palm Beach Parklands
Palm Beach Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaSlidesClimbingβ 0m to coffee
Paradise Point
π Paradise Point Parklands Inclusive Playground
Paradise Point Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaSwingsβ 390m to coffee
Pimpama
π Aquila Reserve Water Play Park
Pimpama Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaWater playβ 880m to coffee
π Bim'bimba Park Playground
Pimpama Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaSkate parkSlidesβ 380m to coffee
π Movies Under the Stars at Pimpama Sports Hub
Pimpama Β· Sat 12 Dec, activities and food trucks from 5pm, movie at 7pm Β· Free, no tickets needed
Freeβ 580m to coffee
π Movies Under the Stars: The SpongeBob Movie at Bim'Bimba Park, Pimpama
Pimpama Β· Sat 9 Jan, kids activities and face painting from 5pm, movie at 7pm Β· Free
Freeβ 200m to coffee
π Pimpama Sports Hub Parklands Playground
Pimpama Β· Open all day Β· Free (aquatic centre and its splash zone charge entry)
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaOvalβ 580m to coffee
Robina
π A Handmade Christmas Festival, Robina
Robina Β· Sat 21 Nov, 12pm to 6pm Β· Free entry
Freeβ 1.0km to coffee
πͺ Christmas at Greenheart, Robina
Robina Β· Sat 19 Dec, 4pm to 8pm, performances from 5pm Β· Free
Freeβ 1.4km to coffee
π Greenheart Robina Parklands Adventure Playground and Water Play
Robina Β· Open all day. Car park and amenities gates locked 10pm to 5am Β· Free
FreeToiletsFencedBBQPicnic areaWater playβ 1.2km to coffee
Runaway Bay
π―οΈ Runaway Bay Carols by Candlelight
Runaway Bay Β· Sat 28 Nov, 5pm to 8pm, fireworks at 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 730m to coffee
Southport
πͺ Alicia Street Christmas Fair, Southport
Southport Β· Sun 6 Dec, 4:30pm to 7:30pm Β· Free
Freeβ 600m to coffee
π Broadwater Christmas Twilight market, Southport
Southport Β· Sat 12 Dec, 3pm to 9pm Β· Free entry; jumping castle and magic craft have a small fee
Freeβ 70m to coffee
π Broadwater Parklands Rockpools and Peninsula Playground
Southport Β· Park open all day. Rockpools Nov to Feb 8am to 6pm (Tue from 11am), shorter hours in cooler months Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaWater playSwingsβ 140m to coffee
Surfers Paradise
π Flicks & Fireworks: Paddington in Peru on Surfers Paradise beach
Surfers Paradise Β· Sun 27 Dec, movie at 7pm, fireworks at 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 80m to coffee
π Flicks & Fireworks: The Bad Guys 2 on Surfers Paradise beach
Surfers Paradise Β· Sun 29 Nov, movie at 7pm, fireworks over the ocean at 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 80m to coffee
π―οΈ Mayor's Christmas Carols at HOTA, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Β· Sat 28 and Sun 29 Nov: parklands from 4pm, main show 6pm to 8:30pm with fireworks Β· Free
Freeβ 440m to coffee
π Mini Marketeers kids market at HOTA
Surfers Paradise Β· Sun 20 Dec, 9am to 12pm Β· Free to visit; free stalls for young sellers, register by 20 Nov
Freeβ 400m to coffee
β Movies Under the Stars: The Polar Express, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Β· Sat 28 Nov, movie at 7pm Β· Free
Freeβ 60m to coffee
β Surfers Paradise Christmas Flicks & Fireworks on the beach
Surfers Paradise Β· Sundays 6, 13 and 20 Dec: markets from 4pm, movie 7pm, fireworks 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 40m to coffee
π Vespa Park Fenced Playground, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeFencedShadePicnic areaSwingsSlidesβ 660m to coffee
Tallebudgera
π Schuster Park Jungle Playground
Tallebudgera Β· Daily 6am to 6pm (gates close 6pm) Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaSwingsSlides
Tugun
πͺ Tugun Lights Up Christmas street party
Tugun Β· Sat 5 Dec, 4pm to 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 220m to coffee
Tweed Heads
π Goorimahbah Inclusive Playground, Jack Evans Boat Harbour
Tweed Heads Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsFencedBBQPicnic areaBasketball courtβ 810m to coffee
Upper Coomera
πΆ NgΔ Mokopuna MΔori Playgroup, Upper Coomera
Upper Coomera Β· Fridays 9:30 to 11:30am Β· Free
Freeβ 120m to coffee
Varsity Lakes
πͺ Christmas at Frascott, Varsity Lakes
Varsity Lakes Β· Sat 5 Dec, 5pm to 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 320m to coffee
π Frascott Park Safari Playground
Varsity Lakes Β· Open all day. Car park 6am to 8pm Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaOvalSwingsβ 530m to coffee
πͺ New Year's Eve by the Lake family fireworks, Varsity Lakes
Varsity Lakes Β· Thu 31 Dec, 5:30pm to 8:30pm, fireworks over Lake Orr at 8:30pm Β· Free
Freeβ 130m to coffee
π―οΈ Varsity Carols by the Lake, Varsity Lakes
Varsity Lakes Β· Sat 12 Dec, 5pm to 8pm Β· Free
Freeβ 130m to coffee
Worongary
β¨ Hinterland Baptist Church Christmas lights, Worongary
Worongary Β· December evenings after dark; hours not published Β· Free
Free
π Lorikeet Park Adventure Playground, Skyridge
Worongary Β· Open all day Β· Free
FreeToiletsBBQPicnic areaSlidesClimbingβ 1.9km to coffee
More ways to choose
𧱠Fenced playgroundsπ» Playgrounds with toiletsβ Coffee within walking distanceβ±οΈ Shaded playgroundsπ₯ Playgrounds with a BBQπΏ Nature play
