Cheap and Free things to do on the Gold Coast during Schoolies week 2024

Make the most of your Schoolies week on the Gold Coast with a stack of fun, free and cheap activities

Schoolies can be expensive, but if you plan your week right and throw in some of these free and cheap activities, you really don’t have to spend big to have fun.

Enjoy FREE entertainment every night at the Schoolies Beach Hub

Every night 7pm - midnight (Saturday 16 – Friday 22 November 2024) head down to the Schoolies Beach Hub, right on Surfers Paradise Beach.

The Schoolies Beach Hub will have an awesome line-up of DJs across two stages.

On Tuesday 19 November, the gates to the Schoolies Beach Hub still open from 7pm but we switch gears with our music and entertainment line-up with Tuesday Night LIVE!

The best part of all is that it’s FREE to attend – you just need your official Schoolies Beach Hub wristband to gain entry. Wristband registrations are now open for 2024. Register now!

Hit the beautiful beaches

Grab a board, pack a picnic and an umbrella and hit the beach. From Coolangatta to The Spit the Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. What’s more, it’s totes free to enjoy.

Take a hike

Our fav spot for a hike is Burleigh Hill. This beautiful spot has lush green rainforest walks overlooking white sandy beaches with azure waves breaking over the point – it’s simply stunning. From various lookouts you can see from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta. It’s just a short bus ride (20mins) south of Surfers Paradise.

BBQ by the beach

Grab a picnic blanket, chip in some $$ with your mates and head to the foreshore for a beachside BBQ with beautiful views of the ocean. Chuck in some tunes and what a way to spend an afternoon!

Go for a spot of bowling

It may sound like something only old people do but hear us out! Barefoot Bowls is seriously fun. Prices are about $5pp midweek and $10pp on the weekend.

Gettin around town

To get around you need a go card and guess what? ATM it is seriously just 50c to get everywhere on the GC! Not kidding. You can take a bus, train or tram for 50c. That’s super cheap! Make getting around super easy and get go Card this will get you everywhere you need to go. Head here to check out where to buy a card ahead of schoolies and then add some $$$ to it online and you are ready to tap it and go. So easy and so cheap!

Grab a set of clubs and putt-putt your way to good times.

It’s colourful, it’s kooky, it’s mini golf! Get a crew together and book a round at one of the mini golf courses on the GC. It’s always a bit of fun and it doesn’t cost a heap. 18 holes will set you back about $20. Some places even have a putt & meal deal!

Whaaat’s SUP

Paddle along the Nerang River on a SUP. The closest place to hire a SUP to Surfers Paradise is at Budds Beach - you can easily walk there from Surfers Paradise. You can hire a SUP for 1 hour for just $25. What’s more Budds Beach is kinda a little hidden gem with a shady park packed with BBQs on a white sandy beach. Although it is close to the hustle and bustle of Surfers you will be amazed at how beautiful this area is.

Check out the City of Gold Coast Active and Healthy Guide

We are so lucky to have access to free, or low cost, activities on the GC through the Active and Healthy program. You can do beachside pilates and yoga for just $5! Maybe you want to slay your fitness goals and to join in a group fitness or bootcamp? Head to the Active and Healthy online calendar – type in your dates, and check out what activities are on.