How to do a budget Gold Coast holiday with the family

Want a holiday that offers loads of adventure and laughs, but is light on the wallet? Steer yourself toward the Gold Coast next time a family holiday comes knockin’.

Endless things to do on the cheap for kids of all ages, great family-friendly accommodation, and natural beauty meet – so you can make memories with the whole crew without making a huge dent in the budget.

Proving big adventures don’t have to cost you big, spend seven days beachside with this budget Gold Coast holiday itinerary.

Travelling with teens? Head on over to this guide instead.

First up, where to stay on your budget Gold Coast holiday

If you’re planning a budget Gold Coast holiday, it’s best to check into a holiday park. BYO caravan or tent for the most affordable rates, or settle into a cost-effective cabin or self-contained villa in the park instead.

You’ll find holiday parks all along the coast from Kirra Beach to Tallebudgera Creek and north to Jacobs Well, and most offer much more than a place to rest. Spots like Main Beach Tourist Park and Burleigh Beach Tourist Park are in the heart of the action, while it’ll be hard to leave Nobby Beach Holiday Village with its heated pools, mega waterslide and kids playground on-site. You’ll strike gold if you book a stay at NRMA Treasure Island Caravan Park: on the northern end of the Gold Coast in Biggera Waters, the park is home to its own water park, four swimming pools, spa, three playgrounds (inc. one for toddlers), go karts, tennis court, mini golf, outdoor cinema and more – and it’s a short drive to the Gold Coast theme parks.

Nearby, BIG4 Holiday Park brings thrills with its very own waterpark for super sliding, frisbee golf, bocce, an off road remote control car track, and pet-friendly cabins too.

Day 1 

Arrive on the Gold Coast anytime today, check into your accommodation, and get ready to check out of real life for a week. Wherever you’ve chosen to stay, make life easy and base yourself here for the week: day trips come easy in this neck of the woods.

Today’s agenda: the beach. There’s no better way to get into holiday mode than sinking your toes into the sand or heading out into the surf with a boogie board in tow. And with 70km of coastline to choose from, there’s no shortage of picturesque spots to throw down the towel, sand bucket and spades. Use this guide to find your family’s favourite spot, from Main Beach or Surfers Paradise to quieter Mermaid Beach or Palm Beach, just to name a few.  

When it’s time to rinse off the saltwater, you won’t have to wander far for dinner. Simply head to a local fish and chips shop, and find a nearby park or beach to enjoy. Main Beach is home to a few crowd favourites, like Gold Coast Fisherman’s Co-op and Peter’s Fish Market.

Believe it or not, there’s room in nearly every budget Gold Coast holiday for a thrill-seeking trip to a theme park. While a day at the likes of Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet n Wild or Seaworld isn’t exactly cheap, there are ways to make it more affordable: book early online for a cheaper rate, consider getting a combo pass which offers access to multiple parks over the week, or use your RACQ or NRMA memberships for discounts. Most parks also offer free admission for kids under 3 years of age.  

Which theme park is for your family? Find out here.

The kids will probably be knackered tonight, so chill out at your accommodation and make use of the communal barbeques for dinner, before breaking out the board games. 

Day 3

It’s time to change pace and escape into the vast green that lurks behind the golden beaches, the Gold Coast Hinterland.

There are so many ways to explore these lush, pre-historic mountains that will have the kids in awe, from glow-worm caves to ziplining through the rainforest. But if you’re sticking to a budget, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park is the place to go. The kids will be fascinated with all there is to find in this part of the UNESCO World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest, from the free Tree Top Walk to nature hikes to waterfalls (Morans Falls is perfect for younger families) and daily bird feeding or Birds of Prey show.

Once you’re done with the great outdoors, head back to the coast. If you really want to tune out among the trees, bring your tent and make use of the campground – O'Reilly's has great facilities for families including a communal camp kitchen and firepit. Campsites start at $30 per night, but there's safari tents and lodge rooms if you’re not quite up for roughing it.

If you have time, a visit to the Natural Bridge rock formation in nearby Springbrook National Park is also a hit with the kids. 

Day 4

Kick off your day on the southern end of the Gold Coast at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where the family can meet all kinds of native and exotic animals, learn about conservation projects, and go behind the scenes at the wildlife hospital. Pick up a family pass (kids under 3 get free entry), and if your budget has a little extra wiggle room you can also book experiences like breakfast with the koalas, treetop ropes challenge, or up close encounters with cuddly or scaly new friends.

On a serious budget? Simply stop by for the free wild lorikeet feeding, held at 8am and 4pm every day. The kids will love watching these technicolour birds up close, and for a gold coin donation to the sanctuary they can even help feed the lorikeets.

Grab lunch with a view at Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC – a spot that’s well-loved by the locals. And if the parents need a pick-me-up, there are great cafes nearby for an espresso. Try The Salt Mill or Barefoot Barista. 

Clock up more beach time this afternoon. Patrolled Currumbin Beach is a great spot for surfing or body boarding (and home to a few surf schools if the family wants to learn), but equally fun for a beach wander thanks to its unique rock formations which can be explored more closely at low tide.

If you’ve got younger kids who aren’t quite up to tackling big surf, head to the creek end of nearby Currumbin Alley instead, where they can splash and play in the shallows.

Still have energy to burn tonight? Here’s a few ideas to keep the crew entertained. 

Day 5

Dip your toes into the Gold Coast’s thriving café scene with breakfast out this morning – there’s a host of kid-friendly options dotted all along our coastal enclaves.  

It’s time to explore HOTA – the region’s official Home of the Arts is the centre of mind-bending art exhibitions, hands-on workshops in the Little ArtLab, and wonder for kids of all ages. Check out the bustling calendar to find out what’s on during your visit. If you’re here on a Sunday, leave time to explore the HOTA Markets, one of the best community markets on the Gold Coast. 

Speaking of markets, tonight’s dinner is sorted – no cooking required. Make your way to Miami Marketta and pick from a smorgasbord of global street food from this bustling market that’s also home to bars, entertainment and live music.

Once you’ve had your fill, it’s game on: both Surfers Paradise Mini Golf and Putt Putt Mermaid Beach are open until 10pm – perfect for a twilight round of fun before bedtime. 

Day 6

There’s no better way to burn some energy than on a walk, and there’s no better place to take that walk than the Oceanview Track at Burleigh Head National Park. Just a 1km easy stroll around the headline, the views are some of the best on the Gold Coast. If you’re visiting between June and November, keep an eye on the horizon for splashes and spouts as you’re likely to spot humpback whales as they migrate to our warm waters from Antarctica.

Follow the path all the way to the sparkling, calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek – a great spot to spend a few hours in the sunshine, Even though it’s popular among the locals, it feels like you’ve stumbled upon something really special.

Wander back Burleigh side and joint the locals who gather for a sunset picnic on Burleigh Hill. Grab your own snacks or get takeaway from the many eateries nearby.

Day 7

The last day of a budget Gold Coast holiday calls for soaking up as much sun and sea as possible.

If you’re a family of cyclists, rent bikes and tackle the easy, wide Gold Coast Oceanway that runs along the foreshore for 36km from The Spit to Point Danger in Coolangatta. Ride as little or as much of the path as little legs permit - you can always stop along the way for a coffee or ice cream break.

If the gang is keener for time on the water, make tracks to Go Vertical Stand Up Paddleboarding. You can hire paddle boards from as little as $25/hr and head out to explore the calm waterways of Gold Coast Broadwater, and count the dolphin sightings along the way. Go Vertical also offers tours and lessons.

Close out the day with a trip to Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, an evening of laughs at your holiday park, or old fashioned fun at Timezone Surfers Paradise, with over 200 arcade games, ten pin bowling, laser tag, and even bumper car rides for just $6pp.

Can’t get enough? Extend your budget Gold Coast holiday with a side-trip to Brisbane or continue north to the Sunshine Coast.