How to have a budget Christmas holiday in Queensland

If you’re feeling the cost-of-living pinch, don’t let it dampen your desire for a getaway during the festive season. Curb that end-of-year fatigue (you’re almost there!) and plan an affordable Christmas holiday in Queensland. With budget accommodation options, free activities and cheap eats, you’ll be surprised just how much you can see and do in some of Queensland’s most iconic destinations without having to dig deep.

1. SUPs and street eats on the Gold Coast

Budget doesn’t mean boring – the charismatic, culture-soaked Gold Coast will show you how it’s done. Ready for some frugal fun?

Where to stay

There’s budget accommodation aplenty on the Gold Coast. Look to chain hotels from Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach with self-contained rooms, or check out southern suburbs for smaller motels that are budget-friendly, like the revamped 70s-style Pink Hotel. Pitch a tent at one of the Gold Coast’s top camping spots this Christmas or opt for holiday parks like NRMA Treasure Island for cost-effective villas, cabins and camp sites.

Things to do    

Throw down a towel on your favourite stretch of sand – there’s 70-kilometres to choose from. Or ditch the waves, pack a picnic and SUP along the sparkling Tallebudgera Creek. For an inexpensive way to see coastline, hire bikes and weave through the extensive path network that runs from Coolangatta up to Main Beach. The adventurers can head to the hinterland for a free adrenaline hit on the mountain-biking trails of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Fancy a spot of shopping? Grab a bargain at the Gold Coast’s markets and scoop up locally made gems from The Village Markets in Burleigh Heads. Get a dose of arts and culture at HOTA, where entry to view the City Collection gallery is always free. Meet the local wildlife and flock to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for the free bird-feeding sessions – wild lorikeets arrive every day at 8am and 4pm, without fail.

Grab a bite

Mingle with the locals over an ice-cold beer at one of the Gold Coast’s surf clubs – a go-to for cheap and cheerful pub-style meals while on holidays. At popular night hub Miami Marketta, you’ll find crowd-pleasing street eats from around $10. If you’re camping, stock up at the local farmer’s markets and fire up the barbecues.

2. Snorkelling the Daintree and waterfall chasing in Cairns

Despite having two incredible World-Heritage sites on its doorstep – the wondrous Great Barrier Reef and ancient Wet Tropics rainforests - a Christmas holiday in Cairns doesn’t require deep pockets.

Where to stay

You’ll find a slew of budget accommodation in Cairns. Check out self-contained apartments in town, or take your pick from hostels and backpacker stays. Cost-conscious travellers can hire a camper or pitch a tent just steps from tumbling waterfalls at Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park or on the sand at the Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village. For five-star beachfront views on a budget, try island camping on Fitzroy or Dunk Island, or nestle where the reef meets the rainforest in the Noah Beach Eco Huts at Cape Tribulation.

Things to do

Sure, fully inclusive Great Barrier Reef experiences come at a premium, but there are other ways to see the reef, and loads of free and cheap things to do in Cairns.

Take a stroll through the morning markets and the Cairns esplanade, dip your toes in the sparkling beachfront lagoon, or hire bikes and hit the waterfront pathways. Close to town, the stunning exotic and native flora that creates the Cairns Botanic Gardens is free to explore year-round, and you can experience the reef without getting wet at the Cairns Aquarium. Cairns also boasts a collection of epic waterfalls that are completely free to access, so cool off from the tropical heat at Stoney Creek Falls or slide down the trickling natural waterslide at  Josephine Falls.

Venture north of Cairns to explore the magic that lies within one of the world’s oldest surviving rainforests, the Daintree, not forgetting the 2.5-km hike through the jaw-dropping Mossman Gorge. Peek at this guide for tips on how to make memories in this ancient wonder on a budget.

Can you hear the reef calling? A day trip to the turquoise waters of turtle haven Fitzroy Island is a cost-effective way to see the Great Barrier Reef fringe in all its glory. Further south, take a ferry from Mission Beach to Dunk Island for more reef snorkelling and a BYO picnic.

Grab a bite

Cairns is awash with dining spots and it’s a seafood-lovers paradise – but you don’t need to splurge to savour it. To keep costs down, cook up a storm at your accommodation or enjoy a BBQ picnic using the day’s best catches from Ocean World Seafood Market - or grab a kilo of prawns from floating seafood-slinger Prawn Star.

3. The best of Brisbane on a budget

Action-packed holidays don’t need big budgets in Queensland’s capital. Soak up Brisbane’s vibrant energy and laid-back charm this Christmas without spending big.

Where to stay

This handy guide to budget accommodation in Brisbane will help you scope out the best bang for your buck this Christmas. Keen to stay in the city? Lean toward larger chain motels and budget apartments dotted across the CBD, South Bank and Fortitude Valley. If it’s a group holiday or the family is in tow, larger two or three-bedroom self-contained apartment are great to split the costs. You’ll find affordable holiday parks nearby on Brisbane’s outskirts, too.

Things to do

Some of Brisbane’s best sights are free or cheap to experience – here’s 20 ideas to get you started. To get around, board the free CityHopper, or let locals lead the way in the free Brisbane Greeters tours and guided walks through the flourishing Roma Street Parklands. Spend a day at South Bank on a dime - get a culture hit at QAGOMA (entry to most of Brisbane’s art galleries and museums is free), and view outdoor artwork at your own pace along Brisbane’s network of colourful laneways. To escape the hustle and bustle, venture to the bayside or take a ferry to the soul-stirring Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).

To score a bird’s eye view of the city, head up Mount Coot-tha (drive, ride or hike it) stopping to marvel at the tropical beauty in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens before peeking at the stars from the Sir Thomas Planetarium – it’s all free to see.

Grab a bite

Eating out can add up, so stock up on locally grown and made goodies from one of Brisbane’s weekday and weekend markets and enjoy a picnic in New Farm park or a barbecue with a side of city views at Kangaroo Point. By night, 70-plus stalls at foodie mecca Eat Street Northshore pile your plates high from just $10.

Tip: be sure to set aside an afternoon (and a few spare dollars) to enjoy a well-earned sundowner while taking in the sights at Howard Smith Wharves.

4. Island time on a dime in The Whitsundays

With crystal-clear waters and incredible marine life surrounding its 74 tropical islands, The Whitsundays is a postcard-perfect Christmas holiday spot – even for budget-conscious travellers.

Where to stay

Airlie Beach boasts accommodation for all budgets. There are some great hostels in town for cost-cutting travellers, and those looking for a quieter stay can park up a camper van or stay in tee-pee tents at Tasman Holiday Parks. Got your own camping gear? Set up on the beachside at the picturesque Swamp Bay (don’t let its name fool you, the bay is beyond stunning) just 20 minutes from Airlie Beach.

Things to do

Discover and dip in Airlie’s own beaches – Boathaven Beach, Cannonvale Beach and the glassy swimming lagoon that sprawls across the foreshore. Jump in the car and journey along the Airlie Beach to Cape Gloucester drive where you’ll stumble across secret beaches like the sparkling shores of Hydeaway Bay, and Horseshoe Bay Beach in the laid-back town of Bowen. Be sure to call in at the Big Mango too. 

Explore beyond the blue waters and golden sands with a hike or bike through the biodiverse tropical rainforests of Conway National Park, stopping for a refreshing dip as the Cedar Creek Falls trickle from above. If you’d prefer to hike close to town, take the 850-metre Airlie Creek track to score remarkable reviews across the Coral Sea.

This helpful list of free things to do in Airlie Beach will help you get around town on a budget.

Grab a bite

It’s seafoodie’s haven here. For a crowd-pleasing bite grab takeaway from the Whitsundays Seafood Bar, or you take the day trip to Bowen, flock to Bird’s Fish Bar for an obligatory potato scallop.

5. Camp beneath cliffs on Rainbow Beach

Sitting pretty around 150 clicks north of the Sunshine Coast, in between K’gari and Cooloola National Park, hidden paradise Rainbow Beach ticks all the boxes for an affordable holiday.

Where to stay

Pitching a tent is the most cost-effective way to stay – it’s also the best way to lean into the town’s laid-back vibe and soak up its natural beauty. The Rainbow Beach Holiday Village offers affordable caravan and tent sites, while the family-friend BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks has villas and cabins if you’d prefer a roof over your head. Armed with a 4WD? Head ten minutes north to the Inskip Peninsula campgrounds beside the majestic seaside beach cliffs – one of Queensland’s best beach-camping spots – where it’s all sandy feet, beach footy and sunset barbecues.

Things to do

Hike, 4WD, kayak? Choose your own adventure – it won’t cost the world. Take a quick 600-metre nature walk to leave footprints on rippling sand mass Carlo Sandblow, a natural wonder with remarkable views towards Inskip Peninsula. For more serious hikers, try ticking the 102-km Cooloola Great Walk off your bucket list. If 4WD tracks are more your jam, venture around the headland to Double Island Point to fill a day with beach swims and dolphin spotting, or set aside some time to tackle the whole 380-km Great Beach Drive.

This local’s guide will steer you to the best bits of Rainbow Beach on a budget.

Grab a bite

Plan ahead and stock up at the local Rainbow Beach grocer for beachside barbecues at the campsite. Take a night off cooking and join the locals down at the Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, grab fish and chips from Ocean Breeze Seafoods (trawler-fresh from Tin Can Bay) or one of Brent’s Burgers’ finest.

6. Breathtaking caves and cheap thrills in Capricorn

Headlined by natural wonders like the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Carnarvon Gorge, the Capricorn region – which extends from Yeppoon’s coastline to the bustling Rockhampton – is (believe it or not) a playground for budget-conscious travellers.

Where to stay

If you’re planning to stay in Yeppoon, opt for motel-style at The Sail Inn, or for family and budget-friendly stays, The NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon Holiday Park and the Blue Dolphin Caravan Park both have a mix of camp sites and cabins. You can also camp at the fascinating Capricorn Caves tourist park north of Rockhampton – tours through its breathtaking Cathedral Caves are a must-do.

Things to do

Roll out your towel on Yeppoon’s Main Beach or while away the sunny days around the Yeppoon Lagoon, kicking back to sweeping views of the Keppel Islands while the kids burn some energy at the Keppel Kraken water park. For free activities on the coast, check out the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and the Rockhampton Zoo, or pack a picnic for a day of play at Kershaw Gardens (a must-do activity with kids).

Connecting with nature is free! Marvel at prehistoric canyons and towering sandstone cliffs on an adventure to Carnarvon Gorge National Park, and see Capricorn from above on the Nurim Circuit, a boardwalk that extends 25 metres off the side of Mount Archer.

Keen to venture off the coast? Take a 30-minute ferry to Great Keppel Island for a relaxing Christmas camping adventure at Great Keppel Island Holiday Village.

Grab a bite

Eat on the cheap and stock up on locally caught seafood at the Rosslyn Bay Fish Market and freshly plucked produce from the Yeppoon Community Markets to cook back at base. Pompano Seafood Deli serves up take-home eats at various locations around Yeppoon (the snapper sausage rolls are a hit). Some of Australia’s best beef hails from Rockhampton, so when a night out calls, grab a steak at the historic Criterion Hotel.