Just because the Gold Coast has a legendary nightlife scene doesn’t mean you always need to drink to have a good time. In fact, the city is full of fun non-drinking activities that are just as exciting. Don’t believe us? Try them out for yourself with the help of our guide on fun things to do on the Gold Coast without alcohol.
Catch some live music
If you’re looking for fun things to do on the Gold Coast, the city’s vibrant live music scene is the perfect place to start. From festivals and concerts to pubs, clubs, and even markets, you can catch a gig (or several) any night of the week. See local and international acts perform, as well as talented up-and-coming artists across all kinds of genres. The best part is, you’ll often find tickets that are budget-friendly or entirely free.
Some of the best places to enjoy live music on the Gold Coast include Miami Marketta, Soundlounge, Eddie’s Grub House and the iconic Coolangatta Hotel (affectionately known as The Cooly).
Go to a night market
If you’re wondering how to have fun without alcohol on the Gold Coast, check out any of the city’s night markets as a starting point. The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets on the Esplanade are among the largest in the city. Here, you can wander through over 100 stalls selling food, souvenirs and unique gifts at bargain prices. The markets are on every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 4pm to 9pm with free entry.
You can also head to the Miami Marketta every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 10pm. This bustling night market is a family-friendly street food market featuring laneways of international food, communal dining and live music beneath the stars. We told you that living alcohol-free didn’t have to be boring, didn’t we?
Take a night tour through the rainforest
When it comes to having fun without alcohol on the Gold Coast, a glow worm tour in the stunning Tamborine Mountain region is one of the most unique options available to you. This ancient area is located roughly 45 minutes by car from the Gold Coast.
Explore the Glow Worm Caves of Tamborine Mountain by going on a guided tour. Here you’ll soak up the breathtaking natural beauty of the rainforest at night as you trek through the greenery and learn about the cultural and historical significance of the area.
Watch a movie
One of the most Grab some popcorn and settle in to watch the latest blockbusters at one of the many cinemas around the Gold Coast. There are plenty to choose from, including Reading Cinemas at Harbour Town and Nerang Cineplex. The latter offers the cheapest tickets on the Gold Coast, with prices starting from as low as $7 standard ticket for students.
You can also catch foreign and indie movies throughout the year at Home of the Arts (HOTA). Check their schedule for upcoming films.
Treat yourself to a little shopping
In most parts of Australia, you’ll find late-night shopping where major shopping centres tend to stay open until 9pm one day each week. In Queensland, that day is Thursday. Shop into the night at one of the Gold Coast’s main shopping hubs, such as Robina Town Centre, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, or Westfield Coomera. Not only is it one of the most fun things to do sober on the Gold Coast, but it’s a great way to treat yourself to a few goodies.
Play a few games
Get in touch with your inner child and explore one of the most fun non-drinking activities on the Gold Coast. That’s right – play a few good old-fashioned games to let off some steam and have some fun.
Timezone is a gamer’s heaven situated on Cavill Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise. The venue offers hundreds of the latest games, as well as the classics. Unleash your inner child and enjoy pinball machines, pool, ten-pin bowling, basketball, putt-putt golf, dodgem cars and much more.
Many of the games cost less than $2 to play, so your money is sure to go a long way. Collect as many ticket points as you can from each game and exchange them at the counter for a prize.
Timezone is open seven days a week until 12am.
Eat out
The Gold Coast has a vibrant international food scene, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when eating out. Indulge in cuisines from Europe to Asia and everywhere in between, with meals to suit all budgets. With so much delicious food on your plate, you won’t even miss not having a drink in your hand. Top picks include Ipoh Town for Malaysian, Easy House Vegetarian Restaurant for meat-free dim sum, Manihani Indian Restaurant, Balboa Italian, and Bonita Bonita for Mexican.
Climb the Q1 Tower
You might be living alcohol-free, but you can still get your blood pumping! For adrenaline junkies, it doesn’t get more exciting than climbing the famous Q1 Tower at night. Q1 Tower is one of the tallest residential buildings in the world, with the popular SkyPoint Climb tour being the highest outdoor building climb in Australia. Offering unrivalled views of the cityscape, this is hands-down one of the most fun things to do on the Gold Coast without alcohol.
