New year, fresh start! What better way to kick off the year than by getting healthy, active and embracing all the good vibes the Gold Coast has to offer?

Whether you’re looking to shake off those holiday indulgences, boost your energy, or just get moving for the fun of it, we’ve got some great news: our good friends at the Gold Coast City Council have the answer in the form of free active classes for all ages across the Gold Coast.

These classes are a fun, wallet-friendly way to keep moving and stay motivated. Let’s make 2025 your healthiest one yet!

Tai Chi
If it’s been a hot minute since you last got moving, Tai Chi is a gentle way to ease back into the swing of things. This healing martial art combines slow, flowing movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing, and stretching techniques – and trust us, it feels so good. Whether you’re 18 or 80, free Tai Chi classes are happening all over the Coast, so there’s no excuse not to give it a whirl.

Yoga
Ready to kick things up a notch? Yoga’s got your back—literally and figuratively. Perfect for all ages and fitness levels, yoga connects movement with breath and leaves you feeling strong, stretched, and seriously zen. Sure, you might break a sweat, and yep, there are some poses you’ll need to work up to, but that’s all part of the fun. Free yoga classes are happening daily across the Gold Coast. Namaste, anyone?

Pilates
Looking to tone up, stretch it out, and work on that posture? Pilates has you covered. This blend of strength training, stretching, and light weights works all the muscles you didn’t know you had. There are even classes designed for specific needs, like lower back care. You’ll sweat, you’ll feel strong, and you’ll probably walk a little taller after each session. Find free Pilates classes at various locations and times across the Gold Coast—your body will thank you.

Aqua classes
Let’s be real – everything is more fun in the water. Aqua classes are no exception! Not only do you get to feel all buoyant and graceful (hello, mermaid vibes), but you’re actually working hard while it feels like you’re barely breaking a sweat. From deep-water running (yes, it’s a thing and it’s both hilarious and effective) to aqua fitness with weights, there’s something for everyone. It’s especially great if you’ve got cranky joints or just love the idea of exercising while immersed in cooling liquid goodness.

Leisure
Not all exercise has to feel like, well, exercise. From walking and hiking to running or even croquet (yes, really), there’s a whole range of leisurely activities to keep you moving. Whether you’re joining a club to make new mates or simply getting out with some old friends, this is fitness at its most sociable. The GC is packed with running and walking groups, so you can pick one nearby or explore somewhere new.

See the full Active & Healthy Calendar and start making moves – literally! Happy exercising!

Words by Belinda Symons

Feeling a little ho-hum over your usual sweat sesh rotation? Or maybe your rickety rig has been feeling less like a temple and more like a ‘fixer upper’ of late?

Whether you revel in any reason to get the ole’ bod moving, or the thought of exercise bores you to your very core – having some exciting new options to throw in your trusty repertoire can never be a bad thing. So without further ado, here are 10 unique exercise experiences on the GC to try your hand at. Because, y’know, variety is the spice of life, and all that.

Retro Fit
Sweatbands, sweaty bods and lairy leg warmers as far as the eye can see – no, you have not stepped back to a simpler time when Aerobics Oz Style dominated our pre-dawn tele viewing (#NostalgiaAlert). We are, in actual fact, referring to Retro Fit, an assortment of 80’s themed aerobics sessions where you get to strut your stuff to all your favourite bygone bangers… so basically, the most fun one can have while working out. Held at The Junction in Burleigh Heads, there’s different types of sessions going down several times a week, so there’s really no excuse not to get down and… get physical [gyrating intensifies].
Where: 14 Junction Rd, Burleigh Heads

Lights Out and Dance
For the rhythmically challenged among us; if the chance get your groove on under the cover of pitch black darkness sounds a dream, get on down to Lights Out and Dance and ‘dance like nobody’s watching’ (literally). Get those endorphins flowing while you lose yourself to some sweet dance beats in what is basically the most unintimidating group setting you can get. The intuitive-style sessions are held in a dark room so you can work up a sweat shaking what your mama gave you without a care in the world; and have stacks of fun in the process. Post-workout glow, incoming!
Where: Broadbeach Cultural Centre, Hooker Blvd &, Sunshine Blvd, Broadbeach Waters and Runaway Bay Youth Centre, 379 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay

Puppy Yoga
No, we haven’t gone barking mad – Puppy Yoga is very much a thing… and yes, it’s exactly as amazing as it sounds. Picture down-dogging ’til hearts content, whilst being overrun by a sea of cute puppies! Hosted by the mindful fun and animal snuggle purveyors at Karmably, there’s various, oxytocin-boosting pop up dates held at Flow St8 throughout the year. Plus, we get to feel extra good knowing we’re helping socialise the pint-sized participants while we get our sweat on! Yep… it’s paw-ficial the perfect workout really does exist.
Where: Flow St8, 10 Fifth Ave, Palm Beach

Run Clubs
If your typical cardio rotation consists only of running away from your problems and jumping to conclusions, the various iterations of social run clubs that call the GC home will make a runner out of you yet. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can slide on in at snails pace without so much as a second glance, Parkrun is a perennial fave. With community events held weekly from Coomera through to Kirra, participants are welcome to walk, jog, run, or simply spectate. Or for a little extra incentive; we’d recommend checking out clubs that strategically plan their routes around our fine assortment of local watering holes, such as Unfit Run Club and Good Good Running.
Where: Assorted clubs/locations across the Gold Coast

Aerial yoga
If you’ve seen one tree pose, you’ve seen them all, right? Well, not necessarily… If you’re looking to shake up your usual stretch-and-breath sesh, Aerial yoga is where its at! Experience yoga from a whole new perspective, with an invigorating workout that involves performing poses gracefully suspended from a mix of hammock, silk and ring style contraptions. And the best part? You don’t even need to be a card-carrying yogi to get in on the fun! A variety of beginners classes mean people of all ages and abilities can learn the moves ‘on the fly’. Go on, why not give it a whirl!?
Where: Hapy Studio, 9/5 Traders Way, Currumbin

Therapy Fitness
When it comes to changing up the same ol’ workout grind, spin is hardly a revolutionary (geddit, heh) concept – but hear us out, because what we’re proposing is anything but your typical cycle class. At Therapy, Mermaid’s multi sensory fitness studio, the immersive ‘therapy’ sessions are all about boosting mental as well as physical wellbeing… and who doesn’t love a to-do list two-fer?! Combining music and movement, each of the fully integrated studio spaces have been optimised to get both the mind and the bod feeling fab. You’ll be glowing from the inside out in no time.
Where: Cnr Markeri St &, Southport Burleigh Rd Q Super Centre, Shop D2/D3, Mermaid Waters

Pound Fitness
Alright so remove any expectations you might have about what this entails and get excited for an extra fun time… because this workout ROCKS. Get ready to bliss out with ‘ya sticks out – fluro green drumsticks – that is, with the exhilarating full-body cardio jam session known simply as Pound. A rockstar-worthy workout that combines sweet beats with pilates inspired strength training and the sweat-dripping fun of drumming. What a time. Now this is the kind of exercise we could really ‘drum up’ some enthusiasm for! *ba dum tiss*.
Where: Various locations across the GC

Pole dancing
Does the thought of yet another yoga or pilates sesh low-key have you yawning? Why not step it up a notch and have a pole lot of fun challenging and contorting your core in ways you never even knew possible! Even if you’re not typically the flexy type; the pros behind some of our local studios promise there’s no previous experience or even coordination pre-requisites to give it a go! So really, we’ve got nothing to lose, and a whole lot of flexibility, and strength to gain. Sounds pretty badass to us.
Where: GCPOLEFIT, 87 Griffith St, Coolangatta and Rokh Fit Studio, Unit 2/19 Township Dr, Burleigh Heads

Cold Nips
What the heck is Cold Nips you ask? Well, basically, it’s a club dedicated to the art of starting your day with a nippy sunrise dip, that’s what. Promoting wellbeing and positive mental health, the national wellness initiative is all about finding joy and discomfort while connecting with like-minded peeps in nature, and how can you argue with a mood-boosting ritual like that? And to ensure they’re always keeping things fresh, each week’s mystery beach location is only revealed the Sunday night before.
Where: Locations vary weekly, check socials for deets.

NBHD HOT
If you’re in the mood to be challenged by more of a slow burn style workout – never fear GC, we gotchu… or at least, the Coast’s first infrared hot room does. Do not let the low impact movements and stretch-based routines deceive you – with German made infrared heating panels designed to heat your body from the inside out, a NBHD (or neighbourhood training) sesh will have you sculpting, strengthening and sweating like never before.
Where: 2582 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Words by Kellie Leader.

Growing bigger(a) and better every year with a smorgasbord of dining, sipping and shopping spots is the rising star of the northern Gold Coast; Biggera Waters. Nestled right near the sparkling Broadwater, it strikes the perfect balance between laid-back living and lively entertainment with a hearty dose of coastal charm.

Here’s why Biggera locals love their neck of the woods – and why the cool cats from down south are starting to look north with envy.

Harbour Town Premium Outlets
Let’s be real – this spot doesn’t just deserve an intro; it practically wrote the book on where to shop, sip, eat, repeat. With outlets like Coach, Sass & Bide, Sheike, and Camilla, every day is like Black Friday at Harbour Town. Your wardrobe won’t know what hit it, and neither will your arms after hauling your fashion finds back to the car. Who needs a gym when you’ve got retail cardio?
Where: 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

White Oat Distillery
You know a burb has hit the big league when it lands its own distillery. Enter White Oat, the ‘pandemic progeny’ of three local legends who’ve turned this passion project into a hot-ticket destination. With award-winning distiller Tudor Duxbury at the helm, a fit-out so stylish it practically struts, and a vibe that’s ‘wise with a side of cool and a splash of vintage’, this is one to oat-solutely check out.
Where: 13-14, 211 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

Metro Market
This is the local’s local for all-things grocery and takeaway, also popular for a little pampering sesh and some retail therapy. But if you ask us (and the Biggera crew), there’s another reason why Metro Market is a north-side mecca; it houses the decades-old meat institution and duck’s nuts of butchers, Cav’s Butchery #IYKNK
Where: 33 Hollywell Road, Biggera Waters

Reading Cinemas
All the best flicks? Check. Gold Class for those fancy nights with your love? Check. Fab food, snacks, drinks and friendly staff to boot? Checkedy check check. And the best part? You’re at Harbour Town so pre or post movie retail therapy is basically mandatory. Challenge accepted!
Where: Harbour Town, 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

Crafty’s
Crafty’s has been flipping the script on sports bars for many a moon, with the perfect brunch to dinner hangout for the whole crew (mini-me’s included). Think fab food, unbeatable specials, cocktails for days, games galore, and weekend DJ beats. From birthdays and events to live-and-loud game nights or dinner with your MVP, Crafty’s is a slam dunk for every occasion.
Where: Harbour Town, 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

Christmas Galore
Your tree, icicle lights, and elf on the shelf are still going strong but it’s never too soon to start planning next Christmas – and this joint is the absolute yule-timate! The largest Chrissie shop on the GC stocking over 10,000 products, you’ll love the amazing display of stunning trees, lighting, and finest festive decorations from head to (mistle)toe.
Where: 3 Gateway Drive, Biggera Waters

Dublin Docks
Perched on the shores next door to Harbour Town, Dublin Docks has been dropping anchor in locals’ hearts for years. It’s the ultimate spot to rally the crew for a hearty Irish-inspired feast, sip a few cold ones on the deck, and let the kids run amok in the indoor playground. Cheers to a good times and a pot of gold at the end of your pint!
Where: Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Harbour Town Drive, Biggera Waters

Black Hops II
Ahh Black Hops. What’s not to love and the answer is nothing. The runaway success of the original Burleigh Black Hops spurred the unveiling of this upscale production brewery and large taproom. With 16 beers on tap, trivia on Thursday nights, and food trucks up the wazoo, round up your mates, the fam and even your pooch for some award-winning amber ales.
Where: 671 Pine Ridge Road, Biggera Waters

Sushi Train
This is one of the Gold Coast’s original – and largest – Sushi Trains, and it’s still the ‘roll’ of honour for its sibling stores across the region. The iconic chorus of “Irasshaimase!” hits all the high notes here. After just one visit, the brilliant sushi chefs are likely to know your name and order by heart. Talk about service that’ll really ‘maki’ you smile!
Where: Corner Brisbane Road & Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters

Japanese Grocery Go Go Mart
Just a hop, skip, and a sashimi roll from Harbour Town, Go Go Mart is the ultimate treasure trove for all things Japanese. Stocked with Queensland’s biggest haul of Japanese groceries and goodies, it’s your go-to for a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun. From miso to matcha and everything in between, there’s a feast of healthy, authentic delights to discover.
Where: Corner Brisbane Road & Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters

Hound & Stag Brewing Co
Ok it’s technically in Arundel but being across the road from Harbour Town means it also identifies as Biggera Waters. Rocking an old barn style home fit out, the largest taproom on the Northern GC, private function spaces, and 28 beer taps, this crowd fave even has its own kitchen with an extensive top-notch menu. Plus, there’s live entertainment a-plenty making it a bona fide north-side unicorn.
Where: 13 Wrights Place, Arundel

Words by Bianca Trathen