No Money Weekend

Just cause your bank account’s in the negative doesn’t mean your weekend’s gotta be a drag. Here’s some no money weekend options for you. You can thank us later. Or now. Or never. We don't mind. 

Eat what you think your meal is worth at Annalakshmi 

A surprising amount of people have never heard of this sweet Indian restaurant looking out onto the river. Annalakshmi, the self-titled “mother of sustenance” sits on the banks of the Swan and provides an ambient atmosphere where vegetarian dining is a cultural experience. All of the delicious food is served from the buffet, and you’re welcome to as many servings as you can manage. All they ask for is a donation upon leaving, so that the people who can afford to pay cover the costs of those who can’t. Jetty 4, Barrack Square, Perth. – Jack Burton 

Swim and find serenity at Serpentine Falls and National Park

If you drive for about 45 minutes south of the river and take a left turn at Mundijong Road and keep going for about 15 minutes, you will find yourself a few minutes away from the Serpentine National Park.  If you venture into the park you’ll find yourself surrounded by scenic beauty and verdant forest, but the most impressive spectacle is the waterfall that cascades over a large granite rock face. It sounds like the weather this weekend won’t be as scorching as it was earlier on this week, so perhaps it’s best to wait for the perfect day to attempt climbing up the slippery rock face and soaking up the sun. It costs $12 per vehicle for entry, which ends up being a few dollars each if you go with a few friends. Get there early especially in summer as once the Falls are at capacity, they don’t allow any further cars in. – Jack Burton

Watch a Live Art showdown at the Corner Gallery

Wall to Wall is a live exhibition - five artists are provided with white wall space in art garage/warehouse Corner Gallery, and they have two hours to paint something decent, with paint pens or acrylic. While the creative geniuses work, the rest of us work on beers from Gage Roads and having a good time. When you're done with your frothie, chuck the beer cap into the artist's jar that you would like to see win $300. Artists up this weekend include Sam Bloor, Han Solo Art, Prez Juan, Liam Dee Illustration and Shrink. Music acts TBA, keep your eyes on the page for details. 263 Hay St, Subiaco, Perth. 7.30pm-midnight. – Dani Marsland 

Eat some really good food at the Leederville Growers Market

A couple of weeks ago on a Sunday morning we stumbled upon the Leederville Growers Market, set up in the carpark between The Garden and the Leederville skate park. There’s juices, smoothies, a bakery, Mexican eggs, and plenty of other great breakkie options. Scored a bag of avocados for $2.99 and a few punnets of cheap strawberries, and felt content helping out some local farmers and knowing that my body wasn’t going to be riddled with pesticides. Sunday mornings 8am-12pm. – Jack Burton 

Take a surprise trip around Sydney with Heineken Chauffer

Feeling hazy about your weekend plans? Wanna try out some new places but CBF organasing anything after a huge week of work or study? Uber and Time Out Sydney are offering 45,000 people the opportunity to open their city with free, surprise experiences taking place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Order the Heineken Chauffer by downloading the Uber app and entering the promo code ‘OPENYOURCITY’ – then get ready for an Uber to pick you up and take you to a surprise selection of inner city bars, clubs and pubs. Nice. – Dani Marsland

Go to a NBL game

Sure Australia’s National Basketball League isn’t quite at the same level as America’s version of the sport, but with more and more American ballplayers heading down here toply their wares it’s only getting better. Plus get yourself in a packed stadium for a close shoot-out and it’s game on. In addition, tickets start from aslittle as $10 (I’m assuming for children), so it’s a pretty cheap show of somegood old fashioned ball sports, presumably more entertaining than ball sport sat home on your own. Tickets HERE. – Troy Mutton

Run and do push ups for free…haha.

Screw the gym membership that’s bleeding you dry, if you’re in Melbourne every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Healthy Lifestyle Lounge have free workout sessions in the morning and evening at Federation Square. Simple, fun exercises for all levels of fitness, and all ages. Perfect if you hate the gym but need someone to boss you to make you work. Fed Square, Swanston St, Melbourne. Times HERE. – Jack Burton 

Dream of future adventures at the Europe Travel Expo

Flight Centre will be holding their annual Earlybird Europe Deals at the Perth Convention Centre. Entry is free, and there will be a wide range of discounted flight deals departing from Australia to various places around Europe. While this option may be free, it might also result in you spending a lot more money this weekend than you originally planned on. The downside is that it might leave you feeling slightly discontent learning about all of the places you can’t afford to go on holiday.  Sun Oct 19, 9am – 4pm, 21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth. – Jack Burton

Travel to the Astral Plane 

The guys behind OutsideIn Festival in Sydney, Astral People, are known for bringing some seriously left field, future-thinking sounds to the dancefloors of Sydney. They’re taking over Goodgod with help from Melbourne’s Roland Tings, B.O.O.M.A, Andy Webb and Felix Lloyd and the delightful Rainbow Chan. Friday October 17, 9pm. Goodgod Small Club, 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney. Tickets $11.80 from Moshtix. – Dani Marsland

See some full frontal at the Art Gallery of WA

Back when I was a kid, the thought of my parents taking me to the Perth Art Gallery would have been about as exciting as practicing long division, however now in my slightly more mature state, I have grown quite fond of strange and confronting art. This weekend there’s a exhibition that eloquently fits that description, from Richard Avedon, entitled In Your Face: Full Frontal. This exhibition has been described as a “physical and emotional journey as you experience visceral art at its finest” and I trust it will be quite different to the types of exhibitions my parents took me to as a child. Entry for students is only $10, or you can explore the rest of the gallery for a voluntary donation. – Jack Burton

Learn how to screenprint tee shirts using your own designs

This is a series of free workshops for anyone aged 14-20  - learn how to make a screenprint, from designing to final printing, then get the chance to sell your wares in an art market later in the year! So kind of like a DIY introduction into potentially starting your own streetwear line. No prior skills are expected, food and drink provided and there is no requirement to attend every session. Sat 18 Oct, 1pm – 4pm, 44 Wood St, Laverton. Register HERE. – Dani Marsland

header photo by Adriana Petit