Known for its picturesque coastline of glittering beaches, the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is home to some of the best seaside playgrounds for families. If you are on the Gold Coast and looking for a seaside playground, below are our picks of the best ones you can find in the area.
Palm Beach Parklands
When listing the best seaside playgrounds on the Gold Coast, there is one that locals nearly always have at the top of their list. Rightfully placed, Palm Beach Parklands (Pirate Park) is a treasure trove of fun, adventure and imaginative play for kids. If its recently upgraded pirate-themed playground doesn’t get their hearts racing, the fact it sits right beside the ever-popular Currumbin Lagoon will.
Along with the central pirate ship climbing fort, crows nest lookouts, treasure chests, and rowboat, kids will also love the bike and scooter paths that circle the park. This epic Gold Coast playground also offers fun play equipment such as a flying fox, spinning globe, and hammocks. For parents, the soft fall base, shade sails, covered picnic tables, and nearby café make it the ideal family destination for a day out.
After the kids have tired themselves on the playground, Currumbin Lagoon is the perfect place to cool down. With safe, shallow waters for little ones and stand-up paddle boarding options for older kids, is it little wonder that Palm Beach Parklands sits at the top of our list of the best seaside playgrounds on the Gold Coast?
Tip: We recommend visiting this playground in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the midday sun and the heavy crowds that come with being such an awesome space for kids.
Key Playground Features
- Seaside pirate-themed playground
- Row boat
- Treasure chests
- Sand pit
- Crows nest
- Basket swings
- Hammocks
- Soft fall base
- Spinning globe
- Climbing nets
- Flying Fox
- Bike and scooter paths
- Walking tracks
- Located next to Currumbin Lagoon
- Wheelchair and pram accessible
- Accessible Toilets
- BBQs
- Café
- Covered seating
Address: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
You can read our full review of Palm Beach Parklands here.
Broadwater Parklands Playground
Just as popular due to its scale and the sheer volume of playground fun to be found here, Broadwater Parklands is another easy entry to our list of the best seaside playgrounds on the Gold Coast. Located opposite Australia Fair Shopping Centre, the parklands cover an impressive 3km stretch of land alongside the Gold Coast Broadwater.
Not only does this coastal playground come complete with jumping pillow, monorail pedal-powered ride, mini signed traffic track and all the usual fun equipment your child could desire, the parklands also include a large zero-depth water play area (with tipping bucket), walking paths, large climbing trees, a café, and generous shaded picnic grounds.
The adjacent beach here offers ample sandy play for the kids and calm, protected waters to cool down in.
Note: The water play area is closed every Tuesday morning until midday for maintenance. In the summer months, there is also a (paid) inflatable aqua park for older kids and adults set up off the beach.
Key Playground Features
- Large partially-fenced playground
- Jumping pillow
- Mini traffic track
- Monorail pedal-powered track
- Sand-based playground
- Water play splash area with tipping bucket
- Climbing trees
- Giant lizards sculpture
- Large picnic lawns
- Covered picnic tables
- BBQs
- Accessible Toilets
- Café
Address: Marine Parade, Southport
You can read our full review of Broadwater Parklands here.
Peninsula Playground
Also located in the Broadwater Parklands area, Peninsula Playground deserves its place on this list of the best seaside playgrounds on the Gold Coast. With its prime seaside location overlooking the Gold Coast seaway, the playspace is a vision of modern ingenuity and design.
Prepare to be wowed by its impressive features, particularly the large spiral activity tower at its heart. Kids will be kept entertained for hours, moving between the different play equipment, which includes elevated netted sky tunnels, inground trampolines, tube slides, giant pipes, soft fall stairs, water play features, a play boat with a shopfront, and more.
Other features of this seaside playground include a large grassy field perfect for throwing a frisbee or football, a long stretch of wide pathways perfect for bike riding, and, of course, its scenic seaside location!
Key Playground Features
- Sand and soft fall based playground
- Spiral activity tower
- Water play
- Netted sky tunnels
- Inground trampoline
- Play boat with shop front
- Swings (including adaptive swing)
- Tube slides
- Sand pit with diggers
- Grassy field
- Shade sails
- Covered picnic tables
- BBQs
- Accessible toilets
Address: At the intersection of Marine Parade and Smith Street at Broadwater Parklands North, Southport
You can read our full review of Peninsula Playground here.
Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground
Co-designed with Disability Services Queensland, this incredible all-abilities seaside playground has been created with all children in mind, regardless of age or ability. Fully fenced and spaced out generously beneath large trees and sails, this flat playground has wide pathways and ramps that lead to each play zone, of which there are three main ones.
Kids can work their way between the Hill Zone (with hill slides, climbing nets, and walls), the Sandcastle Zone (with a castle, sand pit, diggers, and water jets), and the Underwater Zone (with an accessible submarine play structure, sway bridge, and flying fox).
Interspersed throughout each area are numerous other play items (too many to list here).
The area is set up for a full day of family fun, with the neighbouring Kurrawa Surf Club and beach only a few metres away. All of the above makes this easily one of the best all-abilities seaside playgrounds on the Gold Coast.
Key Playground Features
- Fully fenced playground
- Three play zones
- Climbing net
- Hill slides
- Climbing wall
- Sandpit with diggers
- Water jets
- Play submarine structure
- Marine animal sculptures
- Accessible sway bridge
- Liberty swing
- Sand tables and submarine controls at accessible hight for wheelchairs
- Rigid seat harnessed swings and flying fox
- Bucket swingers
- Swings
- Shade sails
- Next to Kurrawa Surf Club and beach
- BBQs
- Accessible Toilets with hoist and adjustable table
- Covered picnic tables
Address: Kurrawa Pratten Park, Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
You can read our full review of Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground here.
Ronnie Long Park Playground
Last on our list is Ronnie Long Park Playground, located at the entrance to one of our favourite stretches on the beach on the Gold Coast. Although not a massive playground, the fact it is partially fenced and located right next to both the Tallebudgera Surf Club and beach make it a wonderful place to base yourself for the day.
As a homage to its location, the playground has a distinctive surf lifesaver theme, further illustrated by its bright red and yellow exterior. There are two play spaces here to explore, one for older kids and one for smaller, toddler-sized children.
As well as the playground, families will love spending time at the ever-popular Tallebudgera Creek, which is an idyllic, family-friendly paradise you won’t want to miss while here. Considered one of the best swimming spots in Australia, the choice to visit either the surf beach or the calm waters of the creek means your family will be catered for regardless of the water activity level you are chasing.
Key Playground Features
- Partially fenced
- Lifesaver-themed playground
- Climbing structure
- Slides
- Swings
- Shade Sails
- Beach shower
- Beach access to Tallebudgera Beach
- Located next to Tallebudgera Surf Club
- Small Carpark
- Toilets
- Grassy picnic area
- Bench seating
Address: 1505 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach North
You can read our full review of Ronnie Long Park Playground here.
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