From lush green oases nestled within the urban landscape to sprawling nature reserves on its outskirts, Brisbane is exceedingly generous when it comes to finding parks and playgrounds for our children to explore. Among these though, some parks stand out as true titans, boasting vast expanses of greenery, diverse ecosystems, and a myriad of activities to get involved in. These are the biggest parks in Brisbane, where the allure of nature’s splendour is at its most grandiose and inviting.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha
As far as pure area size goes, the Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha is one of the largest green spaces in Brisbane. Covering a substantial 56 hectares of meticulously curated gardens, towering trees, colourful floral displays, and diverse plant collections, it is a captivating escape for families looking to connect with nature. Inhale the amazing aromas of the fragrant plants and herbs in the Sensory Garden, walk in amongst the towering Bamboo Grove, explore the beautiful and serene Japanese Garden and lagoon, and adventure through the Tropical Rainforest to join the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail.
Read our detailed review here: Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
Address: 152 Mount Coot-tha Road, Toowong
Area: 56 hectares
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, BBQ, shaded picnic tables, parking, libary, information centre, wheelchair access
Key Features: Kids playground, Japanese Garden, Bamboo Grove, Children’s Trail, Picnic Areas, Lagoon, Sensory Garden, Planetarium, Herbitarium, walking paths.
City Botanic Gardens, CBD
Although only half as big as its Mt Coot-tha brother, the City Botanic Gardens located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, is still one of our biggest and most spectacular parks. Despite its location in the city centre, Brisbane’s most historic public garden spans a generous 20 hectares, providing families with an expansive and welcoming green oasis to explore. With so many different features on offer – such as bike and walking paths, expansive lawns, a newly updated playground, countless picnicking areas, and even ornamental ponds – you’ll never be at a loss for something to do. Children can run free on vast lawns, while families take in a show at the Riverstage or enjoy a leisurely picnic by the river.
Read our detailed review here: City Botanic Gardens.
Address: 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City
Area: 20 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, parking in city, wheelchair access, BBQ, benches
Key Features: Riverstage, ornamental ponds, Weeping Fig Walk, children’s playground, walk and bike paths
Kalinga Park, Clayfield
Nestled in the picturesque suburb of Clayfield, Kalinga Park is a hidden gem that beckons families to discover its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. At 20 hectares it easily makes our list of the biggest parks in Brisbane, with ample space for families to embark on a wide range of outdoor adventures. From the impressive children’s playground and expansive grassy areas for picnics to the network of walking and cycling paths that wind along Kedron Brook, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this vast green expanse. Active kids in particular will love the variety of different sporting ovals, courts and equipment found here, and little ones learning to ride will delight in the mini traffic track.
Read our detailed review here: Kalinga Park
Address: Bertha Street, Clayfield
Area: 20 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, shaded picnic tables, parking, wheelchair access
Key Features: Playground, sporting ovals, tennis courts, basketball court, fitness equipment, mini traffic track, picnic lawns
New Farm Park, New Farm
New Farm Park is a family-favourite destination renowned for its picturesque riverside setting and generously spacious grounds. It has become most renowned though for its impressive fort like treehouse. Winding its way over multiple levels through a forest of stunning banyan fig trees which frame the whole space, it is easy to see why families love spending time here. Covering an impressive 15 hectares, the park’s size ensures that families can find their own cozy spot for relaxation, while the lush greenery and enchanting rose gardens create a picturesque backdrop for making cherished memories.
Read our detailed review here: New Farm Park
Address: Brunswick Street, New Farm
Area: 15 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, wheelchair access, parking, BBQs, picnic tables
Key Features: Treehouse playground, Rose Garden, picnic lawns, rotunda, walk and bike paths
Rocks Riverside Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks
Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Brisbane River, Rocks Riverside Park in Jindalee is a sprawling haven for families seeking a perfect blend of nature and recreation. This expansive park covers an impressive 26 hectares, with children well catered for with its watercourse, playground and nature-based play areas. Kids can play in shallow water, run in and out of the fountains when they are activated, send boats down the watercourse, or relax in the man-made rock pools. Families can meander along the scenic riverfront paths, take in the stunning views, and even try their hand at kayaking or paddle boarding.
Read our detailed review here: Rocks Riverside Park
Address: Counihan Street, Seventeen Mile Rocks
Area: 26 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, Wheelchair access, toilets, BBQs
Key Features: Playgrounds, walk and bike paths, half basketball court, water course.
Roma Street Parkland, CBD
Roma Street Parklands, nestled in the heart of South Brisbane, is a magnificent family-friendly destination known for its harmonious blend of nature and recreation. With 16 points of entry, the park’s lush lawns, playgrounds and horticultural delights span an impressive 16 hectares and there is plenty there to keep the entire family entertained; be it for just a few hours, or the entire day. The parkland is home to not one, but two fantastically thought out playgrounds, an Xpress Fun train, fountains, lakes, manicured gardens, walk and bike paths, a cafe and vast picnic lawns. There is also an amphitheatre that regularly hosts events and screens movies and spectacularly cascading waterfall wall right at its heart. Roma Street Parklands is an inviting urban retreat where families can relax, reconnect with nature, and create lasting memories, all within this spacious and enchanting environment.
Read our detailed review here: Roma Street Parkland
Address: 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane City
Area: 16 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, wheelchair access, on street parking, BBQs, benches, cafe
Key Features: Amphitheatre, Spectacle Garden, Frangipani Lawn, Queensland Greats wall, Lake Precinct, playgrounds, train, community gardens
Southbank Parkland, South Brisbane
South Bank Parklands, in Brisbane’s CBD, is effectively one giant playground for kids of all sizes and abilities. The 17 hectares of green space has been re-designed into one of the most popular city and riverside destinations in Brisbane and it is not hard to see why. Completely spoilt for choice on things to do here, families can while a whole day away on the playgrounds, on the paths, exploring the markets or simply lazing around a picnic spread. When the sun heats up, the Streets Beach lagoon, pool and aquativity water park are all filled to the brim with excited families looking to cool down.
Read our full review here: Southbank Parklands
Address: Clem Jones Promenade, South Brisbane
Area: 17 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, wheelchair access, BBQs, Shaded picnic benches, paid parking
Key Features: Streets Beach Lagoon, swimming pool, playgrounds, restaurants, shops, markets, Aquativity Water Park.
Minnippi Parklands, Carina
Minnippi Parklands is made up of several different parks in Tingalpa, Cannon Hill, Carina and Carindale, including Porter’s Paddock Park, Meadowlands Picnic Ground Park, Preston Road Park, Wood Avenue Park and Fursden Road Park. The combined and linked spaces make up a monstrous 90 hectares of green space and feature extensive meadows, looped cycling & hiking trails aroundone of the rare surviving ancient lagoons from pre-settlement days, a birdwatching deck, playgrounds, fenced dog parks, fitness equipment, sporting facilities and ovals and so much more!
Read our full review here: Minnippi Parklands
Address: 276 Meadowlands Rd, Carina
Area: 90 hectares
Facilities: Toilets, parking, wheelchair access, shaded picnic tables, BBQs
Key Features: Playgrounds, lagoon, birdwatching deck, cycle and walking paths, half basketball court, soccer court, fitness equipment, skate bowl.
For a complete list of all of our wonderful parks and playgrounds in Brisbane check out our Directory of Playgrounds in Brisbane.
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