This large reserve in Murrumba Downs, on Brisbane’s northside, boasts a large multi-level play fort, pump track, outdoor fitness equipment, a fenced dog off-leash area and more. Whilst it is set in a suburban area, there is plenty of open space, where the kids can run wild, kick a ball, fly a kite or just laze about and enjoy the fresh air.

Blatchford Recreation Reserve Playground

Climbing opportunities

Entering Blatchford Recreation Reserve via the main carpark on Goodfellows Road, you will find most of the amenities and the main playground.

Whilst the playground is unfenced it is not too close to the roads or carparks to cause major concern, though caution should always be exercised. Smaller children can be kept occupied with some play panels which are low to the ground and a variety of swings (toddler, adult and nest), while the bigger kids can climb the fort and slip down one of the many slides.

Next to the main playground you will find a generous picnic shelter with multiple picnic tables, two electric BBQ’s and of course, the all-important, accessible toilet facilities, which include a baby change table.

Picnic shelter

A large field is adjacent to the main playground and lends itself to ball games, running races or even kite flying. This is also where the cricket nets are located.

The next area in the Reserve contains an extensive range of outdoor exercise equipment including a BEEP test track, handball court and other fitness equipment. A full-size basketball court is beside this area and will be popular among the older children. There is also a netball half-court, table tennis table (BYO equipment) and another shaded picnic shelter.

If you happen to be in the area with your dog, they will be happy to run around in the large, fully fenced, dog off leash area.

At the far end of the Reserve, next to the dog park you will find the impressive pump track, which was added to the area in July 2022 (unfortunately the second smaller playground was removed to make way for this feature). The track is suitable for BMX’s, scooters, balance bikes etc and will see the kids zooming around and having fun (hopefully without too many injuries). 

Imagination Factor at Blatchford Reserve

Pump track

Perhaps one of the most endearing features of this play space is the large open areas and a multitude of options when it comes to playing, exercising and having fun. Children can use their imagination by inventing running games, playing hide and seek or pretending to be the next sports star on the pump track. 

Accessibility at Blatchford Reserve

The main access point to the Reserve is via the Goodfellows Road carpark, which has two designated, accessible parking spaces. The carpark is connected to the picnic area, toilets and main playground via wide concrete paths. These paths loop around the playground and continue throughout the reserve, making most places accessible if you have a wheelchair, pram etc.

The main playground has sections of rubber base, making the swings, spinner and some parts of the fort easily accessible, though there is also bark around the equipment. 

There is plenty of shade throughout the Reserve provided by established trees, picnic shelters and shade sails.

Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve features

• Playground (unfenced)
• Toilets (open between 5am and 8pm)
• Main Playground (partly covered by shade sails)
  • Rubber and bark base
  • Fort
  • Swings including toddler swing and nest swing
  • Climbing opportunities
  • Slides including a tunnel slide
  • Educational play panels
  • Accessible spinner
• Pump track
• Full-size basketball court
• Netball half-court
• Table tennis table (BYO equipment)
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Cricket nets
• Lots of open green spaces
• Large, fenced, dog off-leash area
• Electric barbeques (free to use)
• Picnic shelters, rubbish bins and water fountains.
• Nearby to public transport
• On and off-street parking

Another great playground in the area is John Oxley Reserve

What We Thought of Blatchford Reserve

Playground

Any play space that caters for all the family immediately gets our tick of approval. The energetic 11 year old loves to kick the footy and run around in the open space, while the 9 year old prefers to play – slipping, sliding and swinging her way around the equipment. 

Having toilets, picnic shelters and different play spaces makes this a great park for an afternoon of fun. 

How to Get to Blatchford Reserve

Blatchford Sporting and Recreation Reserve is located on Goodfellows Road in Murrumba Downs. Ample off-street parking is available. 

For those wishing to use public transport buses do stop along Goodfellows Road, and the Kallangur Train Station is less than a 10 minute walk away (approximately 700m).

More pictures of Blatchford Recreation Reserve

Pebble Creek Parklands Playground

This colourful playground has been thoughtfully designed to integrate with the surroundings and take advantage of the site’s features. It is a tranquil retreat situated in a beautifully landscaped patch of tall native trees.

The most striking feature of the playground is a multi-level tower with a curved tunnel slide that offers thrilling play opportunities for school-aged children. A series of rope-based obstacles and bridges, a parkour trail of rubber-covered domes, and a flying fox surround the tower.

For toddlers, there are swings, a multi-person spinner, and a bright yellow slide which cascades down a hillside. They can also have some fun as they try to balance on and leap between the rubber domes. The small learn-to-ride circuit is a good size for beginning riders and little ones on scooters.

Pebble Creek Parklands has designed a teen precinct that takes advantage of the park’s open spaces. The precinct includes a multi-use court, table tennis table, sheltered picnic area, oval, terraced lawn area, and dirt BMX track.

Furry family members are not forgotten. Pebble Paws is a very attractive, well-planned, and shady off-leash dog park that is fully fenced. There are two areas, with spaces designated for both large and small dogs.

Pebble Creek Parklands provides unique and exciting play experiences for all ages. The playground’s design is challenging and aesthetically pleasing, making it a perfect place to enjoy being outdoors and playing as a family.

Imagination Factor at Pebble Creek Parklands

The tall tower and the natural setting create the ideal spot for an enormous treehouse adventure and obstacle course. Scale to the top and look out over the area. Gaze at the treetops and marvel at how high up the top platform is from the ground.

Accessibility at Pebble Creek Parklands

Pebble Creek Parklands has flat concrete pathways connecting the car park, accessible toilets, basketball court and picnic shelters.

The bark base may limit wheelchair access to the playground.

Pebble Creek Parkland Features

• Unfenced playground (set back from road)
• Accessible toilets with baby change facilities
• Bark base
• Tall multi-level central tower
• Shade sails over playground equipment
• Swings including tandem, infant and parent swing
• Slides
• Rope nets
• Rope bridges
• Climbing nets
• Flying fox
• Cliff-climber
• Multi-person disc spinner
• Rubber-covered parkour domes
• Learn-to-ride track
• Basketball court
• Table tennis table
• Dirt BMX track
• Oval
• Open spaces
• BBQs
• Sheltered picnic tables
• Shared pathways
• Fenced dog parks for large and small dogs
• Car park and street parking

Another great park to explore in the nearby area is Flagstone Adventure Park or a little further away Billubera Park, a mega park in Yarrabilba. 

What We Thought of Pebble Creek Parklands

This is a very well-designed space; we wish it were our local park! I really love how spacious the park is; it has so much for everyone to enjoy.

As a parent, I can relax on a bench while the kids climb the tower or glide on the flying fox. But we can do so many other great activities at this park, like shooting hoops, playing soccer, or riding bikes and scooters on the paths.

I’d love to bring our dog along as there is a fabulous fenced, off-leash area for dogs to play in.

How to Get to Pebble Creek Parklands

Pebble Creek Parklands is located on Pebble Creek Way, South Maclean.

More Photos of Pebble Creek Parklands

DM Henderson Playground 

DM Henderson Park is a spacious Brisbane park with lots to engage and challenge kids of all ages and interests. The centrepiece is a fantastically detailed pirate ship adorned with climbing nets, slide, firefighter’s pole, masts, a steering wheel, cannons, hammocks and a flying fox. 

There’s a smaller, completely shaded play structure nearby which caters to younger Brisbane Kids with easier ramp access, gentle slide, mini climbing wall and interactive games.

Other play equipment includes novelty bouncers, 3-way see saw, spinning disc and swing bay consisting of a nest swing, toddler swing and standard seat swing.

A more recent addition had also seen the inclusion of brightly coloured musical instruments which echo throughout the bushland adding to the ambient sounds of native wildlife.

Surrounding the playground is a bunch of other facilities to keep little and big people moving with exercise equipment, three painted handball courts, basketball half-court, rebound wall and nearby cricket pitch.

There’s even a fully fenced dog park so your furry friends can enjoy the fun. For a bit of rest and reprieve, you’ll find a number of benches, BBQs and picnic shelters, one of which can be booked for parties and gatherings.

DM Henderson Park BMX and Off-Road Cycling Tracks

Sharing the spotlight with the pirate ship playground, is a bitumen BMX pump track and newly constructed off-road cycling track, which fits in beautifully with the natural surroundings.

The undulating BMX track has banks, moguls, bumps and other fun features as it winds back and forth beneath the gum trees. Each track is split into different skill levels from easiest to advanced creating an inclusive environment for all riders.  

If your budding cyclist isn’t quite up to the challenge yet then there’s a nice, flat footpath nearby to practise those pedalling skills. There’s no seating near the track, so bring a picnic rug or your own chairs if you anticipate being there for some time.

Imagination Factor at DM Henderson Park

Pirate ships are a very popular playground theme and it’s easy to see why as children are familiar with the narrative and the pretend play opportunities nicely present themselves.

Whether your mini pirate is keen to climb up the riggings, be on diligent lookout duty or search for hidden treasure – there is endless inspiration for Brisbane Kids to take the steering wheel. There’s also three quick ways to abandon ship, with the slide, firefighter’s pole and the flying fox all providing fun options for a speedy exit.

The generous size of the playground also allows for shared and social play experiences as multiple children are able to enjoy the pirate ship at the same time. In addition to this, the gorgeous bushland is an excellent nature play setting for curious and adventurous young minds.

Accessibility at DM Henderson Park

DM Henderson Park has wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities, disabled parking spaces and concrete paths for wheelchair and pram use.

The playground is surrounded by large trees offering scattered sun protection and shade sails over some of the play equipment.

The playground is unfenced but is set back from the road.

DM Henderson Park Features

• Unfenced playground
• Accessible toilets
• Bark base with rubber matting under swings
• Pirate ship themed playground
• Smaller, toddler playground
• Flying fox
• Disc spinner
• Bouncers
• Musical instruments
• Multiple swings including toddler and nest swing
• Bitumen BMX bike track with moguls
• Off-road cycling track
• Fitness equipment
• Reflexology path
• Basketball half-court
• Rebound wall
• Handball courts
• Cricket fields and cricket nets
• Fenced, off leash dog park
• Bike and walking paths
• Picnic shelters with tables
• Bench seats
• BBQs
• Off street car parking

Another nearby family-friendly destinations is Abberville Street Park at Upper Mount Gravatt and BOUNCE Inc trampoline park at Macgregor for a super charged day out.

What We Thought of DM Henderson Park

DM Henderson Park boasts a modern playground with well-maintained grounds and exciting bike tracks, which bring the WOW element. We’d agree it is worth the drive, especially for active families passionate about anything on two wheels. There’s a load of special memories to be made in this wholesome, community-centric environment designed with fun at the forefront.

How to Get to DM Henderson Park

DM Henderson Park and designated car park are located on Granadilla Street, Macgregor QLD 4109.

More Photos of DM Henderson Park

Wittonga Park Playground

Located on the Alutha Road side of the expansive Wittonga Park, the Wittonga Park playground is large and very well-shaded. Several large shade structures protect much of the equipment throughout the day, along with shade from the nearby trees providing a great space for kids to play for hours.

A large, colourful play fort is the main attraction of the playground, with stepping platforms (perfect for games of ‘the floor is lava’), monkey bars, a wobbly bridge, giant noughts & crosses and more. A bright plastic slide is a favourite for exiting the fort.

Adjacent to the fort, there’s a large hammock and nest swing, as well as a spring see-saw. Further on, you’ll find an unshaded climbing structure with nets and climbing walls to challenge little and big kids alike.

The park’s swings are also fully shaded by a separate shade structure, with 4 swings in total (two with toddler seats and two with regular sling seats).

Local experience: When we visited right in the middle of the day, even the play equipment not covered by shade structures was still predominantly shaded, indicating this would be a good spot at any time of the day to visit.

Wittonga Park Scooter Track

Built in 2022, the scooter track at Wittonga Park is hugely popular with the locals and you will often find it packed after school due to its proximity to the local state primary school across the road. That said, it’s a super fun track that will only get better as the trees and planting grows. 

Situated on the Hilder Road side of the playing fields, the scooter track is not large, but it is perfect for toddlers and younger children.

Looping a grassy area that also contains some bench seating and shade trees, the scooter track meanders up and down gentle hills to challenge without being too scary. A gorgeous arbour has been created over one section of the track, with decorative butterflies throughout and vines growing that will one day provide a shady tunnel to scoot through.

The scooter track at Wittonga Park is marked up with road divisions (one lane in each direction), and features some roundabouts; perfect for learning some basic road rules.

There are also some small sections of different textured surfaces along the track for kids to enjoy travelling over and experiencing the varying vibrations through their wheels, along with small humps along the road to cruise over.

Wittonga Park BMX Track

NOTE: This section is currently closed for repairs. This post will be updated once it reopens.

The BMX section at Wittonga Park is comprised of a series of dirt mounds and jumps. The track itself is located alongside a basketball half-court and rebound wall, so be sure to BYO ball.

Though not expansive, the BMX track and this section of Wittonga Park are big drawcards for slightly older children, and those wanting a change from the flat bike paths or scooter track.

Imagination Factor

Each of the different spaces within Wittonga Park bring about its own opportunities for imaginative play. The playground space can be reimagined as a ship or castle, with a small ‘shop window’ beneath being perfect for serving up imaginary coffees.

The hammock provides time to just enjoy the space, whilst letting their imaginations travel wherever they wish.

The lane markings of the Wittonga Park scooter track are perfect for little drivers travelling and making deliveries from their scooters and visiting friends near and far, whilst the BMX track lets daredevils get airborne, imagining they are the stars of their very own motocross event.

Accessibility

Wittonga Park is a relatively flat park, with flat concrete walking and bike paths linking all spaces, along with two bridges to link the playground and off-leash dog park with the main playing fields, BMX track and scooter park.

The toilets are modern and are located closest to the scooter track and adjacent to the bridge linking to the playground, being where families with small children need them most.

Wittonga Park Facilities

• Toilets
• Scooter track with lane markings, roundabout and arbor
• BMX track with dirt mounds and jumps
• Playground with ample shade structures
• Swings (2 x toddler seat and 2 x regular sling seat)
• Play fort with slide, monkey bars, wobbly bridge and stepping platforms
• Play hammock
• Spring see-saw
• Nest swing
• Climbing frame with climbing ropes and peg wall
• Fitness equipment
• Basketball half court
• Cricket pitch and field
• Fenced off-leash dog park 
• Shelters with tables and chairs
• Bench seating scattered throughout
• Electric BBQs
• Creek 

Our personal experience of Wittonga Park

Whilst the scooter track in itself is not something we’d be travelling far especially for, the combination of other elements within Wittonga Park make it a great destination park for locals and it is definitely worth the visit if you are in the vicinity.

We love the abundance of open space at Wittonga Park, as well as the variety of shaded spaces which make it easy to set up in your own space for an extended visit at any time of the year.

Where to find Wittonga Park

You can find Wittonga Park on Hilder Road, in The Gap. The Wittonga Park playground is located on the corner of Alutha Road, with the scooter and BMX tracks and playing fields located adjacent to this at 98 Hilder Road. Street parking is available on Alutha Road and there is a small off-street carpark located in front of the scooter track on Hilder Road.

Parks nearby that we love include Walton Bridge Reserve in The Gap and The Enchanted Forest/Dorrington Park in Ashgrove.

More pictures of Wittonga Park

More pictures of Wittonga Park playground

More pictures of Wittonga Park scooter track

Our guide to the Best Scooter Parks in Brisbane has a big selection of scooter tracks for you to try out when you’re ready for a change. Alternatively, if your kid is into BMX, check out our guide to BMX Riding for Kids in Brisbane for some more great locations.

Apex Park playground

In 2021, Apex Park received a generous upgrade, with new features including a renewed multi-sport half court (with soccer goal, basketball and netball hoops), additional picnic facilities and a pump track for BMX, scooter and skateboard users installed.  

Spread out beneath a blanket of trees, the park is separated into two main sections.  The first area, to the left, houses the new pump track, the multi-sport half court and a shelter with informal seating to watch those performing.

On the right, kids will find the main playground area.  Shaded by large shade sails, this area is home to an abundance of brilliant play spaces.  There is a large crows nest complete with slide, rope and bridge courses, a nature play space and even a super sweet gumnut house and imaginative play space for the youngest visitors.

You will also find a flying fox, multiple swing sets and a range of seating (both covered and uncovered) and barbeque spaces.

Nature Play

Although it is literally ringed with trees, Apex Park also has a fantastic nature-play playground area for kids.  With long intersecting wood logs to climb on and walk along as well as large balls sunk within the soft, sandy floor, children will love digging and clambering over the different aspects of this natural play environment.

Imagination Factor

There is just so much at Apex Park that will inspire a child’s imagination.  The small, gumnut house area off to one side is perfect for little ones who want to pretend they live in a magical forest land of fairies and woodland creatures.  With giant lady bugs and dragonfly slides complete with a wooden log seat and letterbox, this area is no doubt one that all little ones (and big kids too) will be drawn to.

Accessibility

New public amenities, with two fully-accessible disability-friendly unisex toilets, have been completed and are now in a more central location, which means they offer better access and visibility for all park visitors.

Apex Park features

• Accessible toilet facilities
• Bike, skate and skooter pump track
• Multi-sport half course (with soccer goal, netball and basketball rings)
• Dragonfly slide
• Crows Nest
• Soft fall, sand base
• Shaded by shade sails
• Nature play area
• Imaginative play gumnut house area
• Multiple swing types
• Flying fox
• Spinners
• Sandpit 
• Rope bridges and climbing course
• BBQs
• Toilets
• Picnic shelters with tables
• Benches
• Grassy areas and shade trees

How to get to here

Apex Park is located at 8-12 Starkey St, Wellington Point QLD 4160. 

More images of Apex Park 

Doug Larsen Park playground

Doug Larsen Park at Beenleigh is the perfect destination for a quiet afternoon picnic with your Brisbane Kids. There are a number of distinct play areas as the park has expanded over the years. The main playground area features a colourful fort, representative of a boat, and invites children to board with toddler-accessible stairs. There is a tunnel and open slide off the playground and an elevated walkway which could be seen as walking the plank and is safely enclosed to make it easy for young children to enjoy. 

Dotted around the park are a range of infant and regular swings, a merry-go-round, a climbing net and a smaller fort playground. For older children, there is also a basketball hoop, fitness equipment, BMX and skate facilities (In Beenleigh Skatepark).

We have also listed Doug Larsen Park on our list of places to feed the ducks in Brisbane due to the often present residents of the waterway that flows through the park (please read how to feed the ducks ethically).

Imagination Factor

The expansive natural aspect of the park and the waterway makes for many wildlife-seeking adventures. There is an impressive viewing platform out on the lake where ducks and other native waterbirds are known to frequent. Mini explorers might enjoy drawing the birds or taking photos before heading home to see if they can use the internet to identify the birds they have seen.  

Special Needs

Doug Larsen Park has wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities. The playground is unfenced and close to the water, so vigilance with young Brisbane Kids is necessary. There are bike and walking paths and bridges in the park that are suited to wheelchair and pram use.  Shelters and barbeques are located in many spots for public use.

Doug Larsen Park features

• Unfenced playground
• Bark and sand base
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities
• Climbing structures
• Slides
• Swings (infant and regular)
• Basketball hoop
• Fitness equipment
• BMX / Skate facilities
• Grassy open spaces
• Creek / Waterway
• Ducks
• Bike and walking paths
• Electric BBQs
• Picnic tables and shelters

Another great south side Brisbane Playground is JJ Smith Memorial Park.

Doug Larsen Park is located at 41 Logan Street, Beenleigh.

More images of Doug Larsen Playground

Newcomb Park BMX track

Possibly one of the best dirt BMX tracks around, Newcomb Park is an amazing space for BMX thrill-seekers. The dirt tracks range from small consecutive jumps for younger riders with some smaller berms; to jumps for the teenagers and adults that will make the heart race. There is some fencing around the track to keep any stray riders or bikes away from the rest of the play space. Next to the BMX track is a small skate plaza with a small quarter pipe, some grind boxes, grind rails, steps and blocks.

On the other side of the BMX track is a great little playground for younger kids. It has been designed so that toddlers can make their way independently up the fort to the slides. There are three plastic slides, cargo netting, interactive walls, a roundabout and a large four-wheel drive style rocker. There’s also a swing set with a basket swing, toddler swing and regular swing.

For those more into ball sports, there is a half-court basketball court and plenty of green space to kick a ball.

The Imagination Factor

For the younger kids, they can pretend to go on an offroad adventure in their four-wheel drive, race their motorbike around the track, or simply be king or queen of their castle. Older kids will have fun practicing their tricks and stunts on either the BMX track or in the skate plaza; or challenge their mates to a game of basketball.

Accessibility

While this is a fantastic park, it hasn’t been designed for those with mobility challenges. There are paths connecting the roadway and the toilet block, and the toilet block is wheelchair accessible. The playground is unfenced and partially sheltered by a shade sail and mature trees and there is a sheltered table and chairs with a BBQ. Those wanting to use the BMX track and skate plaza would be best to visit early morning or late afternoon, there is little shade for spectators and can become quite hot. Parking is street parking on Sumners Road.

Don’t forget rider safety as spills are inevitable. Dress appropriately with long trousers and shirts, enclosed shoes, pads and of course a helmet are essential. A basic first aid kit wouldn’t go astray. The BMX track is dirt, therefore, expect riders and their gear to get quite dusty.

Newcomb Park features

• Fantastic BMX dirt track for all ages
• Small skate plaza
• Half-court basketball court
• Greenspace for ball games
• Small unfenced playground suited to younger children
• Three slides
• Cargo netting
• Round about
• Rockers
• Swings – basket, toddler and regular swings
• Playground has a bark base
• Playground partially shaded
• One Sheltered table and chairs
• One BBQ
• Toilets
• Water bubblers
• Street parking
• Fitness equipment

How to get here

Newcomb Park is located at the very end of Sumner Road where it meets the Brisbane River in Riverhills. It is adjacent to the Centenary Rowing Club. Another great west-side Brisbane Park is Rocks Riverside Park.

Photos of Newcomb Park

The wide range of facilities found at Underwood Park at Priestdale, including the awesome Funderwood Hollow adventure playground, makes this park ideal for families with Brisbane Kids of all ages.

Underwood Park Playground

Underwood Park is a lovely spacious park with heaps of play features to suit all ages. There are several play spaces throughout the park, including a unique Spielart adventure playground and a second large playground that is protected by colourful shade sails.

Funderwood Hollow Park Design

Funderwood Hollow has been designed for children aged 5 to 16 years and features a fairytale feel with castle-themed towers high above the ground. The design has been based on children’s drawing depicting their own ideas for a fantasy playground brought to life. A range of challenging equipment has been created from durable and natural materials for Brisbane Kids to explore, including climbing nets, rope bridges and a climbing wall. The towers are up to five metres high and nestled amongst the trees.

Nature Playspace

The nature play section includes a water pump, tree stump styled sculptures for climbing and hiding and wooden stumps, beams and chain obstacles.  There’s a rocky creek bed with bridges and stepping stones through the many established trees in this part of the playground to allow your Brisbane Kids of all ages to adventure, balance, play and explore their natural environment.

Monorail Track

Additional features of Underwood Park include a pedal-powered monorail track that is always popular, as is the flying fox. Climbing nets, slides, swings and play structures provide variety for Brisbane Kids.

The BMX track is awesome for older Brisbane Kids, being home to competitions on a regular basis (or check out Darra BMX track if you want a track that caters for all ages).

Other fun attractions of Underwood Park include a dog off-leash area, netball courts and basketball half-court. There are many sheltered tables in the park offering wood and electric BBQ’s. There’s also a lagoon nearby.

Imagination Factor

The awesome Funderwood Hollow Spielart playground provides many opportunities for kids to test themselves with the increasingly more challenging equipment, in order to encourage them to make informed decisions and to develop resilience in a safe and secure environment. The fairytale theme is perfect for make-believe games of princesses, knights and scary dragons. The monorail track at Underwood Park is great for younger Brisbane Kids who are not quite up to using the BMX track. Here they can imagine they are zooming around on their own bikes, burning heaps of energy as they go. The flying fox will see your little monkeys swinging through the jungle and there are lots of trees scattered throughout to explore.

Accessibility

Underwood Park has accessible toilet facilities. There are many paths suited to wheelchair and pram use. The playgrounds are unfenced and the park is shaded by trees throughout the day. There is also a generous carpark.

Underwood Park Features

• Several unfenced playgrounds on a sand base
• Accessible toilet facilities
• Funderwood Hollow is a unique Spielart adventure playground
• Forts
• Rope bridges
• Climbing walls
• Towers
• Shadesail over some play equipment
• Climbing nets
• Slides
• Swings
• Pedal-powered monorail track
• Flying fox
• Sand Digger
• BMX track
• Basketball half-court
• Netball courts
• Bike path
• Several wood and electric BBQs
• Shelters with tables near the playground
• Shade trees
• Grassy open space
• Dog off-leash area
• Generous carpark

Another great Brisbane Playground nearby is Springwood Park.

Parents will love

• The endless play opportunities from the structured to the unstructured
• The facilities – its nice to have everything from BBQ’s and picnic shelters to accessible toilets and a generous carpark

Kids will love

• Whether the kids are looking for a romp in nature or some climbing or sand digging, Underwood Park offers it all. They are unlikely to sing out with the “I am bored” mantra simply because there is so much to do here
• The sand-digger and the monorail are two pieces of play equipment that aren’t commonly found in Brisbane playgrounds and they prove to be a huge drawcard. 

Underwood Park is located on Underwood Road in Priestdale.

Greenways Esplanade Park playground

The addition of a brand new cycle track to the already generously spaced and equipped Greenways Esplanade Park is just one of the impressive additions and upgrades this park has recently received as part of a BBC initiative.

The 200m long concrete track is suitable for both scooter and bike riders and swerves and loops gracefully past an abundance of fun Brisbane landmarks and features along the way.  Kids can pass over a miniature Gateway Bridge, survey a meandering Brisbane River beneath it as they do and also head into and park at a CBD precinct as well. 

The bike paths here offer children a great way to learn to adhere to certain road rules, the tracks are two way (stay to the left kids!) and comes complete with traffic signage, intersections, roundabouts and crossings.  There is even a bike maintenance area where busy riders can either pretend or genuinely tune their vehicle of choice with air pumps, allen keys, screwdrivers and spanners.

Greenways Esplanade Park is a large, open and largely flat park with two shade-sail covered playgrounds that feature swings, a slide and a climbing structure with a great wobbly bridge. A second more stable bridge set on the ground is fantastic for younger Brisbane Kids. Although it is uncovered, the massive climbing net is another popular feature of this park.

For older Brisbane Kids, there is also a brand new fenced basketball court, rebound wall, cricket nets, concrete table tennis table, gym workout area and small BMX track provide hours of entertainment. There’s convenient bench seating near the playground, small tables and chairs on the cycle track as well as many upgraded covered shelters with tables and BBQs too.

Dogs are also well-catered for with two play areas set aside for them, both fully fenced.  One is an off-leash open area and the other contains small obstacles and play equipment for them.

Imagination Factor

You really can’t go past the cycle park as a fantastic imaginative play environment for your kids.  Children can pretend they are going on a great adventure as they travel the streets of Brisbane, meet up with friends or head ‘off road’ to the motorcross jumps all in one day.  The expansive, open green spaces would also be ideal for anyone is who keen to fly a kite – that is if they can draw themselves away from all the other options the park offers to families. 

Accessibility

Greenways Esplanade Park has toilets that cater for special needs as well as baby changing facilities. There are some great flat concrete paths around the outside of the park, so navigating with a wheelchair would be possible. The playground is unfenced and there are many wide concrete paths that lead up to the different areas of play.

Greenways Esplanade Park features

• 200m Cycle Track complete with traffic signage, landmarks and bike repair station
• Playground equipment for younger children over a softfall bark base and rubber under swings
• Two unfenced playgrounds with shade sails
• Concrete table tennis table
• Fenced full basketball court
• Swings
• Rockers
• Climbing station
• Basketball half-court
• Rebound wall
• Cricket nets
• BMX track
• Dog off-leash area
• Dog obstacle area
• 3 Shelters
• 2 Wood-fuelled BBQs
• 1 Electric BBQ
• Other wildlife
• Bike path nearby
• Carpark
• Street parking
• Toilets

Another nearby Brisbane Playground is Calamvale District Park.

Greenways Esplanade Park is located on Greenways Esplanade in Parkinson.

Photos of Greenways Esplanade Park

Broadwater Parklands Playground

A popular monorail track circles the perimeter of the playground, highlighting the impressive zip line which runs along one side. There is also an unsheltered sand-based playground boasting swings, slides and climbing equipment. Climbing trees feature through the Broadwater Parklands, but one of the most popular is near the swing sets, where the branches are low enough for even small children to climb. A jumping pillow, seesaws and other bouncing play equipment provides for lots of play opportunities for kids of all ages. 

There are four electric BBQs near the main playground area, and several covered table areas near the main playground, plus shady trees and umbrellas in random places on the large lawn area closest to the café. The Broadwater Parklands are extremely popular in the school holidays, particularly in summer because of the water park area.

There is ample off-road (paid), which is strictly enforced by Gold Coast City Council. You will also notice an event board fixed to some fencing in the park which is worth taking note of if you are on holidays here. 

Families will benefit from the café located not far from the main playground and during peak times, a coffee cart nearer to the play area.

Mini Traffic Track

Broadwater Parklands features a feature-packed mini traffic track which offers obstacles, signs and road crossing for bike riders and kids with scooters. The paths are not particularly wide in all places so just keep an eye on little ones or kids learning to ride. Helmets are a must. 

Waterplay area

A shallow water park sits adjacent to the café, complete with sprinklers, waterfalls and shallow splash pools. The water is regularly recycled using seawater. It is closed every Tuesday morning until midday for maintenance. A shaded swimming enclosure sits opposite the jumping pillow on the beach and in the summer months there is a (paid) inflatable aqua park for older kids and adults. 

Dogs are permitted on leashes throughout the parklands but owners should observe signage regarding access to beach/swimming areas.

There are a few ducks in the wetland area, along with purple swamphens (pukekos) and sacred ibis. Of course, seagulls are also in abundance.

Imagination Factor

Broadwater Parklands is a summer paradise for kids but is equally engaging on sunny winter days. The trees are perfect for climbing and playing desert island adventures, while the sandy beach makes sandcastles and expansive sand towns possible. The monorail track is always a drawcard, as is the bike tracks for mini BMX riders. The lizard sculpture is also a favourite for kids who love scaly creatures. 

Accessibility

Broadwater Parklands has plenty of concrete walking paths that form part of a much longer walk from Paradise Point to Coolangatta. There are several toilet blocks throughout the park, including accessible toilets. There are also baby change tables for small infants but we have found them not able to hold a toddler (weighing around 15kg) safely.

The playground features a liberty swing for all abilities. The area is mostly fenced, but not entirely, and although Marine Parade is a busy street, there are unfortunately a few gaps in the fencing to allow pedestrian access. Additionally, the beach areas are not fully fenced off, although there are barriers along most of the way.

Broadwater Parklands features

• Partially fenced playground
• Several toilet blocks
• Soft fall rubber, bark and sand
• Swings
• Slide
• Monkey bars
• Climbing equipment
• Jumping pillow
• Pedal monorail
• Liberty Swing
• Water play areas
• Grassy open space
• Bike and walking paths
• Inflatable water park (Summer only, cost applies)
• Electric barbeques
• Shelters and shady trees
• Café
• Adjacent to the beach
• Ample (paid) off-road parking

Broadwater Parklands is located on Marine Parade at Southport on the Gold Coast.