Queens Park Playground – One of our favourite playgrounds for toddlers in Ipswich

Queens Park in Ipswich slides into this list easily, because it provides so many incredible toddler-friendly experiences all in one place. The playground itself has a wonderful water play pump and stream that little ones can both operate and delight in as they either play in or race a chosen leaf down. There is plenty of toddler-sized play equipment and both a soft fall rubber playground base and lovely big grassed lawn for them to run on. The park also houses a delightful Nature Centre with native animals to meet and farm animals to greet as they walk the wide (pram-friendly) boardwalk that winds throughout. Afterwards, you can take them to the Environmental Education Centre, which is opposite the playground and has plenty of toddler play activities. The onsite café also offers kids’ meals too!

Toddler-Friendly Highlights

• Water play
• Toddler play equipment
• Spacious, mostly-shaded play area
• Soft fall rubber base on playground
• Animal nature centre 
• Environmental Education Centre
• On-site café with kids’ menu
• Large grassed lawns
• Toilets inc disabled access
• Nappy changing facilities

Address: 10A Milford Street, Ipswich

You can read our full review of Queens Park Playground here.

Leichhardt Park

For us, Leichhardt Park ticks all the boxes when it comes to fun, safe and imaginative playgrounds for toddlers in Ipswich. First up, the park has a soft-fall bark base and is fully fenced, which for any parent of an active toddler is an absolute god-send. On top of this, the playground’s largest section (there are two) is designed perfectly for children under 5 years of age. With a charming fruit and vegetable theme, there is a low watermelon rocker, a small vegetable and pastry store, a shop front, sweet toddler-sized climbing fort, and lots more for them to discover. For little kids who love a sandpit, there is a large one here and even a sand digger too.

Toddler-Friendly Highlights

• Fully fenced
• Soft bark base on playground
• Large toddler-sized play area
• Fruit and veg themed
• Small fruit store (imaginative play)
• Sandpit with digger
• Toddler swings
• Toilet facilities and baby change tables
• Large grassed field (outside of fencing)

Address: 1A Old Toowoomba Road, One Mile

You can read our full review of Leichhardt Park here.

Flagstone Adventure Park

You would have to be living under a rock not to have heard of Flagstone Adventure Park, which is one of the biggest and best in Ipswich. However, with its large scale play equipment, big crowds and unfenced play spaces, it is not usually the first playground that comes to mind for parents of toddlers. Even so, we love this playground and know it has just as much to offer the younger kids as it does the teens. In fact, there is a dedicated toddler area that includes a low-to-the-ground climbing fort, sunken tunnel, toddler-sized climbing frame, toddler swings, and small slides. There are also sand play opportunities, an inground trampoline, and a large grassy field to play on. The best part – a linked water park with a zero-depth water course with jets, blasters and bubblers that toddlers will love cooling down in!

Toddler-Friendly Highlights

• Toddler play area
• Low-to-ground toddler fort
• Toddler climbing frame
• Sand play
• Small slides
• Toddler swings
• In-ground trampoline
• Soft fall playground base
• Accessible toilets
• Zero-depth water park play area

Address: Trailblazer Drive, Jimboomba

You can read our full review of Flagstone Adventure Park here.

Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve

Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve consists of 11 hectares of native forest, within which lies a delightful wooden playground that toddlers (and all kids) will adore. Low to the ground, created from natural materials, and with a soft play base to fall on, the playground is overflowing with nature play opportunities for little ones. There is a pretend campfire and a small wooden stage that are perfect for imaginative play, as well as a climbing net, balance beam, small rope, and log obstacle course, totem poles, and a small bird’s nest swing. We love this playground for its natural play equipment, but also because of the other toddler-friendly nature opportunities you can find here, including five small bush walking trails. They are short, easy and mostly paved with bitumen, making them ideal for toddlers. Look out for the large, metal storybook frames that can be discovered along the way, which is part of Ipswich’s ‘Tales and Trails’ first 5 program.

Toddler-Friendly Highlights

• Nature play playground
• Small stage
• Imaginative play opportunities
• Low play equipment
• Soft base to playground
• Bush trails and walks
• Native forest
• Pretend campfire site
• Accessible toilets at picnic area
• ‘Tales and Trails’ story cards walk

Address: 20 Chelmsford Avenue, Ipswich

You can read our full review of Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve here.

Faye Carr Park

Taking toddler playgrounds to the next level, Faye Carr Park in Ripley is next on our list of the best playgrounds for toddlers in Ipwsich. Little ones will delight in the bright, fun, and themed sections of this playground, with a triple rocket climbing structure being a pretty incredible site on arrival. It’s the designated snakes and ladders-themed toddler playground though that will keep them entertained for hours. Here, they will find ground-level play equipment including forts, slides, swings, spinners, rubber domes, a custom rope run, and many interactive and development activities too. If you visit this park, be sure to pack in your toddler’s preferred choice of wheels – be that a scooter, trike or bike – as the playground also features a learn-to-ride track, complete with signage.

• Snakes and ladders themed toddler playground
• Interactive play cube
• Toddler swing
• 16 developmental activities for young children
• Low to ground play equipment
• Learn-to-ride track
• OmniSpin Spinner
• Superscoops
• Custom rope run
• Rubber domes
• Rocket ship tri pod climbing structures
• Accessible toilets and change table facilities
• Rubber, bark chip and sand base

Address: 1 Joy Chambers Circuit, Ripley

You can read our full review of Faye Carr Park here.

Grande Park

Grande by name and grand by nature, this playground gifts parents of toddlers a full day of safe fun and exploration for their little ones. With so many different spaces to enjoy, parents of adventurous toddlers in particular will love the fact that all of the play areas at Grande Park are located within a fully-fenced area. With soft bark and rubber bases, ground-level play equipment, and large grassed spaces, you can relax while your toddler runs free and explores all the park has to offer.

Tip – you may want to pack a picnic, change of clothes and the kids’ bikes in for your visit to the park too. There are some lovely recreational pathways which lead through the surrounding Eucalyptus forest and down to a small creek, which is a treat for mini bushwalkers. Another big highlight is the exciting learn-to-ride track here, with its own signs and road markings.

• Fully fenced
• Toddler playground
• Bark and rubber based playgrounds
• Hill slides
• Spinners
• Toddler climbing fort
• Slides
• Traffic learn-to-ride track with signs
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities
• Grassy open spaces
• Bush walks
• Creek

Address: 40 Grande Avenue, Springfield Lakes

You can read our full review of Grande Park here.

If you are looking for more toddler-friendly things to do you may also be interested in:

Best things to do with babies and toddlers in Brisbane

Brisbane with a toddler

Birds Nest Park Playground

The cubby house-style toddler play fort is a beautiful feature of this playground. Built low to the ground, little ones can play independently without fear of falling. Climb the stairs, crawl through the tunnel, creep across the wobbly bridge, scramble up the ramp and across the platforms, then woosh down the slide before starting all over again! A shop window and talking tubes add to the fun.

Next to the cubby, a spherical climbing structure will entertain older children. Bright yellow ropes crisscross throughout the sphere, creating a climbing web. Flower-like elements adorn the outside, and a friendly cockatoo keeps watch. An arched wall with rock climbing footholds provides an access point to the fort. In contrast, a hammock swing and some balancing obstacles provide some fun down below.

Between these two structures are rubber mounds to balance upon and jump between, as well as a multi-person spinner, regular swings and a basket swing.

Beyond the shaded picnic tables, smooth pathways circle the grassed area, perfect for little ones learning to ride their bikes and scooters. A grassed kickabout area is the ideal spot for a game of tag or soccer. A sandstone amphitheatre wraps around one side of the grass, giving Brisbane Kids with talent a place to perform.

Birds Nest Park Imagination Factor

Little Brisbane Kids will love imagining they are serving up some delicious treats from the café window of the cubby house fort. Older children can use the larger climbing frame as an animal rescue hospital. At the top of the structure, they can watch for wildlife that needs assistance, rescue them, and release the animals back into the wild upon recovery. At the same time, the amphitheatre gives budding performers a place to rehearse and hone their skills.

Birds Nest Park Accessibility

The park is accessible by wide paths that are suitable for prams and people using wheelchairs. The bright colours of the spherical climbing sphere may assist a child with low vision. Shade sails cover the play equipment, and seating is available at the picnic tables.

Birds Nest Park Features

• Unfenced playground set back from the road
• Base of rubber soft fall and bark
• No Toilets
• Regular swings, basket swing and hammock swing
• Spherical rope-based climbing structure
• Well-designed toddler fort
• Toddler slide
• Multi-person spinner
• Rubber balance mounds
• Talking tubes
• Toddler shop window
• Shade sails over play equipment
• Kickabout area
• Fitness equipment
• Pathways suitable for prams, wheelchairs, scooters and bikes
• Shaded picnic tables and chairs
• Drinking water fountain
• Sandstone amphitheatre
• Street parking

Another wonderful playground nearby is Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve.

What we thought of Birds Nest Park

We found Birds Nest Park to be a charming playground. My little Brisbane Kid enjoyed weaving through the ropes on the climbing structure and running free across the grass. One of the things that I found particularly useful was the strategic placement of the picnic tables. What I appreciated the most was that from my seat, I could keep a watchful eye on the children playing in all areas of the park. This made it easier for me to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while also ensuring that the little ones were safe and sound.

How to get here

Birds Nest Park can be found on Mallee Street (off Sunbird Drive), Redbank Plains, within the Eden’s Crossing Estate.

Other images of Birds Nest Park

Terry and Frances Slaughter Park Playground

A lovely green pocket on a grassy hillside by the lake is the perfect setting for a freshwater adventure. The park’s central feature, the wooden sailing ship, is striking and invites children aboard to explore.

The tall rope-net climbing structure here resembles a ship’s mast and crow’s nest lookout with several climbing elements providing access to the top. It is reasonably high and open, making it better suited for school-aged children. On the ship’s side are two rope-based tightropes resembling some planks to walk.

Younger children can keep busy with the equipment in the top section of the park, where there is a fun banana swing, a stand-on seesaw and a smaller climbing mast with ropes. A metal tunnel slide cascades down the hillside to the bottom of the ship.

In this lower area is a unique rope swing. There is also a mound with rock climbing grips that lead back up to the mid-level of the playground. At the same time, the grassy hillside is a brilliant place for chasing games or just rolling down a hill.

Terry and Frances Slaughter Park is an ideal location for a pirate or maritime-themed birthday party.

Imagination Factor at Terry and Frances Slaughter Park

“Ahoy, me hearties! This playground be a treasure trove for all ye little pirates. With a mighty wooden ship at its heart, ye can climb the mast’s rigging and spy land from the crow’s nest. And any scallywags who don’t follow the captain’s orders will be dealt with accordingly. They will have to walk the plank!

If pirates are not your thing, then perhaps this is an expedition for scientists exploring a shipwreck discovered in a suburban hillside after a big storm. Where did it come from? Where was it going? Why is it here?

Accessibility at Terry and Frances Slaughter Park

This location has smooth concrete pathways from the car park and accessible toilets. Multiple elevations and a bark chip base make it challenging for individuals using wheelchairs or prams.

Parents with speedy toddlers may struggle as it is a spot where little ones can move up and down between different sections much faster than parents, especially if you are supervising multiple children. Close supervision is recommended at all times. 

Terry and Frances Slaughter Park Features

• Unfenced playground (next to a lake)
• Bark and soft fall play base
• Accessible toilets
• Ship-themed playground
• Mast and crow’s nest rope-based climbing feature
• Stand on seesaw
• Thick rope swing
• Tunnel slide to lower level of playground
• Banana swing
• Soft fall mound with rock climbing grips
• Tightropes
• Covered picnic tables
• BBQs
• Open grassy hillside
• Lake views
• Shade sails
• Car parking

Another wonderful park nearby worth exploring is Discovery Park, Springfield Lakes,

What We Thought of Terry and Frances Slaughter Park

We found this park to be green and lovely. The equipment also differed from what you usually see in parks, which my son loved. We plan to stop by again soon!

Mosquitoes can frequent the area, so be prepared and bring insect repellant. But don’t let that discourage you – this park is worth a visit!

How to Get to Terry and Frances Slaughter Park

Terry and Frances Slaughter Park can be found on Santorini Way, Springfield Lakes.

More Photos of Terry and Frances Slaughter Park

Springfield Central Sporting Complex Playground

The playground is built into a hill covered in soft fall, making it an exciting place to play. There is a large belt slide, which takes advantage of the slope. Scramble nets are located on either side of the slide to help kids climb up, while a wide slide provides a fun way back down to the ground to start all over again. Additionally, several cliff climbers and an area of rock-climbing grips provide a fun challenge for kids.

At the top of the hill sits a decently sized flying fox over a bark surface. Additionally, a circular basket swing provides a thrilling experience when given a super fast push.

There is a special area at the end of the playground designed for toddlers and preschoolers. It features spring riders for bouncing and a multi-person spinner. There is a fort that resembles a cubby house with a rope bridge connecting two pillars.

Two slides are available, one single and one double, as well as a spiral pole. Underneath the fort, there are musical chimes and some interactive elements that children can play with.

No playground is complete with swings and this playground is lucky to have a row of swings at the bottom of the hill, including regular swings, toddler swings, and a basket swing.

Imagination Factor at Springfield Central Sporting Complex Playground

This location is ideal for athletes and sports enthusiasts who are looking to push themselves to their limits and achieve their personal best. A large hill covered in soft fall provides an excellent opportunity for young competitors to challenge their friends and race up the obstacles.

Additionally, there are large rubber mounds decorated to look like giant sports balls, which will inspire children to bounce their way around the playground.

Accessibility at Springfield Central Sporting Complex

Concrete pathways and accessible toilets are available throughout the complex. Shade sails cover most of the playground, and there are two basket swings to enjoy.

However, due to the multi-levelled design of the playground, it may be difficult for wheelchairs and prams to move between areas quickly. 

Springfield Central Sporting Complex Playground Features

• Unfenced playground (set back from the road)
• Accessible toilets
• Bark play base
• Flying fox
• Toddler play area
• Small cubby house-style forts
• Slides
• Rope bridge
• Spring riders
• Multi-person spinner
• Soft fall mounds
• Spiral pole
• Benches
• Musical chimes
• Wide slide
• Belt slide
• Cliff climbers
• Rock climbing grips
• Orbiting basket swing
• Swings, including infant swings, regular swings and basket swings
• Scramble net
• Netball courts, playing fields, tennis courts in sports complex
• Drinking water
• Parking

Another great park to explore is Grande Park at Springfield Lake, which boasts a fully fenced playground and a learn to ride track.  

What We Thought of Springfield Central Sporting Complex Playground 

We had a great time at this spot. My child enjoyed the flying fox and the orbiting net swing. He was delighted as he soared through the air. We appreciated that the equipment was suitable for a variety of ages.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience for us however, the multilevel design may make it difficult to see or follow your child during busy times.

If you are looking for more playground inspiration check out the Best Parks in Ipswich for Kids. 

How to Get to Springfield Central Sporting Complex

Springfield Central Sports Complex playground is located on Sportstar Drive, Springfield Central.

The best parking for access to the playground is the car park used for the netball courts or field one. During games, the parking areas are likely to be very busy. 

More Photos of Springfield Central Sports Complex

South Brisbane Playgrounds With Sand Diggers

Boronia Heights – Middle Park Playground

There is a lot to like about Middle Park Playground! A great selection of elements here of varying size and difficulty will keep Brisbane Kids of all ages challenged and entertained. Younger kids will enjoy the rockers, see-saw, and climbing fort with stairs and a smaller slide. A highlight for many children will be the digger, which makes the most of the sand base in the middle of the fenced play area. 

Read our full Middle Park Playground review.

Browns Plains – Forestglen Park

With two distinct playground spaces in Forestglen Park, the original playground is set on sand under shady trees and features two separate play structures with slides, swings and rockers. In the middle of the sand here is a digger – it would be easy for Brisbane Kids to imagine they’re in the middle of a construction site here!

Read our full Forestglen Park review.

Camp Hill – Whites Hill Reserve Playground

The fully fenced ‘exploration’ playground at Whites Hill Reserve is enormous, with a great layout that includes a wide variety of play equipment suitable for kids of all ages and abilities. Little explorers will enjoy digging in the sand on the stationary diggers, playing with the spouts and troughs in the water play area, or bouncing on the rockers.

Read our full Whites Hill Reserve review.

Crestmead – Crestmead Park

Crestmead Park, with playgrounds and a skatepark, is a fantastic community park set on a large parcel of green space dotted with groves of mature trees and a range of play opportunities – it will keep your Brisbane Kids entertained for hours. Situated alongside the climbing structure is a toddler and normal swing, a sit-on digger, and some rubberized mounds. Ensure you pack the buckets and spades as there is plenty of sand!

Read our full Crestmead Park review.

Dutton Park – Harmony Gardens

The playground area at Harmony Gardens is called the Butterfly Magic Playspace and was created by the council in conjunction with local kids, parents and neighbours. One of the best parts of the playground is a big sandpit complete with diggers, on which budding construction workers can sit and manipulate handles to pick up and move buckets of sand. The sandpit also includes a big fort armed with buckets on chains, which your Brisbane kid can use to haul up sand, then dump it back down into the sandpit via special mini slides. 

Read our full Harmony Gardens review.

Hawthorne – Hawthorne Park

Hawthorne Park playground, also known as Livvi’s Place Brisbane, is a lovely central park with a playground that is fully fenced and accessed only by a gate. On top of this, the playground is sheltered by shade sails, which gives it two big ticks in our review. The play equipment is suited to a variety of ages and abilities, with a large sandpit with digger, climbing nets, a group swing and a scary slide (recommended for older Brisbane Kids!).

Read our full Hawthorne Park review.

Marsden – JJ Smith Memorial Park

With two separate play areas, lots of grass, a river view and toilets, JJ Smith Park is a great spot for playing and picnicking with Brisbane Kids. The sand base is perfect for the sit-on digger or bring your own spades and buckets for some sandy fun. Playgrounds, a giant lizard sculpture, a basketball half-court, and wetlands viewing deck provide plenty of entertainment for visiting families. 

Read our full review of JJ Smith Memorial Park. 

Priestdale – Underwood Park (AKA Funderwood Hollow)

There are several play spaces throughout the Underwood Park, including a unique Spielart adventure playground and a second large playground that is protected by colourful shade sails. As well as the sand digger in the second playground, the park includes a nature play section with a water pump, tree stump styled sculptures for climbing and hiding, and wooden stumps, beams and chain obstacles.  

Read our full Underwood Park review.

Springwood – Springwood Park

Springwood Park‘s playground is large, bright and colourful featuring two play forts within the same sand play-based playground. Designed for younger children, the colourful play forts feature climbing nets, tunnels, slides, fireman poles, stairs, and ladders to climb onto the playgrounds. Springwood Park playground features a popular sand digger and if you have very young children, it wouldn’t be remiss to include some buckets and spades in what you bring to extend sand play even further. 

Read our full Springwood Park review.

Stones Corner – Hanlon Park

Everything about Hanlon Park screams nature play playground. With more than 460 new trees and 43,000 new shrubs and ground cover plants recently added, kids will find plenty to explore and discover within this natural inner-city oasis. From the large, grassed expanses found throughout the park to the sandpit diggers, wooden beam climbing stack, water play pump and pebbled river canal in the adventure playground, the park offers plenty of recreational fun for Brisbane kids and families.

Read our full Hanlon Park review.

Thornlands – Thornlands Community Park

Thornlands Community Park is like a mini fenced-in adventure land.  With a huge netted climbing structure, giant slides, quaint little cubby, water play, dinosaur dig and nature play area is just a few of its highlights – it is not hard to see why this park in Thornlands is such a huge hit for Brisbane families. Alongside the ‘dinosaur dig’ is a large sandpit rimmed with stone and wood stepping stones that houses sand diggers for more excavation opportunities. 

Read our full Thornlands Community Park review.

North Brisbane Playgrounds with Sand Diggers

Arana Hills – Hills District All Abilities Playground

Like a rainbow under the trees, The Hills District All-Abilities Playground is as inclusive as it is engaging for Brisbane Kids of all ages with a wonderfully accessible playground. Also referred to as Leslie Patrick Park, it is a fully fenced playground with several play areas. The sandpit space includes two diggers and plenty of room for building enthusiasts to create castles, moats and tracks for cars and trucks. 

Read our full Hills District All Abilities Playground review.

Brisbane CBD – Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Playground

Even though located within the bustling city, the large trees within the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens block out the city noise and leave everyone feeling tranquillity in this playground, which is great for all ages. There are many sensory activities, such as spinning hand objects, clear shapes to look through, and a sand play area with little diggers to sit and dig in the sand.

Read our full Brisbane City Botanic Gardens review.

Burpengary – CREEC All Abilities Playground

Everyone is catered for at CREEC All Abilities Playground; two-storey towers for the adventurous, boisterous climbers, and a specifically designed space for kids who prefer the quieter, introverted type of play with a variety of tactile stimuli. The smaller of the two fenced playgrounds feature a digger on a bark base.

Read our full CREEC Playground review.

Chermside West – John Goss Reserve

This unique playground and reserve are like a toddler and bigger kids’ play space paradise. Set over a large area, John Goss Reserve has different play equipment suited to Brisbane Kids across various age groups. Games of noughts and crosses are extra fun on the super-sized playing board and the sand digger is an obvious imagination play scaffold. 

Read our full John Goss Reserve review.

Mango Hill – Capestone Park

Set in a residential area, Capestone Park is like a tropical oasis, with play equipment to suit all ages. With tropical landscaping, an abundance of sand, and a water play area, it will keep busy Brisbane kids entertained. Shade sails cover some of the play equipment, which includes a basket swing, a netted spinner, a sand digger and a wall with a target on it. 

Read our full Capestone Park review.

Petrie – Sweeney Reserve

Sweeney Reserve is an expansive place to explore providing recreational opportunities for play, exercise and river access within the lush parklands of Petrie. While the partially fenced playground is not huge it features an embankment slide, spinners, nest swing and a big sandpit with a metal digger. Be sure to go for a walk around the Reserve and look up – can you spot the flying foxes (bats) and maybe even a koala?

Read our full review of Sweeney Reserve here. 

Ipswich Playgrounds with Sand Diggers

One Mile – Leichhardt Park

Leichhardt Park offers a fully fenced playground with a charming food design that’ll delight toddlers and offers plenty of space for little imaginations to run wild. Featuring two play areas, this park offers sand play (with a mini digger), fruit and veg themed imaginary play, a 30m flying fox, swings and plenty of climbing options. There are toilets too, which is always important on a day out at the park. 

Read our full review of Leichhardt Park. 

Ripley – Brooking Parklands

Brooking Park in Ripley is a climber’s paradise, with multiple options for exercising those arms in legs in a range of adventure play equipment that will make the bigger kids happy. The most exciting feature is the large climbing frame in the park’s centre, with various nets and platforms to keep them on the move. There are swings, a see-saw, and sand diggers for the younger playground adventurers.

Read our full Brooking Parklands review.

Map of Playgrounds with Sand Diggers

To help you find a playground with sand diggers we have provided this handy, interactive map to assist you. Have fun digging!

For more playground inspiration, check out our guide Best Ninja Warrior Playgrounds or our guide for other transport attractions in Brisbane.

Urban Play’s Best Inner Brisbane Playgrounds

Riverside Green

Riverside Green, Southbank

Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson

Chalk Street Park (Vera Canale Park), Lutwyche

Fernwood Park, Taigum

Sir John Chandler Park, Indooroopilly

Urban Play’s Best South-West Brisbane and Ipswich Playgrounds

Ripley Adventure Park

Spring Mountain Lagoon Park, Spring Mountain

Flagstone Adventure Playground, Undullah

Tucker Family Park, Bellbird Park

Robelle Domain, Springfield

Orion, Springfield

Hilltop Adventure Park, Collingwood Park

Ripley Adventure Park, South Ripley

Urban Play’s Best South Brisbane Playgrounds

Calamvale District Park

Thrush Street Park, Inala

D.M. Henderson Park, MacGregor

Homestead Park, Shailer Park

O’Gorman Street Park, Alexandra Hills

Buxton Park, Yarrabilba

Yugarapul Park, Sunnybank

Alexander Clark Park, Loganholme

Hilltop Park, Ormeau Hills

Whites Hill Recreation Reserve, Whites Hill

Calamvale District Park, Calamvale

Urban Play’s Best North Brisbane Playground

Amity Park

Ridgeview Park, Narangba

Spinnaker Park, Newport

The Green, Carseldine

Summerstone, Morayfield

Amity Park, Narangba 

Lemke Park, Albany Creek

Along with Urban Play’s impressive list of best Brisbane playgrounds, you might also be interested in checking out our list of the Best Brisbane Playgrounds.

Who are Urban Play?

Flagstone Adventure Park

Urban Play has grown into one of the most reputable playground suppliers in the Australian market, completing over 8,000 play and fitness spaces. By no means your average playgrounds, the company’s designs are quite often mind-blowing to behold, with their themed elements, creative builds and towering constructions an easy marker.  

With a base in Brisbane, the company’s focus on play value, creativity, sustainability, inclusivity and innovation is clear to see, with their quality products developed to withstand our harsh Australian climate and create happy and healthy communities.

Urban Play – The best playground designers in Queensland?

Orion Playground

It’s a big call, but from a team who have reviewed A LOT of playgrounds over the years, it is one we are happy to make for us. Their list of awards may support this, but if you head to any of their playgrounds, you will know what we mean.  

Built from the ground up, the team states they relish the challenge of turning ideas into concepts and sketches into reality – and we believe them! The quality of their materials and equipment is unmistakable, and they take great pride in creating unique areas of play that not only spark imagination but offer challenging and adventurous play for all age groups.

Although many of their playgrounds feature elements like giant, twisting metal slides and sky-high netted rope bridges, safety is paramount and children can be challenged without concern. It’s not only these extensive features that we love, though. Their playgrounds are usually themed, and the adorable abstract constructions and characters woven into the space make imaginative play a big factor for the kids.

Bistro & Outdoor Terrace

The revamped family friendly bistro, where parents can relax knowing their kids are entertained. The transformation doesn’t stop there; the outdoor experience is elevated with a wrap-around alfresco terrace, perfect for those Queensland evenings. Here, families can enjoy the new smokehouse menu while the little ones explore the huge outdoor playground.

The playground 

Springlake Hotel now boasts an excellent outdoor playground near the dining area. This setup allows parents to enjoy a leisurely meal while keeping an eye on their children playing nearby. The playground, shaded by sails and situated on astroturf, features two fun slides and a variety of engaging play elements, including tic-tac-toe and musical chimes, making it an ideal spot for family outings.

Menu

The menu is a feast for the senses, offering pub classics and an exciting new urban BBQ Smokehouse menu, including dishes such Low and Slow Smoked Beef Brisket and a Full Rack of Pork Ribs. The menu also features a standalone kids platter, complete with the choice of seven mains, plus chips, drink, frog in a pond and a colouring-in pack.

Sports Bar

For sports enthusiasts, the hotel boasts a state-of-the-art sports bar, with 20ft screen and TAB for the ultimate game-watching experience. The updated gaming room complements the venue’s cohesive experience. The hotel also features a fully equipped function centre, catering to diverse events and customer needs.

What’s On

Weekly programming ensures every visit is a unique experience.

• Monday – $25 Steaks

• Tuesday – $20 Pub Classics

• Wednesday – $50 Feed the Family Deal

• Thursday – $20 Parmi

• Sunday – Kids Eat Free & Free Kids Petting Zoo

Springlake Hotel welcomes visitors 7 days a week. You can book a table here

Queens Park Environmental Education Centre features

The Queens Park Environmental Education Centre was built over a decade ago and designed with one focus. To educate visitors on the local Ipswich environment by highlighting its colourful array of unique flora and fauna and demonstrating how we live with it can impact it. 

Created as an educational journey for young and old, the centre overflows with interactive games, hands-on activities, videos and brightly painted wall murals that are designed to captivate and educate its guests. Spread out generously over three main spaces, some of the centre’s core messages include:

• getting to know the local flora and fauna
• how to reduce, reuse and recycle household waste
• what you can place in your compost bin or worm farm
• places you can go around Ipswich to explore the great outdoors on foot, pushbike, or horseback
• handy household tips to reduce your carbon footprint
• how we can all improve our waterways

Queens Park Environmental Education Centre – The Fun

Nestled into Queens Park and directly across the road from its famed kids’ playground and Nature Centre, visitors often overlook the Environmental Education Centre.  Unassuming and subtle with its brown bricked facade on the outside, it gives very little away from the colourful and fun world that resides within it. 

The Fig Tree

Upon entering the centre, it is pretty hard not to be transfixed by the giant ‘growing’ fig tree that canopies the entrance. Staff at the main desk smile a warm welcome but the kids are already lost, scrambling straight into the large opening at its base, invitingly filled with soft blankets and cushions for them. Cleverly designed, it has captured its audience so effectively that it takes them a minute to realise it the first of many learning experiences within the centre.

After slowly venturing out, they read on its trunk how it is filled with numerous local animals and asks them, “how many can you spot?”  Challenge accepted. As they delight with each new wildlife discovery the wind around the trunk and find themselves in the next section of the centre, as it opens up to reveal two spaces of bright, colourful and fun interactive activities.

The Interactive Learning Space

If you are planning to visit the centre with your children then I would allow a generous amount of time to do so. With so much going on and abundant important information to share, I found that my three children started wandering through this together but were eventually drawn to different areas they stayed in for quite a while.

The first main room held their attention for the longest, with its wall-size animated mural of the Ipswich waterways and many interactive activities to explore. Here they delighted in the sensory box – where they stuck their hands into one of many holes and tried to guess what they felt within. There was also the worm farm, several real bird nests they could try to identify, and even a lift-the-flap guessing game on which animal had left behind which ‘remnants’ (which, of course, my son loved the most).

A wooden triangular-roofed cubby spot gifted animal puzzles to solve and a chalkboard where they were encouraged to write words or draw pictures of their own flood experiences. Nearby, a suitably low table was set up for the youngest visitors, with soft wombats and other native animals and their homes to play in.

The Wildlife Room

One of the most eye-catching areas in the Environmental Education Centre is the sizeable wall-length mural that leads guests into the final space. Absolutely stunning, the colourful design features many of Ipswich’s local wildlife, on the trees, in the picture and even as a soft toy along the floor.  Perfect for all ages to interact with, the soft fake grass flooring is the perfect place for little ones to sit, play with the toys and completely immerse themselves in the man-made environment.

Visitors, young and old, will enjoy pushing the red buttons found hidden on each tree along the mural, which emits sounds of the environment around them as well as the animals that inhabit it.  

Also, a large table has been set up in this space with colour-in printouts and pencils for crafty kids. A separate space, with chairs and blankets on the ground, displays a video on the marsupials that reside in Ipswich and the way they have evolved over time to adapt to their surroundings.

Other things to do while in Queens Park

After you have explored all of the different spaces within the Environmental Education Centre, you will not have to venture far outside the doors to find other wonderful experiences you can share with your kids. While in the area, why not check out:

The Ipswich Nature Centre

The much-loved Ipswich Nature Centre is to the left and slightly down the hill from the centre. Sticking with the practically free cost of a day at Queens Park, the Nature Centre only asks for a gold coin donation to enter. Like a mini-zoo, the centre’s pram-friendly wooden ramps wind invitingly between enclosures and beneath trees, around ponds and past cascading water features. Along the way, kids can marvel at an array of native animals, including kangaroos, wombats, goats, bulls, chickens, snakes, emus and bilbies – to name a few.

Queens Park Playground

The state-of-the-art playground provides all the usual equipment kids love but also comes complete with a flying fox, sunken train, water pump play area, liberty swing and climbing wall. There are fort structures, twin tunnel slides (perfect for racing), a hammock, a large climbing net, numerous swings and spinners and much more to explore here.

Nerima Gardens

The ‘Japanese Gardens of Ipswich’, Nerima Gardens seeks to capture the elements of a Japanese-style garden whilst retaining a distinctly Ipswich identity through local plants, including rare and endangered species. The manicured gardens, picturesque lakes and pathways and mini bridges that weave around and over them make this a simply stunning place to go for if you are looking for some peaceful time immersed in nature.

Queens Garden Cafe

If you didn’t have time to pack a picnic but are planning to spend a full day at Queens Park (this is VERY easy to do) then you will love to hear there is an on-site cafe here too.  The Queens Park Cafe’s wide deck and delicious menu make for the perfect mid-day break for hungry families looking to unwind.

Queens Park Environmental Education Centre – helpful information

Address: Queens Park, Merle Finimore Avenue, Ipswich

Phone: (07) 3810 6666

Website: Queens Park Environmental Education Centre

Cost: FREE

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 2pm  |  School holidays Monday – Saturday: 9am – 2pm

Puggles Play Time

Every Friday during school term the youngest members of the community and their grown-ups are invited to share in story time and an environmentally themed activity. Designed for children aged 5 and under, anyone can drop by between 9.30am-11.30am to join in.

School Holiday Activities

Drop into the centre during school holidays to see what free and educational activities are on offer! Activities requiring registration are available on the Eventbrite page Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com

If you love to learn all about our Australian environment and wildlife you might also enjoy:

Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre

Orion Lagoon water features

Notice the interconnected shallow pools and easy entry

Orion Lagoon covers a total area of more than 3.6km and is situated alongside Robelle Domain Parklands playground and water park. It is wonderfully accessible for families due to its vast expanse of shallow pools and easy entry into the pools. 

This popular recreation area features a range of interconnected pools, including a 600mm deep sculpture pool, a 50m lap swimming area, beach entry and pool depth of up to 1.5m. An elongated shallow section of the lagoon is designed with toddlers and small children in mind.

With stepping stones, wading areas, water squirts, and a shallow depth of 300mm, the lagoon is the perfect way to cool down and enjoy free water play on warmer days. Lifeguards supervise Orion Lagoon daily during the opening hours, providing a safe and fun family day out near Brisbane.

Community Facilities

Stepping stones provide a nice challenge for kids

You can enjoy more than just swimming and water play at Orion Lagoon, with BBQ facilities, grassed areas, plenty of seating, including tables, and permanent colourful shade umbrellas. There are trees, but they are in their infancy, and it will be some time before they provide shade. We recommend families bring their own shade devices for this reason (ground pegs are not permitted).

Orion Lagoon has all the facilities you need for a day out swimming, with public toilets, showers and change rooms, and lockers to store your belongings while you enjoy the Lagoon.

The Orion Lagoon Cafe provides food and refreshment options (and sits adjacent to the lagoon).

Plenty of parking is within walking distance of the Lagoon, but we recommend arriving early in the day as this is a very popular spot especially on really hot days and during school holidays. 

Waterpark accessibility

Running water is always hit with younger kids

Orion Lagoon has water access for people with disabilities and wheelchair-accessible public toilet facilities.

The lagoon is partly unfenced, with plenty of wide pathways surrounding the Lagoon, perfect prams or wheelchairs.

Picnic shelters with tables and umbrellas are located alongside the Orion Lagoon, making them accessible to everyone. 

Orion Lagoon features

• Free public swimming lagoon.
• Lifeguards on duty during opening times.
• Lap pool.
• Toddler wading area.
• Wheelchair-accessible toilets and wheelchair lagoon entry.
• Some limited shelter under umbrellas and a BBQ area.
• You can bring a shade device, but it must be peg-free.
• Bike and walking paths and boardwalks.
• BBQs, Picnic tables and shelters.
• Bring a picnic blanket to take advantage of all the grassy spaces.
• Change rooms, showers and onsite lockers make it easy to enjoy the lagoon.
• Lots of parking within walking distance.
• Small kickboards and child rings/arm floats are the only flotation devices permitted.
• Lagoon Cafe offers food and drinks for purchase. 
• Located close to Robelle Domain water park.

Opening Hours: Summer 1 Sep – 31 March: 5am to 9pm; Winter 1 April – 31 August: 8am – 4pm.

Safety information

• Small kickboards and child rings/arm floats are the only flotation devices permitted.
• Children under 13 must be actively supervised by persons 18 years or older at all times.
• Dogs are not permitted into the Lagoon area.
• Lifeguards on duty during opening times.

How to get here

Orion Lagoon is located in the heart of Orion Springfield Central, on Southern Cross Circuit near Orion, Education City and off Ian Keilar Drive in Springfield Central. Springfield is in Ipswich City Council, also known as the City of Ipswich. It takes around 30 minutes to drive from the centre of Brisbane to Orion Lagoon. 

Photos of Orion Lagoon

Peter Tullett Memorial Park Playground

The playground area is referred to as The Bower. It reminds us of the satin bower bird who decorates his bower with blue objects, as bright blue poles are a vibrant feature of this playground.

A tall bower-shaped climbing structure built with round rope nets is the standout feature of the play area. Each net forms an inclined platform that leads upwards. At the top is a caged-in vantage point of the park.

Climbing nets cascade fairly high above the ground, leading to a tunnel slide. A rope climbing ladder provides an alternative access point to the slide. Several rope-based balancing obstacles hang beneath the climbing nets. This playground is best suited to children over five years old. However, a toddler slide is built into a soft fall mount for little ones to enjoy independently.

A basket swing is positioned in an area called the Nesting Place. Here, large concrete eggs lay in a giant nest configuration. At the Roosting Place are two covered picnic tables and electric BBQs. There are grassy spaces around the park, allowing freedom for children to play throwing, catching or chasing games.

Peter Tullett Memorial Park provides convenient access to White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. This makes it an ideal destination for families who want to explore the bushwalks. The park offers ample amenities such as parking, restrooms, and water access right at the beginning of the trail.

Imagination factor at Peter Tullett Memorial Park 

Using the natural environment as inspiration, the loft in the bower tower is an awesome ranger observation station. Wildlife is all around. What animals will you find today? The beautiful birdsongs, passing wildlife and glorious flora make this park a brilliant place for nature journaling.

Accessibility at Peter Tullett Memorial Park 

Smooth concrete paths lead from the car park to the picnic tables and down into a forested area. These are suitable for people using prams and wheelchairs. As this area has concrete pathways and the sounds of the birds are incredible, Peter Tullett Memorial Park may be an enjoyable location for people with vision impairment.

The playground and equipment, however, would not be considered accessible. There are however accessible toilets.

Peter Tullett Memorial Park Features­­­­

• Unfenced playground
• Accessible toilets
• Bark and soft fall play base
• Climbing nets
• Climbing tower
• Slide
• Rope climbing tower
• Toddler slide
• Basket swing
• Bushwalking trails
• Natural elements
• Information about local birdlife
• Concrete paths
• Drinking fountain
• BBQ’s
• Covered picnic tables
• Garbage bins
• Car park

 While in Spring Mountain, another wonderful playground to visit is Silver Jubilee Park or Spring Mountain Reserve. 

What We Thought of Peter Tullett Memorial Park 

We found this to be an incredibly peaceful location. The sound of the birds in the surrounding forest was simply enchanting. During our visit, we saw cockatoos, kookaburras, a brush turkey, and a goanna!

When visiting again, I’d bring a picnic blanket, hats, some picture books, coloured pencils and paper to draw on, as the natural environment at this location inspires creativity.

How to Get to Peter Tullett Memorial Park 

Peter Tullett Memorial Park is located on Peter Tullett Memorial Park Road, Spring Mountain. 

You can find Peter Tullett Memorial Park Road just off Woodline Drive. 

More Photos of Peter Tullett Memorial Park