Free playgrounds worth the drive in Brisbane

Brisbane is generous with free playgrounds, and a handful are worth a drive from anywhere in the city. South Bank Parklands has riverside play, a lagoon and lawns, and Roma Street Parkland has a Children's Garden in the middle of the city. New Farm Park combines a big playground with old fig trees and the river. Further out, Pine Rivers Park at Strathpine, The Hills District All Abilities Playground at Arana Hills and Beth Boyd Park at Thorneside give variety. The best playgrounds here are shaded, which matters in a city where the sun is fierce. Look for mature trees, shade sails and picnic areas, and plan around the heat. Many are designed for all abilities, with equipment and surfaces that include children who use wheelchairs or have sensory needs. It pays to arrive early on weekends, because the popular ones fill quickly. Take a picnic, a scooter and a rug, and plan a long visit rather than a quick stop. Check the listing for what is on site, including toilets, fencing and cafes. On storm days, leave equipment at the first thunder, and remember that metal slides heat up in the sun.

Our picks

Before you go

Best for which ages

Toddlers enjoy low play structures and sand, and many large playgrounds have separate areas for them. Primary-age children head straight for the towers, rope nets and long slides. Older children and teenagers like flying foxes and open space, and some playgrounds are designed for all abilities.

What to bring

A wide hat and sunscreen come first, then water, a rug for the shade and enough snacks to outlast the afternoon. Pack a light layer for air-conditioned cafes, and a change of clothes for sand and mud. A scooter or small bike is useful, and so is a wet cloth for hot hands and faces.

Parking and facilities

South Bank and Roma Street have parking nearby, but trains and buses are often easier. Suburban parks have local car parks that fill on weekends. The listing says what is on site, including toilets, fencing and shade. On a fine weekend the closest car park at South Bank or New Farm Park fills early, so a train or a CityCat ferry can be less stressful than circling.

Best time of year

Winter, spring and autumn are comfortable for most of the day. In the hot months, keep play to the early morning or late afternoon, once the slides and rubber surfacing have cooled. Afternoon storms are common, so keep a plan B nearby. Cool, dry winter mornings are the quietest and most pleasant, and metal slides are cool to touch.

Prams and accessibility

Many Brisbane playgrounds have paved paths and are designed with access in mind, including all-abilities spaces. Some riverside parks have long walks from car parks. Some of the bigger playgrounds sit at the far edge of large parks, and a carrier saves your back on the walk in. River paths in Brisbane are flat, but the walk from parking to the play area can be long, so pack light.

Playgrounds and adventure parks

The destination playgrounds and nature play spaces worth a trip across town.

  • South Bank Parklands South Bank Parklands South Brisbane

    South Bank Parklands is a public riverside precinct in South Brisbane managed by South Bank Corporation.

    ★ 4.8 (1,961)

  • Roma Street Parkland Roma Street Parkland Brisbane City

    Roma Street Parkland is a 16-hectare inner-city park in Brisbane.

    ★ 4.7 (10,660)

  • The Lake Parklands The Lake Parklands Forest Lake

    The Lake Parklands in Forest Lake has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.5 (975)

  • Children's Garden, Roma Street Parkland Children's Garden, Roma Street Parkland Brisbane City

    The Children's Garden is a free playground area in Roma Street Parkland, behind the Amphitheatre and along Weeping Fig Avenue.

  • New Farm Park Playground New Farm Park Playground New Farm

    New Farm Park is a 15-hectare Brisbane City Council park at 1042 Brunswick Street, New Farm, created in 1914 and listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.8 (355)

  • Pine Rivers Park Pine Rivers Park Strathpine

    Pine Rivers Park at 125 Gympie Road, Strathpine, is a large City of Moreton Bay council park that the council describes as having many free features.

    ★ 4.6 (1,803)

  • Suttons Beach Park (including Youth Park) Suttons Beach Park (including Youth Park) Redcliffe

    A popular destination for families, especially on weekends and during school holidays, the park is well-equipped with picnic facilities, shelters, barbecues, and a…

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (2,789)

  • Scarborough Beach Park Scarborough Beach Park Scarborough

    With plenty of things to do it is a popular place for families and day visitors to explore the outdoors.

    ★ 4.6 (1,873)

  • The Hills District All Abilities Playground The Hills District All Abilities Playground Arana Hills

    The Hills District All Abilities Playground is a fenced City of Moreton Bay council playground in Leslie Patrick Park, Olearia Street West, Arana Hills.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.8 (209)

  • Grinstead Park Grinstead Park Alderley

    Grinstead Park is a Brisbane City Council park at 130 Shand Street, Alderley, covering more than 10,000 square metres.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (722)

  • Riverside Green Playground Riverside Green Playground South Brisbane

    Riverside Green Playground is a free playground on Riverside Green in South Bank Parklands, South Brisbane, beside the Brisbane River.

    ★ 4.7 (349)

  • Bulimba Riverside Park Bulimba Riverside Park Bulimba

    Bulimba Riverside Park in Bulimba has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (579)

  • Carindale Recreation Reserve Carindale Recreation Reserve Carindale

    Carindale Recreation Reserve in Carindale has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (562)

  • Beth Boyd Park Beth Boyd Park Thorneside

    Beth Boyd Park is a Redland City Council park on the Thorneside foreshore.

    ★ 4.6 (559)

  • Decker Park Decker Park Brighton

    Decker Park in Brighton has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.5 (1,186)

  • Jamieson Park Jamieson Park Scarborough

    Its large grassy area overlooks the water with views of Deception Bay and the Glasshouse Mountains.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (479)

  • Baldwin Lawn Playground Baldwin Lawn Playground Brisbane City

    Baldwin Lawn Playground is the children's playground in the City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.8 (100)

  • Recreation Precinct Playground Recreation Precinct Playground Saint Lucia

    The University of Queensland's all-abilities public playground is in the Sport and Recreation Precinct on Sir William MacGregor Drive, St Lucia, behind the tennis…

    All-abilities · ★ 4.8 (96)

  • Bill Brown Sports Reserve Bill Brown Sports Reserve Fitzgibbon

    Bill Brown Sports Reserve in Fitzgibbon has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.7 (157)

  • Bradbury Park Playscape Bradbury Park Playscape Kedron

    Bradbury Park, at 91 Kitchener Road, Kedron, is a Brisbane City Council park with a large playscape that the council describes as a playground of towers, bridges and…

    ★ 4.7 (141)

  • Broadwater Picnic Ground Park Broadwater Picnic Ground Park Mansfield

    Broadwater Picnic Ground Park in Mansfield has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.5 (506)

  • Pelican Park Pelican Park Clontarf

    There's a boat ramp and rigging area that borders the park, allowing for a final safety check before setting off.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.4 (2,257)

  • Ascot Park Ascot Park Ascot

    Ascot Park is a Brisbane City Council park at 206 Lancaster Road, Ascot, on the corner of Lancaster and Kitchener roads, open 24 hours.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (201)

  • Perth Street Park Perth Street Park Camp Hill

    Perth Street Park in Camp Hill has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.5 (179)

  • Blatchford Recreation Reserve Blatchford Recreation Reserve Murrumba Downs

    Blatchford Recreation Reserve is a district-level recreation park in Murrumba Downs.

    ★ 4.5 (170)

  • Mulbeam Park Mulbeam Park Boondall

    Mulbeam Park in Boondall has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.4 (276)

  • Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe Shorncliffe

    Moora Park is a Brisbane City Council park on the seafront at Shorncliffe, looking across Moreton Bay to the Redcliffe Peninsula, a short walk from Shorncliffe Station.

    ★ 4.7 (26)

  • Nixon Park Nixon Park Oxley

    Nixon Park in Oxley has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.4 (174)

  • John Goss Reserve John Goss Reserve Chermside West

    John Goss Reserve in Chermside West has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (40)

  • Capalaba All Abilities Playground Capalaba All Abilities Playground Capalaba

    Capalaba All Abilities Playground was Redlands' first all-abilities playground, opened in 2012 and co-funded by Redland City Council and the Queensland Government.

    All-abilities

  • Bedford Playground Park Bedford Playground Park Spring Hill

    Bedford Playground Park is a Brisbane City Council park of more than 10,000 square metres in Spring Hill, recorded by council at 33 Quarry Street and on the heritage…

    ★ 4.3 (248)

  • Fenwick Park Fenwick Park Mitchelton

    Fenwick Park in Mitchelton has slides, zip-lines and swings, and a cricket pitch, and the council suggests it for birthday parties and family picnics.

    ★ 4.3 (145)

  • Goupong Park Goupong Park Collingwood Park

    Goupong Park in Collingwood Park has a Liberty Swing, according to Ipswich City Council's Parks Search.

    All-abilities

  • Musgrave Park Musgrave Park South Brisbane

    Musgrave Park in South Brisbane has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.1 (191)

  • Clarina Street Park Clarina Street Park Chapel Hill

    Clarina Street Park in Chapel Hill has an unfenced playground surrounded by trees, with a nature-inspired timber play structure and slide linked to a double swing set…

    ★ 4.4 (21)

  • Danzy Buchanan Park Danzy Buchanan Park Mango Hill

    Danzy Buchanan Park in Mango Hill offers a range of facilities, ensuring a fun-filled day out with family and friends.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.2 (85)

  • Bradbury Park Scooter Track Bradbury Park Scooter Track Kedron

    The scooter track is part of Bradbury Park, a Brisbane City Council park at 91 Kitchener Road, Kedron.

  • Picnic Island Playground Picnic Island Playground South Brisbane

    Picnic Island Green is an open lawn area in South Bank Parklands, just past Flowstate, with a playground that South Bank describes as suitable for kids of all ages.

  • Livvi's Place Hawthorne Park Livvi's Place Hawthorne Park Hawthorne

    Livvi's Place at Hawthorne Park, 100 Riding Road, Hawthorne, is one of the inclusive playspaces in the national Livvi's Place network created by the charity Touched by…

    All-abilities

  • Preston Road Park Preston Road Park Carina

    Preston Road Park in Carina has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Captain Burke Park Captain Burke Park Kangaroo Point

    Captain Burke Park in Kangaroo Point has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Raymond Park Raymond Park Kangaroo Point

    Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Crockatt Park Crockatt Park Woody Point

    Crockatt Park is a sport and recreation facility that is home to an array of community organisations.

    All-abilities

  • D.M. Henderson Park D.M. Henderson Park Macgregor

    D.M. Henderson Park in Macgregor has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Milton Park Milton Park Milton

    Milton Park in Milton has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Glindemann Park Glindemann Park Holland Park West

    Glindemann Park in Holland Park West has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Whites Hill Reserve Whites Hill Reserve Camp Hill

    Whites Hill Reserve in Camp Hill has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

  • Mortimer Road Park Mortimer Road Park Acacia Ridge

    Mortimer Road Park in Acacia Ridge has an accessible and inclusive playground, according to Brisbane City Council's park facilities data.

    All-abilities

All parks and playgrounds in Brisbane, free and paid

Questions parents ask

Which Brisbane playgrounds are worth the drive?
South Bank Parklands, Roma Street Parkland and its Children's Garden, New Farm Park and the Hills District All Abilities Playground are good choices. South Bank and New Farm Park are close to public transport, which takes the sting out of weekend parking.
What is the Children's Garden at Roma Street Parkland?
It is a play area within the parkland, designed for children to explore in a garden setting. Check the listing for what is on offer, and for any rules.
Are there all-abilities playgrounds in Brisbane?
Yes, including the Hills District All Abilities Playground at Arana Hills. They are designed for children of different needs, and the listing gives details on features.
How do we deal with scorching slides in a Brisbane summer?
Visit early or late, choose shaded playgrounds, and touch metal slides before letting children use them. Carry water, and watch small children for flushed faces and drowsiness.

Other kinds of free day in Brisbane

Playgrounds in other cities