Ian Dipple Lagoon is a lagoon and beachside playground in Labrador on the northern Gold Coast. The lagoon’s calm and sheltered waters, beautiful coastal views, sandy beaches and nearby play spaces make it a perfect spot for a full day out with the kids.
The Lagoon
The sheltered, saltwater lagoon flows straight off the channel and is protected from tides, waves and boats by a large sandbank.
The shallow edges of the lagoon are ideal for kids to paddle and splash safely, while the deeper middle areas are popular with swimmers doing laps.
There’s a sandy beach on either side of the lagoon so bring buckets and spades for the kids. You can walk straight into the lagoon from the beach.
Pelican Feeding
One of the lagoon’s biggest attractions is the colony of pelicans that gathers near the beachside fish and chip shop. If you time your visit right, you might catch the daily pelican feeding at 1.30pm, when staff from the restaurant toss fish scraps to the birds.
The Playground
Next to the lagoon is a gated playground with swings and play equipment in a nautical theme that matches the beachside setting. This playground is geared towards younger kids, with rope ladders, stairs, bridges and slides. Everything is lower to the ground, with sand underfoot, making it safe for toddlers and preschoolers to climb and explore.
Just along from the playground on the sandy beach there’s also a few small wooden boats for the kids to climb in.
Imagination Factor at Ian Dipple Lagoon
The nautical theme and beachside setting of the playground and boats invites plenty of pretend play. Kids can imagine they are sailors or pirates exploring the high seas, climbing the rigging or sliding down into the waves.
Facilities and Accessibility at Ian Dipple Lagoon
The playground is fully shaded and gated, and running along the foreshore is a flat, paved pathway which is a shared zone for cycling, scooting and walking.
There’s plenty of bench seating and picnic tables along the lagoon, plus grassy areas for picnic blankets.
Right next to the lagoon and playground is Charis Seafoods, a café and restaurant complex serving coffee, fish and chips and ice cream.
There are toilets, showers, changing rooms and a large off-street car park which does fill up at busy times.
What We Thought of Ian Dipple Lagoon
You could easily spend the day at Ian Dipple Lagoon, with plenty for the kids to do and excellent facilities. The kids can play on the beach, splash in the lagoon, watch the pelicans, burn some energy in the playground and finish with fish and chips.
How to Get to Ian Dipple Lagoon
Ian Dipple Lagoon is located off Marine Parade in Labrador, on the Gold Coast.
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