The Best Playgrounds in Brisbane

Do you want to know the best playgrounds in Brisbane? 

Brisbane boasts a plethora of playgrounds scattered throughout our beautiful city (we have reviewed 100’s of them!).

We’ve compiled the results of a community poll to bring you a list of the most loved Brisbane playgrounds, helping you discover the perfect spots for your family outings. 

The Best Playgrounds in Brisbane

Below are your favourite playgrounds in Brisbane along with some notable mentions! 

Bradbury Park Kedron

Is this the best playground in Brisbane? Bradbury Park at Kedron is for risk-takers and those looking for more than just a standard playground. Featuring a gigantic fort, nets, ropes, swings and slides, this is a multi-level and multi-sensory experience. It is one of those rare Brisbane playgrounds suited to the older child. The wider park area also features a fun bike path with a purpose-built scooter track with ramps, obstacles, and traffic lines similar to roadways. 

Special features: A magic garden, multi level high challenge playground suited to older children, high quality scooter track. 

Community Testimonials: 

Janice H. We love it because with different aged children it still allows the older kids to have fun
Franscesca H. Wow what a fabulous play space you have created, we just loved it. A lot of thought and planning went into creating this space which allows children to take risks and greatly development their physical, mental skills.

Read a detailed review of Bradbury Park

Location: Batten Street, Kedron

The Hills District All-Abilities Playground, Arana Hills

This fully fenced, all-abilities playground is as inclusive as it is engaging for Brisbane Kids of all ages. Children can amuse themselves at the musical area, dig in the sandpit, play in the cubby or roam the garden area. Other play equipment in this bee-themed playground includes slides, swings, a seesaw, monkey bars and plenty of other climbing opportunities.

Special features: Sensory features through the playground, truly accessible with ramps offering open play for kids of all abilities, fully fenced. 

Community Testimonials: 

Zoe H: The entire park is flat. No bark or anything so easy to push a wheelchair around. They also have toilets and drink taps. And also a garden you can go around and look at. They got big musical stuff that you can play with as well.
Sam R: This playground is awesome and was filled with kids running around when I was there

Read our detailed review of The Hills District All-Abilities Playground

Location: 120 Olearia St W, Everton Hills

Flagstone Adventure Park, Jimboomba

Kids will be amazed by the enormous 11m-high tower which takes centre stage at Flagstone Adventure Park. Suspension bridges, climbing nets, slides, tunnels and swings will entertain all family members for hours. Don’t forget to visit the equally impressive waterpark next to the Adventure Park.

Special features: Incredible multistorey tunnel slides, adjacent to a free waterpark. 

Please read our detailed review of Flagstone Adventure Park

Location: Flagstonian Dr, Undullah

Frew Park, Milton

Situated on the former Milton Tennis Centre site, Frew Park is a futuristic playground featuring tennis courts, massive green spaces, BBQ facilities, a cafe and one of the most impressive playgrounds in Brisbane. The industrial-style cement play structure has giant tube slides, ledges for climbing and parkour, a twisty slide five metres high and an enclosed mesh cage that dangles eight metres off the ground! This is the perfect park to head to with older kids or kids of multiple ages, as there is something to please and challenge everyone. 

Special features: Multi storey play structure with unique climbing and sliding features. Great for kids who are challenged by heights. 

Community Testimonials:

Mary, S. We go there heaps and can highly recommend it. Plenty of room for parents to sit under shade too.
Kate. G. One of the best playgrounds we have been to.. across Australia and beyond. My kids love it here

Read our detailed review of Frew Park

Location: Frew St, Milton

New Farm Park, New Farm

Families will adore exploring the large open spaces that New Farm Park has to offer, and it is easy to see why it is one of the most popular parks in Brisbane. The playground consists of an impressive fort-like treehouse with an expansive bridge walk that winds like a hobbit trail through the ageing fig trees that define this park. The surrounding gardens, parkland and nearby Brisbane River, make it an excellent place for a beautiful family day out, especially if you pack a picnic.

Special features: Expansive playground built in amongst fig trees. Perfect for hot summer days and a fun game of tag. 

Community Testimonials:  

Teagan R. This park is fully shaded such a cool park
Gina L. A great space for all ages

Please read our detailed review of New Farm Park

Location: 1042 Brunswick St, New Farm

Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe

Lower Moora Park is the perfect seaside playground with a bit of sand, a fantastic playground and lots of lovely shade to have afternoon BBQs with an ocean view. Confident climbers will enjoy exploring the playground’s many levels, including forts, slides and wooden carvings. At the same time, younger children can amuse themselves in the play area underneath the fort or get busy in the sand area.

Special features: Elevated wooden forts connected by bridges, slides and a seaside setting. 

Community testimonials: 

Cameron B. This is one of our families favourite parks and we are there quite often, swimming, digging big sand castles, sand sculpting, or playing on the playground. Sometimes, there is even an ice cream truck, which the kids will seek out.
SarahD. Love this park so great for kids that like risky play!

Please read our detailed review of Lower Moora Park

Location: 65 Park Parade, Shorncliffe

Thornlands Community Park, Thornlands

Thornlands Community Park features a vast, netted climbing structure, giant slides, a flying fox, a quaint little cubby, water play, a dinosaur dig and a nature play area – it’s easy to see why this park in Thornlands is one of Brisbane’s best playgrounds. You will want to pack a picnic and enjoy everything this fantastic playground offers (and yes, there are toilet facilities too).

Special features: Dinosaur dig area with flying fox and impressive multistorey play equipment with colourful slides- and its fenced!

Community Testimonials: 

M. Lee: We went here last weekend. It’s huge!

M. Diana: Love the sand diggers!

Please read our detailed review of Thornlands Community Park

Location: 270-282 Cleveland Redland Bay Road, Thornlands

Grinstead Park, Enoggera

The standout for kids at the spacious Grinstead Park would have to be the impressive fort-style playground featuring swings, slides and various other activities for various abilities. A brand-new learn-to-ride facility will also have little ones engaging in imaginative play, zooming about having fun. A multi-use court, nature play area, outdoor fitness equipment, BBQ facilities and lots of grassy open spaces, make Grinstead Park a great spot to spend several hours and enjoy a picnic.

Special features: Huge climbing fort with slides, learn-to-ride play area with signals and crossings.

Community Testimonials: 

Julia H: We go there all the time – it’s great!
Amy F: This park is amazing!

Please read our detailed review of Grinstead Park

Location: Shand Street in Enoggera

The Mill, Petrie

While kids love the colourful playground, it is the waterpark that the littlies love most, especially in the warmer months. With waterspouts and a big tipping bucket, you will hear giggles and screams of excitement. Slides and a flying fox are popular among the bigger kids, while a designated toddler fort with rope bridges will keep the toddlers entertained. Plenty of green space, bike tracks and picnic and BBQ facilities make this the ultimate playground for a day out and another easy choice as one of the best playgrounds in Brisbane.

Special features: Waterplay, huge playground and designated toddler fort. 

Community Testimonials: 

Kylie J: On the weekends, recommend going after lunch. It is packed with birthday parties in the mornings which a lot disappear around lunch time or just after so it’s not so busy in the afternoons. We pack camp chairs, picnic rugs and own shade if we go on the weekend. Week days are great if you can manage it.
Jeanine A. Yip: It’s nice there. Not a lot of shade by the water park side.

Read our detailed review of The Mill.

Location: Moreton Parade, Petrie

Wynnum Whale Park, Wynnum

Wynnum Whale Park is a hugely popular sea-side spot with a large playground, boardwalk, jetty, water play space, and a wading pool nearby to amuse families for hours. The ocean-themed playground has all the classic equipment – swings, slides, climbing nets and more, while the waterplay area features a pod of water-spouting whales and a large tipping bucket. With numerous picnic areas you can easily spend a whole day here, especially on a hot day in Brisbane! 

Special features: Ocean-themed with water play, tipping bucket and an engaging playground especially suited to younger kids. 

Community Testimonials:

Kelly B: We love this park, such good fun
Cheryl : Great place for kids, took some of our boys there and they loved it, especially the giant bucket that tipped over onto them.

Please read our detailed review of Wynnum Whale Park

Location: 137 Wynnum Esplanade, Wynnum

Brisbane’s other amazing playgrounds 

We received so many contenders for the best playground in Brisbane. Here are some of Brisbane’s most fantastic playground runners-ups. 

Brisbane

Anzac Park, Toowong

Ascot Park, Ascot

Benjamina Place Park, The Gap

Biami Yumba Park, Fig Tree Pocket (this is near Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary)

City Botanic Gardens in Brisbane City

Broadwater Park, Mansfield

Bulimba Memorial Park, Bulimba

C.B. Mott Park, Holland Park

Colmslie Beach Reserve, Murrarrie

Dorrington Park, Ashgrove

Dunlop Park, Corinda

Hanlon Park, Stones Corner

Hercules Street Park, Hamilton

Joe Bradfield Centre Park, Carina

Kalinga Park, Clayfield

Majestic Park, Coorparoo

Oriel Park, Ascot

Perrin Park, Toowong

Alexander Clark Park

Rafting Ground Rd, Brookfield

Riverdale Park in Meadowbrook

Roma Street Parkland

Riverside Green Playground

Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands

The Common, Coorparoo

Walton Bridge Reserve Playground, The Gap

University of Queensland Playground St Lucia

Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill

North Brisbane and Moreton Bay

7^th Brigade Park, Chermside

Aurora Boulevard Park, North Lakes

Blatchford Park, Murrumba Downs

Bradbury Park, Kedron/Chermside

Bray Farm Park, Griffin

CREEC, Burpengary

Decker Park, Brighton

Hidden World Playground, Fitzgibbon

Honeyeater Street Park, Upper Kedron

John Goss Reserve, Chermside West

John Scott Park, Samford

Kidspace, Chermside

Kumbartcho Sanctuary, Eatons Hill

Lemke Park, Albany Creek

Pine Rivers Park, Strathpine

Pirate Park at Redcliffe

Spinnaker Park, Newport

Stoneridge Park, Narangba

Jubilee Park Beaudesert

Suttons Beach Park, Redcliffe

Symphony Crescent Park, Burpengary

Teralba Park, Everton Park

The Green, Carseldine

Walkers Road, Morayfield

Warner-Pettit Playground, Warner

South Brisbane and Logan

Brush Box Place Park, Heathwood

Calamvale District Park

Carvers Park, Park Ridge

Ducie Street Park, Darra

Forestglen Park, Browns Plains

Logan City Waterpark, Woodridge

Logan Gardens, Logan Central

Pallara District Park, Pallara

Svoboda Park, Kuraby

Underwood Park, Priestdale

Warrill Parklands, Larapinta

Windermere Road Park, Alexandra Hills

Woodlands District Park, Waterford

Bayside and Redlands

Apex Park, Ormiston

Capalaba Regional Park

George Clayton Park, Manly

Lota Park, Lota

Raby Bay Esplanade Park, Ormiston

WH Yea Park, Victoria Point

Ipswich

Adventure Park, Ripley

Faye Carr Park, Ripley

Grande Avenue Park, Springfield Lakes

Orion Playground, Springfield

Queens Park, Ipswich

Important Playground Features

So, what makes a fantastic park? As families looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a playground, we know there are non-negotiable features. If you have multiple young children, a fenced playground may be a priority, toilets are always a must (especially if you plan on spending a long time there or having a park party), and sometimes it may be parking, BBQ or shade you seek. 

Here is a round-up of playground features our Brisbane Kids followers said were important when choosing a playground to visit.

Best playgrounds in Brisbane: Important features

1. Shade

It is no surprise shade comes in at number one for must-have features at a playground. Living in Southeast Queensland, a predominantly warm and sunny place throughout the year, everyone must be protected from the hot sun when enjoying playground facilities.

We are not just talking about a token shade sail, either.

Having large, established trees to rest under and sheltered picnic tables to snack on is always a bonus after a big day playing at the park. But more importantly, having most of the play equipment covered by shade is essential, particularly when metal objects are involved, like slides. Shaded seating areas in and around the play equipment also rate high, as many parents and carers like to sit and watch the kids play when not joining in on the fun.

2. Toilets

Nothing is worse than being out with the kids and someone needing to go to the toilet (usually at the most inconvenient time). This is made even more frustrating when no bathroom is available nearby. Having clean, functioning and accessible public toilets at playgrounds, especially the larger ones, is essential for birthday parties.

Not only should toilet facilities be available, but they should be open during daylight hours and, if possible, include changing facilities for babies. After all, no one wants to leave the playground after only 10 minutes because nature calls.

3. Parking

Most trips to the park involve at least a water bottle, but usually a scooter, bike, soccer ball, kite, pram and snacks. Parking available next to the playground or very close by is essential, especially if you are venturing out with more than one child.

Having the car close by for the multiple trips back to the car you usually have to complete is always handy.  Nearby car parking also avoids having to cross busy roads with young children. FREE parking is also appreciated.

We also wrote a similar post highlighting the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast you might be interested to read

Criteria for best playground status

You also told us that these features mattered to you when considering which Brisbane playgrounds to visit. 

Unique Playground equipment         

Inclusive of all-abilities                      

Fencing around playground              

Big slides                                            

Coffee nearby 

Bike Paths                                   

Water fountains

Multi-purpose courts (especially a basketball court)

A picnic shelter and BBQs

Shade sails