Best Playgrounds Gold Coast

If you are looking for a bit of respite from the hustle and bustle of the Glitter Strip and want the kids to let off some steam away from the beach then you are going to love this list of the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast.

After visiting many of the Gold Coast playgrounds in person, these are the playgrounds our kids enjoyed the most! 

Introduction to the Gold Coast’s Playground Scene

The Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant atmosphere, and family-friendly attractions. With warm weather almost all year round, is it any wonder it is also home to some of the best playgrounds for kids of all ages in South East Queensland.

In Australia, public playgrounds are free for community use and are maintained by local councils. If you are wanting to locate some of the lesser well-known Gold Coast parks and playgrounds you can check out our handy parks map.

If you are wanting to visit the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast then you can read on and find the perfect place to visit with your family. 

Best Playgrounds on the Gold Coast

Palm Beach Parklands

Re-opening mid-2022 after a major refurbishment, this nautical-themed playground is a destination Gold Coast playground like no other. It is sometimes referred to as Pirate Park. While this easily made the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast list, we suggest this might be the best!

Boasting a giant pirate ship play structure, mega slide, baskets-swings, telescopes, hammocks and more, your Brisbane Kids’ imagination can be ignited as they play by the water.

There is plenty of opportunity for sand and water play and relaxing beside Currumbin Creek. A tasty café is located on site and plenty of shady spots for picnics, so long visits at this playground are doable.

Toilets, showers and change rooms are nearby, as are kilometres of walking tracks.

Palm Beach Parklands is close to the creek, so extra care should be taken with young children.

Playground features: Nautical theme, flying fox, suspension bridge, swings, slides for older and younger children, climbing equipment, pathways, near Currumbin Creek, café, BBQs, change rooms, showers and toilets.

Location: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Read our detailed in-person review of Palm Beach Parklands

Broadwater Parklands

Broadwater Parklands at Southport are a must-see when visiting the Gold Coast with kids. Located across from Australia Fair Shopping Centre, and overlooking the stunning Broadwater, you will be hard-pressed to find a more picturesque playground.

The pedal monorail encircling the playground is a drawcard, as is the shallow waterplay area, jumping pillow and fun play equipment. The mini-traffic track has many obstacles, signs and crossings, so bring your kid’s favourite wheels when visiting.

If you visit during summer, an inflatable aqua park is often set up on the beach and is ideal for older children and adults (fees apply).

Alternatively, a shaded swimming enclosure can be found on the beach for those looking for a less active option to get wet. A café, toilets and plenty of picnic spots mean you can spend all day at the Broadwater Parklands, knowing everyone will be entertained and well-fed.

Playground features: Partially fenced playground, jumping pillow, water play area, pedal monorail, Liberty swing, slides, climbing equipment, adjacent to beach, BBQ, picnic tables, café and toilets.

Location: Marine Parade, Southport

Read our detailed in-person review of Broadwater Parklands

Peninsula Playground at the Broadwater Parklands

Peninsula Playground, located on stunning waterfront property with breathtaking views of the Gold Coast Seaway, is a state-of-the-art $5 million adventure outdoor playground.

This exceptional playground offers an array of contemporary amenities, including in-ground trampolines, water play areas, rock climbing walls, multiple slides, and captivating ocean-themed elements highlighting sea life and conservation. 

At the heart of the playground stands a magnificent spiral activity tower which resembles a modern art sculpture, captivating both older kids and younger children. This would be one of our kids’ favourite playgrounds in South East Queensland. 

Playground features: Unfenced playground, accessible toilets, in-ground trampolines, child-operated water play, adaptive swings, BBQs, picnic tables and onsite parking. 

Location: Broadwater Parklands North, Southport

Read our detailed in-person review of Peninsula Playground at the Broadwater Parklands

Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground

Every parent’s playground wish has been granted at Broadbeach’s fully fenced, well-shaded, all-abilities playground and an easy choice to add to the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast playgrounds list.

Featuring play equipment to suit the needs of children of all ages and abilities, there are plenty of opportunities for fun and imagination throughout the three play zones within this playground.

Children can enjoy sand play, flying foxes, swings (including a Liberty Swing), slides, spinners, climbing equipment, and imaginary play while safely contained within the fenced playground. Due to the fenced nature of the park, this is a popular Gold Coast Kids’ party venue.

As a bonus, the playground is located next to the Kurrawa Surf Club and beach, so when the kids (or adults) tire of the playground you can easily transition to beach play.

Playground features: Fully fenced, flying fox, swings, slides, Liberty swing, climbing equipment, sand play, near beach, BBQs and picnic tables nearby, accessible toilets. 

Location: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach

Read our detailed in-person review of Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground

Bim’bimba Park

Bim’bimba Park in Pimpama is an expansive playground catering to all-ages with its thoughtful and engaging features.

The playground area boasts an extensive array of equipment including a large, suspended tunnel which leads to The Tower’s intricate interior web of ropes, providing access to a two-level corkscrew slide. 

A dedicated ‘Teen Hang’ area is a stand-out feature of this family-friendly play space, boasting a basketball court, table tennis table, and two concrete rainbow arches equipped with metal coping for those with wheels.

Beyond the playground, Bim’bimba Park is just that – a park.  Families can relax and gather together taking advantage of the sprawling outdoor amphitheatre, shaded picnic tables and  BBQs. 

There’s no wonder this park was awarded the ‘Best Park and Playground Design’ for Queensland in 2020!

Playground features: Unfenced playground, slides, swings, obstacle course, outdoor amphitheatre, basketball court, table tennis table, paths, green space, BBQ’s and accessible toilets.

Location: 188 Gainsborough Drive, Pimpama

Read our detailed in-person review of Bim’bimba Park.

Aquila Reserve

Nestled in Pimpama’s welcoming residential area, Aquila Reserve in Pimpama is a playground suited to all members of the family. With opportunities for imaginative exploration, physical challenges, or just time to play and have fun, you can see why this is one of our fave parks on the GC.

Spaced out into four distinct zones, Aquila Reserve has thoughtfully curated a play space which is as entertaining as it is functional. There is a large, towering structure with two slides and generous entryways to facilitate adult participation (why should the kids have all the fun!) as well as swings, a spinner and play fort.

A fun, ropes climbing course, presents a delightful challenge as does balancing challenges, round soft fall spheres, and toadstool steps.  

The water and sand play area is always popular among the smaller children, boasting animated water spouts, water pumps, a sit-on digger and plenty of other areas for imaginative play. 

Families can revel in the abundant shade provided, ensuring a comfortable play environment away from the bustling road.

Playground features: Unfenced playground, climbing wall, slides, play fort, swings, pod spinner, sand digger, water and sand play, paths, picnic shelters, BBQ’s and accessible toilets.

Location: 37 Swan Road, Pimpama

Read our detailed in-person review of Aquila Reserve.

Country Paradise Parklands

Blending traditional country charm with an innovative playground design, is the epic Country Paradise Parklands in the Gold Coast Hinterland. The centrepiece of this playground is the 11.5m windmill and a slide, accessed by a water-tank tunnel and suspension bridge.

A well-laid out toddler play space is perfect for little ones, with tunnels, slides, climbing walls, swing bridges, and a play hut to entertain them. And if that wasn’t enough, a very green and cool fort in the shape of a tractor  is available for climbing, sliding and imaginative play.

Water-play, in-ground trampolines, pathways, rollers and ramps for scooters and more fill this hinterland play space, making it fun for all members of the family.

Shade sails and surrounding trees provide a peaceful and shaded environment to play and relax in, in addition to covered picnic tables, BBQ’s, and of course the all important toilets.

Playground features: Unfenced playground, suspension bridge, slides, swings, toddler play structures, in-ground trampolines, climbing wall, rollers and ramps for scooters, green space, picnic tables, BBQs and toilets.

Location: 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road, Nerang

Read our detailed in-person review of Country Paradise Parklands.

Ronnie Long Park

The colourful Ronnie Long Park is perched at the northern end of Palm Beach, in front of the Tallebudgera Surf Club and is a great place for kids to enjoy after a meal at the surf club. Featuring a unique surf lifesaver theme, the playground is split into two main areas – the tower and transport zones.

With plenty of opportunities to climb, slide and swing, children will enjoy this beachside playground, which is well-shaded, with ample greenspace adjacent to the playground.

Playground features: Partially fenced, swings, slide, climbing equipment, close to the beach, plenty of green space, and toilets.

Location: 1505 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach North

Read our detailed in-person review of Ronnie Long Park.

Pratten Park

Conveniently situated between the beach and the Esplanade at Broadbeach, and right beside an access point for a patrolled beach, Pratten Park is a great spot for a play when visiting the Gold Coast. 

Children will have fun zooming around on the pedal vehicles, which encircle the playground. Plenty of climbing opportunities await, as do swings, merry-go-rounds and rockers. Partially shaded, with plenty of space to enjoy a BBQ or picnic, spending a few hours near Pratten Park is easy.

Playground features: Unfenced playground, partially shaded, a small fort, pedal monorail, small flying fox, spring rockers, swings, slides, adjacent to beach, BBQs, picnic tables and accessible toilets.

Location: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach

Read our detailed in-person review of Pratten Park.

Inclusive Playgrounds: Fun for All Abilities

Kurrawa All Abilities playground is one of the best all-abilities playgrounds on the Gold Coast and in South East Queensland and the best park to bring a child who uses a wheelchair. This inclusive playground was co-designed with Gold Coast City Council co-designed and Disability Services Queensland. 

• Kurrawa All Abilities playground is fenced. We especially appreciated that the gate system is the same as pool fencing, making it inaccessible to kids and self-closing. One of the biggest challenges we see with fenced playgrounds is that parents will prop open the gate which cannot happen here. 
• The playground equipment is linked by wide wheelchair-accessible pathways. 
• There are three sand tables at wheelchair height. 
• The playground is covered in shade sails.
• The undersea zone is also wheelchair accessible with all the submarine controls at chair height. 
• A liberty swing and sway bridge are all-inclusive features of this all-abilities Gold Coast playground. 
• The accessible toilets include an accessible change area with an adult-sized (adjustable) change area bench and hoist. 
• Access to the change area including bench and hoist is made via a Master Locksmith Access Key. 

Picnic Areas and BBQ Facilities: Enjoy a Family Day Out

The best part of all the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast is they generally feature BBQ facilities and nearly always offer sufficient greenspace for a family picnic.

If you want to know if a particular Gold Coast park offers BBQs and toilets, just head to the specific review on the Brisbane Kids website. In Queensland electric BBQs in public parks are generally free for community use. If there is a dollar cost, we will also mention this in our detailed park reviews. 

Playgrounds with Water Features

The Gold Coast is literally on the doorstep of some of the best beaches in the world. Peninsula Playground at the Broadwater Parklands and Broadwater Parklands itself features some limited water play features like the water pump shown above (located in Peninsula Playground). In addition, during Summer an inflatable aqua park is often set up in the calm waters of the Broadwater and is ideal for older children and adults (fees apply).

Other Fun Gold Coast parks

• Frascott Park – Varsity Lake
• Damian Leeding Memorial Park – Oxenford
• Laguna Park – Palm Beach
• Tugun Park – Tugun
• Schuster Park Playground – Tallebudgera
• Harley Park – Labrador
• Main Beach playground- Main Beach

Indoor Play Options on the Gold Coast

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast. If the weather is not amenable to playing outdoors, then fear not; plenty of other indoor play options on the Gold Coast will entertain the children for hours.

As a bonus, there is usually a café onsite so the adults can relax and have a snack while watching the kids play. Check out Indoor Playgrounds at the Gold Coast here.

FAQ about the Best Best Playgrounds on the Gold Coast

Why are these the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast?

After visiting a lot of Gold Coast playgrounds, we asked our kids what they thought were the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast. As parents, we made sure they included facilities like toilets so the whole family is able to enjoy the experience. 

Does it cost money to visit the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast

No! Community parks are free in Australia. You only pay entry to commercial theme parks like Dreamworld etc. 

What else can we do on the Gold Coast other than playgrounds?

• Visit the beach (it’s a no brainer). Our favourite beaches for kids are Currumbin Creek and Rock Pools and Tallebudgera Creek (and beach). 
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to take visitors. You can feed the rainbow lorikeets twice a day (without having to pay for entry to the sanctuary). Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary also boasts a high ropes course that takes kids (and adults) through the sanctuary via the trees. 
• Check out local events happening at HOTA which is the Gold Coasts’ main cultural centre. 
• Check out our list of family fun in the Gold Coast Hinterland.