Many people are surprised to learn that you can enjoy beautiful beaches right here in Brisbane, without having to travel to the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast. In fact, with their gently sloping sands and calm waters, these local seaside spots often make for better places to visit with kids. Add in an awesome seaside playground and you have the makings of a great family day out!
Here are some of our favourite beachfront playgrounds in Brisbane:
Suttons Beach Park, Redcliffe
This Redcliffe Park has it all! It has plenty of parking spots, a fenced playground with all the play equipment kids could want, bike and walking paths, shelters, barbecues and even a fish and chip shop just up the road. This is the perfect place to visit for an afternoon play and an early dinner by the ocean. Suttons Beach Park, Redcliffe
Crockatt Park, Woody Point
This lovely beachside park has an undercover playground, a large climbing structure and really fun flying fox. There are barbecue facilities and shaded picnic tables, as well as a selection of local cafes nearby. There are also pathways for a stroll or ride along the waterfront, and you can head to the nearby jetty. Crockatt Park, Woody Point
Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe
Even without being next to the sea, this playground is one of the best in Brisbane! Surrounded by beautiful mature trees, it features some cool forts and climbing nets, great sand play items, tunnel slides and fireman’s poles. The calm waters are perfect for paddling and there’s also a jetty, shaded picnic tables, barbecues and bike paths. Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe
George Clayton Park, Wynnum
This is an ideal spot for a fun family outing. It has a great nautical themed playground. There’s even a play lighthouse to climb! There are sheltered picnic tables and barbecues, as well as lots of grassy spaces for enjoying a lovely seaside picnic. There is also plenty of shade from shade sails and large trees, so you can stay cool on hotter days. George Clayton Park, Wynnum
Scarborough Beach Park, Scarborough
This is a fully fenced playground with not one but two play areas! Why choose between Railway Place and Pirate Place when you can have both? There are even awesome cottonwood trees that are crying out to be climbed, there are cafes nearby for a coffee of fish and chips, and there are shelters, picnic tables and barbecues. Oh and we nearly forgot the beach and ocean! Scarborough Beach Park, Scarborough
Bayside Park, Manly
This great park is partially fenced on the road side and enjoys a lovely seaside position that’s perfect for having a family picnic with an ocean view. The playground has a seaside theme for little pirates to enjoy and really impressive climbing net to scale. There are bikeways and a jetty nearby, covered picnic spot and barbecues. Bayside Park, Manly
Lota Park / Fig Tree Point Park, Lota
Located on Lota Esplanade, this partially fenced beachfront park has a modern playground with beach hut forts, climbing equipment, slides and sand sculptures. There are bike and walking paths and grassy open spaces. You can enjoy a picnic under the shelters, have a barbecue or get fish and chips from across the road. All with a lovely sea view! Lota Park / Fig Tree Point Park, Lota
Pelican Park, Clontarf
With a lovely stretch of beach, two fenced playgrounds, a bike path, boat ramp and liberty swing, you can’t go past Pelican Park for the perfect seaside playground! There are sheltered picnic tables and grassy open spaces, barbecues and plenty of nearby cafes. You can have a play in the park, build a sandcastle, have a paddle and then top it all off with a bite to eat while watching the pelicans! Pelican Park, Clontarf
Decker Park, Brighton
Decker Park has a traditional fort style playground with bridges, slides and swings, as well as a new playground with fun features like cognitive play equipment and a Sand Worx area. You can ride bikes along the foreshore pathway, play at the beach and stroll down the jetty. There are also shaded picnic tables and barbecue facilities, ensuring you can stay for the whole day! Decker Park, Brighton
Wynnum Whale Park, Wynnum
Wynnum Whale Park is a hugely popular sea-side spot for families. With a large playground, boardwalk, jetty, water play space and even a wading pool nearby – there is enough here to keep a family entertained for hours! Wynnum Whale Park, Wynnum
WH Yeo Park, Victoria Point
The calm waters of Thompson’s Beach are great for a swim at this lovely seaside park. There is plenty of shade over the excellent playground, which features, swings, slides, climbing structures, balancing equipment and a flying fox. There are bike and walking paths, picnic tables and shelters, barbecues and grassy open spaces. WH Yeo Park, Victoria Point
Redcliffe Parkour Park, Redcliffe
You won’t find the traditional slides or swings here and at first it can be confusing as to how to use the space as it seems quite unfamiliar. However, the obstacles do flow onto each other and once imagination and possibility kick in, the kids will be unstoppable. Redcliffe Parkour Park, Redcliffe
Seaside playgrounds further afield
Of course, we’re very lucky to have some amazing beaches only an hour or so drive from Brisbane and many of these family-friendly beaches also feature fantastic seaside playgrounds.
If you’re up for a day trip, we suggest checking out these playgrounds by the sea:
- Pratten Park, Broadbeach
- Ronnie Long Park, Tallebudgera
- Lions Park in Woorim, Bribie Island
- Broadwater Parklands, Southport
- Pierce Park, Maroochydore
For full reviews of all of the featured seaside playgrounds and more, head to Playgrounds Next to the Beach. For more beach fun, you can also check out The Best Beaches in Brisbane, or if you’re willing to go a little further afield, The Best Beaches Near Brisbane.
Join the conversation