The fabulous playground nestled in the heart of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens has been designed to host a range of sensory play, musical activities, imaginative and physical play. Here, parents can relax under the trees while overlooking the boats moored in the Brisbane River. Even though located within the bustling city, the large trees within the gardens block out the city noise and leave everyone with a feeling of tranquility.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Playground

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens playground is great for all ages. There are lots of sensory activities included for all ages, such as spinning hand objects, clear shapes to look through, and a sand play area with little diggers to sit and dig in the sand.

There are climbing objects for little ones and tall musical chimes that can have two kids at any one time playing a melody. A circle of ten speaker tubes has been set up for children to listen and speak through, and to encourage social interaction.

All the standard equipment, including multiple one and two person see-saws and spinning seats, a four swing set, including one baby swing and one for all abilities, help to make this a truly fun space in the CBD for Brisbane Kids to play in.

Teamed with multiple large green spaces for children to run around in or kick a ball, there are plenty of options for self-paced play.

Imagination Factor at City Botanic Gardens

With the City Botanic Gardens to roam around and explore, Brisbane Kids will love collecting fallen flowers and leaves to add to their exploration box or to use for a collage (check out the Brisbane Kids Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Toddlers and Kids for extra inspiration).

Children will be able to spot the small rock waterfalls hidden amongst a secret garden, as well as other small lakes within that are home to many ducks, turtles, eels and water dragons.

The various types of trees and flower settings, such as a rose garden, a palm tree walkway and more create a magical environment for kids to play games of make-believe. There’s even a small bushwalk near the back of the City Botanic Gardens that will either take you along the wetlands at the riverfront, or up high to top of the hill, overlooking at all that the Botanic Gardens has to offer (with the added benefit of The City Gardens Café situated at the top).

On top of this, the array of wildlife and riverside views makes for some great adventure play; exploring the jungle for wild animals.

Accessibility at City Botanic Gardens

This park is designed to enable people of all ages and abilities to gain access and participate in various play activities. The playground and pathways provide accessibility to children and people in wheelchairs and utilising prams.

The fully accessible toilet facilities also have a ceiling hoist for people with disabilities and a drinking fountain which is wheelchair accessible.

The digger scoops in the sand play area cater to people of all abilities, especially since one has no seat to allow use by a person in a wheelchair. The accessible springer enables children to transfer from a wheelchair onto the spring toy with less difficulty, and there is a swing that people of all abilities can use.

The playground additionally offers a quiet zone with sculptures for children to escape the noisy active play areas, which can benefit children with sensory difficulties.

City Botanic Gardens Playground features

Partially shaded playground (unfenced)
Accessible toilet facilities (close walking distance)
Synthetic under surfacing, mulch and sand bases
Slides
Swings (including infant swing and accessible swing)
Sand play area
Musical play area
Sensory sculpture garden
Bike and walking paths
Picnic tables
Bench seating
Adjacent to the Brisbane River
Free council WiFi
Off-street parking (paid)
A short walk over Goodwill Bridge from South Bank. Or catch a ferry or citycat and stop at QUT Gardens Campus or Eagle Street wharves.

While You Are in the Area

It goes without saying that while you are visiting the playground you should also explore the greater Botanic Gardens – you never know what you will come across! Old Government House? The Brisbane River? Wildlife? QUT’s The Cube?

For another playground in the city check out Roma Street Parkland or Captain Burke Park near the Story Bridge.

How to get to Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

Entry into the Brisbane Botanical Gardens is by Alice Street, George Street, Eagle Street, Brisbane or a walkover from Southbank via the Goodwill Bridge.

The gardens are around 15 minutes from a train station (you will walk through the city). There is plenty of paid parking about – just google “parking Brisbane city” and look for Wilson or Secure Parking options.

If you are on the free loop bus, you can get off at Alice Street and walk to the gardens or you can enjoy a river ride and take a Citycat here, disembarking at either Edward Street (wheelchair accessible) or at the back of Parliament House (which is not wheelchair accessible).