Free Things To Do In Moreton Bay City With Kids

Chasing some free fun in the beautiful city of Moreton Bay? If so, you are in luck! Overflowing with fantastic activities and adventures you can share with your kids on school holidays, weekends or during the week, these are some of the best free things to do in Moreton Bay City with kids.

Free things to do in Moreton Bay City with kids

Outdoors

Go bushwalking in a National Park

There are many stunning national parks in the Moreton Bay region, and all of them will provide your family with hours of free time in nature. From bush walks to swimming holes, lookouts, waterfalls and trails, there’s nothing like some time out in nature to put a smile on everyone’s face. One of our favourite national parks in the region is the Mount Nebo and the South D’aguilar, which has lots of walking trails for all types of explorers.

Go Fishing at Woody Point Jetty

Cast a line off one of Moreton Bay City’s most popular fishing spots – the Woody Point Jetty. With its own rich history dating back to the 1880s, there is plenty of room for the experienced and beginner fisher to get a good haul. The adjacent Crockatt Park is an added bonus – with its flying fox and superb ocean views, it’s perfect for a fish and chip picnic by the seaside. The great thing about fishing off Woody Point Jetty is you can go with a hand-reel- no fishing rod necessary.

Grab a bike and ride the Moreton Bay Cycleway

With over 150km of coastal pathways to explore, the Moreton Bay Cycleway is the perfect way to spend some outdoors time with the kids – for free! Spend a few hours cycling between some of the other free attractions we’ve mentioned, or just take in the region’s stunning landscape.

Discover the Fairy Trail at Kumbartcho Sanctuary

Open every day of the year from 7am – 7pm, the Kumbartcho Sanctuary is completely free for families to explore. A flora and fauna sanctuary, it is also home to a park, playground, BBQ area, walking tracks, native plant nursery (open Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 3pm and Saturday to Sunday 8am to 12pm), an Environmental Education and Activity Centre (open Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 2pm), and even a hidden fairy trail too!

Climb a Mountain

There are many forested mountain ranges just waiting to be discovered in Moreton Bay City. The D’Aguilar, Blackall and Conondale Ranges all offer kid-friendly trails and bush walks, with many spectacular outlooks to enjoy along the way.

Water based activities

Cool down at Settlement Cove Lagoon

With its beachside location, variety of shallow pool activities for younger children, and chlorinated lagoon for all ages, it’s not surprising that the Settlement Cove Lagoon area is a firm favourite with locals. Best of all, it is completely free! Top tip: Get there early as it is a popular location to stay cool in the summer months.

Explore Bribie Island

A day at Bribie Island with the kids can include numerous free activities. Body surf at the beach, wander through the Seaside Museum, swim in the sheltered waters of the Pumicestone Passage, visit the art centre, go for a bushwalk or bike ride, stroll through the markets, or visit one of the local parks or playgrounds.

Head to the Beach

You really can’t go wrong with a day at the beach with the kids. With its long stretches of coastal towns and beaches, you are also spoilt for choice when it comes to kid-friendly swimming in Moreton Bay. From sandcastles to water sports, fossicking to snorkelling, the options for free fun with the kids at the beach are almost endless. Top tip: Do your research beforehand and grab some locally-recommended fish and chips, or BYO picnic to make a whole day of your trip to the beach – you’ll feel like you’ve gone on a rejuvenating mini-break!

Swim in a Natural Water Hole

Moreton Bay City has many natural water holes and swimming creeks that are tucked away within its hinterland. Some of our recommended places to explore here are Rocky Hole at Mount Mee, and Bunya Crossing Reserve.

Go bird watching at Lake Eden

Take a stroll around the picturesque Lake Eden at North Lakes, and enjoy a quiet picnic and a play in one of the several playgrounds around the lake; all while seeing how much of the local wildlife you can see while there with a spot of birdwatching.

Ferny Grove Aqua Park

Ferny Grove Aqua Park is less of an aqua park (I think they extend themselves in naming rights here), is more of a splash park for younger kids. Think flat ground, lots of fountains and water cannons and a splashing bucket. It is located within a wider recreation area and lends itself to a morning or afternoon picnic on the expansive lawn (Has toilets)

Andy Williams Park

When my kids were little, Andy Williams Park was one of our favourite spots for an afternoon paddle. Like any waterway, it is worth waiting until after some rain but even then, due to its proximity to Cedar Creek Falls, it is rarely lacking movement. It is just a nice peaceful place to listen to running water, let the kids have a bit of a swim in shallow water and enjoy the sounds of nature. Its about 15 minutes from Samford and has toilets.

Indoor activities

Spend time at the Caboolture Regional Art Gallery

Foster your child’s creativity and imagination with a visit to the Caboolture Regional Art Gallery. Their free Long Gallery space is perfect for hands-on art activities that will delight both children and adults. Be sure to check out the gallery’s current exhibitions and their events that often include free activities for families.

Visit an Environmental Education Centre

Take your pick between the Caboolture Regional Environmental Education Centre (which also features a wonderful playground), Osprey House, Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre or Kumbartcho Sanctuary. All offer free activities for the kids to enjoy as they learn all about the surrounding wildlife and environment, as well as popular events throughout the year for families.

Visit a Moreton Bay City library

Council libraries offer a lot of surprises for families looking for a quiet escape from the weather outside. With free activities and workshops for kids filling their weekly calendar, and even more throughout the school holidays, a trip to a local Moreton Bay City library is a perfect way to spend time with the kids. Top tip: Check out your local library’s calendar regularly and book well in advance for these events!

Explore Redcliffe Museum

Providing another look into the history of the Moreton Bay area, a visit to the Redcliffe Museum is not only free but will give the kids a unique background of the people, places and the stories of the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Day trip to Mathema Gallery

Technically entry is by donation but for a couple of gold coins you are rewarded with the most incredible immersive mathematics gallery that exists in Australia. You don’t need you or your child to be a mathematical genius to enjoy this space because it is interactive, engaging and we love how it explores how mathematics was used in ancient times. It is located at Ocean View – which is up in the mountains behind Dayboro (hence the day trip).

Picnics and Markets

Picnic at the Redcliffe Botanic Gardens

The manicured green spaces found within the Redcliffe Botanic Gardens make it the perfect inner city oasis for locals and visitors. With fountains, spacious lawns, shaded trees, and picnic spots, it is a wonderful play to relax and unwind with the kids on a sunny day, or even to host a birthday party (bookings can be made via the council website).

Step Back in Time at Old Petrie Town

Step back in time, do a spot of shopping, have a bite to eat, and let the kids play at the charming Old Petrie Town. Visit the weekend markets, explore the museums and experience a feel of what life was like many years ago.

Day Trip to a Local Country Village

Within easy day trip distance, it’s not hard to take a drive to one of the delightful country villages located in the Moreton Bay hinterland, such as Dayboro, Samford or Woodford. Stop in at the Store of Requirement in Samford for a Harry Potter fix, see the grazing animals scattered throughout the hillsides, or take in the laidback charm the locals exude.

Go for a Scenic Drive

With numerous scenic coastal, mountain and country drives in the Moreton Bay Region, a lovely way to spend the day with the kids is simply by packing some snack, jumping in the car and driving the many picturesque routes.

Stroll through the Weekend Markets

There is something about the laidback and festive atmosphere of weekend markets that make for a great day out. With plenty of them coming to life every weekend in Moreton Bay City, you can go for a stroll through the many eclectic stalls before heading to the local park or beach nearby.

Stroll down Bee Gees Way

Even if they are a little young to know the music, there is always time to educate your kids on the wonder that is the Bee Gees. With this world-famous band having grown up in the area, City of Moreton Bay have created Bee Gees Way to pay homage and act as a permanent memorial to the band’s success.

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Visit a Moreton Bay City Playground

There are some pretty incredible playgrounds in the City of Moreton Bay. Regardless of your age or ability, there is plenty of free fun to discover, with water play areas, all-abilities equipment, traffic tracks, toddler play, and parkour areas. We’ve compiled the best playgrounds in Moreton Bay here, as well as the best toddler playgrounds of the region here but here are some of our favourites

Hills District All Abilities Playground

Located in the suburb of Arana Hills, Hills District All Abilities Playground features accessible paths and soft fall areas within the play equipment zones. We especially like this play space for younger kids, not only because it is fenced but because the play equipment is mostly close to the ground, there is plenty of room for prams and the flat areas and ramps make it easy for little ones to independently navigate. (Has toilets)

The Mill Petrie

The Mill waterpark and playground, stands proudly next door to the University of Sunshine Coast (Moreton Bay), and is home to a free waterplay area, the oval and a terrific playground complete with picnic areas and BBQ facilities. This play space is definitely one to add to your ‘must visit playgrounds’ list! (has toilets)

North Lakes Town Park at Lake Eden

A commanding green and yellow play tower is the focal point of this North Lakes Town Park, with children invited to clamber, scramble and climb their way to the top. Situated within the surrounds of Lake Eden, its a lovely way to break up a walk after watching the birds by the lake. (Has toilets)

CREEC Playground at Burpengary

Forever one of our favourite playgrounds, CREEC playground is designed with kids and nature in mind. Thoughtful incorporation of natural elements and nods to the local wildlife feature throughout this incredible playscape, (which is also fully fenced). It is located next to the CREEC Environment and Education Centre. (Has toilets)

Pine Rivers Park

One of the oldest destination parks in the region, Pine Rivers Park boast a huge amount of parking, shade throughout and an expansive variety of different play equipment. Some of the play space is fenced while others like the flying fox and the pedal monorail is not. This is the perfect space for a BBQ and home to one of South East Queensland’s disc golf courses. (Has toilets)

Lightwood Parklands

Lightwood Parklands in Caboolture South is an ocean-themed playground with a tall climbing tower, slides, swings, and climbing nets, plus a pump track, basketball half-court, and rugby field. It has accessible toilets, BBQs, picnic shelters, and concrete pathways, though the playground is unfenced. A solid north Brisbane fringe option for active kids who love to climb and play sport. (Has toilets)

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