Free Things To Do In Redland City With Kids

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to free activities in South-East Queensland, and we think heading to the gorgeous Redland Bay region is just perfect for a day trip in the school holidays (or even a cheeky weekday!). Why not add some of our ultimate free things to do in Redland City with kids to your bucketlist and set off on an adventure?

Free Things To Do In Redland City With Kids Outdoors

With sunshine dominating the weather for around 300 days of the year, there’s rarely a bad time to go outside in Redland City! Dose up on some vitamin D with some of these outdoor ideas for exploring the Redlands.

Walks

One of our favourite free things to do in Redland City with kids outdoors is coupling a nice family walk with some nature spotting! With a variety of trails to suit all abilities, challenge the family to a nature treasure hunt and see what you can spot along the way in this beautiful part of Queensland.

Daisy Hill Conservation Park

Daisy Hill Conservation Park boasts a diverse network of walking tracks, mountain bike trails, and horse trails suited to all skill levels – from first-timers to seasoned adventurers. Well-maintained and full of natural beauty, these trails promise a memorable day out for the whole family (furry companions welcome, as long as they’re on a lead).

Eddie Santagiuliana Way

Named to honour former Redland Shire councillor and mayor, Eddie Santagiuliana, Eddie Santagiuliana Way in Cleveland is a stunning foreshore trail along the coast. Whether exploring by bike or bushwalk, it’s an ideal spot to explore breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and beautiful natural landscapes.

IndigiScapes Walking Trails

IndigiScapes in Capalaba has three easy walking trails, all under 20 minutes, with two being wheelchair accessible. On the Tallowwood View Trail, keep an eye out for fairy-wrens and vibrant spring wildflowers. The Fairy Wren Walk follows Coolynwynpin Creek, where wallabies are often spotted along the banks. For something a little different, the Wildflower Walk winds through a beautiful stand of scribbly gums.

North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island‘s North Gorge Walk ranks among Australia’s most spectacular coastal trails. What makes it truly special is how the experience shifts with every visit, with each combination of season, time of day, and weather conditions revealing something new. This walk takes in breathtaking rugged cliff-top views, crashing waves, and the opportunity for wildlife encounters.

Venman Bushland National Park

Venman Bushland National Park in Mount Cotton is home to the Tingalpa walking trail, a grade 3 (moderate) 2.5km round-trip that winds over hills and crosses Tingalpa Creek multiple times. It’s a great spot for wildlife lovers, with wallabies, koalas, native birds, and even fish in the creek all making an appearance if you’re lucky!

Wellington Point to King Island

Did you know you can walk to an island off the Queensland coast?! Set off at low tide from Wellington Point, and you can take the kids on a walk across the ocean floor to the picturesque King Island. This unique experience is a definite one for the bucket list, but be sure to check out our full guide and check tide times before you go.

Beaches

Dozens of ideal beaches for families can be found along the Moreton Bay coastline as it weaves its way through the bays and coves of the Redlands. With swimming enclosures installed at beaches including Ruster’s Reserve in Redland Bay and Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island, families can enjoy many of these spots for a safe dip.

Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island ranks as one of Queensland’s best beaches. Tucked behind natural windbreaks, it delivers tranquil, sparkling water suited to everything from paddling to catching waves. Lifeguards are also stationed here, making it a great choice for families.

Raby Bay Foreshore Park is a seaside gem perfect for picnics, swimming, walking, and cycling. Three calm coves offer safe family swimming, with one being a designated dog-friendly beach. You might also spot dolphins, dugongs and other marine life here.

At high tide, Wellington Point’s calm, sandy beach is popular for a dip (or a fish off the jetty). Redland City Council and Surf Life Saving Queensland also offer disabled beach access through their Accessible Beach Program here, using beach mats and WaterWheels™ chairs, available weekends and school holidays from September to April.

Though muddy at low tide and fairly small, Thompson’s Beach at Victoria Point is also popular with the locals when the tide comes in. With a beachside playground and shallow waters and with no waves, it’s perfect for families with smaller children to visit for a great day out.

Markets

If you’re heading to Redlands and looking for free things to do on the weekend, then be sure to check out a local market. From the weekly Cleveland Markets on every Sunday to the Redlands Coast Collective Markets on selected dates throughout the year, you could spend hours just browsing the local produce and artisan stalls!

The Best Playgrounds in Redland City

With sprawling, tree-filled community spaces in abundance, Redland City has some of the best playgrounds in South-East Queensland just waiting to be discovered by your kids! No matter which beach-side or bush-side playground you choose, the kids are sure to love these playgrounds as much as we do. Even better, some of these playgrounds are within walking distance train stations, so you can jump aboard for a railway adventure and make the most of 50c fares (as noted)!

Rateable Playgrounds in the Redlands

Apex Park, Ormiston (1.4km from Ormiston Station)

A lovely, shaded playground beneath tall trees and shade sails, Apex Park in Ormiston features a nature play space for kids, lots of imagination-inspiring installations, an awesome pump track for kids on bikes, and a multi sport half court with with soccer goal, basketball and netball hoops. [Has toilet facilities]

Brosnan Drive Park, Capalaba

Another wonderful, shaded playground, Brosnan Drive Park in Capalaba’s sensory play space with reflexology path, textured timber steps, soft sand, and fallen organic material sets it apart from your regular neighbourhood playground. It also has all your usual playground equipment, as well as a basketball half-court. [Does NOT have toilet facilities]

Capalaba Regional Park, Capalaba

Featuring an all-abilities playground and lots of space for families, Capalaba Regional Park in Capalaba has long been a local favourite for kids parties. With a variety of playground spaces and equipment for all ages, this park also includes two large lagoons. [Has toilet facilities]

Casuarina Park, Victoria Point

The playful, nature-focused design of Casuarina Park in Victoria Point really makes it stand out! Reflecting indigenous perspectives and site stories, equipment includes climbing challenges, a covered slide, a wobbly bridge, and more. [Does NOT have toilet facilities]

Hanover Drive Park, Alexandra Hills

Nature-loving kids will love a play at Hanover Drive Park in Alexandra Hills, where huge gum trees and shade sails provide plenty of shade. Painted activity paths complement the many elements in this play space for children of different ages, interests, and abilities. [Has toilet facilities]

Jingeri Park, Park Ridge South

Designed with sustainability in mind, Jingeri Park in Park Ridge South is a collaboration between the traditional owners of the land and Lendlease. Together, they have created a space that reflects local landmarks with a centrepiece play structure, picnic area, shade shelters, and an 8.5m lighthouse and jetty. [Does NOT have toilet facilities]

Mt Cotton Village Community Park, Mount Cotton

The expansive Mount Cotton Village Community Park in Mount Cotton features vibrant play equipment under a shade structure. Open grassy fields provide plenty of space to kick a ball, while a basketball half-court and skate ramps are great for the bigger kids. [Has toilet facilities]

O’Gorman Street Park, Alexandra Hills

Built into the sloping park, the playground at O’Gorman Street Park in Alexandra Hills is shaded by colourful shadesails and includes both musical and nature play elements, along with wide paths for bikes and scooters. [Has toilet facilities]

Thornlands Community Park, Thornlands

Imagination is key at Thornlands Community Park in Thornlands, with this fully-fenced space providing hours of enjoyment to Brisbane kids. Highlights include a massive netted climbing structure, giant slides, water play, a dinosaur dig and nature play area, and the cutest little cubby you’ve ever seen. [Has toilet facilities]

Redlands’ Seaside Playgrounds

Aquatic Paradise West Park, Birkdale (1.5km from Birkdale Station)

A little playground with BIG views, Aquatic Paradise West Park in Birkdale is located on the protected shoreline, making it perfect for a spot of fishing and a picnic. Designed for younger children (up to around 8 years), the playground features a variety of simple equipment and bike paths to keep them entertained. [Has toilet facilities & outdoor shower]

Beth Boyd Park, Thorneside (1.5km from Thornside Station)

The nautical-themed and nature play-based playground at Beth Boyd Park in Thornside provides a treasure chest full of imaginative fun for kids. Set beside the sea, the drawcard feature is the massive multi-level pirate ship packed with secret hideouts, look-out holes, a climb-worthy tower, and a giant slide. [Has toilet facilities]

Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve Playground, Cleveland

Located right at the tip of Cleveland Point, Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve Playground is surrounded by water and home to the historical Cleveland Point Lighthouse. The play equipment features a nautical theme (of course!), and is surrounded by lots of flat grassy space and climbing trees. [Has toilet facilities]

Coochiemudlo Foreshore East Playground, Coochiemudlo Island

While it may take a short ferry ride to get there, Coochiemudlo Foreshore East Playground is a great little spot to visit if you’re over on the island. Perfect for kids aged 8 years or under, this sand based space features climbing elements, swings, and, of course, A BEACH! [Has toilet facilities]

Raby Bay Esplanade Park, Raby Bay (1.1km from Cleveland or Ormiston Stations)

Another beachfront playground with a nautical theme, Raby Bay Esplanade Park in Raby Bay is expansive and impressive. Featuring a huge bike track complete with traffic signs and road markings, the park also includes climbing opportunities galore. [Has toilet facilities]

Wellington Point Recreation Reserve Playground, Wellington Point

Shades by massive climbing trees and located on the Wellington Point foreshore, Wellington Point Recreation Reserve Playground is jam-packed with play opportunities. With nature play, climbing opportunities and more, you could easily stay here all day. [Has toilet facilities]

WH Yeo Park/Victoria Point Playground, Victoria Point

Located on Thompson’s Beach at Victoria Point, WH Yeo Park includes two separate playgrounds (one fenced and one not) for kids to explore, along with a basketball half court and lots of shady trees. The playgrounds include swings, slides, and climbing structures. [Has toilet facilities]

Get Active At Redlands Youth Plaza

Otherwise known as Capalaba Skate Park, Redlands Youth Plaza is an impressive space for kids to be active in the outdoors and is one of Brisbane’s largest skate parks. The features here cater to all skill levels, so it’s as equally perfect for kids just starting out on a board as it is for teens looking to hone their skills. Interconnecting areas include timber, paved, steel, and concrete surfaces, with a 100m long street run.

The signature feature here is the clover-shaped skate bowl, complete with pool coping, a vertical wall, and three tiers of surrounding ledges on two sides. The park also boasts a large connecting plaza packed with street obstacles that include a 12-stair, 8-stair, big 4, access ramp gap, garden gaps, flat bar, and manual pads.

If skating isn’t their thing, Redlands Youth Plaza also includes a rage cage for ball sports including basketball, and multiple large, separated sporting fields with soccer, AFL and rugby games facilities. [Has toilet facilities]

Free Things To Do In Redland City With Kids Indoors

Sometimes, the weather (and your energy levels) call for a day inside, and Redlands has plenty of things on offer in that area too! From free activities at local libraries to learning more about our wildlife at one of their fantastic environment centres, there’s no end to the free things to do in Redland City with kids indoors!

Environment Centres

Daisy Hill Environment Centre, Daisy Hill

Located within the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, the Daisy Hill Environment Centre is a wonderfully immersive indoor experience designed with children in mind. Bright, colourful displays sit at the perfect height for little learners, while hands-on exhibits make discovery irresistible. Kids will explore what makes koalas truly unique, including their biology, life-cycle, and the challenges they face in South-East Queensland. The intuitive layout guides children naturally from one engaging interactive display to the next, leaving them informed, inspired, and eager to help protect these iconic animals.

TIP: If the weather is good, make sure you also check out the extended Koala Centre and grounds, where kids can get up close with real koalas!

IndigiScapes Centre, Capalaba

A free, nature-based destination, the IndigiScapes Centre in Capalaba is well worth a visit. This environmental education hub features a recently renovated Discovery Centre, native nursery, café, gift shop, native botanical gardens, scenic nature trails, and a playground to keep the little ones entertained.

Indoors, families can explore the natural world at the IndigiScapes’ Discovery Centre, which features hands-on displays, microscopes, magnifying stations, and binoculars. Large picture windows offer stunning views of the creek below, making is the perfect place for bird spotting from the comfort of the indoors.

TIP: IndigiScapes also runs child-friendly events, workshops, and school incursion and excursion programs throughout the year.

Redland City Council Libraries

A great place to escape any type of weather, Redland City Council operates six libraries – Capalaba Library, Cleveland Library, Dunwich Library, Point Lookout Library, Russell Island Library, and Victoria Point Library, along with one mobile library within the Redlands region. All Queensland residents can join these libraries, giving them access to the services on offer.

Redlands’ local libraries are wonderful spaces to explore, often also offering a range of term time and school holiday workshops for kids, as well as Council-led programs for under 5s such as Baby Time, Toddler Time, and Story Time. Be sure to check out the Council website to see what’s coming up (some activities have limited spaces and do require bookings).

Redland Art Gallery

Located in Cleveland, Redland Art Gallery‘s exhibitions and events showcase local, Queensland, nationally and internationally recognised artists. The gallery’s exhibition program is presented across various locations in Cleveland and champions the representation of Redlands Coast’s diverse culture and heritage.

Their annual calendar of exhibitions and public programs offers opportunities for the Redlands Coast community and visitors to discover and engage with the visual arts, craft and design, with Family Fun Days held monthly to provide hands-on fun for everyone.

If you want to explore Redland City further with your family, you might also like:

Best Toddler Playgrounds in Redlands