Owens Park, which was upgraded in June 2025, is not your standard, run-of-the-mill playground. While it is a fully-fenced playground and does contain regular elements including climbing nets, slides, and swings, the main drawcard is the thrilling and unique cliff rider.

The Cliff Rider

If you haven’t seen a cliff rider before (and you probably haven’t – this was our first time), then let’s take a moment to explain what it is.

Built by KOMPAN Australia, the aim of this piece of equipment is to propel users from one platform to another by standing on the cliff rider. The trick is finding the courage to do so but also using just the right amount of force to get across.

This daring piece of equipment, is designed with the bigger, more confident children in mind. According to KOMPAN Australia the key user group for the cliff rider is 6 – 15 year old’s.

KOMPAN Australia writes:

“The rocking movement back and forth is controlled by a heavy duty scaled double rubber torsion spring element. The rubber element ensures a safe movement and reduces speed towards the tower platforms.”

You need to work out where the best position for your feet should be, how you will hold the handles and just how fast and hard you will push off from one platform in order to reach the other. Also, what will you do if you teeter half-way across and how will you land when you do make it.

Let me tell you from experience – it’s a little intimidating at first, but also slightly thrilling. As an adult it took my 1 minute and 57 seconds to master the cliff rider, with a lot of yelps, some ‘I can’t do this’ talk and plenty of ‘eeek, it’s scary’ thrown into the mix. My children were the same, though they seemed to master it a lot quicker than me and without the shrieking.

Once you achieve a successful crossing from one platform to the other, the rest is a breeze and crossing back and forth is easy. You can then mix things up a bit – can you do it with two people onboard (be sensible though), and can you try and balance in the centre (it’s harder than it looks).

The cliff rider is designed to challenge, excite and instil a sense of achievement in children. I know I certainly felt proud once I conquered it!

We acknowledge the cliff rider may be considered dangerous by some. It is not a piece of equipment that is suitable for everyone, but is beneficial for those who are seeking risk taking (in a calculated environment) and looking for a challenge. Please use your own adult discretion and supervise children closely when using the cliff rider.

Our Cliff Rider Top Tips

Observe how others use the cliff rider before using it yourself
Take your time – don’t rush
Hold on tight
Put one foot out as you approach the platform, ready to land
Be safe and sensible
Keep trying and don’t give up
Have FUN!!

Owens Park Playground

This suburban, fully fenced playground may not be huge, but it certainly has some unique features that make it worth a visit when in the area.

Straight away the gorgeous native design on the equipment is eye catching. Brightly coloured bees, birds, leaves and flowers adorn the equipment, which tries to blend in with the surrounding environment by using greens and browns.

A bank of swings, including a standard, toddler and nest swing are cushioned by a soft fall base, as is the tipi carousel (with top brace) and spinning bucket.

The fort is where the rest of the action is and the ground surrounding this is bark.

You can find plenty of climbing opportunities for varying ages and abilities here with nets, steps, ladders, banister poles, climbing wall segments and a sliding pole.

Little ones will enjoy climbing up to the top of the fort and peeking out through the decorated panes to see what they can spy – a bird in a tree, their family down below or perhaps a passing car. Zooming back to ground-level can be achieved via one of two slides.

A few low-to-ground play panels are available with the classic noughts and crosses just waiting to be played.

Outside the fenced area is a large, grassy area which can be used for ball and running games. Just make sure you are mindful of the nearby buildings and road.

When it is time for a rest, a covered picnic shelter and water tap is positioned just outside the gate of the playground, and a bench seat can be found on the outside as well.

Unfortunately there are NO toilets at this playground. There is a public toilet nearby (~500m away) where Michel Road meets Oyster Point Esplanade.

Accessibility at Owens Park

Unfortunately, Owens Park is not an overly accessible playground due to parts of it having a bark base and lack of accessible equipment.

Having said that, the playground is fully fenced and contains a nest and toddler swing and two spinning buckets, which can be accessed via the soft fall area.

A concrete path leads from the road to the playground, via the picnic table/shelter, and partial shade is provided by trees surround the playground.

Owens Park Features

Fully fenced playground
Soft fall and bark base
NO TOILETS
Play fort
- Cliff rider
- Climbing walls
- Steps
- Slides
- Climbing net
- Sliding pole
- Bannister poles
- Mini hammock
- Low-to-ground play panels
Swings (standard, nest and toddler)
Spinning bucket
Tipi carousel with top brace
Grassed area (outside fenced area)
Picnic shelter
Water tap and rubbish bin
Bench seating
On-street parking

While You Are in the Area

Don’t leave this playground without exploring the surrounding area too.

Scarborough Beach Park is just a few minutes drive away and is a picturesque spot at any time of the year. Think jumping pillows, a fenced playground, climbing trees and a secret doorway at the base of a tree! Can you find it!?

For another amazing, fenced playground head to Newport and discover Spinnaker Park. The nautical theme, sand base and heaps of climbing opportunities make this another great playground to visit.

Check out our things to do with kids in Redcliffe for more inspiration and other gems to explore in the area.