Is your Brisbane kid mad about planes? Do you have a budding car or train enthusiast? Brisbane has a plethora of transport attractions that are perfect for kids. Weโve put together a list of the top transport attractions in Brisbane to make planning your next weekend or holiday adventure easy.
Brisbaneโs Best Train Attractions
Queensland Museum Rail Workshops
Just 40 minutes outside Brisbane in Ipswich is Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, which boasts 15 permanent hands-on railway exhibitions. One of the best attractions for little kids is Play Central, an indoor adventure playground full of fun things like selling train tickets, climbing aboard a miniature train and changing the signal from the signal box.
Thereโs also a miniature railway, tours and historical exhibitions to see at the museum. For more information, and to book tickets, please visit their website here.
Miniature steam train rides in Brisbane
If you canโt make it to ride a real steam train, there are many places to ride miniature ones throughout Brisbane.
(Please check with each organiser about their shoe and age requirements, and double-check they are running before you go as sometimes we find out last minute that the events are on hold, or not running over the school holiday dates. They are all subject to the sunshine-filled weather:)
- Bracken Ridge Miniature Steam Trains are run on the 4th Sunday of every month from 9:30am-1pm at McPherson Park (Denham Street).
- The Brisbane Bayside Steam Railway Society hosts train rides on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month from 10am until 4pm at Wynnum Junction Station on Wynnum Road.
- Bribie Island Miniature Steam Train rides operate at Melsa Park on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 10am to 2:30pm.
- The Logan Model Engineering Society operate on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month at Ewing Park Logan.
For other great Brisbane train attractions, including train-themed playgrounds, please see our Brisbane Kids guide to trains, trains, trains.
Best Places to see Planes in Brisbane
Brisbane Airport Surrounds
The best place to view planes taking off and landing are from one of the many vantage points around Brisbane Airport. Many streets around the Airport provide the perfect spot to watch planes up close. The best spot being the Acacia street loop at the domestic terminal which has ample parking and room to set up camp for plane spotting.
Domestic Terminal, Brisbane Airport
If you donโt mind paying for parking and want a really up-close view of take-offs, then the Brisbane domestic airport allows you to get as close as the boarding gate to watch the planes taking off.
For more information about where to spot planes in Brisbane, please check out our article on plane spotting in Brisbane.
Car Attractions in Brisbane for Kids
Brisbane Motor Museum
Zoom into the Brisbane Motor Museum on the northside of Brisbane (not far from the Brisbane Airport) for a healthy dose of automobiles. Opened in 2023, car lovers will enjoy wandering around the changing exhibits at this well laid out museum, which has featured themes such as Ford Vs Holden, Sports Cars Spectacular and Small and Compact Cars. They have a great cafe too! Read our detailed review of Brisbane Motor Museum.
Caboolture Historical Village
A visit to the Caboolture Historical Village will let your kids see what cars looked like in the โolden daysโ. They have a collection of over 73 vintage cars and tractors around the grounds. To find out more visit the Caboolture Historical Village website.
Kingston Park Raceway
If your Brisbane kid wants to get in the driverโs seat themselves, they can do just that at Kingston Park Raceway. Kids aged 5-7 can ride in a dual kart with an adult and kids 8-10 can ride in rookie karts. There are also karts for older kids (and adults) and a games room. For more information, please visit the Kingston Park Raceway website.
Laserzone
Kids can also get in the driverโs seat on Brisbaneโs north side on the dodgem car track at Laserzone Lawnton. Kids need to be 120cm to drive, but can be a passenger at 80cm. For prices and opening times, please visit the Laserzone website.
Playgrounds with Transport Themes
If you want to pair a love of trains, planes and automobiles with a play at a local park, then you are in luck. Brisbane has plenty of playgrounds that have a transport theme.
Plane Themed Playgrounds
- TC Beirne Park, Hendra
- Minnippi Parklands
- Lobely Park, Churchill
- Milton Train Park, Milton
- John Scott Park, Samford
- Ewing Park, Woodridge
- Scarborough Beach Park, Scarborough
- Queens Park, Ipswich
For more fun attractions to visit with kids in Brisbane check out our extensive list of things to do in Brisbane with kids.
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