If you’re venturing up the coast, be sure to drop into the new Thistle Place Park in Palmview for a play. With its wildlife theme, this playground has so much going on and is located just a 15 minute drive from Mooloolaba.

Thistle Place Park

Thistle Place Park in Palmview is well worth adding to your Sunshine Coast family bucket list, if you want a place to keep kids entertained for a long time.

Located within Village Green Estate, the 1.5 hectare playground is the largest play-equipment park of its kind in the estate and features more than 70 individual play activities spread across three dedicated play zones: Possum Heights, Echidna Zone and Wombat Den.

Students from Palmview State Primary School and Palmview Special School were involved in co-designing the playground equipment, which features a native Australian wildlife theme.

The first thing you’ll notice is the tower, which is a 7.6 metre multi-level adventure structure. This exciting centrepiece sits within the Possum Heights section of the playground and is the park’s main play and energy zone.

Here, adventurous kids can whizz down the giant 8 metre slide, glide along the 5.5 metre flying fox, explore the tower’s multiple levels and try out the various climbing challenges. The large tower area includes a climbing wall, netting for climbing, a tube slide, tube rollers, fire poles, and the flying fox, which is attached to the main structure of the playground. Right beside the main structure is a large, raised spinning disc and a turtle rocker.

For younger children, the Echidna Zone section offers a gentler play experience focused on sensory exploration with play panels. Meanwhile, the Wombat Den section provides a quieter retreat where children can engage in imaginative and sensory play.

Native animal designs have been incorporated throughout the playground, including the turtle rocker, as well as wombat, native bird and echidna cut-outs. The tower also includes a window panel with beautiful drawings of koalas, native bats, possums, birds and insects.

Shade is a big factor in this park, and large green and orange shade sails cover a lot of the playground, which is great for sunny summer days.

A long ramp walkway connects the different sections of the playground, and there’s also an area with a smaller tower and a smaller slide for younger children. This playground has a variety of swings, including two standard swings, two half bucket swing seats with buckle and a nest swing.

Beyond the playground itself, families will find plenty of open grass space, which would work well for ball games or a kick-about. A pathway loops around the park and provides a great circuit for children wanting to ride scooters or bikes.

Across the grassy area, there’s additional play equipment, including a climbing arch, a table tennis table, handball courts and a shaded picnic area.

Unfortunately there are NO toilets currently in this park. The closest ones are around 10 minutes’ drive away at Greenview Terrace, Palmview.

Imagination Factor at Thistle Place Park

Thistle Place Park combines imaginative play with some impressive artwork and equipment, so it’s easy to see why this Palmview playground has quickly become a favourite among local families.

Kids will enjoy spotting all the wild animals incorporated within the play area. They might even pretend they are native animals themselves, or imagine they are wildlife adventurers. There’s lots of greenery surrounding the park, so you may even spot some local wildlife!

Whether you have toddlers eager to explore, adventurous older children looking for a challenge, or simply want a beautiful outdoor space to spend a few hours, there’s lots to do here.

Thistle Place Park Accessibility

Thistle Place Park is a space designed for children of all ages and abilities. Pathways weave throughout the area, making it easy for children of all abilities to navigate and join in. What’s more, multiple entry points and accessible features help ensure everyone can participate.

Currently, there isn’t a car park or designated car parking space, as there’s still ongoing construction in this area. However, there is a makeshift car parking area, which can get a bit muddy if it rains.

The playground and paths around the playground are set back from the road, so it works for prams and wheelchairs.

Unfortunately, the park doesn’t have toilets located nearby, and the picnic areas and bench spaces don’t have electric BBQs either.

Parents should plan to pack a picnic, hats and sunscreen. With so much to explore, you’ll likely end up staying longer than planned!

Thistle Place Park Features

Unfenced playground
Rubber and bark base
NO toilets
Large fort with tube tunnel slide
Swings (nest, toddler and standard)
Smaller slides
Spinning disc
Rockers
Play panels
Bike paths
Bike racks
Climbing structure
Table tennis tables (bring your own rackets and ball)
Large, grassed area
Multiple benches
Rubbish bins
Water fountains

While You Are in the Area

Another great playground to visit nearby is Village Green Park in Palmview.

While you are visiting the Sunshine Coast, you might consider visiting some of the other gems it has to offer, such as Mooloolaba beach, which is a 15 minute drive away, and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. Or you could visit one of the other popular Sunshine Coast playgrounds.

What We Love About Thistle Place Park

If you have a variety of ages in your family, then Thistle Place Park works well. There’s also lots of space for ball games or even table tennis (you’d have to bring your own equipment, though).

We love this playground because it can challenge children at whatever age they’re at. One of the best features is the shade sails, that cover ample areas of the playground – a must for the Queensland sun.

How to Get to Thistle Place Park

Thistle Place Park is located at Thistle Place, Palmview.

This is a new and developing estate so sometimes it’s hard to locate on maps, so here are some handy directions to help you find the park.

Enter the Village Green estate off Peter Crosby Way. Then continue straight through the first roundabout along Village Green Boulevard, before turning left onto College Drive, right at the second roundabout onto Clover Road, then left onto Thistle Place, where the park is located.