Letting kids play isn’t just about fun—it’s essential for their physical, cognitive, and social development. It helps foster creativity and resilience while encouraging healthy habits for life. Since you’re here, you might be looking for Gold Coast playgrounds near you. Check out this list of the top Gold Coast playgrounds and plan your family-fun outing with the little ones.
Palm Beach Parklands (Palm Beach)
Reopening in mid-2022 following extensive renovations, this nautical-themed playground, also known as Pirate Park, stands out as a top destination on the Gold Coast. It easily secures a spot on the list of the best playgrounds in the area and may claim the top spot!
Palm Beach Parklands sparks the imagination of Brisbane Kids as they play alongside the water, featuring a colossal pirate ship play structure, a mega slide, basket swings, telescopes, hammocks, and more. Sand and water play opportunities abound, with plenty of space to relax by Currumbin Creek. A delightful café on-site and ample shaded picnic spots make extended visits to this playground a breeze.
Conversely, nearby amenities include toilets, showers, change rooms, and kilometres of walking tracks. Extra caution is advised with young children because it’s close to the creek.
The playground features a nautical theme, a flying fox, a suspension bridge, swings, slides for various age groups, climbing equipment, and pathways. It is also near Currumbin Creek, BBQs, café, showers, change rooms, and toilets.
Broadwater Parklands (Southport)
A must-visit for families on the Gold Coast, Broadwater Parklands in Southport offers a picturesque playground experience overlooking the stunning Broadwater just across from Australia Fair Shopping Centre.
Highlights include a pedal monorail encircling the playground, a jumping pillow, a shallow water play area, and diverse play equipment. The mini-traffic track features obstacles, signs, and crossings, perfect for kids bringing along their favourite wheels.
An inflatable aqua park often graces the beach during summer, catering to older children and adults (with applicable fees). On the other hand, a shaded swimming enclosure provides a less active option for enjoying the water. With a café, toilets, and numerous picnic spots, families can spend a whole day at Broadwater Parklands, ensuring everyone stays entertained and well-fed.
Broadwater Parklands includes partial fencing, a jumping pillow, a pedal monorail, slides, a Liberty swing, and climbing equipment. It is near the beach, picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, and a café.
Peninsula Playground at Broadwater Parklands (Southport)
Nestled in a breathtaking waterfront location offering panoramic views of the Gold Coast Seaway, Peninsula Playground is a state-of-the-art adventure playground with a $5 million price tag. This exceptional playground boasts contemporary amenities such as in-ground trampolines, water play areas, multiple slides, rock climbing walls, and captivating ocean-themed elements highlighting marine life and conservation efforts.
Central to the playground is a stunning spiral activity tower resembling modern art, appealing to kids of all ages. This playground will surely be a favourite among kids in South East Queensland.
On the other hand, this playground is unfenced. It also has accessible toilets, in-ground trampolines, child-operated water play, BBQs, adaptive swings, onsite parking, and picnic tables.
Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground (Broadbeach)
Located in Broadbeach, Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground fulfils every parent’s dream with its fully fenced, well-shaded, and all-inclusive design. This playground offers play equipment suitable for children of all ages and abilities. Moreover, it features three distinct play zones to foster fun and imagination.
Children can enjoy sand play, swings (including a Liberty Swing), flying foxes, climbing equipment, slides, spinners, and imaginative play within the safety of the fenced area. Adjacent to Kurrawa Surf Club and the beach, families can seamlessly transition from playground to beach activities.
In addition, this Gold Coast playground is fully fenced and has a flying fox, swings, slides, a Liberty swing, and climbing equipment. It also has sand play, a beach nearby, BBQs, picnic tables, and accessible toilets.
Ronnie Long Park (Palm Beach North)
Another Gold Coast playground to take kids to is Ronnie Long Park. Colourful and vibrant, Ronnie Long Park sits at the northern end of Palm Beach, offering a delightful play space for kids. It is conveniently located opposite Tallebudgera Surf Club. Split into tower and transport zones, the playground provides ample opportunities for climbing, sliding, and swinging, with generous shading and green space nearby.
Pratten Park (Broadbeach)
Pratten Park provides an excellent play area for families visiting the Gold Coast between the beach and the Esplanade in Broadbeach. Pedal vehicles encircle the playground, offering thrilling rides, while various climbing structures, swings, merry-go-rounds, and rockers ensure hours of fun. Pratten Park is partly shaded with BBQ and picnic facilities, perfect for a leisurely family outing.
Pratten Park is unfenced and partially shaded. It features a small fort, a pedal monorail, a small flying fox, swings, spring rockers, and slides. This Gold Coast playground is near the beach and has BBQs, picnic tables, and accessible toilets.
Picnic Areas and BBQ Facilities: Enjoy a Family Day Out
All the top playgrounds on the Gold Coast boast BBQ facilities and ample greenspace for family picnics. Electric BBQs in public parks across Queensland are typically complimentary for community use.
Create Joyful Memories with the Kids in these Gold Coast Playgrounds
With safety as a priority, these Gold Coast playgrounds foster creativity and social interaction, nurturing holistic development in young minds. As communities invest in such spaces, they not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also cultivate a sense of belonging and unity among families. Ultimately, these playgrounds serve as invaluable assets in shaping vibrant and resilient communities for generations.
Also read: 9 Best Places on the Gold Coast with Playgrounds.