8 Of The Best Gold Coast Playgrounds For Kids Of All Ages [2026 Update]
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There’s no shortage of playgrounds on the Gold Coast for kids to let off steam on. Almost every beach and green space has a playground or some kind of play area to offer. The people on the Goldy love their outdoor lifestyle, and it’s great that the local council has provided ample playgrounds and facilities to keep families happy. If you have young kids and you’re thinking of taking them to enjoy one of the Gold Coast playgrounds, but are not sure which one they will like, this guide is for you. These are the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast that our kids love, stretching from Southport in the northern Gold Coast to Coolangatta in the south!
The Gold Coast at a glance 🔍
- Accommodation options: The Gold Coast mostly has beachside resorts and condos, as well as a few boutique hotels. Accommodation costs on average $100-$200 USD per night, but the higher-end hotels can cost up to $350 per night.
- Getting around: The Gold Coast has a G:link light rail tram that connects Helensvale to central hubs like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Most neighborhoods are very walkable, but you can also drive and find parking easily.
- Unmissable sights: See the theme parks Movie World and Dreamworld, for nature lovers head out to Springbrook National Park, and don’t miss beach days on the iconic beaches such as Surfers Paradise and Broad Beach.
- Money saving tip: You can save money by timing your visit for the shoulder season and by utilizing the free attractions, such as the beaches.
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1. Broadwater Parklands, Southport
A short 5 kilometre drive north of Surfers Paradise brings you to the impressive Broadwater Parklands, a three kilometre stretch of parklands along the foreshore in Southport. If you know where the Australia Fair shopping centre is, this park is directly across the road.
The main playground is spread out and offers plenty of equipment to keep kids of all ages going for hours. Highlights include the usual favourites like the jumping pillow, flying fox, climbing nets, and an awesome seesaw. The pedal monorail is a unique feature of this playground, where you can go on a tandem pedal ride, as are the shallow water play area and giant inflatable bouncy pillow.
There’s plenty of grass to run around on, pathways for a bike ride or scooter ride, BBQ facilities, picnic areas, and the Rockpool Cafe for your coffee fix. There’s swimming in the patrolled Broadwater Beach area in season. The Peninsula playground here also has trampolines! At the time of our visit, the ever-popular Adventure Play Attraction in the Rockpools water play area was closed for annual maintenance, but this place is a hit on a sunny day! It’s a giant pirate ship and encourages imaginative play!
2. Kurrawa Pratten Park, Broadbeach
Address: Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach QLD 4218, Australia
Right in the heart of Broadbeach and directly south of the Kurrawa Surf Club is Kurrawa Pratten Park. Another large playground area, actually there are two equipment areas close to each other with great slides, climbing equipment, merry-go-rounds, swings, a flying fox, a fort, and ample grass areas for bigger kids to kick a ball around on while young children tackle the mega slide! It’s also the Gold Coast’s first All Abilities Playground.
There’s excellent BBQ and picnic facilities, and what I love about this park is your right on the beach and opposite the main cafe strip of Broadbeach. You could spend all day here if you desired, with everything at your fingertips. It also has a dog park if you want to bring your pooch along with you.
3. Justins Park, Burleigh Heads
There’s less actual playground equipment here at Justins Park than the two previously mentioned, but from a Daddy perspective, this is my favourite park purely because of where it is. Burleigh Heads is such a great family-friendly part of town, and this park is in the heart of everything.
The playground features the basic equipment like swings, slides, ladders, balance beams, and monkey bars, plus plenty of BBQ and picnic facilities. The kicker is you’re overlooking the beautiful Burleigh Beach with views all the way to Surfers Paradise. The surf club is right there, and the kiosk under the surf club is super casual and great for cheap eats. Plus, it’s a sand-based playground and is covered by a shade sail, so it is perfect for those who are visiting on a beach day and want to get away from the ocean for a while.
AND, every Thursday afternoon at around 4pm, a few locals put on this awesome free hula hoop, juggling sticks, and game equipment the kids can play with. Go Burleigh!
4. Pirate Park, Palm Beach Parklands
The Pirate Park at Palm Beach Parklands is one of the most popular parks on the Gold Coast. Every time we drive past, my kids are always yelling out, “Daddy, can we stop and play at the pirate park?!” It’s a pretty cool setup. A themed park based around a pirate ship, creating an adventure playground so the kids can let their imagination run wild and bring out their inner Captain Jack Sparrow.
The park incorporates lots of play elements, from slides, poles, tunnels, shade sails, climbing equipment, telescopes, and sand play areas, and it’s a lovely setting right on Currumbin Creek with barbecues, accessible toilets and change rooms, and grass areas. If you’re not up for a picnic, there’s Dune Cafe on site, open for breakfast and lunch. Did I mention I’m all about grabbing a takeaway coffee?
5. Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta
A smallish park as far as actual equipment goes, but we like to find the balance between playground equipment and location. You know, kids’ attention spans can be short, and we like to be able to walk to other things! Queen Elizabeth Park has enough to keep the kids happy for a good period of time with swings, slides, and climbing activities, but where this park wins out is its proximity to the best of Cooly and the southern beaches area.
Your absolute beachfront on Coolangatta Beach with uninterrupted views all the way to Surfers Paradise, and across the road from the main cafe strip. The paved walkway runs right past the playground; our kids love zooming along here on their scooters, and there is ample grass and picnic tables for self-catering. Our kids love coming back to this park; it’s a great spot for toddlers and younger children as the climbing frame isn’t too high and there are shaded areas.
It’s also a nautical-themed playground, which is great for imaginative play and encourages children to use their imaginations and pretend the play structures are ships or lighthouses.
6. Schuster Park, Tallebudgera
Schuster Park in Tallebudgera is a great place for kids to interact with others of similar age. This jungle-themed park is made for young kids aged 4 and over, who will love the climbing frame complete with a tube slide, whereas older kids will find new friends to kick a ball around with on the grassy areas.
I love how the playground is small, but it has a sandy surface and shady areas, so it’s great for young children. Plus, there are some nature paths around it to explore and pretend to be explorers. There are some drums and musical flowers on the path which are quite cool, too.
The playground is also not far away from Tallebudgera Creek and has access to a small sandy beach where older kids can launch a kayak or paddleboard. There are plenty of picnic shelters and barbecues. If you have a pooch, there are some off-leash areas where your dog can run around, and a bike track you can cycle around.
7. Parklake Park, Maudsland
The Parklake Park is six playgrounds in one, with the highlight being the giant, colourful treehouse fort! There are several climbing frames, swings, a see-saw, a zip line, and a play car. For smaller kids, the climbing dome, turtle, and drum will get them excited! Most of the playground is shaded, and there are several picnic tables and BBQs that are free for visitors to use.
8. Bim’bimba Park, Pimpama
Address: 188 Gainsborough Dr, Pimpama QLD 4209, Australia
The Bim’bimba playground is an award-winning play park known for its all-abilities playground where kids of all ages can find something to enjoy. There’s a toddler play space for the ones who are just finding their feet, and a large basketball court for older kids or teenagers. It also has a large outdoor amphitheatre and a “teen hangout” spot. The park is well spread out with lots of sculptures and interesting features, encouraging interactive play. It has public toilets with baby change facilities, picnic shelters, BBQs and a car park.
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Which one on this list of the best playgrounds on the Gold Coast is your favourite? Share your favourite playgrounds in the comments.