We want to help you discover the best parks in the Redlands for kids. The Redlands, just south of Brisbane, is a beautiful bayside area that has invested millions of dollars into its incredible parks. From dreamlike landscapes to seaside holiday vibes – play spaces in the Redlands have something for everyone.
Pack a picnic and drive over to the Redlands to explore these parks over the school holidays.
Apex Park
Suburb: Wellington Point
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in a classic May Gibb’s fairy tale when you arrive at Apex Park. Little kids will love pretending they’re gum nuts inside a delightfully oversized fairy house, sliding down a dragonfly and even climbing a giant ladybug.
Make sure to bring their bikes so they can burn the rest of their energy at the brand-new BMX track or play a game of basketball on the multi-purpose half-court. For big kids, there’s also a flying fox, nature play balancing beams and a climbing tower with a slide.
If the kids want to venture further follow the signs for the flat, paved scenic trail that goes past ponds teeming with ducks and other birdlife.
Best playgrounds features: BMX pump track, multi-sport half court, magical gum nuts inspired house, dragonfly slide, giant ladybug, crow’s nest, nature play area, zip line, shade sails.
Location: 8-12 Starkey St, Wellington Point, QLD, 4160
Read a detailed review of Apex Park here.
Thornlands Community Park
Suburb: Thornlands
Your kids will be spoiled for choice at Thornlands Community Park. Tucked inside a new housing estate this fully fenced park is brimming with delightful features. If you have a budding engineer they’ll probably beeline it for the gigantic concrete gears they can climb to their heart’s content. Or if kids are up for a higher challenge they can tackle the large climbing structures with slides they can whizz down.
On the other side of this whimsical Redlands park, there’s a ‘real life’ dinosaur dig pit and a wonderful water play area. An area loved by toddlers is the quirky house in the middle of the park complete with gigantic watermelon and tomato sculptures surrounding it. Not to mention the double flying fox which will let friends whizz along together. This unique park will keep the kids busy for hours.
Best playground features: Fully fenced, dinosaur dig area, climbing ropes with pirate crow’s nest, whimsical cubby house, giant concrete climbing gears, enclosed slides with skylights, double flying fox, picnic tables, toilets, shade sails, ample parking.
Location: 270-282 Cleveland Road, Thornlands
Read a detailed review of Thornlands Community Park here.
Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve
Suburb: Cleveland
Just because school is out doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in a history lesson or two. Head to the tip of the Cleveland Peninsula for panoramic views and local history. It’s easy to spot the Old Cleveland Lighthouse which was established there in 1864. After checking out the lighthouse with your little sailors, head over to the delightful playground next to the lighthouse. It features a larger-than-life turtle the kids can climb, a boat they can pretend they’re casting out to sea in, and colourful posts to play tag around.
There’re not many places in Brisbane, or Australia, where kids can play in the shade of a historic lighthouse. If the weather is warming up bring the kids’ swimmers and let them dip their toes into the beautiful blue water. Even better bring the kayaks (or rent them from a local vendor) and go for a paddle around scenic Raby Bay. After all that exercise, treat yourself to a coffee and babycino at The Lighthouse Restaurant just across the street. It’s been there in one form or another since 1879.
Best playground features: Historic lighthouse, oversized turtle the kids’ can climb, climbing trees, play boat, boat ramp, viewing platforms, picnic tables, bbqs, toilets, and historic restaurant.
Location: 238 Shore Street, North Cleveland
Read a detailed review of Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve here.
Hanover Drive Park
Suburb: Alexandra Hills
On a sleepy backstreet in Alex Hills, you’ll find Hanover Drive Park. This hidden gem is an incredible play space and of the best parks in the Redlands for kids. Children will be delighted by the large spinning sphere which answers the age-old question – do I spin or do I climb? Now they can do both! It’s also one of the first parks in the Redlands to feature a parkour section giving big kids the chance to test their athletic abilities.
And if that’s not enough to keep them busy, there’s also an incredible climbing structure with slides, snail mazes and a concrete basketball pad. This is one park that will not only wow the kids but keep them entertained for hours.
Best playground features: Spinning Sphere, parkour equipment, a large climbing structure with tunnel slide, a smaller climbing structure for little kids, hidden fossil, basketball hoop, rugby goal post, swings and so much more.
Location: 11-21 Hanover Drive, Alexandra Hills
Read a detailed review of Hanover Drive Park here.
Raby Bay Esplanade Park
Suburb: Ormiston
Grab the kids’ scooter and get ready to discover the incredible Raby Bay Half Basketball Court Park. Don’t let the name of the park get you lost – this park is NOT at the actual Raby Bay swimming area. It’s actually on the other side of the inlet quietly cocooned in the suburban backstreets. Park down the far end and there’s a brand new scooter park that even the littlest Brisbane Kids will love. The best part? Parents can soak in the bay views while the kids zoom around. There are even pretend traffic lights and signs for kids to scoot around the racetrack.
Pop the vehicles back in the car and follow the path around to the actual park. This one is a show stopper with a large ‘shipping themed’ three-story container. Kids will love pretending they’re sending something in the post and then climbing to the top of the structure and sliding down. Little kids will enjoy the imaginative fish n’ chips shops – complete with pretend fish!
The seaside-themed little kids climbing structure has climbing ropes, a tunnel and a little slide. There’s also a great water play section for those hot Brisbane summers, and as the name suggests, a half basketball court so the kids can shoot hoops.
Best playground features: 200m long bike circuit with road signs, jumps and roundabout, shipping container themed tower and slide, a mini climbing structure with tunnel and slide, water play area with creek bed and water pump, imaginative fish-n-chips shop, see-saw, half basketball court.
Location: 3 Grenoble Place, Ormiston
Read a detailed review of Raby Bay Esplanade Park here.
Jingeri Park
Suburb: Redland Bay
Jingeri Park is a community gathering place in the Redlands featuring ample greenspace and a fantastic multi-level playground. The park’s name means “greeting all of you” in the Yugambeh language.
Designed by Lendlease in collaboration with traditional landowners it posts a picnic area, shade shelters, and an 8.5m lighthouse play structure with two slides and a jetty.
It is designed for kids of different ages, with climbing and sliding opportunities, and has an imaginative lighthouse theme. We love that there are slides at two levels and different climbing opportunities for kids who like thrills and those who want to take things slowly.
There are NO toilets at this playground which we think is a bit of a shame considering the lengthy play opportunities.
Best playground features: two tunnel slides, rock climbing walls, net climbs and multilevel lighthouse structure.
Location: Jingeri Street, Redland Bay
Read a detailed review of Jingeri Park here.
Casuarina Park
Suburb: Victoria Point
Adventurers, climbers and nature lovers will love this Redlands playground inspired by the local casuarina seed pods and black cockatoo.
A large bespoke play structure provides a great climbing challenge, requiring strategy and problem solving to conquer it. Those who reach the top can stop for a rest, have a play, soak up the views or race back down to the bottom on one of the slides.
With a large focus on nature play, the playground is built into the natural topography of the land where you will find logs to balance on, sandstone blocks to climb, paths to meander, steps to play on and sandpits to dig in.
Unfortunately there are NO toilets at this park.
Best playground features: Large climbing structure, slides and extensive nature play opportunities.
Location: Kauri Boulevard, Victoria Point
Read a detailed review of Casuarina Park here.
More Parks in Redlands for kids
If you’re looking to explore another area of Brisbane, and beyond, you can visit Brisbane Kids’ extensive list of park reviews here.
