John Oxley Reserve – Brisbane Kids

John Oxley Reserve is one of those rare gems that offer an engaging playground and a child-friendly walking trail with the chance to spot a koala! 

John Oxley Reserve

If you are looking to uncover a new picnic spot then this is the northside Brisbane Park for you. The best thing about this park (other than the awesome playground)  is the short 1.3km bush walk down to the North Pine River.

John Oxley Park spans 10 hectares of public park and nature reserve. The nature reserve features a specially made bush pathway leading to a boardwalk by the North Pine River.

Historical and educative information is positioned at the start and along the walk, which although a little bumpy, is accessible with a pram.

The nature reserve is home to 242 bird species, and a variety of mammals, reptiles and amphibian species. It contains several different ecosystems ranging from dry and wet eucalypt forest to salt marsh meadows and mangroves.

John Oxley Reserve Playground

The playground at John Oxley Reserve is suited to both older children and toddlers.  The playground is located under the shade of some beautiful big trees making it an easy choice on a warm day.

Children are spoilt for choice with a large fort containing tunnels, slides, climbing opportunities and bridges.

There is a separate play area ideal for toddlers. This small, dragon-themed fort includes a slide, tunnel and play panels and is situated on artificial turf. There is a small bank of swings, which includes a standard swing and toddler swing. In keeping with the natural surroundings, the play equipment is mostly green.

Throughout the play area there are wooden poles which have the most gorgeous animal carvings in them. See if you can spot the owls, possum, frog, koala, butterfly and wombat!

I would suggest bringing scooters, bikes and balls to take advantage of the paths and green space that surround this brilliant playground.

Carole Green Walkway

The Carole Green Walkway is a short 1.3km bushwalk which meanders through a variety ecosystems.  The path is mostly bitumen, though there are some rough spots. There are also portions of the walk which are on a raised boardwalk. 

Informative educational panels are located the beginning of the walk, which you will find just to the right of the playground. Be sure to take your time as you walk along the path to read the information boards, and remember to also pause to look in the trees and scrub for wildlife that may be hiding.

The walk down to the river is gentle, though the return journey is uphill, so be sure to save plenty of energy and water for this.

John Oxley Reserve is a known koala habitat in the Moreton Bay Region. While you are walking through the eucalypts, encourage the kids to look up and see if they can spot any wild koalas. 

Imagination Factor at John Oxley Reserve

Possum sculpture

There are many nature based activities visitors can engage in at John Oxley Reserve. Children can listen for birds, trying to guess when they think they are entering a different type of ecosystem or just sit still on one of the many seats provided and wait to see what kind of wildlife comes out. 

Don’t forget to look out for koala scat (poo) on the ground as there could be one nearby high in a tree. We also spotted a lot of gumtrees with claw marks in them from the koala’s climbing them. 

Accessibility at John Oxley Reserve

There are wheelchair-accessible toilets at John Oxley Reserve as well as accessible walking paths, though several areas of the paths are bumpy and would be hard to manage with a pram or wheelchair.

The playground is unfenced and has a mixture of bark and soft fall base.

Ample off-street car parking is available on site.

John Oxley Reserve features

• Unfenced playground
• Accessible toilets
• Bark base and soft fall (main play area)
• Artificial turf (toddler play area)
• Shaded by established trees
• Separate toddler fort and slide
• Swings (including a toddler swing)
• Slides
• Seesaw
• Fort
• Digger
• Spinner
• Playing fields
• Climbing trees
• Bike and walking paths
  • Carole Green Walkway (1.3km return)
• Sheltered picnic tables
• BBQ’s, bins and water fountains
• Off-street carpark
• Adjacent to Community Centre (available for hire)

While You Are in the Area

If you are looking for another great northside Brisbane Playground nearby consider visiting Bray Farm Park, with its unique Harry Potter like theme.

For more nature adventures visit Osprey House Environment Centre in Griffin or explore the peaceful Bullocky Rest, and see if you can spot a koala there too!

What We Thought of John Oxley Reserve

Our family love visiting this well shaded playground at anytime of the year. The kids enjoy playing on the playground and taking advantage of the large playing fields to kick the footy and run around. 

We always finish our visit with a nature walk and love spotting the wildlife (especially koalas). 

Just don’t forget the insect repellant, especially in the summer months, as this is a shady area near water sources, so it can often have large numbers of mozzies around. 

How to Get to John Oxley Reserve

John Oxley Reserve is located on Ogg Road at Murrumba Downs.

There is plenty of off-street parking at the entrance of the reserve.