Press Play!
- Mar 6
- 5 min read
Autumn is playground season in the Northern Rivers and on the Gold Coast. The days are warm but not sticky, and the Easter holidays arrive with that familiar chorus of, “What are we doing today?”
From riverbank play to pirate ships and towering Rainbow Lorikeets, these playgrounds make autumn adventures easy, affordable and full of fresh air. So, pack the snacks, grab the scooters and let the kids lead the way — no bookings required.
NORTHERN RIVERS
POP DENISON PARK, Shaws Bay, Ballina
Set beside the calm waters of Shaws Bay, Pop Denison Park is a Ballina favourite that blends nature and play beautifully. Kids can race along the flying fox, climb, swing and slide before settling into the much-loved mud kitchen, while open grassy areas and bay access turn a playground visit into a full morning adventure. It’s relaxed, shady and endlessly appealing for all ages.
Amenities: Picnic tables, BBQs, undercover seating, toilets, showers, water bubblers, walking and cycling paths
Fenced: No
HERITAGE PARK, Lismore
A classic inner-city park, Heritage Park is especially popular with younger children. Cleverly designed play equipment is complemented by a seasonal water play area, while the miniature railway adds a dose of nostalgia when it’s running on weekends and school holidays. Open lawns and shaded picnic spots make it easy to linger.
Amenities: Toilets, sheltered picnic areas, BBQs, water play (seasonal), open green space
Fenced: Yes
NESBITT PARK, Lismore
Inclusive by design, Nesbitt Park offers accessible play equipment, wide pathways and a welcoming layout that encourages shared play. A mountain bike skills and pump track, outdoor fitness equipment and a walking loop add extra reasons to visit, making this a great all-abilities destination for families.
Amenities: Inclusive playground equipment, accessible parking and toilets, pump track, BBQs, picnic tables, 3m-wide walking paths
Fenced: No
WATERLILY PARK, Ocean Shores
Waterlily Park has quickly become one of the Byron Shire’s standout playgrounds, thanks to its beautifully designed wooden structures and strong focus on nature play. Kids are encouraged to climb, balance and explore, while the double flying fox draws a constant line of eager riders. Shaded seating and grassy surrounds make it an easy spot for parents to settle in.
Amenities: Picnic tables, BBQ shelter, shade sails, open grassed areas, seating
Fenced: No
KINGS FOREST PARK, Kings Forest
Brand new and ready to rumble, Kings Forest Park is already shaping up as a future favourite for families. Located within the Kings Forest residential development near Casuarina, this expansive playground delivers on all the big-ticket items kids love — and then some. Think plenty of swings, big twisty slides, a zip line, climbing and rope course elements, and loads of space to run free, all shaded by generous sails.
For kids with energy to burn, there’s even more to explore beyond the playground. A pump track, basketball and netball courts, cricket nets and extensive walking and cycling paths make this a true all-day destination.
Amenities: Shaded picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, open parkland, pump track, walking paths
Fenced: No
LIVVI’S PLACE AT GOORIMAHBAH – PLACE OF STORIES, Tweed Heads
If one playground consistently earns rave reviews from families, it’s Livvi’s Place. Set beside Jack Evans Boat Harbour, this fully fenced, inclusive play space has been designed so children of all ages and abilities can play side by side.
Climbing towers, swings, slides, rope bridges and a double flying fox sit alongside water, sand and musical play zones, all woven together with storytelling inspired by the Indigenous Seasons Calendar. It’s playful, meaningful and a joy for kids and parents alike.
Amenities: Shaded seating, BBQs, accessible toilets nearby, flat paths, calming water views
Fenced: Yes
GOLD COAST
PALM BEACH PARKLANDS, Palm Beach
Ahoy, me hearties! The pirate-themed playground at Palm Beach Parklands is a firm family favourite. Designed like a sunken ship washed in from Currumbin Creek, it’s packed with imaginative detail — cannons, rope bridges and hidey-holes included.
A crow’s nest towers above with a long slide for quick getaways, while a zipline, toddler-friendly slides and a globe-shaped roundabout keep kids of all ages entertained. Clever talk tubes link mini rafts, perfect for secret pirate conversations, while the nearby creek and café make it easy to turn playtime into a day out.
Amenities: Bubblers, toilets nearby, beach showers, shelters, tables, BBQs, cafe nearby
Fenced: Partial
SCHUSTER PARK, Tallebudgera
Reimagined with a jungle theme, Schuster Park is a hit with kids who love to climb. Rope nets lead to tube slides, with a smaller play zone designed for younger explorers. Hidden ‘treasures’ — from lizards to butterflies — are tucked around the playground, inviting curious kids to hunt them down.
Tallebudgera Creek runs alongside the park, making it a beautiful spot to paddle or picnic, though close supervision is needed as the playground is unfenced near the water.
Amenities: Toilets, BBQs, sheltered tables, shade, bubblers, grassy areas, creek access
Fenced: No
KURRAWA ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND, Broadbeach
Set beside the beach, Kurrawa’s all-abilities playground combines seaside fun with thoughtful design. Accessible sandcastles, a submarine cubby, swings, slides and a large rubber climbing hill keep kids busy, while shade, seating and on-site toilets make it easy for parents to relax.
Amenities: Bubblers, toilets with change table and hoist, bench seating
Fenced: Yes
BROADWATER PARKLANDS, Southport
Big, bold and brilliantly varied, Broadwater Parklands is a choose-your-own-adventure playground destination. Stretching along the Gold Coast Seaway, it offers multiple play zones within one expansive park.
Peninsula Playground combines art and play, with ropes, tunnels, climbing walls and a giant tube slide spiralling from the centrepiece. Nearby, The Rockpools water play area is a magnet for younger kids, while the famous bouncy pillow delivers endless energy-burning fun.
The Great Lawn often hosts free, family-friendly events year-round — check the Gold Coast City Council website for what’s on.
Amenities: Toilets, BBQs, shaded seating, water play (seasonal), picnic areas
Fenced: No
Note: Check opening hours of The Rockpools and Bouncy Pillow as they change seasonally.
LORIKEET PARK, SkyRidge Estate, Worongary
Brand new and bursting with colour, Lorikeet Park makes a bold first impression. Designed as a major community parkland, it’s a mega-sized recreational space with custom-built play zones for toddlers through to teens. At the heart of the junior area is a giant Rainbow Lorikeet sculpture, surrounded by forts, slides, water pumps and interactive features that encourage imaginative, hands-on play.
Next door, older adventurers can step things up in the thrill zone, with flying foxes, trampolines and a sky-high adventure tower delivering plenty of excitement. A striking stair climb leads to panoramic lookouts across the Gold Coast skyline and Pacific Ocean, while a 500-person amphitheatre sets the scene for movie nights and community events. With picnic areas, fitness zones and even a fully fenced off-leash dog park, Lorikeet Park is well worth the drive.
Amenities: Junior and senior playgrounds, water play, toilets, BBQs, picnic areas, fitness zones, amphitheatre, off-street parking, dog park
Fenced: Partial
COUNTRY PARADISE PARKLANDS, Nerang
Not to be confused with the Paradise Country theme park, Country Paradise Parklands lets Gold Coast kids release their inner farmer. A towering 11.5-metre windmill doubles as a slide — but first, little adventurers must navigate a water tank tunnel and swing bridge to reach the top.
Below, a creek-style moat dotted with pumps, troughs and ramps invites hands-on play and problem-solving, while a looping concrete path with built-in bumps is perfect for scooters and balance bikes. It’s a playground designed to spark creativity, curiosity and movement in equal measure.
Amenities: Toilets, bubblers, BBQs, sheltered tables
Fenced: No
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