Climb, slide, swing… repeat!
Climb, slide, swing… repeat!
Where can you keep kids entertained for hours…or at least long enough for you to enjoy a coffee in peace? Playgrounds!! And you’re in luck, because we have 8 amazing Gold Coast playgrounds for you and your little ones to try! From jungle gyms to mega slides, we have ’em all!
Whether you’re chasing a shady spot, a sunny spot, waterfront views, or an all-abilities playground everyone can enjoy, there’s something for every family. Pack snacks, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure- we’re going to the playground!
Say hello to Lorikeet Park, the newest playground on the Gold Coast- just opened this week. She’s bright (literally a sculpture of a lorikeet), she’s modern, and she’s full of fun! Spanning over two hectares, Lorikeet Park is suitable for toddlers through to teens, expect climbing challenges, big slides, large open green spaces, Insta-worthy lookouts and even a flying fox! However, the highlight would have to be the huge 500-person amphitheatre set for moonlight cinemas, concerts and Christmas events. The park overlooks Southport down to Burleigh Heads, making it the perfect spot for a picnic or BBQ.
Where: Skyridge Bvd, Worongary
Greenheart Parklands is leafy, spacious, and perfect for a whole family day out. You may need multiple days to get through all this park has to offer! Expect bike tracks, climbing areas/walls, water troughs, mini trampolines, winding tunnel slides, net bridges, balance beams and plenty of swings to cater for every ability. There’s a dedicated toddler play zone, walking pathways, an on-site cafe, a half basketball court, and a dog off-leash park, too! The playground is fully fenced, and the parklands cover 22.5 hectares.
Where: Stadium Dr, Robina
An absolute favourite and a Gold Coast classic, Broadwater Parklands Peninsula Playground is set along the waterfront with stunning views. Kids can race between swings, slides, and climbing structures while parents enjoy the riverside walking paths or shaded picnic areas. This playground is great for energetic toddlers and school-aged children alike, with many all-abilities inclusions! A highlight would have to be the 4-level spiral tower full of interactive play equipment like a glockenspiel, binoculars, telescopes and rope tunnels. The open design also makes it easy to keep an eye on everyone. Parking is plentiful and there’s usually a coffee cart (score!)
Where: Marine Parade, Southport
Inspired by local culture, Livvi’s Place integrates stories of the Indigenous Seasons Calendar for a colourful, art-filled experience. It’s packed with climbing structures, slides, a suspended rope bridge, multiple swings, a double flying fox and sensory play features suitable for all abilities. Parents will appreciate the shaded seating areas and the fully fenced layout. There are picnic tables and grassy areas, making it ideal for a snack or a family lunch. With ample parking and facilities close by, it’s a stress-free day out.
Where: 60 Boundary St, Tweed Heads
Schuster Park is jungle-themed and packed with adventure. With two mega slides (a standout), nets, tunnels, and even musical features along the sand paths, kids aged 4+ can challenge themselves while using imagination and coordination. Parents can relax in shady areas nearby while watching their little explorers tackle climbing structures and balance paths. It’s a great park for picnics, casual games, or simply letting children roam safely. Toilets and parking are on site, and the nearby Tallebudgera Creek makes it easy to extend your adventure with a splash after play.
Where: 506 Schusters Road, Tallebudgera
Kurrawa All Abilities Park is designed so every child can play, regardless of age or ability. With wheelchair-accessible equipment, sensory features, slides, and inclusive play spaces, this playground is fun for the whole family. Parents can watch from shaded seating areas or picnic tables while kids explore safely. Nearby facilities, including toilets, cafes and parking, make it convenient for a long day out. It’s the ultimate playground for family adventures where everyone can join in the fun!
Where: Old Burleigh Road (opposite Elizabeth Ave), Broadbeach
Ahoy, mateys! Pirate Park is a seaside playground perfect for imaginative play. Kids can climb, swing, and slide on pirate ships and rope bridges, imagining they’re off on a big adventure. Parents can relax on benches in the shade or stroll along the beachfront while keeping an eye on their little ones. It’s a fun stop for toddlers and older children alike, with grassy areas for running and sand pits for sensory play. Toilets and parking are close by, as is Dune Cafe (recommend), so you can grab a coffee or a snack.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Country Paradise Park is exactly what it sounds like: a little slice of country-themed playground heaven. Climbing frames, swings, slides, and sprawling green spaces make it perfect for family outings. The hero is an 11.5m windmill with a mega slide, accessed via a water-tank tunnel and swing bridge! There’s a variety of equipment for all ages- toddlers will enjoy smaller slides and sand areas, while older children can challenge themselves on larger climbing structures. With picnic areas, shady spots, toilets, and safe parking, it’s easy to spend a few hours here. And lucky us, there might be a cafe coming soon!
Where: 231 Beaudesert Nerang Rd, Nerang
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Where espresso meets playtime.
What’s better than a caffeine fix? One that comes with a side of uninterrupted adult conversation while your little ones burn off energy on an epic playground. Yep, the Gold Coast has a treasure trove of cafes serving up great coffee and kid-friendly vibes in equal measure. Think slides, swings and latte art that’s almost too pretty to sip… almost.
We’ve scouted the best spots where the caps flows as freely as the fun, so parents (and child minders) of the GC can enjoy a guilt-free moment of zen while the kids go wild.
Funnybone Coffee
At this Northern Gold Coast gem, you can expect a ‘welcome to the neighbourhood’ feel, all while being located within the multi-million dollar The Surrounds Leisure Centre. Find handcrafted timber communal dining tables, cosy nooks and one of the best playgrounds going around (that’s what the kids are telling us, anyway). And you know you’re about to be served a damn delicious coffee when Blackboard Coffee is involved. There’s also a delish menu to match!
The Surrounds Leisure Centre, 6 Emerald Drive, Helensvale
When: Daily from 7am
Neptune Kiosk
The newly revamped Neptune Kiosk is serving up all the Instagram-worthy vibes you could ask for. But don’t be fooled by its good looks—this Tallebudgera Creek gem knows its way around a stellar brew, pouring smooth Marvell St Coffee that’ll make your morning. Cool off with a refreshing smoothie or treat yourself to one of their irresistible baked goodies (perfect for a little bribery, if we’re honest). And let’s be real—nothing quite compares to the pure joy of biting into a warm, cinnamon-dusted doughnut. The cherry on top? The newly unveiled Tallebudgera Creek playground right next door, offering epic views and plenty of fun for the kiddos. It’s a win-win!
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
When: Daily from 5:30am
Dune Café
The delightful Dune Café is on the water’s edge and next to the beautiful Palm Beach Parklands. Where breathtaking views of Currumbin Lagoon, the iconic pirate ship playground, great coffee and a dog-friendly atmosphere come together to make the ultimate family hang out. What more could you ask for?! Good food? Yep, they have that too, their menu is stacked.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
When: Daily 6am-3pm
Stones Throw
Say hello to Stones Throw: your gateway to an uninterrupted cafe meal with friends. Okay, not completely uninterrupted, but close enough. There’s a charming backyard within the cafe; a sizable one at that. Let their brilliant baristas do the heavy lifting today while you take a tree-shaded seat on the back deck. Oh, the kids? They’re already busy in the onsite sandpit and van-style cubby, living their best life. If things couldn’t get any better, they also serve top-notch eats with a solid kids’ selection to match.
Where: 9 Station Street, Currumbin
When: Daily 6am-2pm
Nobbys Shack
Whether it’s rain or shine, you’re guaranteed a few things at Nobbys Shack: a latte smoother than your best pick-up lines, slurpable smoothies, drool-worthy desserts and, of course, a playground- an adorable playground. Find indoor seating in the front and an outdoor deck area in the back. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cafe this ideal for a classic Gold Coast summer’s day. Did we mention they do the best banana split north of the NSW border?
Where: UA/2241 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: Monday-Wednesday: 6:30am-5pm; Thursday-Sunday: 6:30am-8pm.
Cafe 63
Did you know one of the Gold Coast’s best playgrounds is conveniently located within Westfield Coomera? Why is it the best? Firstly, it’s smack bang in front of Cafe 63, the home to exceptional coffee from 5:30am-9pm daily (you’ve got to love extended trading hours). Then there’s the fact that it’s located within a shopping centre – it was practically made for killing multiple birds with stones. Of course, there’s the park itself, which is huge! Talk about the perfect spot for a pre or post-shop playdate!
Where: Shop 1075, Westfield Coomera, Foxwell Road, Coomera
When: Daily 5:30am-9pm
Historic Rivermill
Sip on Piazza D’Oro coffee while taking in the rustic and forest-filled surrounds of the Historic Rivermill. If it’s a nature fix you seek, you’ll find that and more at this Mount Nathan treasure. The kids will be set with animal feeding, horse riding and endless rolling greens to explore, guaranteeing hours of adventure. Of course, this gorgeous cafe is well equipped with seating, but why not lay a picnic rug beneath the Jacaranda trees? Sounds like a slice of heaven to us.
Where: 950 Beaudesert Nerang Road, Mount Nathan
When: Wednesday-Friday: Cafe 9am-1pm and Petting Zoo 9am-2pm.
Saturday-Sunday: Cafe and Petting Zoo 9am-2pm.
For when it’s raining:
Bella’s Wonderland
Caught in the rain? Well, that’s a good reason (but certainly not only the reason) to head to Bella’s Wonderful. Or, as we call it, a child’s version of heaven on earth. Picture a pastel-coloured explosion where bubblegum princes and princesses roam the land. If we’re being completely honest, we’re a little jealous. As the largest play centre on the Gold Coast, you know you’re about to get it ALL, with claw machines, a ball pit, a rock climbing wall, imaginary play, and even a mini merry-go-round! What’s more, the cafe menu is almost as impressive as the playground itself, and the coffee… let’s say they understood the assignment.
Where: Shop 48, 3-15 Jackman Street, Southport
When: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
The ultimate cheat sheet for feeding your littlies – free of charge.
Hungry kids, full bellies, zero damage to your bank account? Yes please.
We’ve tracked down the Gold Coast spots where kids eat free, so you can score a night off cooking and dodge the dishes any night of the week.
Think cheesy beachside slices, nugget towers at your local, and more tasty deals the whole fam will love.
Because what’s better than a free feed? A free feed with chips on the side.
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Coz there ain’t no party like a kid’s club party
Organising your mini-me’s birthday party triggers a rollercoaster of emotions; excitement, anticipation and pure joy…laced with a dose of fear, dread, and general trepidation. The sugar. The screaming. The inevitable tantrum. And don’t even get us started on the politics of who to invite….#sendwine.
Well, we’re here to help you keep your cool and focus on the fun stuff with our list of fail-proof, kid-pleasing, parent-sanity-preserving places to host the ultimate bday celebration.
#MayTheForceBeWithYou…
Looking for a party with extra oomph this year? Look no more, coz Hijinx Hotel, the ultimate immersive experience, has you covered. Play a set of super fun Hinjinx Hotel Challenger Rooms (five rooms in total), eat a yummy main and side (with an option to add-in extra noms), plus sip on soft drink or water and experience a totally ‘ungeneric’ celebration. The best part? You can relax while a party host takes care of all the action #hearhear! From $39 per whipper snapper, it’s worth every cent.
Where: Corner of 3197 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Level 1 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Watching the kids race around a track channelling their inner Lewis Hamilton having an absolute hoot of a time is a vibe. Slideways boasts a three-storey indoor drift kart track and is the perf party destination for kids aged 7 to 13 (minimum height 120cm). For $90 per person with no less than five kidlets, you’ll get 20 mins of go karting, 10 arcade tokens, a balaclava, an ice block, a bottle of H20, and two-hours in the function room. Side-note, feel free to use our special discount here.
Where: 10 Spencer Road, Nerang
Celebrate your child’s next party in paradise. Literally – this place is actual paradise for kids. Paradise Resort is a sprawling fun-packed venue, with so many options for birthday parties we’d be here till Christmas listing them all. As a guide, a basic three-hour Ice Skating Party for five kids will set you back $150, whereas a two-hour Pamper Parlour Party for a minimum of eight kiddos is $520. Or you can mix and match the above, and add in waterpark, laser tag, and climbing wall to name a few.
Where: 122 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
We dare you to find a kid who doesn’t go all kinds of gaga for gaming and nope, they don’t exist. That’s why iPlay is a winner winner kid’s party dinner.
Coomera iPlay: For $25 per child (minimum of 8 guests), your small people will score two hours of partying, including one-hour unlimited arcade (yellow) and redemption (red) games, 2 x (purple) prize games, 300 x tickets per guest, and a whopping 500 tickets for the bday kid! Food platters are also available.
Harbourtown iPlay: For $25 per child (minimum of 8 guests), the kids will lap up one-hour of arcade time, unlimited red and yellow swipers, three purple swipers, 200 tickets per child and a $5 return voucher for the party kiddo. Line those hungry tums for $12 each with food supplied from Crafty’s! Save some for mum and dad!
Where: Westfield Coomera, 83-121 Foxwell Road, Coomera & Harbour Town Premium Outlets, 147 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Who doesn’t love a game of golf, mini or otherwise? It’s a sure-fire winner for all ages, including the youngins who love nothing more than a golf birthday party! We’re pretty lucky here on the Gold Coast as we are spoilt for choice whether it’s the mini variety with Holey Moley in Surfers or Putt Putt Mermaid Beach’s three themed 18-hole courses. Or enjoy less screen time, less green time at Top Golf with a hosted kids party. Shot!
Where: Various
Ahhh the flashbacks of living it large as a kid at Timezone. And let us tell you, absolutely nothing has changed, with our mini’s going weak at the knees at the mere mention of the ‘T’ word. At Surfers Paradise Timezone, there are three party packages priced from $29.90 per head. Between 2.5 and 3 hours in duration, they include everything from game time to a dedicated party host, with the two more expensive options also serving up kid’s meals. At Timezone Coolangatta and Robina, there are similar packages so parentals, it’s a no-brainer!
Where: Paradise Centre, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, Robina Town Centre, 1 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and The Strand, Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Get the party started at Infinity, an incredible journey through a world of illusion. Think of a futuristic, maze-like world of wonder with unique rooms and sensory overloads that will have you and the kids feeling as though you’re in a dream. Prices start from $190 for a minimum of 10 children, or paired with tasty eats from Betty’s Burgers from $350 (min 10 children), parent of the year status incoming! Should we mention that you can get 10% of adult and child entry here?! Go on and make your little one’s year!
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, G31/3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Locking the kids up for an hour – are you sure it’s not our birthday? Just joking kiddos…sort of. Small folk love a good escape room, plus they’ll use their brains trying to figure out how to get un-locked #bonus. Sounds like the perfect party plan to us – especially when we have a 10% discount at Padlock’d, Fox in a Box, and a 15% discount at Other World HQ.
Where: Padlock’d – Paradise Centre, Surfers Paradise, Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms – Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Other World HQ – 3107 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise.
Love a good play centre? Chances are your small people do too and this one is humungous, plus its beautiful modern design will make for some srsly instagrammable pics. Think on-trend curves, pastels-a-plenty, and a darn good menu to boot. Offering an array of party packages including the Mini Birthday Bash ($299 for five kids), Bella’s Fun Fiesta ($580 for ten kids), and the hum-dinga Dream Discovery Bash ($880 for 12 kids), this one’s a keeper.
Where: 48 3/15 Jackman St, Southport
This one’s for the nostalgic parents who long for their minis to enjoy the roller rink parties of yesteryear #OhTheMems, and wept uncontrollably when the local roller rink shut up shop #StillScarred. Well, we have news for you! Rollerama is a huge new roller-skating arena, now a permanent attraction at Carrara Markets! The perfect spot for a fun-fuelled birthday party, it’s wheely good fun for all ages.
Where: Events Arena precinct, Carrara Markets, Corner of Gooding Drive & Manchester Road, Carrara
Pretty as a picture, The Craft Parlour takes the mess factor away, whilst allowing your birthday girl or boy and posse to craft away till their hearts’ content! The summery enclosed backyard and beautiful studio has plenty of room for kids to dance, relax, and craft away, and it’s BYO food, drinks, and cake. Mama’s, feel free to pack a yummy cheese platter and bubbles for any parents who may stay for the sesh #AnyExcuse.
Where: 87 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
If you’re looking for an inexpensive crowd-pleasing way to celebrate your kiddo’s birthday, nothing says “party” quite like a pool party! There most popular option for good reason is the three-hour Inflatable Pool Party from $20 per child, which side note; will also wear them out #tick! Or, for the littler littlies, how about a two-hour Splash Park Party from $15 per head. Both are for a minimum of ten kids, have the option to add catering, or BYO food and drinks. Yes mum and dad, we said BYO!
Where: Rugby Lane, Helensvale
Words by Bianca Trathen
