10 Of The Best Secret Spots To Take Your Kids In Brisbane

Brisbane’s population is growing at a rate of knots, and sometimes going out with the kids can feel onerous as you dodge the crowds and negotiate busy public transport or full carparks.

That’s where this list comes in.

When all the best family spots seem to be overrun by crowds, you can sneak off to your own special secret place, knowing there will be room to move, and air to breathe. And the bonus is they’re still super fun for families so you’ll all have a great time.

1. Coochimudlo Island

Image credit: visitcoochimudlo.com

A largely forgotten island in Moreton Bay, Coochimudlo is a great destination for a quiet family day. It has three sandy beaches and calm water – perfect for little ones. You can catch the a ferry over or take your car on the regular barge – although there’s no real need as everything is accessible on foot. You can hire bikes, a boat or a barbecue once you get to the island, and food is available at the kiosk or restaurant. There are toilets and showers at each of the beaches, and the main beach is patrolled.

Where: Catch a ferry from Victoria Point jetty

When: Ferries run every half hour from 5am to 11:30pm and take 10 minutes to get to Coochie.

More info: Visit Coochiemudlo website

2. Daisy Hill Conservation Park

Image source: iamxiaojiajia/instagram

While the crowds are rushing to Lone Pine (which is also excellent), you can nail a low-key koala encounter at Daisy Hill Conservation Park. Hike or bike along the trails among 570 hectares of eucalypt forest where you’re sure to spot a few koalas if you’re paying attention.

Where: Daisy Hill Road, Daisy Hill

When: Between 15 March and 14 October the gates are open from 7am to 5:30pm. For the rest of the year the gates are open from 7am to 6:30pm.

More info: Daisy Hill Conservation Park website

3. Dragonfly Café

Image credit: Dragonfly Cafe on Facebook

You’d never know this gem existed if someone didn’t point you in the right direction, so that’s exactly what we’re here to do. Located inside Eden Gardens Nursery, this family-friendly café offers a reprieve for the children from Mum and Dad wanting to buy all the pot plants. It has a great children’s menu, as well as a fenced playground that you can see from the dining area. Bonus: on school holidays you can book your kids in for kids’ craft and gardening workshops.

Where: Eden Gardens Nursery, 1657 Gympie Road, Cardeldine

When: 8:30am to 4pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon tea

More info: Eden Gardens website

4. Bunya Crossing Reserve

This parkland just north of Ferny Hills is the perfect place for swimming or kayaking. There are plenty of open green spaces and the kids will love trying to catch little fish if you have a net. There are picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and plenty of carparks – and walking trails to follow the river.

Where: 88 Dugandan Road, Albany Creek

When: Park is open sunrise to sunset then locked for the night.

More info: Visit Moreton Bay Region website

5. Boggo Road Gaol

Image credit: Boggo Road Gaol

From the late 1800s to 1989, Boggo Road Gaol was Queensland’s main prison, housing some of our most notorious criminals. You can visit the heritage-listed site and hopefully scare your kids into staying on the straight and narrow. The child-friendly tour includes the gatehouse, yards and one of the original cell blocks. For brave over-12s, there’s also a ghost tour.

Where: Boggo Road, Dutton Park

When: 7 days a week at 11am, excluding public holidays

More info: Boggo Road Gaol website

6. LEGO Education Learning Centre

Everything is awesome when you’re building LEGO! Every weekend at Southbank, the LEGO Education Learning Centre is open for hands-on fun at their themed building parties. Past themes have included amazing animals, mad machines, space journey and fantasy fun. Kids are only limited by their imagination. Open to ages 4-99 (soz 100-year-olds!), priced at $5 per person.

Where: 2/78 Merivale Street, South Brisbane

When: Saturday 1pm to 2pm. Get in quick because sessions fill fast and they don’t take bookings.

More info: Moore Educational website

7. Mt Gravatt Marketta

Image credit: Mt Gravatt Marketta on Facebook

Well known to a select group on the southside, the Mt Gravatt Marketta is well worth travelling from across the city for. It’s a fun way to reclaim Saturday nights while still being a parent, with live music and great food every Saturday from 4pm. (There is also an excellent farmers market here every Sunday morning from 6am to noon.)

Where: Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, 1644 Logan Road, Mt Gravatt

When: Saturday 4pm to 9pm

More info: Mt Gravatt Marketta Facebook page

8. JC Slaughter Falls

This secretly stashed spot on Mt Coot-tha (pictured, top of page) is great fun for families. With a grassy area for picnics, trails for bushwalks, and a short and easy Aboriginal Art trail, kids of all ages will love this quiet space. There’s also a great lookout where you’ll get a great view of the falls.

Where: 200 Mt Cooth-tha Road, Mt Coot-tha

When: Daylight hours

More info: Brisbane City Council website

9. Downfall Creek

This is a great spot for families, with a basketball court, outdoor games, grassy breakout areas, and a plethora of child-friendly walking trails through Raven Street Reserve. It’s a great place for an active day out…out a nice lie down on the grass to read a book if you can convince the kids.

Where: 815 Rode Road, McDowall

When: Daylight hours

More info: Brisbane City Council website

10. Boombana Walk

Drive just over half an hour to Mt Nebo and you’ll find a range of walking trails and rainforests to explore, but none more perfect for a family day out than Boombana Walk. It boasts an off-road picnic area complete with fire pit, and is the start of a whole bunch of great walks. If you have little kids, try the Pitta Track – it’s well shaded by a canopy of trees and gently sloping so great for those less fit among the group.

Where: Mt Nebo Road, Mt Nebo

When: Daylight hours

More info: Queensland Parks and Forests website

Thanks to Hasbro: This article is brought to you in partnership with Hasbro Gaming, our Supporting Brand Partner for the Unplug & Play Initiative.

 

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