INSIDE: Everything you need to know about Brisbane Botanic Garden Playground.
Is it possible to find a clean, sustainable, all-abilities playground in Brisbane? It sure is!
One of the best playgrounds in Brisbane for kids aged 1 to twelve years old is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens City Playground.
Roam the Gnome and his little mates adore the Brisbane Botanical Gardens playground, and can’t wait to go back next holidays.
Take a sneak peek below.
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Guide to Brisbane Botanic Garden Playground
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens playground is smack bang in the centre of the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, just 500 metres from QUT and a 10 minute walk from the Queen Street Mall.
But you’d never know.
And that’s part of the reason it’s one of the best playgrounds in Brisbane.
Go early enough and you’re likely to have it almost all to yourself!
It’s a quiet enclave surrounded by City Cycle bike paths, greenery, and bucketloads of shady picnic spots.
RELATED: Big Guide of Fun Things to do in Brisbane with Kids
Accessible Playground in Brisbane
Best of all, this playground now provides accessibility for children in wheelchairs and their carers, with wide platforms for access.
It’s not only pretty, it’s thoughtfully designed too.
Brisbane Botanical Gardens Playground in a Nutshell
The Brisbane Botanical Garden Playground has a great variety of things to inspire all kinds of imaginative and physical play.
Here’s a list of why we think it’s one of the best playgrounds in Brisbane.
There’s a multi-turreted fort filled with things to swirl, twirl, twist, twang and dang!
Hands on activities
- tonnes of hands-on activities including musical instruments.
- a spider web climbing net between turrets
Sensory Play
- standalone feature walls with hands-on sensory activities for kids to play
Roller slide!
- a twirly-whirly slide, AND drum roll please, a ROLLER SLIDE! (It might not be very long, but it’s the first roller slide we’ve found in yonks!)
- climbing ladders up the forts
Seesaws and swings
- a four-way seesaw
- ‘Tulip’ spinning seats
- a row of swings including one for children in wheelchairs, and one mum/bub swing combination
Merry Go Round
- a wheelchair-friendly ‘merry go round’ spinner
Spiderweb Swing at the Botanic Garden Playground
A fave among big kids.
Royal Botanic Garden Playground Digging Pit
On one side, there’s a digging pit with three excavator seats.
BYO SandPit Toys
The sand play area is not shaded so do bring hats and sunscreen.
And a collection of your best sand play toys too!
The Brisbane City Botanical Gardens Playground is tonnes of fun for an hour or two on a Brisbane day trip.
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Best Picnic Spots Brisbane CBD
BYO picnic, and make a morning of it.
There’s LOADS of seating around the edges of the play area (unfortunately, not shaded) and native plants too.
Plus, if you arrive early enough, grab one of the shaded benches or giant platforms for family picnics
(Check our guide to Best Healthy Road Trip Snacks and Picnic Food for new food ideas)
Where to eat in Brisbane near QUT?
The closest food court (other than walking into the CBD) is at the QUT campus.
There’s Subway, Guzman Y Gomez, Boost Juice, and a host of other takeaway food options.
FREE things to do in Brisbane with kids?
Best of all, it’s FREE.
Thanks to Brisbane City Council for providing quality play facilities where children of all abilities can play together in a well-maintained and safe environment.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Playground
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in AUD dollars, unless otherwise stated
Address: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Playground is most directly accessed by Alice St, or George Street Brisbane.
Telephone: (07) 3403 8888
Opening hours Brisbane Botanic Gardens: 24 hours
Entry fees: FREE
How to get to Botanical Gardens Brisbane
By Train: Catch the train to Central or Roma Street railway stations, and walk 10-15 minutes
By Bus: The free Loop bus stops on Alice Street and George Street
By Ferry:
- If you prefer a boat trip with young children, catch the ferry across from Southbank to QUT Gardens Campus or Eagle Street wharves and walk from there.
- CityCat and City Ferry terminals are located at the bottom end of Edward Street and at the rear of Parliament House.
By Foot: The City Botanic Gardens are a 10 to 15 minute walk from the city centre
You can walk into the gardens from:
- the Parliament House entrance (George Street)
- Alice Street, at the intersection of Edward Street, and at the Albert Street intersection
- the Goodwill Bridge.
Disabled access is available at each gate, except the Parliament House entrance.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens pathway to QUT buildings
How to find Brisbane Botanic Gardens Playground in the park
From QUT at George Street, walk down the hill (Palm Avenue) towards the river.
The playground is directly behind the toilet block.
The closest street juncture is Alice and Albert street.
The playground is quite well hidden amongst the trees – if you can’t see it, ask a friendly person for directions to one of the best playgrounds in Brisbane.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Parking
Try Secure Parking car park at 53 Albert Street Brisbane.
Hot tip: Prebook your spot for a discounted rate.
Disabled car parking is available just inside the Edward Street gate and behind The Gardens Club (entry via Gardens Point Road).
Or try your luck with a paid street park along Alice Street, Brisbane
Parking at Southbank Parklands
Our favourite (and cheap) parking destination is at Southbank under the Museum and Art Gallery.
Parking is $17 flat rate per day (subject to change).
Entry via Cultural Centre Tunnel, Stanley Street.
Walk over the Victoria Bridge and through the CBD, or go through Southbank Parklands and walk over the Goodwill Bridge.
Brisbane Botanical Gardens Map
Facilities
Toilets: There is a toilet block about 25 metres away
- The Brisbane Botanic Gardens playground is unfenced and is adjacent to the Brisbane River. Keep a close eye on wanderers.
- There is free council WiFi
Toadstool Rating:
5 out of 5.
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