brisbane with family

Family friendly Brisbane offers many outdoor activities for families to enjoy together. With ample park spaces and river-based activities to keep children occupied here, families will have plenty of activities available to them here.

Explore Melbourne by water with a relaxing river cruise or take an exhilarating mountain hike up Mount Coot-tha for breathtaking panoramic views. Eat Street provides global street food delights while children will love playing at South Bank’s interactive playground.

Boondall Wetlands

Nudgee Beach and Boondall’s tranquil wetlands are well known as one of Brisbane’s premier birding destinations, boasting more than 1,000 hectares of mangrove forests, tidal flats, salt marshes and open forest that provide ample opportunity for nature-inspired activities.

Highlighting Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre’s $5 Million upgrade in 2019, which features interactive displays designed to delight and educate both children and adults. Furthermore, the center is completely wheelchair-accessible.

This easy grade 2km walk begins at the Environment Centre and winds along boardwalk through an ever-evolving landscape replete with paperbark trees, rust coloured marshes and lunar salt flats. Internationally recognized migratory bird feed-and-rest sites, up to 190 species are known to use these wetlands as rest stops during their journey across Australia and Antarctica.

Picnic Island Green

Southbank Parklands are a Brisbane family favorite with so much to see and do – from playground fun to cultural and historical exploration, Southbank Parklands have something for everyone.

Picnic Island Green playground provides children of all ages with enjoyable play equipment such as the spinning saucer, basket swing, cubby house and soft-fall mounds. A hidden treasure of this playground lies within its giant ficus tree roots – perfect for unexpected games of hide-and-seek with friends! Children may also explore its nearby pond filled with water lilies and native fish pond for wildlife spotting!

While their children play, parents can relax on shady Little Stanley Street Lawns or head to Riverside Green or Aquativity playgrounds for a picnic lunch, or visit one of QAGOMA or Queensland Museum for special exhibitions tailored specifically for children (such as SparkLab at Queensland Museum).

Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology

Caboolture’s Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology boasts one of Australia’s finest collections of European and Classical art and antiquities, receiving international acclaim for its displays and public programs – such as hosting its popular Abbey Medieval Festival each year.

Kids Dig It Junior Archaeology program gives children the chance to experience archaeology for themselves for a day! Kids will discover how archaeologists work outside excavation sites through activities like coin identification, tree ring analysis, coprolites to investigate and pottery reconstruction.

Children can explore medieval crafts and skills such as heraldry, loom weaving and stained glass window making at the Abbey Museum. Additionally, many family programs are held throughout the year at this unique institution.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens

Brisbane’s outdoor activities range from tropical parks to river-side excursions, offering something fun for every member of the family. Hand-feed wild dolphins, discover Indigenous art totems and meet Australia’s cutest animals!

One of the top things to do in Brisbane with kids is visiting Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, known for their expansive collection of banksia trees native to Queensland and pollinated by birds, possums and bats.

This garden features numerous features, such as its Tropical Display Dome, Japanese Garden, Fern House, Bonsai House and Temperate Garden. There’s also a self-guided activity trail booklet available that provides opportunities to sketch, match, measure and decode words. Finally, its home to fairy trees — an enchanting grove of fig trees strung with lights open until 10pm each night!

Riverlife Adventure Centre

Queensland’s Sunshine State offers plenty of family-friendly adventure. Meet 130 koalas at Australia’s first and largest koala sanctuary, hand-feed kangaroos without barriers at Lone Pine, discover Indigenous art totems at Brisbane Botanic Gardens or meet over 70 native Australian animals on Tangalooma Island Resort – Queensland offers something fun for every age!

Riverlife Adventure Centre is situated within the heritage-listed Naval Stores and offers abseiling, rock climbing and kayaking to people of all ages. Children can scale Kangaroo Point cliffs while others kayak down the river for stunning views of city landmarks including CityCat ferry service. In addition to these thrilling activities, Riverlife also provides other activities including an aboriginal experience.

After your adventure, nourish with delicious foodie treats! Families will especially love Jamie’s Italian’s fun and quirky children’s menu or Kabuki Teppanyaki at Stamford Plaza Brisbane.