Broadwater Parklands is a vibrant, family friendly destination featuring expansive green spaces, adventure playgrounds, water play areas, a netted swimming enclosure, barbecue facilities and cafés. It is also home to some of the city’s most popular events, including the Gold Coast Marathon, Gold Coast Show and Monster Machinery Day.

Things to do

Whether you’re unwinding, getting active, or exploring with the kids, Broadwater Parklands has something for everyone.

Family picnic at a covered BBQ shelter in Broadwater Parklands

Green spaces, shelters & barbecues

Expansive grassed areas, shaded shelters and electric barbecues provide the perfect setting for gatherings, picnics and events.

Peninsula Playground spiral tower and inclusive play equipment

Adventure playgrounds

Three diverse playgrounds catering to children of all ages and abilities, featuring a spiral tower, slides, monorail, pirate ship, flying fox and the ever-popular jumping pillow.

Rockpools water play area with fountains and splash pads

Water play and swimming enclosure

Cool off in the Rockpools water playground or enjoy the calm waters of the netted swimming enclosure, complete with pontoon access.

Upcoming events

Discover what’s on at Broadwater Parklands – view upcoming events on What’s On Gold Coast.

View Events

Park Map

This element requires javascript to be enabled.

Please wait while we load your map...

Download our Broadwater Parklands map(PDF, 2MB)

Park details

Discover Broadwater Parklands’ playgrounds and play areas, water play and swimming enclosure.

Peninsula Playground

The Peninsula Playground is a play space for the community to enjoy. Surrounded by lush subtropical landscaping with ample space for small and large gatherings.

  • Suitable for all ages
  • 4-level tower with slide and interactive play
  • Sea-themed water and sand play area
  • Wheelchair-accessible elevated sand table
  • Play panels, swings, slides, trampolines, diggers, stepping stones, balance beams, a carousel, climbing walls and climbing nets

More photos

Adventure Play

Centrally located near the Rockpools, the Adventure Play attraction offers a fun and imaginative space, with interactive learning and play equipment. Suitable for younger children.

  • Best for younger children
  • Make-believe pirate ship
  • Interactive learning and play equipment

Washington Waters Playground & Bouncy Pillow

The Washington Waters Playground offers an energetic play experience, conveniently located opposite Australia Fair. Whilst more suited to older children it includes:

  • flying fox
  • accessible Liberty Swing
  • giant inflatable bouncy pillow

Bouncy Pillow opening hours

  • December–January: 7am to 7pm
  • February–March: 7am to 6pm
  • April–August: 7am to 5.30pm
  • September–November: 7am to 6pm

* Hours may change due to weather conditions.

Rockpools

With cool water fountains, a creek bed, tidal rockpools, marine-themed play equipment and lifeguards on duty, this is the perfect place for children to splash, make dams and explore.

Opening hours

  • January and February: 8am to 6pm
  • March: 9am to 5pm
  • April: 9am to 4pm (Tuesdays open at 11am and Anzac Day open at 12pm)
  • May to August: 9am to 3pm (Tuesdays open at 11am)
  • September and October: 8am to 5pm (Tuesdays open at 11am)
  • November: 8am to 6pm (Tuesdays open at 11am)
  • December: 8am to 6pm (Christmas Day opens at 12pm)

* Hours may change due to weather conditions.

Swimming enclosure

Our enclosed swimming area with a jumping pontoon is perfect for those who prefer calm natural swimming waters.

The enclosure is located near the Washington Waters Playground with easy access to toilets.

Swimming safety

The swimming enclosure is not patrolled. To stay safe, please:

  • always supervise children
  • keep clear of floating collar and underwater net
  • take care when entering as depth will vary with tide
  • do not swim alone
  • be aware marine creatures may exist within the enclosure
  • do not attempt to swim to enclosure boundaries.

Dogs are prohibited from this swimming area. For more information visit Dog exercise area map

 

Bookings and space hire

There are 13 barbeques (BBQ) located across the Broadwater Parklands:

  • Stingray BBQ and shelter
  • Jellyfish BBQ and shelter
  • Hammerhead BBQ and shelter
  • Leatherjacket BBQ and shelter
  • Snapper BBQ and picnic tables
  • Barramundi BBQ and picnic tables
  • Barnacle BBQ and picnic tables
  • Spanner Crab BBQ and shelter
  • Seagrass BBQ and shade sail
  • Jewfish BBQ and shade sail
  • Dugong BBQ and shelter
  • Osprey BBQ and shelters
  • Sea Eagle BBQ and shelter

To book a BBQ please complete the private gathering online application below. This application requires at least 10 business days to process.

View our Broadwater Parklands terms and conditions(PDF, 128KB).

Book a BBQ
BBQ at the Broadwater Parklands

There are 9 outdoor spaces for hire, suitable for private or social gatherings, birthday parties or public events.

  • Northern Peninsula
  • Fisherman's Lawn
  • The Great Lawn
  • The Little Lawn
  • Southern Lawn
  • Southport Pier
  • Casuarina Grove picnic area
  • Pandanus Point
  • ANZAC Park
Book an Outdoor Space
Outdoor private gathering

For indoor or partly covered spaces, Broadwater Parklands has three areas located across the park.

  • Northern Pavilion
  • Southport Bathing Pavilion
  • The Rooftop
Book an Indoor Space
group of people exercising indoors

Planning an event open to the public? You will need to complete an application to host an event on Council controlled land. Allow two weeks to four months to process this application.

  • Site plans
  • Risk management plans, and
  • Public liability insurance certificates.

Please note a minimum of seven business days' notice is required for all applications with the exception of full road closures, which require a minimum of 14 to 21 days' notice.

Visit the Events toolkit page for more information.

Find out more
Outdoor public event

Accessibility

Parking

There are accessible parking spaces across the northern, central and southern car parks within the parklands.

Barbecue areas

All barbecues areas within the park are accessible by wheelchairs.

Accessible playground options

Peninsula Playground

The Peninsula Playground offers inclusive options such as wheelchair-accessible sensory and nature-based play, as well as:

  • wheelchair-accessible play panels and sand play table
  • accessible sand digger
  • bells that chime when walked/wheeled over
  • nest swings
  • all-abilities swing with a backrest for additional suppor
  • in-ground trampoline suitable for wheelchairs.

Washington Waters Playground

  • Liberty swing – for access, contact onsite security on 0439 580 243.

Beach matting

There is permanent accessible beach matting to the swimming enclosure (refer to number 54 on the map).

Toilets and change facilities

Each toilet block within the park includes accessible amenities and a dedicated Changing Places facility is available. This facility features a ceiling tracking hoist and shower. Access requires a Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK). Eligible visitors can contact onsite security on 0439 580 243 for assistance. Accessible car parking is conveniently located directly outside the Changing Places facility.

Please note: The hoist located within the Broadwater Parklands Changing Places facility is temporarily out of order. This page will be updated as soon as has been repaired. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

For details, visit our Changing Places toilets page.

Mobility map

Our mobility map includes information about:

  • the location of accessible toilets
  • change facilities
  • accessible car parking spaces
  • pathway gradients
  • location of kerb ramps
  • key buildings and services.

View our mobility map(PDF, 4MB)

Exercise in the park

The Parklands is an ideal spot for a run or outdoor workout, featuring a dedicated fitness area with equipment for bodyweight and functional training. The space is designed to support a wide range of users, including those using wheelchairs.

You can also explore the Active & Healthy calendar for free or low-cost fitness activities held throughout the Parklands.

Active & Health calendar

Dogs in the park

Friendly dogs on the leash are welcome at Broadwater Parklands. Dogs are prohibited in the swimming enclosure and all children's playground areas.

There are no dog off leash areas within the parklands.

City of Gold Coast has numerous areas where you can exercise your dog off leash.

Find an off leash exercise area

Getting there

Public transport

Trankslink buses run along Marine Parade. The G:link light rail runs through Southport. Plan your trip using Translink journey planner.

Hopo ferry services stop at Broadwater Parklands, Sea World, Marina Mirage, HOTA and Appel Park. For details, visit the Hopo website.

Parking

  • On-street parking along Gold Coast Highway
  • Broadwater carparks: metered parking from 7am to 7pm

Cafés

There are four cafés located within the Broadwater Parklands, with dine in and takeaway options.

Broadwater Café

Located near the Aqua Adventure Centre. Open seven days a week.

The Fish Shak and Shak Expresso

Located near the Rockpools. Open seven days a week.

Café Catalina

Located at the rear of Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Open seven days a week.

Harley and Hudson Coffee Bar

Located at the GC Aqua Park. Open seven days a week.

Subscribe

Related information

Back to top