9 Best Family Creek Play Spots in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast
Our team of adventurous, nature-loving playworkers have scoured Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to bring you the 9 best family creek play spots.
Make the most of the warm weather and visit one of our favourite local creeks, all within 90 minutes of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
PLUS to help you out on your wet, wild adventures, we’ve put together a complete guide to risky play near water here and here.
So grab your cozzies and some spray for the mozzies and get ready to play!
Gardeners Falls, Maleny
Located near the Obi Obi Creek, 40 minutes from Maroochydore, Gardener’s Falls is a stunning location to splash in the water. Just a short walk from the car park is a series of shallow pools perfect for kids to play in, leading down to the falls and a larger swimming hole at the end. Surrounded by native forest, this is a spot you’ll want to come back to again and again. Enjoy the scenic drive up the range, stop by Mary Cairncross Park while you’re there, and appreciate the breathtaking views over the Glass House Mountains.
2. Gary Evans Walkway, Nambour
Starting at Petrie Park Road and ending at Carter Road, the Gary Evans Walkway is a great spot for a walk and a splash in the creek. It's paved, pram friendly, and meanders along the banks of Petrie Creek. Keep your eyes open for flippered friends, as this is a known platypus habitat. There are spaces for exploring and scrambling along the way, with hidden little falls and water dragons. There's even a Model Railway Park along the path, complete with mini trains.
3. Serenity Falls, Buderim Forest Park
Get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the crystal-clear waters in this hidden spot just 15 minutes from Buderim. This is a local favourite and lives up to its name. Surrounded by lush forest, this is a great spot to take a plunge on a warm day. The track is flat for the most part but gets rocky towards the end, and you might want to have more supportive footwear than thongs, especially if it’s been wet.
4. Charlie Moreland Campground, Imbil State Forest
Located an easy hour’s drive inland from the Sunshine Coast, this campsite is in a national park and has an amazing creek with a large swimming hole. It’s a great spot to camp or just come for the day, and there are plenty of walking trails to enjoy as well. You could even grab something to float on and float down to the knee-deep creek beds and rock hopping spots. As it’s a campground with a day use area there are also barbeques and toilets on site. Our top tip is to stop in Kenilworth for a donut on the way, trust us – it’s worth the trip!
5. Enogerra Reservoir, Brisbane
Only 12km from Brisbane’s city centre, this is a great spot for water play with the addition of a dinosaur dig and bushwalks. Plus, there’s an awesome wildlife centre here complete with platypus. To find this space head to Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre and follow the signs down to the reservoir. Grab a coffee from the onsite cafe or on holidays/weekends you can also hire paddleboards and kayaks. Have fun!
6. Boorabbin Picnic Ground, Wishart
This is one of our favourite creek play spots in Brisbane. There's a lovely sandy area for the kids to play and a beautiful creek to explore. There are plenty of spots for climbing trees and then jumping into the creek, and lots of spaces to explore as you head off on bush walks. Plus, it’s only 20 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, it’s a great option if you don’t feel liked driving a long distance.
7. Bunya Crossing Reserve, Albany Creek
If you are looking for a great creek with easy access to go swimming in, or even paddle boarding/kayaking, this is the spot for you. Head off on the walking paths and enjoy the rope swings and rock hopping area. Just 30 minutes north of Brisbane, we recommend checking out the bushwalks at Kumbartcho Sanctuary and the fairy doors while you’re in the area.
8. Cedar Creek, Samford
This is the ultimate local spot for rock hopping, and as you meander down the creek, you’ll come across little pools to swim in along the way. To find this space head to Andy Williams Park which has toilets and electric BBQs, picnic tables and plenty of shade. You can play in the rock pools here whilst you have lunch, but make sure you take a backpack when you wander off on your rock hopping adventures. Just 40 minutes from Brisbane, if you drive a bit further along Cedar Creek Rd you’ll come across a waterhole complete with rope swing.
9. Mt Glorious Rd, Samford
This is a super-secret spot that only the locals, and now you, know about. If you head here, take a backpack with everything you need as you have to climb in and out. To find it, park on the edge of Mt Glorious Rd (there are often cars here so just park on the next bend), jump over the barrier on the roadside and follow the path down the rock face. We wouldn't recommend this one for those with young kids, but we have personally taken children as young as four down. Once down here there are rocks to lay on with your towel and a large rock that has three different heights to jump off into the rock pool below.
There you have it, our 9 best family creek play spots in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast.
So what are you waiting for? Adventure awaits! Pack up the car and head out to these hidden gems of South-East Queensland and treat your family to the benefits of nature play.
Playing in the creek is one of our favourite things to do at forest school and leads to so much joy and discovery. If you’d like support on your journey with risky play, book into one of our programs and join a community of like-minded families putting the dirt back into childhood. Spaces are available in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast here https://www.wildlingsforestschool.com/bookings.
Written by Ellen Nesbitt. Ellen is a nature play advocate and creative writer with a passion for helping families connect with the outdoors. She is dedicated to exploring ways to nurture children's creativity, independence, wellbeing and love for nature.