Free Things to do with kids on the Northern Gold Coast

With the weather starting to warm up and school holidays never far away, I am sure most families will be starting to look for activities to keep the kiddies occupied. I have hereby listed a few ideas for free family activities around the Northern Gold Coast.

Yatala / Ormeau

Ormeau Skate and BMX Park

Just off exit 41, located on Pascoe Rd, there is a park which features a skate bowl with plenty of ramps and a bmx track for the little dare devils to test out their tricks on their skateboards, roller blades, scooters and bmx bikes.

Playgrounds and Parks, Ormeau

There are plenty of kid friendly playgrounds around Ormeau. There is one on halfway drive, which is fully fenced so that you don’t need to worry about the kids running out on to the road. There is also an awesome new park up in Landsdowne Drive in the new Ormeau Ridge Estate which features a smaller playground for the younger kids and a more daring playground for the older kiddies. This park regularly hosts free family fun days as well. Jacob’s Ridge estate also has some great parks throughout and also features a tennis court and basketball half courts, aswell as cricket training nets, for kids and adults to sharpen up on their sporting skills. Most of the parks have bbq’s and shaded picnic tables which would make for a lovely family lunch date!

Yatala Fishing Platform

Yatala Fishing Platform is located within the Albert River Parklands underneath the M1 bridge crossing of the Albert River at Yatala. This position provides opportunities for fishing near the eddies formed by the bridge piers, whereby fish just hang around and wait for their food to come past in the current, making it a great spot for fishing.

Pimpama / Jacob’s Well

The Strawberry Farm, Pimpama

Located just off exit 49, here the kids can pat and feed the farm animals. They used to allow strawberry picking, but don’t anymore, however you can still enjoy a nice meal or a famous strawberry ice cream from the cafe there.

Jacob’s Well

Jacob’s Well is a quaint little town, tucked away in the sugar cane fields, east from Pimpama. It offers great little quiet swimming spots for families in an enclosed swimming area on Jacob’s Well Road with a fabulous little beach front. Jacob’s Well is more well known for it being a great place to enjoy fishing or boating. There are plenty of little islands throughout the Jumpinpin area for exploring. Jacob’s Well is also the perfect place to enjoy a family picnic and there is even a nice big oval for which you can enjoy a game of family cricket or soccer or footy!

Coomera

Upper Coomera Community Centre

Situated on Abraham Rd, Upper Coomera, this community centre has only just recently been completed and therefore is decked out with modern facilities. The centre runs many free or low cost classes and activities for kids and adults. There is also a 25m pool and fun kiddies sprays within the centre which family can access for a minimal charge. There is also a brand new kid’s playground located right next to the new Upper Coomera Community Centre. It features lots of new and exciting play equipment for the kids.

Tallowwood Park, Upper Coomera

Rosevalley Drive, Upper Coomera. This park features two tennis / basketball courts, a fenced kid’s playground, plenty of room to kick a footy around and is set next to a beautiful lake, which you could sit and feed the ducks.

Coomera River Fishing Platform

Located just under the M1 where it crosses the Coomera River. Here is another great fishing spot to cast into the eddies caused by the piers of the M1. This boardwalk connects Koala Town in Upper Coomera on the western side of the M1 with the Coomera Esplanade and Township on the eastern side.

Oxenford / Pacific Pines

Pacific Pines Central Park

This park has something to offer everyone. It features a massive flying fox, a sunken ship adventure playground, spinning poles and slides, a stationery train and also rockers, swings and a suspension bridge.  The park also features a full size cricket pitch, and plenty of shade and bbq’s, which make it the perfect opportunity to grab all your extended family and friends for a good old Aussie game of cricket! The park is situated nearby the central lake, which also makes it the perfect place to take a walk. View more about Pacific Pines Park.

Cove Park / Damian Leeding Memorial Park, Oxenford

Just off the m1 at exit 57, on Princeton or Watersports Lane, is home to the Regatta Waters Lake which is suitable for non-motorised activities, such as rowing or kayaking or remote control boats. However, due to the water quality, swimming is not permitted within the lake. A 3.9km path surrounds the lake, which is perfect for walking or riding bikes around. There are also exercise stations scattered around the lake if you wish to add to your fitness regime. Due to the expansive areas, this park offers plenty of opportunities for picnics or to kick a footy around.

Helensvale

Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

Brisbane Rd, Coombabah. This area is a nice little hidden treasure of nature. While thousands of cars travel down the busy Brisbane Rd, not many people stop to appreciate the beauty. Coombabah Lakes has plenty of walking tracks and boardwalks which make it ideal for nature walks, bird watching, animal spotting and plant identification. There are over 1200 hectares of wetland, Eucalypt forest, salt marsh and mangrove swamp habitat and marvellous views of the Coombabah Lake itself. Remember to pack the camera and binoculars for the amazing scenery and wildlife! And don’t forget to pack the water.

Parklake Park, Maudsland

Greenway Blvd, Maudsland. This park is one of the biggest and most exciting residential playgrounds around the Gold Coast. Another park which features a full size cricket field, and also has three adjoining playgrounds to suit kids of all ages from toddlers through to teenagers. There is also a superfast flying fox and a huge two storey slide. A purpose built sand play area is also a great feature of this park, so, remember to pack your bucket and spade! View more about Parklake Park.

Skate Park at Discovery Park

This park is perfect for the older kids to test out their mad tricks and skills on their skateboard, scooter or rollerblades. There are plenty of ramps, jumps and grinding edges to keep them amused and broaden their range of tricks! There is also a smaller playground for the younger siblings and a bbq to cook the perfect aussie bbq lunch. View more about Discovery Park.

Helensvale Aquatic Centre

Located on Rugby Lane, Helensvale. Whilst this suggestion isn’t quite free, the small admission fees still make for a perfect family day out to cool down and certainly worth a mention. Admission fees are under $5 per person. The Helensvale Aquatic Centre consists of a 25m long heated pool and a fabulous large water play area for the kids. The play area features mushroom showers, toadstool fountains, caterpillar fountains and little islands.