10 local spots the children will love

Pack up the car and head out on an adventure with the family this autumn – weather-wise it’s the perfect time. Your adventure doesn’t have to be a huge organisational headache – just pick a great destination that will fuel their imaginations and GO!

Climb a mountain

Or rather, drive up one! A day at Tamborine Mountain isn’t complete without a stop to admire the mysterious ‘piano rock’ on your way, a bit of horse riding, bird watching, glow worm tours, thunder-egg fossicking, fishing, walks, some window shopping along Gallery Walk and so much more. Just be sure to finish the day with a bit of fudge.

Visit the Planetarium

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium offers loads of informative, exciting activities, shows and exhibits to make sure your family day out is out-of-this-world. It’s free to access the main area, but you can also splash some cash to see some of the more exclusive exhibits and planet shows.

Get cultured at HOTA

When it comes to culture hubs on the Gold Coast, you can’t go past the literal Home of the Arts, HOTA! Their jam-packed line-up spans exhibitions, performances and workshops, with plenty of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. And, when all else fails, you can enjoy a picnic on their beautiful waterfront lawn.

Climb Brisbane City Hall

Explore local history and climb to the top of the iconic Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower (which costs even less than a Macca’s soft serve) for an unparalleled view of Brisbane.

Embrace Surfers Paradise

From putt putt to escape rooms and a light-filled funhouse, Surfers Paradise screams family fun. Get an ice cream and snap a photo under the famous sign, relax on the beach or explore the weird and wonderful attractions on offer – you’ll fall in love with the bustling precinct all over again.

Go to a night market

Eat Street Northshore has cemented its place as one of Brisbane’s best dining destinations, serving up street food, live music and even retail, all out of shipping containers. For southsiders, Mount Gravatt Marketta certainly doesn’t disappoint either, while further north, Bite Markets offers more shipping container fun. Gold Coasters, don’t worry – Miami Marketta has you covered!

Go wild

Quokkas, capybaras and koalas collide at the Gold Coast’s most beloved wildlife sanctuary. Feed the rainbow lorikeets out the front in the morning or afternoon, explore the sanctuary via Segway Safari, cuddle up in the koala nursery or try your hand at bird training. One day really isn’t enough!

Explore east

Brisbane’s eastern suburbs offer a waterside oasis, rarely explored by city slickers. From the canals of Raby Bay to the wading pool at Pandanus Beach in Wynnum, there is so much to see and do on the city’s coast. Further north, the children will love the bayside parks and playgrounds at Scarborough and Redcliffe.

Visit a botanic garden

Lush green grass and blossoming flowers make botanic gardens the perfect picnic spot, and Brisbanites are lucky enough to have two to choose from! The City Botanic Gardens in the heart of the CBD offer a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city, while the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens that overlook the city from the west provide the perfect mountain escape, with a number of different attractions and areas to explore.

Cruise the Tweed

Swap screen time for green time on an eco-cruise down the Tweed River. Tweed Eco Cruises promise a hands-on, fun and informative experience learning about mud crabs, pumping for yabbies, getting up close with pelicans and exploring the shallows with ‘water telescopes,’ all while sampling the region’s tasty bush tucker.