Find your perfect park match

Go for a cycle in Little Mountain Common Park. (Supplied)

Here’s how to discover the Sunshine Coast’s best parks and playgrounds for every age and interest.

Whether you have a toddler who’s a future slide enthusiast, a teen looking to test their skateboard skills, or a furry friend who needs a place to play – there’s a Sunshine Coast park waiting for you!

For an aerial view or to locate park facilities, visit Sunshine Coast Council’s website and search “Beaches and Park Directory” which includes an interactive map.

For the tiny tots, a safe space is key. Toddlers on the move? Try Adolph Blanck Park, Mill Park, Martin Rungert Park or Nelson Park —all fully fenced playgrounds with swings, boats, bridges and plenty for mini adventurers to do that spark little imaginations while keeping them safely contained.

If you have a skateboarder in the family, you will want to check out Alex Skate Park, Wilkins Skate Park, Baringa Skate Park, where the skate park and multi-sport courts bring out everyone’s inner pro. Keen on shooting hoops? Visit Des Scanlan Park, Spitfire Banks Drive Park or Aroona Park.

For a different twist, Sugar Bag Road Mountain Bike Trails has a pump track, ideal for BMX fans. Who needs screens when you’ve got wheels?

Who says parks are just for kids? Sunshine Coast has plenty of dog-friendly parks where your four-legged family members can burn some energy too. Viridian Circuit Park offers a fenced dog area so your pup can play safely off-leash. Glasshouse Mountains District Park offers four hectares of open space, bushland, wetlands, sheltered playground and picnic facilities as well as the all-important fenced dog exercise area. After all, every dog deserves their day out! Check out our handy guide to see where you can exercise your dog.

Have a little one wheely keen to learn to ride? Our learn-to-ride parks have everything from gentle hills to mini road signs, helping kids master two wheels. Kevin Asmus Park is a popular pick, featuring a dedicated track that mimics real road conditions in a safe environment). The educational track at Little Mountain Common Park is set amongst the shade of large trees offering a fun and winding adventure. Stay a little longer and enjoy the multiple playgrounds with a flying fox, swings, castle and drawbridge.

For those who love discovering lesser-known spots, Sunshine Coast has a few hidden gem playgrounds perfect for quiet days. Kingfisher Drive Park, popular among locals, is connected by pathways and a nature trail. The playground is set along the lake and includes a large open space to kick around a ball, as well as an epic climbing structure known as the “beehive”.

Surrounded by fig trees and gardens, Turner Park Beerwah includes a winding spiral slide, impressive climbing tower, flying fox, swings and accessible carousel, imaginative play shop and car, perfect for the little ones. Take your time and explore the area that includes the Beerwah Library, Anzac memorial and Beerwah Heart Precinct and pack a picnic to enjoy in the shaded picnic areas.

Pioneer Park is a multi-award winning innovative all abilities play space which gives children the opportunity to play on equipment that is both fun and challenging. This fully fenced playground, includes a basket swing, spinning carousel with three harness seats, hammock, harnessed high-backed seat flying fox, slides, climbing equipment, sensory panels, ramp access to play equipment as well as a living sensory garden which is popular for all age groups.

Grahame Stewart Park is a family favourite with impressive learn-to-ride track, two playgrounds, basket swing, harnessed swing seat, flying fox, open grassed area and home to a Changing Places public amenities block.

So, what’s your park type?

From tiny tots to teens, tail-waggers to aspiring riders, there’s a perfect park waiting for everyone on the Sunshine Coast. Pack a picnic, grab the scooters and get ready to find your playground match.

Our Sunshine Coast community has access to:

• 1180 recreation parks and open spaces

• 374 playgrounds

• 74 basketball courts

• 56 exercise equipment nodes in parks

• 46 dog exercise areas

• 29 skate parks

• 1,338 shelters

• 370 drinking fountains

• 324 barbecues

• 196 public amenities.

• 178 showers