Helensvale is a northern Gold Coast suburb with big free playgrounds, a skate park, off-leash dog areas and a Westfield with free parking. It sits beside the Pacific Motorway and has a station where Queensland Rail trains, the G:link light rail and buses all meet.
That makes it an easy day out if you are coming by train from Brisbane, or a handy stop on the way up or down the M1. Most of the parks are on or just off Discovery Drive, so you can do two or three in a morning.
Playgrounds and parks in Helensvale
Lions Park
Lions Park, at 1a Discovery Drive, is the pick for kids who like to climb. The older-kids area has a parkour-style layout with a pirate-ship-inspired fort, a net bridge, a mega slide, a rock-climbing wall and swinging obstacles. Little ones get a mini fort and slide, a bumble bee rocker, a see-saw, wobble boards, swings and a rope spinner. The play areas sit under large shady trees.
There are toilets (including a disability toilet), barbecues, a picnic shelter with tables, a drinking fountain and a water tap, so it works for a full picnic.
Buckler Park in The Surrounds
Buckler Park is on Laurel Drive in The Surrounds. Its playground is built for taking safe risks: a big central climbing structure with slides you reach only by rope nets, plus a smaller section for younger or less confident kids with slides, a ride-on jeep and a see-saw. There are also trampolines, a rope swing, a flying fox and a sand and water play area.
A large picnic shelter has barbecues, tables and bench seats, and it is a popular spot for birthday parties. Toilets and a cafe are at the nearby community centre.
Discovery Park
Discovery Park, at 84 Discovery Drive, is a recreation and sports park with a skate park and a playground. It also has a fitness station, barbecues, a picnic shelter and tables, toilets (including a disability toilet) and a tennis club.
Is Helensvale dog friendly?
Yes, with rules. Dogs must be on a leash in council parks unless a sign says otherwise, and they are not allowed in children’s playground areas. Discovery Park has a designated off-leash area, and there is another off-leash dog park at Careel Reserve, across the road from Lions Park.
Westfield Helensvale
Westfield Helensvale is the suburb’s shopping centre, with Kmart, Target, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi among its 239 stores, and a food court. It has around 2,000 car spaces and all of them are free. The centre is next to Helensvale station.
Opening hours vary and change for public holidays, so check the Westfield Helensvale opening hours page before you go.
Planning your visit
- How long: an hour at each playground, so a morning for two parks, or a full day with lunch and shopping.
- Cost: council parks are free. Westfield parking is free.
- Best time: mornings and late afternoons in summer, when the play equipment is cooler.
- What to bring: water, sunscreen, a hat and a lead for the dog.
- Accessibility: Lions Park, Discovery Park and Buckler Park each list a disability toilet. Council does not publish other access details for the playgrounds.
Getting there and parking
By car, Helensvale is about 63 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 50 minutes without traffic, beside the Pacific Motorway. Westfield Helensvale has free parking. Council’s pages for Lions Park, Discovery Park and Buckler Park do not mention parking, so look for street parking nearby on Discovery Drive and Laurel Drive.
By public transport, Helensvale station is a Queensland Rail station and the northern end of the G:link light rail, with a bus interchange as well. The station is next to Westfield. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
More on the parks is on the Gold Coast City Council pages for Lions Park, Buckler Park and Discovery Park. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Hope Island – marina, parks and golf next door to the north.
- Sanctuary Cove – a marina village for a lunch by the water.
- Runaway Bay – a bayside stop to the east.
- Southport – the Gold Coast’s city centre, on the same train line.
- Surfers Paradise – the beach and skyline, reachable by light rail.
Browse more parks and everything in the Gold Coast.
You might also like
- Runaway Bay (Gold Coast)
- Paradise Point Parklands (Gold Coast)
- Doug Jennings Park (Main Beach)
Quick answers
What is there to do in Helensvale?
Visit the playgrounds at Lions Park and Buckler Park, the skate park and dog area at Discovery Park, or Westfield Helensvale for shopping and a food court.
Is parking free at Westfield Helensvale?
Yes, there are about 2,000 spaces and parking is free.
Are there toilets and barbecues at Lions Park?
Yes. Lions Park has toilets, a disability toilet, barbecues, a picnic shelter and tables.
Can I take my dog to Helensvale parks?
Yes on a leash, but not in playground areas. Discovery Park has an off-leash area, and Careel Reserve across from Lions Park is an off-leash dog park.
How do I get to Helensvale without a car?
Take a Queensland Rail train, the G:link light rail or a bus to Helensvale station, which is next to Westfield.
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