Wynnum is a bayside suburb in Brisbane’s east, about 19 km from the CBD, built around a long Moreton Bay foreshore with a jetty, a tidal wading pool and a free water park. It is one of the easiest bayside days out from Brisbane, with grass, shade and a path along the water.
Most of what you want sits within a short walk of Wynnum Esplanade, and the suburb has a heritage trail that links the foreshore to the town centre.
Wynnum Wading Pool Park
This is the main stop, at 137 Wynnum Esplanade. The park holds the tidal wading pool, a free water park (Wynnum Aqua Park, also called Whale Park), a playground, electric barbecues and picnic areas, with public toilets, seating and a car park. Council lists the park as open 24 hours.
The wading pool is a heritage-listed tidal pool built in 1932, about 128 by 54 metres and shallow, with sea water let in through pipes at high tide. The water park has water-spouting whales, a spray zone with a splash tower and tipping bucket, and a toddler area with a bubbling stream. The playground has a pirate-style shipwreck structure, beach cubby houses and a sand workshop.
The water area is not covered, so bring sun protection and keep a close eye on children. The full guide to Wynnum Wading Pool Park covers the pool, the water play and the playground in detail.
Wynnum Jetty and Pandanus Beach
Wynnum Jetty runs out into Moreton Bay and gives wide views across the water. It is part of the same foreshore park, so you can walk from the pool to the end of the jetty and back in one loop.
Pandanus Beach is the sandy beach at the northern end of the pool. It is man-made, built in 1987 with sand from North Stradbroke Island.
Wynnum Heritage Trail
The main Wynnum Heritage Trail is a 4.4 km loop with 18 points of interest. It starts at Wynnum Wading Pool Park and ends at Wynnum Jetty, passing old buildings such as the Waterloo Bay Hotel, the Wynnum Central State School (former), Guardian Angels Catholic Church and the former School of Arts, as well as the sea wall and a lookout stop for St Helena Island and Green Island.
A 2.6 km foreshore extension runs from Oyster Point and Wynnum Creek, past Pandanus Beach and Darling Point, to Norfolk Point and Manly Beach. Some sections of the main trail are steep, so it may not suit everyone. A free trail guide and map can be downloaded from Brisbane City Council.
Parks around Wynnum
Kitchener Park, on Bridge Street, has 10 tennis courts run by the Wynnum District Lawn Tennis Association. Wynnum Memorial Park is on Buderim Street. Wynnum is also next to the Bayside Parklands, which give public access to about 16 km of Moreton Bay shoreline with mangroves, mudflats and wetlands, where migratory shorebirds can be seen.
Wynnum parkrun, a free 5 km walk or run, is held on Wynnum Esplanade every Saturday.
Is Wynnum dog friendly?
Elanora Park in Wynnum is one of Brisbane City Council’s off-leash dog parks, and council also has an off-leash beach area at the end of Davenport Drive at Manly. Outside those areas, dogs must be on a leash on the foreshore.
If the weather turns
The foreshore is an outdoor day, so have a backup in mind. Wynnum has a Brisbane City Council library at 145 Florence Street with free public Wi-Fi, and the heritage trail passes the old buildings of the town centre.
Planning your visit
- How long: 2 to 4 hours for the pool, the jetty and a picnic. Add time if you walk the heritage trail.
- Best time: A warm day for the pool and water park. Saturday mornings are busy with parkrun.
- Cost: No entry fee is listed for the foreshore park, which council lists as open 24 hours.
- What to bring: Sunscreen, hats, towels, water and a change of clothes for the kids.
- Accessibility: Some sections of the heritage trail are steep and may not suit people with limited mobility. Check the council trail guide before you go.
Getting there and parking
By car it is about 19 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 25 minutes without heavy traffic. The foreshore park has a car park, and there is parking along Wynnum Esplanade.
By train, three stations on the Cleveland line serve the suburb: Wynnum North, Wynnum and Wynnum Central. Wynnum Central, on Ronald Street, has 117 parking bays. Use the Translink website or app for times and bus connections to the Esplanade.
Nearby
- Boxhead Park, Lota – a beach-hut style playground on the bayside.
- Manly Harbour Village – cafes, boats and a breakwater walk next door.
- Manly Creative Markets – a Sunday market in Manly.
- Nudgee Beach – a different stretch of Brisbane’s bay coast.
- Browse more Brisbane days out, beaches and piers and jetties.
You might also like
- Shorncliffe Pier – another Brisbane bayside jetty.
- Hemmant (Brisbane)
- Tingalpa (Brisbane)
Quick answers
What is there to do in Wynnum?
Swim in the tidal wading pool, play at the free water park and playground, walk out on the jetty, relax on Pandanus Beach, and follow the 4.4 km heritage trail.
Is Wynnum Wading Pool free?
No entry fee is listed for the foreshore park or the pool, and council lists the park as open 24 hours.
Is there parking at Wynnum foreshore?
Yes. There is a car park at the foreshore park and parking along Wynnum Esplanade.
Can you take dogs to Wynnum foreshore?
Dogs must be on a leash on the foreshore outside the council’s off-leash areas. Elanora Park in Wynnum is an off-leash dog park, and Manly has an off-leash beach area at the end of Davenport Drive.
How long is the Wynnum Heritage Trail?
The main loop is 4.4 km with 18 stops, starting at the wading pool and finishing at the jetty. A 2.6 km extension goes to Manly Beach.
Can you catch the train to Wynnum?
Yes. Wynnum North, Wynnum and Wynnum Central stations are on the Cleveland line.
How far is Wynnum from Brisbane?
About 19 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 25 minutes by car without heavy traffic.
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