Capalaba is the Redlands’ biggest shopping and entertainment hub, and its best free stop is Capalaba Regional Park, with an all-abilities playground, two lagoons and a fenced dog park. It is about 21 km and 30 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic.
The suburb has two shopping centres, Capalaba Central and Capalaba Park, and a major bus station. It sits on Tingalpa Creek, which marks the border with the City of Brisbane. Between the park and the centre it makes an easy day for families: a playground session first, then lunch and a movie.
Capalaba Regional Park
Capalaba Regional Park is on Pittwin Road North. The playground is an all-abilities one with a musical forest, a sand play area, hills with slides and ramps, giant climbing nets, a flying fox, swings, a liberty swing, forts with ramps and bridges, and rockers. The main lower playground area is fully fenced, though other parts are not.
Shade trees run through the park, with several shelters and shaded picnic tables. There are electric BBQs, picnic tables, wheelchair-accessible toilets, outdoor fitness equipment, and two large lagoons and several ponds with ducks, fish and eels.
Parkrun and walks
The park hosts the Capalaba parkrun, a free 5 km run or walk every Saturday morning, starting behind Bunnings at 13 Pittwin Road North. The course is run on wide concrete paths and is mostly flat. Check the parkrun website for the start time and any weather cancellations.
Is Capalaba dog friendly?
Yes. Redland City Council lists a fully fenced dog off-leash area at Capalaba Regional Park, with a shelter, seating, a water bowl, a bin and a dog waste bag dispenser. Council rules keep dogs at least ten metres from play and fitness equipment. Elsewhere in the park, keep your dog on a leash.
Capalaba Central and the cinema
Capalaba Central is at 38-62 Moreton Bay Road, on the corner of Moreton Bay Road and Old Cleveland Road. The centre is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Thursday 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Check the centre’s website before you go, as hours change.
The centre has a cinema, listed on the centre’s own website as BCC Cinemas Capalaba. Parking at the centre is free. For the cinema, the easiest entrance is from Moreton Bay Road, or from Old Cleveland Road via Raymond Street.
The second centre, Capalaba Park, is on the site of Queensland’s first drive-in theatre, which opened in 1955. Capalaba Park was built there in 1981.
IndigiScapes
Redlands IndigiScapes Centre is a council-run environment centre with more than 3 km of nature trails through 14.5 hectares of bushland, native botanic gardens, a discovery centre, a native plant nursery, a playground, a BBQ area and a cafe (IndigiCafe). Check council’s IndigiScapes page for opening hours and entry details.
Planning your visit
- How long: 1 to 2 hours at the park; add 2 to 3 hours for a film and lunch.
- Best time: early for a cooler playground session and a quieter park; Saturday mornings are parkrun time.
- Cost: the park is free, and so is parking at Capalaba Central. Cinema tickets, food and shopping cost extra.
- What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water, and a lead if you are bringing the dog.
- Accessibility: the playground is all-abilities, the parkrun paths are wide and mostly flat, and the toilets are wheelchair accessible.
Getting there and parking
By car, Capalaba is about 21 km from the Brisbane CBD and takes about 30 minutes without traffic. Capalaba Central has free parking, and the regional park has a car park on site.
By public transport, Capalaba has a major bus station, and Event Cinemas says to take a bus to Capalaba Central. If you are coming by train, get off at Birkdale station. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30. More about the centre is on Capalaba Central’s website.
Nearby
- Cleveland – the Redlands’ bayside town centre.
- Cleveland Markets – Sunday markets on Bloomfield Street.
- Raby Bay, Cleveland – foreshore park, harbour and canals.
- Wellington Point Recreation Reserve – beach and playground on Moreton Bay.
- Mount Cotton – bushland trails and a lookout.
- Birkdale – the nearest train station to Capalaba.
- Redland Art Gallery – a rainy day option in the Redlands.
Browse more Redlands day outs and playgrounds.
Events in the area
- Enchanted Christmas Garden – see the post for the next dates.
You might also like
- Sleeman Sports Complex (Chandler)
- The Gabba (Woolloongabba)
- Eagle Farm (Brisbane)
Quick answers
What is there to do in Capalaba?
Visit the all-abilities playground and lagoons at Capalaba Regional Park, then head to Capalaba Central for shopping, lunch and the cinema. IndigiScapes has bush trails and a cafe.
Where is Capalaba Regional Park?
On Pittwin Road North, Capalaba. The parkrun starts behind Bunnings at 13 Pittwin Road North.
Is parking free at Capalaba Central?
Yes, parking is free at Capalaba Central Shopping Centre.
Is there a cinema in Capalaba?
Yes, at Capalaba Central, on the corner of Moreton Bay Road and Old Cleveland Road.
Can I take my dog to Capalaba Regional Park?
Yes. Council lists a fully fenced off-leash area at the park, in the shade behind the playground, and dogs must stay on a leash elsewhere in the park.
How far is Capalaba from Brisbane?
About 21 km, or about 30 minutes by car without traffic.
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