Darra: Parks, BMX Track and Vietnamese Food

Darra is a south-west Brisbane suburb with a free BMX and scooter track, neighbourhood parks with playgrounds and an off-leash dog area, and a strip of Vietnamese restaurants by the railway station. It is about 17 km by road from the Brisbane CBD and has its own train station, so it is an easy trip without a car.

Come for a food stop on Darra Station Road, then burn off energy at one of the parks. Vietnamese refugees began settling in Darra in 1975, and that history shows up in the shops, restaurants and the Linh Son Buddhist temple.

Monier Road Park BMX track

The Darra BMX track is in the north-eastern part of Monier Road Park, reached from Monier Road. It is a free asphalt circuit with two loops, one for younger children and one for older kids, and each loop has entry-level, intermediate and advanced runs. Bikes, scooters and skateboards all suit it. Floodlights are on for night riding.

There is an accessible toilet, concrete paths from the car park to the toilet and picnic shelters, two shade shelters, drinking fountains and a large fig tree. The Monier Park playground sits next to the track, with a ninja-style play space, swings and a shaded seating area. Brisbane City Council sometimes runs BMX skill sessions here, usually in the school holidays.

Ducie Street Park

Ducie Street Park, in the Darra parks list, has a playground with two forts and six slides in total, a toddler train, a spinning sphere, four swings and Australian animal spring riders. Shade sails cover parts of the playground, and it is partly fenced.

The park also has a fenced off-leash dog park with agility equipment, several BBQs, covered and uncovered picnic tables, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a cricket pitch and accessible toilets. Parking is on the street.

Eating in Darra

Darra Station Road and the streets by the railway station are the food strip, with Vietnamese restaurants, bakeries and shops within a short walk of the platforms. Menus and opening hours change, so check each venue before you go.

The Linh Son Buddhist Temple on Rowe Street is a Vietnamese Buddhist temple. It is a place of worship, so be respectful if you stop by.

A short history of Darra

The first subdivisions in Darra date from 1864, and the suburb takes its name from Darra railway station, named in 1876. The Queensland Cement and Lime Company ran a plant here from 1914 until it closed in 1998. Many Vietnamese families settled in the area from 1975, which is why the shops and restaurants near the station look the way they do.

Is Darra worth a visit with kids?

Yes, if the plan is a park and a meal rather than a long day. The BMX track and the Monier Park playground keep older and younger children busy side by side, and Ducie Street Park adds slides, courts and a fenced dog park. Darra station makes it simple to come by train and walk to the food strip.

Planning your visit

• How long: about 2 hours for lunch and a park stop.
• Cost: the parks and BMX track are free. Food is extra.
• What to bring: bikes, scooters or skateboards and helmets for the BMX track; water and a hat.
• Accessibility: accessible toilets at Monier Road Park and Ducie Street Park, and flat paths to the playground at Ducie Street Park. Darra station is listed as accessible.

Getting there and parking

By train, Darra station is in zone 2 and is served by the Ipswich/Rosewood and Springfield Central lines. It has 260 park and ride bays. Use the Translink Journey Planner for times.

By car, Darra is about 17 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 25 minutes without traffic. The Centenary Motorway meets the Ipswich Motorway in the south-west of the suburb. Ducie Street Park has street parking. The BMX track has a car park at Monier Road Park.

Nearby

• Jindalee – a riverside playground, skate park and council pool.
• Rocklea Markets – a big Brisbane market day.
• Rocks Riverside Park – a Brisbane River park with a playground.

Browse more parks, dog parks and things to do in Brisbane.

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