Murarrie is a mostly industrial suburb on the Brisbane River and Bulimba Creek, and its day out is two reserves: Colmslie Beach Reserve, with a sea-creature playground on the river, and Murarrie Recreation Reserve, home of the Brisbane International Cycle Park. Both are within about 20 minutes of the Brisbane CBD by car.
If you are looking for shops and cafes, go elsewhere. Come to Murarrie for the riverside play area, a picnic or a ride on a purpose-built track.
Colmslie Beach Reserve
Colmslie Beach Reserve, at 152 Colmslie Road, fronts the Brisbane River. There are picnic shelters with tables, electric barbecues, a learn-to-ride track with speed humps and road signs, accessible toilets, plenty of seating and shade from mature trees and shade sails. A boardwalk and stairs lead down to the river.
The Octopus Garden playground
The playground is themed around the sea. There are octopus, fish and crab sculptures, a yellow submarine to climb, slides, climbing equipment, water play, balance beams, a flying fox and a musical boat. It is the main reason families come. The playground is only semi-fenced and the wider park is unfenced, so keep an eye on little ones. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, so bring repellent.
Beyond the sculptures, there are swings, water play buttons, a dry creek bed and a rickety bridge, so kids can run a loop rather than queue for one slide. The surface is bark, sand and rocks, which can be hard going for some children.
The learn-to-ride track
Near the boardwalk, the bike and scooter track has speed humps and road signs for kids to practise on, and a pit stop with a tyre pump and basic tools. Bring a helmet and the bikes or scooters.
From the boardwalk you get a view across the Brisbane River towards the Gateway Bridge, with low-flying planes overhead.
Brisbane International Cycle Park
The Brisbane International Cycle Park is at Murarrie Recreation Reserve, 1238 Wynnum Road. It has an international-standard criterium track, a 500 metre skating track and a clubhouse, and the track is open to everyone, whether you cycle, skate or just want a casual ride. The site was the long-time home of Balmoral Cycling Club, which still holds a licence for Saturday morning racing, and the 34 hectare reserve also takes in viewing mounds around the track. Expect it to be busier on Saturday mornings.
Hours and any booking rules are on Brisbane City Council’s website, so check before you go.
Skating, scooting and the canoe ramp
Murarrie Skate Park is in the same reserve, and the reserve also has a playground, barbecues, a scooter track, a bikeway and a canoe ramp for launching a paddle craft.
A little history
The area was first called Mooraree, after a house built in 1861, and the suburb and its railway station were renamed Murarrie in 1907.
Queensport and Gibson Island are recognised neighbourhoods within Murarrie. Today most of the suburb is industrial, with houses in the south-west, and the Gateway Motorway crosses it.
Planning your visit
- How long: one to two hours at Colmslie Beach Reserve; add time for the cycle park.
- Best time: mornings and late afternoons, when the sun is lower on the playground.
- Cost: no entry fee is listed for either reserve. Food is extra.
- What to bring: food, water, sunscreen, and your own bike, scooter or skates for the cycle park.
- Toilets: accessible toilets at Colmslie Beach Reserve.
- Shade: mature trees and shade sails at Colmslie, so it works on a warm day.
Getting there and parking
Colmslie Beach Reserve is about 10 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 20 minutes by car, and the cycle park is about the same. The cycle park has a car park.
By train, Murarrie station is on the T4 line, with services towards Shorncliffe and Cleveland. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
Making a day of it
Murarrie works best as one stop in a bigger day. Start with a morning ride or skate at the cycle park, have a picnic lunch at Colmslie Beach Reserve, then head on to the bay or into Bulimba for a coffee. Because the suburb has no cafe strip of its own, packing lunch keeps the day simple.
Nearby
- Wynnum – bayside parks, the esplanade and the wading pool further east.
- Wynnum Wading Pool Park – a free tidal pool for a hot day.
- Carindale – the nearest big shopping centre.
- Bulimba – riverside cafes and parks across the river.
- Boxhead Park, Lota – a bayside playground and picnic spot.
Browse more parks and playgrounds in Brisbane.
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Quick answers
What is there to do in Murarrie?
Take the kids to the Octopus Garden playground at Colmslie Beach Reserve, picnic by the river, or ride and skate at the Brisbane International Cycle Park.
Is there a playground at Colmslie Beach Reserve?
Yes, a sea-themed playground with a climbable yellow submarine, slides, water play and a flying fox. It is only semi-fenced.
Is the Brisbane International Cycle Park open to the public?
Yes, the track is open to everyone for cycling, skating and casual riding. Check Brisbane City Council’s website for hours and any booking rules.
Are there toilets and barbecues?
Colmslie Beach Reserve has accessible toilets, picnic shelters and electric barbecues.
Can I get to Murarrie by train?
Yes. Murarrie station is on the T4 line towards Shorncliffe and Cleveland.
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