Paradise Point Parklands: Playgrounds, Swimming and Dogs

Paradise Point Parklands is a council park along the Broadwater at Paradise Point on the northern Gold Coast, with two playgrounds, a netted swimming enclosure, shaded picnic areas and an off-leash dog area. It runs along The Esplanade, and most of what a family needs for a few hours is within a short walk of each other.

There is no entry fee. The parklands suit a picnic, a swim in calm water, a play, a walk along the foreshore or a workout, and it is also used for barbecues, sport and weddings.

Playgrounds at Paradise Point Parklands

There are two main playgrounds. The larger one sits under shade trees and has two jellyfish-themed climbing towers, slides, climbing nets, swings, a seesaw, a carousel, an in-ground trampoline and a toddler area.

The smaller playground nearby is set up like an obstacle course for jumping, swinging, climbing and balancing. It is low to the ground and suits early walkers.

The park has also had an upgrade that added an inclusive playground, wheelchair-accessible picnic shelters, barbecues and a drinking fountain, along with new seats, picnic settings and platforms through the parklands. Dogs are not allowed in children’s playground areas.

Swimming at Paradise Point

The swimming enclosure is a large netted area on the foreshore just north of the Ephraim Island bridge, near the corner of Falkinder Avenue and The Esplanade. It sits on a section of beach with shade sails, so parents can sit in the shade while children swim in the calm water. A shopping strip is across the road.

The council says its swimming enclosures are not patrolled by lifeguards, so supervise children at all times. A few more rules from the council:

• Depth changes with the tide, so take care when you walk in.
• Keep clear of the floating collar and the underwater nets.
• Do not swim alone or try to swim out to the boundaries.
• Fishing, yabby pumping and dogs are not allowed in the enclosure.
• Avoid swimming for 3 days after heavy rain, or if the water looks discoloured or murky or smells unpleasant.

Picnics, BBQs and facilities

There are sheltered picnic areas with barbecues, picnic tables, a drinking fountain and a water tap. There are also toilets, showers and a disability toilet, plus a boardwalk and a bicycle track.

For exercise, the park has fitness equipment and a beach volleyball court. Organised fitness sessions are held in the park and are listed on the council’s Active and Healthy calendar.

Is Paradise Point Parklands dog friendly?

Yes, with limits. Dogs must always be on a leash unless they are in a signed designated off-leash area, and tough penalties apply. The off-leash dog area is at the northern end of the park at the Paradise Point foreshore, on the corner of The Esplanade and The Sovereign Mile.

Dogs are not allowed in the swimming enclosure or in children’s playground areas. The council has a dog exercise area map that shows the exact off-leash and dog-prohibited boundaries. Boat Harbour Park on Paradise Parade is a designated off-leash dog park as well.

Paradise Point markets and events

The Art and Craft Beachside Markets are held along The Esplanade on the fourth Sunday of each month, from 8 am to 2 pm. The park is also used for weddings (the council has a park weddings booking page), and other events are listed on What’s On Gold Coast.

Accessibility at the parklands

The park has disability toilets and a Changing Places toilet, and facilities are reached by connecting pathways. The Changing Places toilet is in the public amenities block near the corner of Ephraim Island Bridge and The Esplanade. It has an adult-sized changing bench and a ceiling tracking hoist, and you need to bring your own four-looped sling. Disabled parking bays are in the on-site car park and along The Esplanade.

Planning your visit

• Best for: families with young children, picnics, calm-water swimming and dog walks.
• Cost: free. Weddings and some events need a booking through the council.
• Markets: the fourth Sunday of the month, so expect a busier foreshore that morning.
• What to bring: sunscreen, water, a leash for the dog and a towel if you plan to use the showers.

Getting there and parking

Paradise Point Parklands is on The Esplanade, Paradise Point. It is about 60 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD (about 67 km), without allowing for traffic.

There is an on-site car park and parking along The Esplanade. Check the signs for time limits and any charges, because the council shows its parking rules on the signs in each area.

By bus, Translink route 719 runs between Southport and Paradise Point via Griffith University and the Gold Coast University Hospital. In Paradise Point it stops on Bayview Street near Falkinder Avenue and along Paradise Parade. Check Translink for current times, as services change.

For the council’s own park page, see City of Gold Coast: Paradise Point Parklands.

Nearby

• Esplanade South Park is next door at 25 The Esplanade, with a small playground, barbecues, an outdoor gym and Broadwater views. It has no toilets of its own, so people use the ones at the parklands.
• Southport Broadwater Parklands – rockpools, playgrounds and a pier further south on the same waterway.
• Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area – boardwalks and a bird hide for a quieter walk.
• Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens – walks and a playground inland.
• Hope Island – marina, parks and golf to the north.
• Gold Coast markets – the days and times of the other markets.

More park ideas: parks, playgrounds and the Gold Coast.

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• Runaway Bay (Gold Coast)
• MacIntosh Island Park (Gold Coast)
• Alexandra Hills (Redlands)

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