Carindale is a south-east Brisbane suburb best known for Westfield Carindale, but its best family stop is the space-themed playground at Rocket Park. It is about 15 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic, so it works as an easy half day: park time in the morning, then lunch and a movie.
The suburb takes its name from a housing estate built in 1976, which became the official suburb in 1980. Today it is a busy shopping and cinema hub with a big bus interchange, plus a handful of local parks.
Rocket Park: Carindale Recreation Reserve
Rocket Park is the local name for Carindale Recreation Reserve, entered from Cadogan and Bedivere Streets. The playground has a rocket, a moon car, swings, a rope pyramid, moon rocks and a double slide, on a bark and rubber base.
Shade structures cover the playground equipment and large trees shade much of the park. The playground is only partly fenced (a fence runs along the park’s internal road), so keep an eye on little ones who bolt.
Facilities at Rocket Park
- Wheelchair-accessible toilets.
- Several shaded barbecue areas and a large grassy green space.
- A basketball half court, a tennis wall and an exercise circuit.
- An off-road car park.
Brisbane City Council is upgrading the reserve in stages, starting with a new park entry from Cadogan Street, more car parking and upgraded shared paths. Its project page says the park will largely stay open during works. Later stages depend on funding.
Is Carindale dog friendly?
Yes, at Rocket Park. Brisbane City Council lists a dog off-leash area in the reserve of about 1,810 square metres, at 27 Cadogan Street. A dog park directory describes a single area for all dogs with seating, a water tap and a bin. Council is planning upgrades to the reserve, so follow the signs when you arrive. Everywhere else in the park, keep your dog on a leash.
Westfield Carindale
Westfield Carindale is at 1151 Creek Road and has about 450 stores, including Myer, David Jones, Coles, Target and Kmart. It opened in 1979.
Carindale cinema
The Event Cinemas complex is on level 3, above the food court. It has eight theatres, including two Gold Class and two V-Max, and a licensed cafe and bar (Set Café & Bar), and the foyer is licensed too. The cinema car park is on level 3, entered from Carindale Street.
Planning your visit
- How long: 1 to 2 hours at Rocket Park; add 2 to 3 hours for a film and lunch at Westfield.
- Cost: the park is free. Cinema tickets, food and shopping cost extra.
- What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, water, and a dog lead if you are bringing the dog.
- Accessibility: the toilets at Rocket Park are wheelchair accessible. Check the Westfield website for the centre’s accessibility information.
Getting there and parking
By car, Carindale is about 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD without traffic. Rocket Park has its own car park, and council plans more spaces and a new entry from Cadogan Street as part of the upgrade. Event Cinemas says the first three hours in the cinema car park (level 3, from Carindale Street) are free.
By bus, Carindale bus station is next to the centre and works as a major hub, linking the city, the Redlands and several university campuses. Translink lists route 200, an express between Carindale Heights and the city, among the services. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30. Check the centre’s own pages at Westfield Carindale and the cinema at Event Cinemas for hours and session times.
Nearby
- Mount Gravatt Lookout – city views, a cafe and bush walks on a hill in Brisbane’s southern suburbs.
- Karawatha Forest – bush walks and a discovery centre for a quieter half day.
- Coorparoo – the inner south-east suburb closer to the city.
- Woolloongabba – the inner-south suburb around the Gabba.
- Wynnum – Moreton Bay foreshore on the bayside.
- Wynnum Wading Pool – a tidal pool and water play for hot days.
Browse more parks, playgrounds and Brisbane day outs.
You might also like
- Tingalpa (Brisbane)
- Murarrie (Brisbane)
- Mowbray Park (East Brisbane)
Quick answers
What is there to do in Carindale?
Visit Rocket Park’s space-themed playground and dog park, then spend the rest of the day at Westfield Carindale with its shops, food court and Event Cinemas.
Is parking free at Westfield Carindale?
Event Cinemas says the first three hours in the cinema car park are free. Check the Westfield website for the current parking rules.
Where is Rocket Park in Carindale?
Rocket Park is Carindale Recreation Reserve, entered from Cadogan and Bedivere Streets.
Is there a cinema in Carindale?
Yes, Event Cinemas is on level 3 of Westfield Carindale, above the food court. It has eight theatres, including two Gold Class and two V-Max.
How far is Carindale from Brisbane CBD?
About 15 minutes by car without traffic. Buses run from Carindale bus station to the city.
Is the playground fenced?
Only partly. A fence runs along the internal park road, but the playground is not fully enclosed.
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