Rocks Riverside Park is a 26 hectare park on the Brisbane River at Seventeen Mile Rocks, in Brisbane’s south-west, with two playgrounds, a water play area, a jumping pillow and free parking. It is free to enter and open from 6.30 am to 7 pm every day.
Most families come for the playgrounds and the water play area, then stay for a picnic or a walk along the 800 metre riverside promenade.
Playgrounds at Rocks Riverside Park
There are two playgrounds: one for toddlers to 8-year-olds and one for school-aged children. The park also has a jumping pillow and a Liberty swing.
There is a half-size basketball court for older kids, and bikeways and walking tracks run through the park.
Water play area
The water play area has a paddling pool, rock pools and fountains, with a new-look splash pad and shade sails. Brisbane City Council finished the main upgrade in December 2025 and extra surface work in January 2026. The council does not list water play hours or a season, so check the council page or call before you drive out on a hot day.
Picnics and BBQs
There are electric barbecues, shelter sheds, picnic tables and water bubblers. The barbecues are shared with other park users and cannot be booked, so on a busy weekend go early.
The park also has a kiosk, open about 5.30 am to 7 pm, though its hours change with the season and demand.
Walks, bikeways and the river
An 800 metre riverside promenade runs along the Brisbane River, and bikeways and walking tracks cross the park. A community garden is also here.
The park sits on the site of the old Queensland Cement and Lime Company works, which closed in 1999, and it opened in 2003. Look for the old conveyor and other industrial pieces kept as heritage, and public art that draws on the site’s past.
Parties and group bookings
The council lets you book three areas of the park for events. The Entrance holds up to 501 people and allows power and marquees. The Green holds up to 60 people and allows marquees but has no power. The River holds up to 59 people, with no power and no marquees. The electric barbecues stay open to everyone, so book a spot only if you want space to yourselves.
Accessibility
The park has wheelchair-accessible toilets and a Liberty swing. The council does not publish more detail on paths or surfaces, so if you need step-free access to a particular area, call the council on 07 3403 8888 before you go.
Is Rocks Riverside Park dog friendly?
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome. If your dog needs to run off the leash, the council points to the dog park at Delapine Place Park.
Planning your visit
- How long: one to three hours for the playgrounds and water play; longer with a BBQ lunch.
- Best time: mornings, before the park and the car parks fill up on weekends.
- Cost: free. The park has bookable event areas (The Entrance, The Green and The River) if you want a private spot for a party; see Brisbane City Council’s booking page.
- Toilets: wheelchair-accessible toilets are in the park.
- What to bring: hat, sunscreen, water, towels and spare clothes.
Getting there and parking
The park is at 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, about 15 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, which is about 20 minutes by car without traffic.
Parking is free. Two car parks are reached from the main entrance on Counihan Road, there is parking on the ring road, and you can also park on Counihan Road and nearby streets. More detail is on the council’s Seventeen Mile Rocks parks page.
By bus, Translink has a stop named Rocks Riverside Park (stop 75). Use the Translink stop page or journey planner to see which services run on the day you go.
More Brisbane parks to try
- Sherwood Arboretum – a park across the river in Sherwood.
- Captain Burke Park – another Brisbane River park with a nautical playground and BBQs.
- Kalinga Park – a big Brisbane park for a picnic and a run-around.
- Victoria Park – open space and walking near the city.
- South Bank Parklands – Streets Beach, playgrounds and BBQs if you are heading into the city.
- More ideas on the playgrounds and Brisbane pages.
Quick answers
Is Rocks Riverside Park free?
Yes. Entry and parking are free. Only the bookable event areas need a booking through Brisbane City Council.
What are the opening hours?
The park is open from 6.30 am to 7 pm daily. The kiosk opens about 5.30 am to 7 pm, depending on season and demand.
Is there a water play area at Rocks Riverside Park?
Yes, a paddling pool, rock pools and fountains, with a splash pad and shade sails, upgraded by Brisbane City Council in 2025 and 2026. Council does not publish its hours, so check before you go.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash. The council points off-leash dogs to the dog park at Delapine Place Park.
Are there toilets and BBQs?
Yes. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets and electric barbecues that anyone can use, but they cannot be booked.
How far is Rocks Riverside Park from Brisbane CBD?
About 15 km by road, around 20 minutes by car.
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