Runaway Bay is a northern Gold Coast suburb on the western shore of the Broadwater, with foreshore parks, a bike park and playgrounds for the kids, and the large Runaway Bay Centre. This guide covers the best spots for a day out in Runaway Bay, with parking and dog rules where the council states them.
It is mostly a place for park days and an easy shop, rather than a big attraction, so it suits families who want something low key.
Shearwater Park: swimming on the Broadwater
Shearwater Park, on Shearwater Esplanade, is the foreshore spot for a paddle. The council describes it as a park along the Broadwater with picnic tables scattered around, some shade from trees and a sand bank that gives access to the water. It has a drinking fountain and showers but no toilets.
There is a car park in the park and on-street parking along Shearwater Esplanade. Dogs must be on a lead there, and are never allowed in children’s playground areas.
Runaway Bay Sports Precinct East: bike park, playground and skate bowl
Sports Precinct East, on the corner of Lae Drive and Morala Avenue, is the best stop with small kids. It sits beside Runaway Bay Library and Community Centre.
- Bike park: A shady, flat concrete bike path with two loops. The outer loop goes around the whole park, and the inner loop has learn-to-ride signs, a roundabout and shorter paths. Much of it is under large old trees, and there are seats for parents.
- Playground: Slide, swings, a mini rock climbing wall and a Liberty Swing for children with disability.
- Skate: A small, simple skate bowl that suits younger children.
- Facilities: Barbecues, a picnic shelter and tables, toilets including a disability toilet, a drinking fountain and a water tap.
The precinct also has sports fields, an athletics track and a cycling track. Dogs are not allowed in this park.
Runaway Bay Sports Precinct West
Across on Morala Avenue, Sports Precinct West has soccer fields, cricket pitches, tennis and netball courts, and Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium. It also has a playground, a BMX facility, a skating facility, barbecues, a picnic shelter, toilets including a disability toilet, and a designated dog off-leash area.
Runaway Bay Lions Park and O’Connell Park
Two neighbourhood parks are worth knowing if you have a dog or a picnic planned. Both have playgrounds, picnic shelters, toilets and a drinking fountain, and both have designated off-leash areas where dogs can be exercised under effective control.
- Runaway Bay Lions Park is on Medika Street.
- O’Connell Park is at 40 Ocean Street. It also has barbecues and a disability toilet, and is used for cricket.
Outside signed off-leash areas, dogs must be on a lead, and they are prohibited in children’s playground areas. Council warns that tough penalties apply.
Runaway Bay Centre
Runaway Bay Centre is at 10-12 Lae Drive and has over 120 specialty stores. The big names include Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, Big W and Target, plus pharmacies, banks and Australia Post.
For a break there are cafes and bakeries (Cafe Bella, Crema Espresso, Substance Espresso and Goldies Bake Shop), takeaway such as KFC and Sushi Break. Centre trading hours are 9 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 9 am to 9 pm Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday (individual shops vary, so check the centre’s website).
Planning your visit
- Best for: A park-hopping morning with kids, then lunch at the centre.
- Cost: The parks are free.
- What to bring: Hats and water for the bike park and foreshore, and a lead for the dog.
- Accessibility: Sports Precinct East has a Liberty Swing, and Precinct East and West and the neighbourhood parks have disability toilets (Shearwater Park has no toilets). See the council’s accessible parks page.
Getting there and parking
Runaway Bay is about 60 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD. Shearwater Park has its own car park and on-street parking on Shearwater Esplanade. The centre’s parking details are on the Runaway Bay Centre website.
Nearby
- Southport Broadwater Parklands – rockpools and playgrounds a little south.
- Southport – shops, the Broadwater and more parks.
- Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area – a bird hide and boardwalks.
- Hope Island – marina and parks to the north.
- Helensvale – parks and playgrounds inland.
- More: the parks and Gold Coast pages.
Events in the area
- Runaway Bay Carols – see the post for the next dates.
You might also like
- Paradise Point Parklands (Gold Coast)
- Eight Mile Plains (Brisbane)
- Hemmant (Brisbane)
Quick answers
Where can you swim at Runaway Bay?
Shearwater Park on the Broadwater has a sand bank that gives access to the water, with showers and a drinking fountain. There are no toilets there.
Is there a bike park at Runaway Bay?
Yes. Runaway Bay Sports Precinct East has a shady, flat concrete bike park with a learn-to-ride loop, beside the library.
Are there dog off-leash parks in Runaway Bay?
Yes. Runaway Bay Lions Park, O’Connell Park and Sports Precinct West have designated off-leash areas. Dogs are not allowed in Sports Precinct East.
Where is Runaway Bay Centre?
It is at 10-12 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay.
Are the parks free?
Yes. The council parks listed here have no entry charge.
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