Southport: Broadwater Parklands, Rockpools and Shops

Southport is the Gold Coast’s central suburb, and its best day out is Broadwater Parklands on the edge of the Broadwater. The parklands have rockpool water play, three playgrounds, a netted swimming enclosure, electric barbecues and four cafes, with Australia Fair and Chinatown a short walk away.

It sits about 74 km from Brisbane, so it works as a day trip with kids, especially in summer when the Rockpools are open from morning to early evening.

Broadwater Parklands

This is the part of Southport most families want. The parklands have grassed areas, shaded shelters, electric barbecues and a fitness area, and the Southport Pier is part of the parklands. For a full guide with maps, see the Southport Broadwater Parklands post.

The Rockpools

The Rockpools water play area has cool water fountains, a creek bed and tidal rockpools, with lifeguards on duty. Opening hours change through the year: 8 am to 6 pm in January, February, November and December, and 9 am to 3 pm from May to August. Most Tuesdays it opens at 11 am. Hours can also change with the weather, so check the council page before you go.

Playgrounds

There are three playgrounds. The Peninsula Playground suits all ages and has a four-level tower. Adventure Play, near the Rockpools, is for younger children and has a pirate ship. The Washington Waters Playground is better for older children, with a flying fox, an accessible Liberty Swing and a bouncy pillow.

Swimming

The parklands have a netted swimming enclosure with a pontoon. It is not patrolled, and the water depth varies with the tide, so keep a close eye on kids.

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is on Marine Parade, Southport. It has two 50 metre outdoor pools, a 25 metre outdoor pool, a heated indoor learn-to-swim pool and a dive pool. It is open Monday to Friday from 5 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 6 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 7 am to 4 pm. Adult entry is $7.60, child entry is $6 and a family pass is $22.

Australia Fair and Chinatown

Australia Fair is at 42 Marine Parade, across the road from the parklands. It is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 10.30 am to 4 pm. Its car park is ticketless.

Chinatown is a council-built streetscape on Young and Davenport Streets, on the western side of Australia Fair. It has wider footpaths for outdoor dining, and the Nerang Street light rail station is about 100 metres away.

Is Southport dog friendly?

Friendly dogs on a leash are welcome in Broadwater Parklands. Dogs are not allowed in the swimming enclosure or any children’s playground area, and there are no off-leash areas in the parklands.

Planning your visit

• How long: 2 to 4 hours for the parklands and a coffee; a full day if you add the Rockpools and the aquatic centre.
• Best time: summer mornings for the Rockpools, and weekdays in school holidays to avoid the crowds.
• Cost: the parklands have no listed entry fee. Parking is metered. The aquatic centre charges entry.
• What to bring: sunscreen, hats, swimmers, a towel and a change of clothes for the kids.
• Accessibility: accessible car parks in the northern, central and southern car parks, wheelchair-accessible barbecues, beach matting to the swimming enclosure and accessible toilets in every block. The Changing Places facility needs a Master Locksmith Access Key.

Getting there and parking

By car, Southport is about 74 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 60 minutes without traffic. Parking at the Broadwater car parks is metered from 7 am to 7 pm, with on-street parking on the Gold Coast Highway and accessible spaces in the northern, central and southern car parks.

By public transport, the G:link light rail has stops at Nerang Street, Southport, Southport South and Broadwater Parklands, and Southport bus station is on Scarborough Street. Plan the trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.

More detail is on the City of Gold Coast’s Broadwater Parklands page, and the aquatic centre has its own site at goldcoastaquaticcentre.com.au. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

• Southport Spit – across the Broadwater, home to Sea World.
• The Spit, Gold Coast – the sandy peninsula north of Main Beach.
• Surfers Paradise – the Gold Coast’s best-known beachfront.
• Helensvale – at the northern end of the G:link line.
• Things to do on the Gold Coast – more ideas for the rest of your trip.

Browse more Gold Coast places and parks.

Events in the area

• Gold Coast Marathon – see the post for the next dates.

You might also like

• Philip Park (Main Beach)
• MacIntosh Island Park (Gold Coast)
• Doug Jennings Park (Main Beach)

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