Little Brisbane Bubblers: 6 Splash Pads, Pools & Water Play Spots for Family Fun This October

The Brisbane heat is officially turning up! With the flowers blooming and summer just around the corner, October is the perfect time to explore Brisbane's incredible array of public pools and free water play parks.

From iconic inner-city beaches to sprawling regional lagoons, we've found the best aquatic fun that features great shade, safety, and amenities for your little Brisbane bubblers. Get the sunscreen ready and dive into the fun!

This is the quintessential water play Brisbane experience. Right in the heart of the city, South Bank offers three distinct water areas, making it perfect for families of all ages.

Why You’ll Love It 

You have the choice of the famous Streets Beach (Australia's only inner-city man-made beach with sand and lifeguards), the nearby Boat Pool, and the interactive Aquativity water-play park. It's fully patrolled, surrounded by parklands, and right next to fantastic picnic and BBQ facilities.

• Street Address: South Bank Parklands, South Brisbane QLD 4101

• Dates: Open Daily. Streets Beach and Boat Pool are patrolled during warmer months.

• Ticket Information: Free entry!

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Aquativity is a shallow, interactive playground with fountains and water features—perfect for toddlers. The whole area is surrounded by great amenities, public transport, and plenty of space for a picnic.

For families wanting a full aquatic experience with slides, look no further than this northern Brisbane favourite. It combines a traditional pool complex with a massive water park.

Why You’ll Love It 

Chermside is home to Brisbane's largest water park section (open weekends and school holidays from October - April). It features twisty slides, a splash lagoon, and water cannons. The facility also includes a 25m heated outdoor pool and an indoor heated pool, offering options for all weather and swimming abilities.

• Street Address: 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside QLD 4032

• Dates: Waterpark open weekends and school holidays (October - April) from 10 am to 5 pm. Pools open year-round.

• Ticket Information: Entry fees apply. Children's and Family passes are available.

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: Check the website for the Waterpark opening hours before you go, as it's seasonal. The centre provides plenty of shaded areas around the pool decks.

A short drive southwest of Brisbane, Orion Lagoon is a spectacular, sprawling network of interconnected pools within the Robelle Domain parklands. It’s easily one of the best free pools for kids Brisbane families can visit.

Why You’ll Love It 

This attraction feels like a luxury resort pool but is completely free! It offers different depth areas, from super-shallow wading zones (0.3m depth) for toddlers to a 50m lap swimming area (up to 1.5m deep). The surrounding parklands include BBQ pavilions and shade sails for all-day comfort.

• Street Address: 155 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central QLD 4300

• Dates: Open Daily (Hours typically 5 am - 9 pm in the warmer months).

• Ticket Information: Free entry!

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: The lagoon often hosts a popular wood-fired pizza food truck on weekends. Get there early on a hot day, as it can get busy! There is free parking nearby (often at the shopping centre across the road).

Head to the breezy bayside for this classic and charming spot, perfect for a salty water experience. Wynnum offers a historic tidal pool and a modern aqua park.

Why You’ll Love It 

The Wynnum Wading Pool (originally opened in the 1930s) is a huge, safe tidal pool filled with seawater at high tide, offering a unique ocean swim without the waves. Right next door is the modern Wynnum Aqua Park (or Whale Park), featuring whale-themed water-spouters, an overhead tipping bucket, and a toddler play area.

• Street Address: 137 Wynnum Esplanade, Wynnum QLD 4178

• Dates: Open 24 hours (Aqua Park features may vary). Wading Pool is refilled on the high tide.

• Ticket Information: Free entry!

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: This park has ample shade from mature trees, a playground, and is right near Pandanus Beach for a bit of sand-play. Grab some local fish and chips for a true Bayside lunch.

Located on the banks of the Brisbane River in Seventeen Mile Rocks, this sprawling park is a favourite in the western suburbs for its expansive playground and shallow water features.

Why You’ll Love It 

While it doesn't have a deep pool, it's a fantastic spot for toddlers and younger kids. The water play area includes shallow bathing pools, fountains, and fun jets. The area is largely flat, making it easy to keep an eye on the kids, and it’s well-known for its abundant grassy areas and shaded picnic spots.

• Street Address: 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, Seventeen Mile Rocks Qld 4073

• Dates: Open Daily (Park hours typically dawn to dusk).

• Ticket Information: Free entry!

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: This is a destination park. Pack your bikes or scooters, as the paths around the park are perfect for riding. The BBQ facilities are clean and plentiful, making it a great day-trip spot.

For a dedicated, zero-depth splash parks QLD experience in the North, Ferny Grove is a must-visit. It's one of Brisbane's newer, fully accessible water play areas.

Why You’ll Love It 

This is a splash pad with zero water depth, making it perfectly safe and accessible for all ages and abilities. It features a range of fun elements like water cannons, misting sprayers, and a large overhead tipping bucket that generates squeals of excitement every few minutes! It's a great spot to cool off without the worry of deep water.

• Street Address: Corner of Samford Road and Upper Kedron Road, Keperra QLD 4054

• Dates: Open Daily (Typically 9 am - 5 pm in warmer months).

• Ticket Information: Free entry!

• Family Tips: Insider Tip: There are BBQs and picnic facilities adjacent to the aqua park, so you can easily turn it into a full morning or afternoon play session. It's ideal for a child's birthday party or group gathering.