Top 5 parks in The Gap, Brisbane

If you live, work or play in The Gap and you have a few hours to kill, or maybe you are looking for your next adventure, or want to entertain the kids in over the Christmas break – here’s a list you shouldn’t miss.

We have hand-picked the top five parks in one of Brisbane’s favourite leafy, hilly suburbs.

WALTON BRIDGE RESERVE

Glen Affric Street  

The new and improved Walton Bridge Reserve is roaring fun. Comprised of three distinct recreational spaces, this reserve is ideally suited to nature lovers and little explorers.

Brisbane City Council has recently upgraded the park by extending the play area with a new all-abilities playground, improved picnic areas, plantings of additional shade trees and constructed new restroom facilities.

Situated alongside Enoggera Creek, the Walton Bridge Reserve is home to a flying fox, numerous climbing structures, an imaginative wooden fort playground, several barbecues and picnic tables, and a popular skate park.  And if it’s a scorcher of day, The Gap Shopping Village is only walking distance away!

Walton Bridge Reserve. Source: Brisbane Kids.

WITTONGA PARK

Hilder Road

Rally the troops, slap on some sunscreen, pack a picnic and prepare yourself for an outdoor adventure at Wittonga Park. There truly is something for everyone here, including a colourful kids playground, off-leash dog area, picnic tables, football field, basketball half court, BMX circuit, creek to explore, cricket pitch, restrooms and plenty of open space to ride bikes and scooters.

The flat bike track and walkway is the perfect place for kids to hone their riding or roller blading techniques. And if you’re riding solo, there’s a tennis rebound wall to use.

Wittonga Park. Source: Weekend Notes.

PATEN PARK

Paten Road

Paten Park takes playing among the gum tress to a whole new level. Located at the base of Mt Coot-tha is 6.19 hectares of pure bliss. Comprising a children’s playground and off-leash dog area, there’s plenty to keep the little explorers and our furry friends busy.

The theme of the playground is Paten Park Nursery, where kids can pretend to run a garden shop selling plants and flowers. There is also a basketball half court, bikeway and habitat restoration site.

Venture over to Paten Park’s Native Nursery where you can find everything from bird-attracting plants to bush tucker, butterfly hosts, koala food plants and rainforest gardens.

Paten Park. Source: @PatenParkNativeNursery Facebook Page.

ALFRED & LUCINDA BEST PARK

Payne Road

As the name suggests, this park is one of the best. With a basketball keyway, BMX track, bikeway, walkway, netball court and wheelchair access, this park is the ideal location for sports goers of all abilities.

And if you’re not so sporty, perhaps you can pack some sandwiches, fruit, drinks and yummy snacks into a picnic basket and head down to Alfred and Lucinda Best Park for a relaxing afternoon under the shade of the overarching trees.

Alfred and Lucinda Best Park. Source: Rachid Ghariss, Google Review.

ENOGGERA DAM

Mt Nebo Road

If you’re in that in-between mood when you’re not so lively but want to get outside the house, then head down to Enoggera Dam where resident ducks are eagerly awaiting an afternoon feed. Remember to take some food for yourself and make an afternoon out of it.

Enoggera Creek is a great place to take the kids to blow off some steam and wind down – and it’s a hit for little wildlife lovers!

If it’s a steaming afternoon, take your bathers and cool down in the dam – one of The Gap’s leading bush water playgrounds. On the weekends, crowds of swimmers cool off on inflatable swans, donuts and kayaks.

Enoggera Dam. Source: Brisbane Kids.