Damn, this is one fancy suburban park. They don't make parks like this on the south side. Since…read morebecoming a full time mummy, my sister has become an expert on Brisbane parks. She could tell you which park is suitable for different age group, which park has the cleanest BBQ areas or has the most shade or has easy parking or has the best slides. It's a real eye opener tagging along and watching how kids interact with the playground. Whoever designed the Hamilton playground has thought of everything. There are three different designated play areas. One area is clearly for toddlers because the steps are low enough for them to climb up and there are simple slides and seesaws low to the ground. There's an adventure style playground for the older kids (and short adults like me!) with a climbing net and flying foxes. What I was most impressed with was the miniature road set. My nephew was worried that it was a 'real road' and pronounced in a sing song voice that I should get off the road. Once I explained it was a 'pretend road', he happily raced around the track on a pretend motorbike breaking all the road rules but at least giving way to pedestrians. There's an off-leash dog area attached to the park. This looks like gambolling doggy fun with an obstacle course for the bigger dogs. And when you're tired of running around, pop across the road to Portside for a coffee and cake.

Tucked away in a bend of Brisbane River is Colmslie Beach Reserve, aka the Octopus Garden Park…read more It's so much fun and has something for everyone. It's on the river, with a little sandy shore, so you can fish; there are quite a few picnic tables and barbecues (but get in early on weekends); there are wide open spaces for kicking a ball around and lots of shady trees to spread a picnic rug beneath. The funnest part, however is the kid's playground. The Octopus Garden has lots wood and rope climbing areas, big sandpit, water play features, giant colourful fish and octopus play areas and a flying fox. For kids and kids at heart, this place has a lovely vibe, with a backdrop of the river and the Gateway Bridge in the distance, Brisbane City Council's done a really good job here. Check it out.

In my opinion, Newstead Park is the nicest Sunday afternoon hang out in Brisbane. Granted, it's not…read moreas huge as New Farm Park, but the benefits of this are that there's often more space and less crowds. And the trees are beautiful! A friend of mine celebrated their birthday in Newstead Park recently and it had been years since I'd hung out there. We had an afternoon full of food, friends and fun. There's an infectious relaxed vibe to the place and it's hard not to relax when watching the City Glider ride by on the river. Oh, the river! It looks so beautiful from the angle, especially on a beautiful day. It would be a beautiful place to host a wedding or any special occasion. Another friend of mine from overseas has fond memories of Newstead Park and maintains that some of his best times in Australia were simply spent taking a picnic there with some friends and kicking a football around for an afternoon. It proves that it's one of the best picnic spots in all of Brisbane.

This park is small but perfectly formed. The river curves beautifully around the manicured lawns…read moreand there's plenty of gorgeous old trees for shade. Kids can roll around and scream without bothering anyone, and adults can eat cheese and sip wine while enjoying a relaxing afternoon (what is it about the river that just instantly chills you out?) This is definitely a great picnic spot and although it is popular it never feels too crowded.

Did you know before I saw this park, I thought the Mansfield Place Wishart park was one of the…read morebetter ones for kiddies to go to... but I stand corrected. This park has all you need for your kids to have a super great time: 1) Shade - lots of shade for everyone, not just a big tree people hog! 2) A huge ass play area - which stretches about 50 meters! 3) Lots of things for little kids and big kids to play on, with space between so the little ones don't get clobbered! 4) It's across the road from Oxford St, hello... cafes! Restaurants! Food when they get feral. I love this park, it's definetely the best one. I stand corrected. It's in such a great neighbourhood too, really close to the Bulimba ferry which means... close to the water!

This little patch of land by the river seems to be a sop the developers provided to the council…read more(probably in exchange for some prime riverside land). There's not much in the way of trees (although they are growing as fast as they can bless them). There is a kids play ground and a fenced off leash dog area so if you have kids or pets you will no doubt see the point of visiting.

Got a chance to see the Belle Lume Sculpture and just wow! So very aesthetically pleasing to the…read moreeyes. Very sturdy and beautiful!

From the owner: Over the last 40 years the staff of Natureworks has produced the masters for most of the "high…read morequality" fibreglass life-size animal art currently being sold on the world market. Natureworks has been sculpting moulding and casting life-size wildlife for almost 40 years. The collection of moulds of sculptural features now numbers over 2000 different individual pieces. Casts can be made in a variety of materials from Fibreglass, Glass Reinforced Cement (GFRC), Hard-Coated Urethane Foam and Cold Cast Bronze. New pieces are being created all the time. They can be adapted for domestic use, playground or zoological standard and are designed, reinforced & finished to varying standards as appropriate to its use.

Secret's out. Or only Yelpers will know…read more This is the best place for families to view all things fireworks in the sky Brisbane. Forget going to Southbank with the 500,000 people apparently... forget going to Kangaroo Point... still a gadzillion people. The Captain Burke Park is still busy, but you can get a great spot, sitting right under the Story Bridge, full view of everything. They have activities for kids during 'event days' they have food stalls... actually it's getting pretty popular. But no where near the other hot spots. You don't have to get here sparrow's.... and wait all day with whingy kids until the night time when the crowds come to secure your highly coveted spot. You can turn up at 5-6pm and still enjoy the music, the activities the food and sit your blanket down bring some chairs and enjoy the night show.

This park is a gem, hidden away under the Storey Bridge. A great place to kick a ball around, or…read moreromantic wine and cheese with your loved one alongside the river. Check out the website for all the features.

So let's be honest, there is not much at Crosby unless you play sport. Not much in the way of play…read moreequipment or attractive water features. It does however have a lot of beautiful tall trees and lush green grass which is why I like it. I have grabbed a coffee once or twice from somewhere in Albion and then wandered down to the park with a book in hand to relax in the shade on a sunny day. It is really peaceful if there are not too many people around. You don't get a whole lots of traffic noise and there is plenty of parking space.

Webster Road Skate Park is located, on Webster Road, 100 meters behind Sommerset Hills State…read moreSchool. Webby, as known by locals, is a three level skate park where an intermediate skater/blader/biker/scooter can find some good lines. The park is quick and smooth and has a number of 4ft quarter pipes, transition and steep berms to do trick off. There are a few ledges that have been waxed up and are pretty fast. The centrepiece of the park is a 5ft kidney shaped bowl. There are a couple of gazebos around but the park is pretty bare of any shade. If you don't have any transport, make sure you pack a feed and some water as there is only one tap there and the closest shops are a good hike towards Chermside.