The Fun Ship parkland and playground, at the far northern end of the Cairns Esplanade,…
There are so many free and cheap things to do in Cairns for families with kids, that you don’t need to spend a fortune when living in, or visiting this beautiful region.
Explore our list of free things to do in Cairns by expanding on each of the category tabs.
Cairns Best Playgrounds
Cairns has so many amazing, brightly coloured, or all natural adventure playgrounds to choose from. Many playgrounds offer different features and variety to suit all ages of kids.
With such a beautiful climate in Cairns (most of the time), there is nothing better than getting out and active with the kids at one of these wonderful playgrounds.
Kids About Cairns have checked out the best of Cairns playgrounds, and have chosen some of the better and popular playgrounds to highlight.
We often showcase the smaller playgrounds on our Facebook page, so if you are a local, or staying in Cairns for a while, be sure to follow us, you never know – there’s probably a hidden gem of a playground in your local suburb that you are not aware of.
Our recommendations of must see playgrounds for visiting families
For younger kids, the most popular playground in Cairns is Muddys and the Pirateship playground – both located further up on the Esplanade. The Nature playground at Centenary Lakes and the fenced playground at Edmonton Sugarworld are well worth checking out too.
For older children Muddys playground is also good, but we recommend checking out the Fig Tree playground close to the CBD, Goomboola Park, Bluewater Playground in Trinity Beach, and the Yorkeys Knob Adventure playground as other good choices if you have transport.
Playground Shout Out
We must also mention the amazing playground at Paradise Palms which is located near Kewarra Beach, on the way to Palm Cove. Paradise Palms is part of a resort, however their restaurant and facilities are open to the public. They have a giant swimming pool, a jumping pillow, a flying fox, mini golf and play areas for smaller and older kids. There is a very small charge for using the facilities, or they are included if you purchase meals. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday – https://www.paradisepalms.com.au/leisure#facilities
Free things to do: Cairns Best Playgrounds
Yorkeys Knob Adventure playground is an all ages, all abilities nature playground in the beautiful…
The 5 best playgrounds in Port Douglas Port Douglas, an hour north of Cairns is…
Calling all older kids! Goomboora Adventure Playground and Park, hands down has to be one…
Without a doubt, Muddy’s playground and splash park on the Cairns Esplanade would have to…
The Sugarworld Playground and Parklands in Edmonton Cairns, is a beautiful spot with magnificent surrounds,…
This modern and bright playground is perfect for kids of all ages. Kids will love…
Kids will enjoy exploring inside this giant tree house Older kids will often play in…
The Bluewater playground is a relatively new, million dollar playground set on 9000m2 of parkland…
Nature Playground Cairns The Centenary Lakes Nature Playground is a wonderful play environment for young…
The skate park and playground at the Coast Watchers park in Trinity Beach is extremely…
Jalarra Park and playground is a hidden gem located in Strafford approximately 15 minutes from…
Parks and Gardens
Cairns has an amazing number of parks and gardens to be explored and enjoyed. Many have board walks or cycle tracks, as well as playgrounds, picnic tables and bbqs.
Jalarra Park and playground is a hidden gem located in Strafford approximately 15 minutes from…
The Sugarworld Playground and Parklands in Edmonton Cairns, is a beautiful spot with magnificent surrounds,…
Calling all older kids! Goomboora Adventure Playground and Park, hands down has to be one…
Skate Parks and BMX Tracks
Cairns has some amazing recreational facilities when it comes to skate and BMX tracks. Some are suitable for all ages, including very young kids, while others are suited more for older kids. The local Cairns Council does an amazing job of providing and maintaining these faculties for us to all enjoy, for free!
There is even an ice skating and roller skating rink in Cairns if you prefer indoor sports.
Cairns Best Skate Parks
The Cairns Skate Park on the esplanade The skate park on the Esplanade, (conveniently located opposite the hospital), is Cairns largest skatepark. When it was built, it was a…
The skate park and playground at the Coast Watchers park in Trinity Beach is extremely popular for kids of all ages. While challenging enough for older kids, it is…
Tenni Skate Park in Redlynch is an awesome and popular skate park in Cairns, with brilliant art work, plenty of space, and is good for all levels and abilities.…
BMX Pump Tracks (suitable for scooters and skaters)
The local council have been busy in recent years making and maintaining a number of bitumen BMX pump tracks. “A pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders “pumping”—generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing”. Thank you Wikepedia for the definition.
“The Gamburra Track is the longest bitumen track in Cairns and caters for all levels of riders, scooters and skaters”…
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