Macintosh Island Park

Those looking for a little slice of greenery and a small oasis of peace and quiet from the eternal busyness of Surfers Paradise can head along the Gold Coast highway to Macintosh Island Park - an excellent spot for a family picnic in Surfers Paradise with plenty of grassed areas and facilities to go around. The park is easily accessible from the main road and offers abundant shade for escaping the heat on hot days, with a number of little touches that help make it an enjoyable spot to relax. There's a waterfall that adds an additional layer of tranquility, well-equipped kids playgrounds complete with slides, climbing equipment, swings and more, and gas barbecues available for free public use; everything you'll need to spend several hours is here, and it's entirely free. Macintosh Island Park also has plenty of birdlife such as peacocks and geese which can be both spotted and whose calls add a nice dose of nature to the proceedings, while there's even a small sanded beach on the water's edge. While it's not patrolled, the waters are flat enough to serve as a great little swimming spot that even younger children can enjoy. Add in toilet blocks at each end, and you've got an easy to recommend option for escaping from the main tourist areas of the Gold Coast's glitter strip.