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Biggest headache on the weekend is always finding new ways to burn off the kids’ energy. Today we took them to a park they’ve been liking lately, on the bayside, about half an hour’s drive from the south side.
Airlie’s Playground, and then Cafe La Mer afterwards. We stayed about three hours in total and it felt like exactly the right amount.
Fenced, With Sand
Biggest plus for me, there’s sand to play in, and the whole playground is fenced. For a 2 year old who runs everywhere, that matters a lot. I don’t have to chase him around the whole time, the play area is clearly marked out, and I can relax a bit more as a parent. You can see the black fence all the way around in my photos.
What’s In There
It’s not a huge playground, and there’s a decent amount for little kids. Red and blue ladybird-shaped domes with holes cut in them for crawling through. A red ladybird spring rider, my kid hopped straight onto that one.
A few small wooden cubby houses painted red and blue-and-cream stripes, like beach huts, each with little wooden stairs up the front. A yellow slide off one side and a red tube slide off the other. Swings as well. Most of the area is covered by big shade sails, which helped a lot with the sun. I’d say it suits kids about 1 to 5 years old best.
Cafe La Mer Afterwards
After the kids wore themselves out, we walked over to Cafe La Mer for coffee and brunch. It’s sitting under a big tree, right by the inner harbour where the boats are parked. Lovely spot to sit down, and the kids had space to settle after all the running around.
How Long to Stay
You don’t need to plan a whole day around it. Three hours out is comfortable. The park handles the kid’s energy, the cafe handles the parents staying alive.
Airlie’s Playground
Lota, Brisbane Bayside
Cafe La Mer
570 Royal Esplanade, Manly QLD 4179
If you’re exploring the bayside, our ilo Bakehouse in Wynnum review is a good next stop for coffee and pastries by the water. For other Brisbane day trips, check our IndigiScapes Centre and White Ridge Farm reviews, or our QLD school holidays and term dates for 2026 page for planning around the holidays.
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