Game on! Best parks for honing sporting skills

Winter sports are in full swing and we’ve compiled a list of Sunshine Coast Council parks that are accessible and free to little sporting legends looking to improve their skills.

Our parks play a key role in supporting and encouraging the local community to engage in spots and outdoor activities.

Beyond the physical benefits, engaging in outdoor team sports fosters resilience, teamwork and invaluable life skills.

Whether it’s basketball, footy, netball, soccer or table tennis, there are endless possibilities to discover at our local parks.

Here are some local favourite parks for winter sports:

Aroona Park, Aroona

With a massive 2.8 hectares and impressive facilities, Aroona Park is a great place for active kids. This neighbourhood park offers basketball and netball half courts, multi-sports field goal and a cricket pitch, all nicely spaced.

It's perfect for an afternoon skill session or you could pack a picnic and make a day of it with the park offering plenty of natural shade, gazebo style shelter, barbecues and picnic tables.

Pack the scooter or bike and learn to ride at the children's cycle track, equipped with road line markings and road signs.

Amenities: barbecues, playground, shelter, picnic tables, playground, cycle education track, basketball half court, netball half court and cricket pitch.
Location: Miranda Street, Aroona

Des Scanlan Park, Cotton Tree 

Located in the heart of Cotton Tree, Des Scanlan Park offers two basketball half courts, and a modified netball court.

Next to the courts are outdoor table tennis tables and a large grassy area perfect for kicking and throwing a ball around.

Take the connecting pathway and explore all Cotton Tree Park has to offer. A family favourite, Cotton Tree certainly has plenty to offer with a playground stretching along the riverfront park, Coastal Pathway and plenty of shelter thanks to the namesake cotton trees that grow abundantly along the banks of the river.

Amenities: picnic tables, basketball court, netball court and table tennis tables.
Location: 40-50 Cotton Tree Parade, Cotton Tree

Peregian Ridges Sports Complex, Peregian Springs

Loved by locals, this hidden gem offers more than meets the eye. This complex has impressive facilities for kids wanting to improve their ball skills or burn some energy at the skate park.

It offers a basketball half court with a netball hoop and post, exercise equipment, playground and a large skate park facility.  

Amenities: playground, shelter, exercise equipment, basketball court, netball hoop and skate spark.
Location: Ridgeview Drive, Peregian Springs

Spitfire Banks Drive Park, Pelican Waters

Kick things up a notch at Spitfire Banks Drive Park! Located at the south-end of the Coast, this large park and sports field is perfect for building skills and get ready for the big game.

With its spacious courts for netball and basketball, little athletes have plenty of room to practise their moves and perfect their shots. Why not try your skills on the bocce court or build strength with the exercise equipment.

Take to the large field and aim straight for the goals with the impressive sports field perfect for AFL, rugby and football practice whilst parents and carers can watch from the covered shelters.

Amenities: toilets, shelter, exercise equipment and separate parkour area, basketball court, netball court, bocce court and sports field with multi-sports field goal.
Location: Spitfire Banks Drive, Pelican Waters

George VI Memorial Park, Yandina

This leafy park in the heart of Yandina has plenty to offer budding netball, basketball and footy players.

Grab your mates and shoot some hoops at the basketball half court or netball hoop. Pack your footy or soccer ball, head towards the large grassy field for some skill practice.

The park features a skate park perfect for skating, scooting and BMX riders. Keep the little ones entertained at the nearby playground.

Pack a picnic and take advantage of the native shady trees for a well-deserved half-time snack.

Amenities: playground, picnic tables, barbecues, toilets, shelter, drinking fountain and skate park.
Location: Farrell Street, Yandina

Discover more of the Sunshine Coast’s parks via the Beaches and Parks Directory.

Our Sunshine Coast community has access to:

• 1,340 recreation parks and open spaces
• 376 playgrounds
• 75 basketball courts
• 57 exercise equipment nodes in parks
• 46 dog exercise areas
• 30 skate parks
• 1,352 shelters
• 377 drinking fountains
• 329 barbecues
• 202 public amenities
• 182 showers