For kids who’d happily swap the couch for a cliff face, BMX track or skate park, the September holidays are looking promising. Brisbane City Council’s program includes $6 abseiling and rock climbing at Kangaroo Point, bouldering at Toohey Forest and free sessions covering mountain biking, BMX, skateboarding and scooters.
There’s a decent spread of skill levels, too. Kids can learn to ride without training wheels in Carina and Bardon, borrow a skateboard at a learn-to-skate workshop, or work on pumping, cornering and jumping at Macgregor’s BMX sessions.
We’ve narrowed it down to nine activities and included the details that matter before you mention any of them to the kids: dates, ages, costs, what to bring and whether you’ll be required to stay or supervise.
Screenshot the overview below and keep it handy. It’s much easier than trying to find a booking link while standing beside a skate park.
This graphic is sized to be screenshotted — pull it up at the skate park without reopening the guide.
Abseiling at Kangaroo Point
Two hours of abseiling with qualified instructors at Kangaroo Point costs $6.
When: Thursday 24 September and Thursday 1 October, 7:30am–9:30am
Where: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park – Meet at Scout Place, 200 River Terrace.
Ages: 10–17
Cost and bookings: $6. Bookings essential through Pinnacle Sports
Supervision: Participants under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the activity.
More information: Abseiling
Rock climbing at Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Qualified facilitators run these rock-climbing sessions on the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
When: Tuesday 22 and Tuesday 29 September, 7:30am–9:30am
Where: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park. Meet at the Nursery Cliffs.
Ages: 10–17
Cost and bookings: $6. Bookings essential through Pinnacle Sports
Supervision: Under-16s need an adult present. Under-13s require an adult belayer.
More information: Rock Climbing
Bouldering at Toohey Forest
Bouldering takes climbing into the bush at Nathan, with participants tackling rocks closer to the ground, without ropes. This will suit kids who’ve tried the roped Kangaroo Point sessions and want to climb without a harness.
When: Wednesday 23 and Wednesday 30 September, 7:30am–9:30am
Where: Toohey Forest Park, 600 Toohey Road, Nathan – Meet at the Toohey Forest Picnic Area.
Ages: 10–17
Cost and bookings: $6. Bookings essential through Pinnacle Sports.
Supervision: Parents/Adults are required to be involved as a spotter (protecting the climber) for this activity. All participants under the age of 16 are required to be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the activity.
More information: Bouldering
Archery adventure
Age-appropriate equipment and inflatable targets give young archers a place to practise. Four park locations make it easier to choose a session close by.
When: Eight sessions between 21 September and 1 October Times vary
Where: 7th Brigade Park, Chermside, Raymond Park, Kangaroo Point, Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill, and Yeronga Memorial Park, Yeronga
Ages: 7–17
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings required through NextGen Archery
More information: Archery Adventure
Junior mountain bike skills at Gap Creek Reserve
This grass-based session is for children who can already ride and want to develop off-road skills. A separate intermediate stream caters to ages 10–15. Check its session times when booking.
When: Saturday 3 October, 8:15am–9:45am, and Sunday 4 October, 1:15pm–2:45pm
Where: Gap Creek Reserve Picnic Area, Gap Creek Road, Mt Coot-tha
Ages: 8–12 for beginners 10–15 for intermediate riders
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings essential through Eventbrite or Ride Technics
Intermediate stream: Ages 10–15
Bring: Helmet, Mountain Bike, Water bottle and closed-in shoes.
More information: Mountain bike skills for juniors
BMX skills at Macgregor
Pumping, cornering and jumping are the focus of these hour-long BMX sessions at D.M. Henderson Park, for riders who already have the basics and want to sharpen their technique.
When: Saturday 26 September, 9am–10am and 10am–11am
Where: D.M. Henderson Park, 434 McCullough Street, Macgregor
Ages: 5–17
Supervision: Riders under 15 need an adult present.
Cost and bookings: Free bookings essential through Eventbrite. For details, phone RampFest on 0421 701 448.
Bring: Helmet, BMX, Water bottle and closed in shoes.
More information: BMX skills
Learn to skate workshops
These workshops supply a skateboard to any child who needs one, so trying the sport doesn’t mean buying gear first. Six locations across Brisbane’s southside and eastern suburbs are running sessions.
When: Six sessions across 21 September, 3 October and 4 October, at 9am–10:30am or 11am–12:30pm
Where: C.A. O’Sullivan Park, Acacia Ridge, Wally Tate Park, Runcorn, Quinn’s Street Park, Balmoral, Murarrie Recreation Ground, Primrose Park, Wynnum West and Ed Devenport Rotary Park, Lota. Meet at each skate park.
Ages: 6–17
Cost and bookings: Free – Bookings essential by email through SEQ Skateboard Coaching
Bring: Helmet, water bottle and enclosed shoes. A skateboard is available if needed.
More information: Learn to skate workshop
Freestyle scooter clinics
With 18 sessions across nine parks and no booking required, these clinics leave room for a spontaneous plan. Pick a participating skate park and check its session time before heading over.
When: 18 weekday sessions between 21 September and 2 October, at 10am–11am or 11am–noon
Where: Nine parks: Dorrington Park, Ashgrove, D.J. Sherrington Park, Inala, Hibiscus Sports Complex, Upper Mt Gravatt, Primrose Park, Wynnum West and Bill Brown Sports Reserve, Fitzgibbon. Meet at each skate park.
Ages: 4–17
Cost and bookings: Free – No booking required
Bring: Two-wheel freestyle scooter, water bottle and mandatory helmet. Optional but recommended: additional safety gear (knee pads, elbow guards etc)
More information: Freestyle scooter clinic
Wheely Fun in Carina and Bardon
Wheely Fun helps children make the move off training wheels.
When: Wednesday 23 September in Carina and Thursday 24 September in Bardon at 8am–9am and 9am–10am
Where: Joe Bradfield Centre Park, 28 Nyrang Street, Carina, and Jubilee Park, Bardon
Ages: Check suitability with the organiser.
Cost and bookings: Free. Bookings essential through Eventbrite. For details, phone Spoke Sixteen on 0468 671 135
Bring: Bike, water bottle and helmet.
More information: Wheely Fun