11 Best BBQ Spots On The Gold Coast To Fire Up The Barbie [2026 Update]

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Is there anything better than the smell of BBQ, the sound of meat sizzling, and the pristine Pacific Ocean as your backdrop? If this sounds idyllic to you, then you might be wondering where are the best BBQ spots on the Gold Coast. There is nothing more Australian than throwing a few sausages on the barbie amongst family and friends down by the beach or in a lovely park.

Having a BBQ picnic is one of our favourite things to do as a family for a budget-friendly eating experience. When you have kids like us, it’s far more relaxing to fire up the barbie than dine in a cramped cafe or restaurant and worry about spilled drinks and keeping the kids still.

The Gold Coast boasts more than 380 barbecues spread out along the beaches, parks, and reserves. The council does a great job of maintaining and cleaning these free gas BBQs for us all to enjoy. But where are the best BBQs on the Gold Coast? If you want to make delicious food and make the most of these facilities, whilst enjoying the stunning scenery on offer, here are the best BBQ spots to check out!

1. Burleigh Point

My personal favourite spot for a BBQ in Goldy is Burleigh Point. I’m biased, I know, as it’s where we lived, but as far as ocean views and chilled-out vibes go – it’s hard to beat Burleigh Point! We love having a barbie on the grass in the sunshine with our kids and countless other locals enjoying the scene.

There are gas BBQ facilities (we brought our own Weber this time) and plenty of picnic tables scattered along the headland. Why not bring a blanket and grab a spot on the grass? We love watching the surfers carve up the waves, and there’s a kids’ playground to keep them happy. Not to mention, this is one of the best sunset locations on the Goldy! Plus, you’re close to town if you’ve forgotten any supplies.

2. Rainbow Bay

I love Rainbow Bay. In fact, doing the coastal walk from Coolangatta around to Snapper Rocks next to Rainbow Bay Surf Club is one of our favourite family activities. Rainbow Bay is Queensland’s southernmost beach with Greenmount Hill as a backdrop.

It’s a popular spot for families looking to BBQ and picnic at the beach. And if you hang around long enough in the afternoon, you’ll get brilliant views of the setting sun all the way over behind the skyline of Surfers Paradise. There are free barbecues you can use, with several picnic tables and restrooms nearby. If you want to go for a swim, there are gentle waves and showers. The only downside is that there isn’t a lot of parking here, so you may need to plan ahead for finding a space.

3. Tallebudgera Creek

Scenic Tallebudgera Creek is another relaxing spot to gather with your friends or family for a BBQ breakfast or lunch. There are several beaches and banks along the creek that offer gentle waters for the kids to have a swim. The BBQ facilities are towards the mouth of the creek, in Tallebudgera Creek Park, and framed by Burleigh Heads National Park on one side and Palm Beach on the other.

There are BBQ and picnic tables, plus some shaded areas if the sun gets too hot. There’s also a small kids’ playground and a sandy beach area to relax on. Bring your kayak and stand-up paddleboard and have a paddle on the calm water while your steak sizzles on the barbie! Plus, parking is free!

4. Laguna Park, Palm Beach / Currumbin

Laguna Park in the Palm Beach / Currumbin area overlooks a lake and features several barbecue and undercover picnic areas, an amenities block, and has one of the best kids’ playgrounds on the Gold Coast. If you’re running low on refreshments, there’s the Third Base Cafe just across the road.

What we like about this park is that the BBQs are dotted around it, so everyone has enough space to spread out and not feel like they’re cooking on top of each other. Also, safety is key in this park, as electrical equipment next to the BBQ is triple-padlocked in a steel box. The park is also fenced, ensuring safety for kiddies. It’s a prime spot to throw a few snags on the barbie and let the kids run free.

5. Justin Park & Burleigh Esplanade

Justin Park has a great playground with slides and a climbing frame, but it’s also a great BBQ spot, too. You have million-dollar views of beautiful Burleigh Beach, gas BBQs you can use for free, and picnic tables on the grass area under the trees.

You’re in the heart of everything here, and each Sunday there’s usually live drumming or other entertainment going on, or later in the day you could slip into the nearby surf club for a sneaky sunset beer. Whilst in Burleigh, stroll along The Esplanade up to North Burleigh there’s BBQ and picnic table facilities, and every day you’ll see locals or holiday makers making the most of it.

6. Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach Waters

One minute drive north of the heart of Broadbeach, on the opposite side of the Gold Coast Highway, you’ll find Cascade Gardens (turn left at St Kilda Ave). It’s like a calming oasis away from the hustle of Broadbeach with BBQs dotted along the canal and plenty of trees for shade, picnic tables and a modern toilet block.

There are free electric BBQs for visitors to use, but there are only about six of them, and this is a popular spot, so I urge you to visit early in the day to ensure you get one. There’s a large open grass area the kids can run around on, plus a well-equipped playground.

7. Kurrawa (Prattan Park)

If you want to be right in the heart of Broadbeach, then you can’t go past Kurrawa Pratten Park on the beach directly south of Kurrawa Surf Club. Prattan Park is a favourite with locals and holiday makers with excellent BBQ and picnic facilities (which they are free to use), and a large open grass area. It also has a great playground for kids to run around in.

When the kids are done with the interactive playground equipment, you’ve got the beach right there! One thing to note is that the BBQs are free to use, but parking is a bit of an issue here, as the surf club nearby is so popular. Try to get there early to find a space.

8. Currumbin Rock Pools

This spot is one of our favourites! It’s off the beaten track a little, at a 15-minute drive from Currumbin Beach. The Rock Pools are a favourite spot with the locals and are a lovely area for a family day out and BBQ on the grassy river bank.

Whilst cooking up the barbie on one of the free BBQs, the kids can swim and splash about in the varying pool depths and enjoy a rope swing and rock slide or two. There are picnic tables and toilets at close hand, and just another five minutes along Currumbin Creek Road is the Mount Cougal section of Springbrook National Park.

The only downside is that the BBQ area is a little distance away from the pools, so be sure to take it in turns to have an adult supervise the kids while the other whips up some great food.

9. Palm Beach Parklands (Pirate Park)

Palm Beach Parklands, also known as the Pirate Park due to the themed playground, is one of the most popular family areas on the Gold Coast. Make a date for a barbecue here with friends and enjoy the view overlooking lovely Currumbin Cove, whilst your kids entertain themselves at the playground or have a game of cricket or touch footy on the grass.

There are free onsite BBQ and toilet facilities, and the Doon Cafe is right there if you’re up for a freshly brewed takeaway coffee. There are only four BBQ pits, though, so be sure to get there early as it’s first come, first served.

10. Paradise Point

Paradise Point Parklands comes highly recommended by the locals as a great place to BBQ. At the northern end of the Gold Coast, the consensus seems to be that it has everything for a top family BBQ spot – clean public BBQs, picnic areas, large playground, open grass area, shady trees, a lagoon for swimming, views over to Sovereign Island, and there are shops and cafes across the road if you need something extra.

Apparently, you need to get in early on a weekend for a table as it’s that popular. This site offers free electric BBQs within a shaded area.

11. Broadwater Parklands, Southport

A short drive north of Surfers Paradise brings you to Southport, which has a great BBQ spot. Here you have a three-kilometre stretch of open parklands along the Broadwater foreshore, perfect for family gatherings.

Relax around the BBQ and covered picnic tables with lovely water views whilst your kids will be entertained for hours at the playground, swimming in the patrolled beach area or splashing about at Rockpools. You’ve got the Rockpool Cafe on-site and Australia Fair Shopping Centre across the road for any needed supplies.

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