While I don’t offer on-location event photography, I do specialise in capturing the joy and cheekiness of first birthday cake smash sessions in the studio — and one of the most common questions I’m asked by parents is:
“Do you have any recommendations on where to host our baby’s first birthday party?”
So I’ve pulled together a list of my favourite local parks and play centres that are perfect for celebrating your little one’s big milestone. Let’s start with beautiful parks for our DIY-loving families who enjoy setting up picnics, and indoor play centres — ideal for those who just want to sit back, relax, and let the kids play safely while everything is taken care of.
1. Roma Street Parkland
A lush city oasis with themed gardens, shaded lawns, BBQs, and two fantastic playgrounds.
✅ Fully fenced toddler play space
✅ Clean public toilets with baby change facilities
✅ Flat grassy areas for picnic rugs
✅ Nearby parking & public transport access
📸 Instagram: @romastreetparkland
2. South Bank Parklands
This riverside favourite is packed with family-friendly features: a toddler-friendly splash area, playgrounds, a man-made beach, and plenty of shade.
✅ Toilets with baby change rooms
✅ Water play & beach lagoon for supervised toddler splashing
✅ Pram-friendly walkways
✅ Shaded picnic areas, BBQs & nearby cafés
📸 Instagram: @visitsouthbank
3. Teralba Park
A quiet northside gem, perfect for laid-back first birthday picnics.
✅ Fenced toddler playground with soft-fall flooring
✅ Natural shade from mature trees
✅ Picnic shelters, BBQs & toilets on-site
✅ Pathways for pram access and scooters
4. New Farm Park
An iconic location with a spacious playground, scenic river views, and plenty of space to roam.
✅ Giant shaded playground with toddler-friendly areas
✅ Nearby toilets (though baby change can be a walk)
✅ Flat lawn spaces ideal for picnic setups
✅ Historic rotunda for sheltered seating
5. Rainbow City Play Centre
A clean and modern indoor soft play centre, tailored specifically to the littlest party guests.
✅ Age-zoned play areas for babies, toddlers & under 5s
✅ Enclosed, air-conditioned environment
✅ On-site café with high chairs and snacks
✅ Dedicated party rooms with optional catering
6. Robelle Domain Parklands
A favourite for Springfield Lakes families, with its water features and natural playgrounds.
✅ Interactive toddler-safe music and water play areas
✅ BBQs, toilets, and shaded picnic areas
✅ Baby change rooms in nearby facilities
✅ Ample parking, walkways & café within walking distance
📸 Instagram: @discoveripswich
7. Lobley Park – Churchill
Plane-themed and fenced, this is a hit with little adventurers.
✅ Fully fenced playground for safety
✅ Shaded toddler play zone with imaginative structures
✅ Toilets nearby (check before visiting for change rooms)
✅ Great picnic bench areas under shelter
Bray Farm Park
This themed playground is a hit with toddlers and young children alike — and a favourite for first birthdays thanks to its fully fenced setup, shade, and creative design.
✅ Fully fenced pirate-ship themed playground
✅ Soft-fall rubber flooring for little ones
✅ Covered picnic shelters and BBQs
✅ Clean toilet facilities nearby (some sites with baby change tables)
✅ Close to street parking and pram-friendly paths
📍 Rivermint St, Griffin
📸 Instagram: #pirateparkgriffin
9. Riverdale Park
Spacious and peaceful with great facilities for DIY birthday setups.
✅ Toddler-friendly play equipment
✅ BBQs, shaded shelters & public toilets
✅ Wide open grassy areas for games or picnic rugs
✅ Well-maintained walking tracks for prams & scooters
10. Logan Gardens Water Park
One of Logan’s best equipped family parks, especially for younger kids.
✅ Fenced water play zone & shaded seating
✅ Large shaded playground nearby
✅ Accessible toilets with baby change rooms
✅ Great mix of active and chill spaces for families
📍 Civic Parade, Logan Central
🎂 Planning a First Birthday or Cake Smash?
At Buttons & Bows Photography, we specialise in:
- First birthday milestone sessions on location
- Cake smash photography in Ipswich
- Milestone photography throughout Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Logan & Gold Coast
We offer a full experience—from styled cake smashes to studio birthday portraits. Whether you’re celebrating in one of these beautiful parks or simply looking for timeless memories, we’d love to capture it all.
