Bli Bli Aqua Park Review + Things to Do Nearby |

If you are looking for a fun, adventurous activity on the Sunshine Coast that both kids and adults will enjoy, Bli Bli Aqua Park has a bunch of inflatable toys set up like an obstacle course on a lake.

In addition to the Aqua Park, Bli Bli Watersports includes a Wake Park with wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and jet skiing around the lake, plus a Barra Fishing Park with catch-and-release fishing.

We visited Bli Bli Aqua Park with the kids, who had the best time playing on the course. I probably wouldn’t have participated anyway, but due to an injury, I couldn’t. Still, I was able to sit comfortably and watch the kids running on the inflatables.

There are lots of fun things to do with kids within 20 minutes of the Bli Bli Watersports Center. Scroll down for 19 fun things to do in and around Bli Bli with kids. These activities can be done before or after your session at Bli Bli Aqua Park.

If you are looking for an inflatable water park near Brisbane, check out Bli Bli Aqua Park near Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.

Want to know what it’s like? Keep reading.

Bli Bli Water Park Admission

Arrive early to check in and get your wristband before the 50-minute session.

8Tickets to Bli Bli Aqua Park are sold online, and guests need to purchase a ticket and make a booking.

You can purchase either 1 or 2 sessions at a time. We weren’t sure what to do as it was going to be our first time at something like this. Our adventurous kids always want to stay longer, no matter where we are, and I had a sprained ankle, so I would not be joining in on the fun. Mark decided on 1 session this time, saying we can always go back.

Purchasing a 2nd session at the same time as the first is discounted. One session costs $28/person, and two sessions cost $45/person.

Membership passes are available for 4 months, 8 months, or yearly.

Spectators are free. There is plenty of seating. I sat upstairs by the restaurant, in the shade.

Bli Bli Aqua Park Activities

Bli Bli Water Park opens up on the hour, and everyone is allowed in at once.

Kids 4-6 have to stay with an adult, but anyone older than 7 is allowed to go out on their own. There is a small course for kids, but I didn’t see anyone on it.

Mark was alone with both kids, and I was sitting at the restaurant with my in-laws, watching. We couldn’t always see them, especially when they were at the beginning of the inflatable water park.

Right away, my newly turned 8-year-old was on her own. It was a little scary to watch her fall off the equipment and out of view, but she swam to an area where she could get back on and tried again.

Falling is a common occurrence. The equipment is slippery, and that is part of the obstacle.

Her goal was to get to the giant swing at the far end of the aqua park. There are 2 swings, one for kids her size, and another much larger swing. Of course, she wanted the larger swing. I watched her climb up to the swing, but she was unable to reach it. Someone helped her every time. The swing ends in the water, and then I watched her swim to find a place to get back up and head right back to the swing.

In addition to the swing, there is a trampoline, lots of slides, a seesaw, and plenty of other fun things to climb and attempt to walk across at Bli Bli Aqua Park.

Z had to stay with his dad due to his age, but he probably would have either way. M is very confident and independent. I would have been worried, but everyone is wearing a life jacket, she is a good swimmer, and there was always someone to help her if she needed it.

There are lifeguards on the equipment and circling on stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). I watched guests try to help her when she fell in, but she always refused help and was able to get back up on her own.

At the end of the 50-minute session, everyone leaves the inflatable obstacles. Those who have purchased 2 sessions are allowed back on around 10 minutes later.

Bli Bli Aqua Park Facilities

There is a restaurant at Bli Bli Aqua Park, and they serve breakfast, lunch, coffee, and snacks.

A playground is downstairs by the river. It isn’t shaded, but there are shady areas to sit downstairs.

Lockers are available for those who wish to store their valuables.

A shower rinse-off area is also located by the river.

Bli Bli Wake Park

The Aqua Park is connected to Wake Park, where 50-minute wakeboarding sessions are offered for beginners to experts. The riders hold on to a cable and are pulled over obstacles on a variety of skis, wakeboards, or kneeboards.

Kids 6+ can participate at Wake Park at a slow speed, and those 10+ are able to go full speed.

Kids’ Club at Bli Bli Wake Park

Sunday mornings and during school holidays, there is a kids’ club at Bli Bli Wake Park where kids 6+ can learn to wakeboard and kneeboard.

Barra Fishing Park

Barra Fishing Park is also located at Bli Bli Watersports, on the opposite side of the river from the Bli Bli water park.

There are currently 2 fishing sessions, morning and afternoon, and fishing is always catch-and-release.

Barramundi is the main fish in the river, but bream, Mangrove Jack, cod, and other species are also swimming through the river.

Night fishing events take place during the summer.

Bli Bli Aqua Park Wrap-Up

We chose to go to Bli Bli Aqua Park as a birthday present for our 8-year-old. She absolutely loved it, as did our 6-year-old.

While I was unable to participate due to an injury, that was probably for the best. The inflatable water park looked hard for me, and I would have been nervous dealing with the kids, especially when my oldest ran off on her own. It was easier and less stressful for me to watch from above.

Mark enjoyed the obstacles at Bli Bli Aqua Park, but mentioned that it was difficult. I saw him go under a few obstacles instead of climbing up them. He sat down on some of the passageways so that he would not fall off.

Most of all, Mark was happy that he decided on an hour session and not 2 hours.

While the kids would have loved another session, they were tired. Z fell asleep on the drive home.

We drove to Bli Bli Aqua Park as a day trip from Brisbane, which I don’t think I would do again. It is an hour and a half drive each way. We were able to see my in-laws, who live nearby. Next time, I would wait until we were on the Sunshine Coast to go back to Bli Bli Aqua Park, or we would plan more activities in the area.

There are plenty of things to do with kids near Bli Bli Water Park on the Sunshine Coast.

19 Fun Things to Do in and Around Bli Bli with Kids

Located on the Sunshine Coast, Bli Bli is close to beautiful beaches and tons of water activities.

Bli Bli itself is a small rural town, but it does have a few fun things to do with kids besides Bli Bli Watersports.

The list below includes things to do in Bli Bli with Kids and things to do with kids within a 20-minute drive of Bli Bli Aqua Park.

Bli Bli Skate Park

550 meters, a 1-minute drive

Bli Bli Skate is partially shaded, and a nice spot for kids to bring their bikes or scooters to ride around.

Maroochy River Mini-Golf

900m, 2-minute drive

18 holes with 2 levels and lots of obstacles and challenges, Maroochy River Mini-Golf in Bli Bli is fun for the whole family.

Can Cutters Bar and Bistro is located at Maroochy River Mini-Golf. On Friday nights, there is a courtesy bus from surrounding cities to the bistro.

Sunshine Castle

1.3 kilometers, 3-minute drive

Though the castle is no longer open for tours, it is still fun to see a castle in Australia. The cafe and toy shop are still open, as is the doll display and a few other areas of the castle. There is still a scavenger hunt for kids at Sunshine Castle.

We visited Sunshine Castle before it closed.

McMartin’s Farm

4.2 kilometers, 7-minute drive

Open seasonally, McMartin’s Farm in Bli Bli has strawberry picking, a playground, and a cafe.

Strawberry ice cream is a popular treat at McMartin’s Farm.

Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary Reserve

4.4 kilometers, 7-minute drive

A 1-kilometer-long boardwalk winds through Maroochy Wetlands with signs making it easy to spot Australian plants and wildlife.

Night tours run daily at 4:30 pm.

TIP: Bring bug spray.

Mudjimba Beach

5.6 kilometers, 7-minute drive

Follow the flags for safe swimming, or walk along the shore at Mudjimba Beach.

There are cafes nearby for lunch or to order food to go for a picnic.

After our trip to Bli Bli Aqua Park, we enjoyed a picnic at Power Memorial Park. The kids played on the playground while waiting for lunch, and then walked over to the beach.

Sunshine Plaza

9.7 kilometers, 12-minute drive

As the largest shopping center on the Sunshine Coast, there is plenty to do at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore.

In addition to the play areas inside the shopping center, there is a cinema, High Ropes Adventure Park, Time Zone, boat rentals, an escape room, and an indoor adventure center.

Next Level High Ropes and Ziplining

There are 7 circuits ranging from beginner to expert at Next Level High Ropes at Sunshine Plaza.

Kids 6+ can participate, and children 6-12 need to have an adult participating with them.

The beginner course is for ages 6+, intermediate courses are for 8+, advanced courses are for 10+, and the expert course is for 13+.

Time Zone

Besides arcade games, Time Zone Sunshine Plaza has bumper cars, bowling, and laser tag.

Plaza Pontoon

Right outside of Sunshine Plaza is a river where you can rent paddleboats, speedboats, kayaks, SUPs, and pontoon boats with Plaza Pontoon.

Rush Adventureland

Rush Adventureland is the largest indoor family entertainment center on the Sunshine Coast.

Besides being an indoor playground, Rush Adventureland has an indoor air coaster, high ropes course, ninja courses, a climbing wall, bumper cars, and a virtual reality simulator.

Rush Adventureland is located in Maroochydore.

Red Lock Escape Rooms

Children under 7 play for free at the escape rooms at Red Lock Escape Room, but most of them are recommended for kids 10+. Each game is 60 minutes long, and their website will help you decide which room is right for your group.

The Big Pineapple

14.7 kilometers, 14-minute drive

One of the large tourist items, The Big Pineapple, is located in Woombye.

The train is running once again, there is a small shop and cafe at The Big Pineapple, and there is also ziplining and a zoo.

Plus, you can climb up the pineapple!

Big Pineapple Music Festival takes place at the Big Pineapple.

Treetop Adventures Ziplining

Treetop Adventures has a Junior Ziplining Course for kids 3-9. Kids 8+ can join in on the regular course.

Our kids completed the junior course, which was similar to the one they did at Tamborine Mountain.

Read our review of Treetop Adventures Junior Ziplining Course.

Wildlife HQ

Wildlife HQ has animals from around the world. Join in during animal feedings, take a photo with the animals, and listen to the zookeepers discuss the animals at Keeper Talks.

Want to do it all? Look into being a zookeeper for the day.

Find out more about Wildlife HQ, Australia Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary here.

Ginger Factory

16.4 kilometers, 16-minute drive

Take a tour of the actual ginger factory, ride the train, enjoy an indoor boat ride, and try the ginger treats at The Ginger Factory in Yandina.

Want to know more about the Ginger Factory? Read our review here.

Sea Life Aquarium

16.3 kilometers, 16-minute drive

Located at the beach in Mooloolaba, the Sea Life Aquarium has plenty of fish, sharks, jellyfish, penguins, turtles, and other underwater creatures.

Kids can touch sea stars and sea urchins, walk under an ocean tunnel, and help Dory find her friends in an interactive exhibit.

Families can go behind the scenes and meet penguins up close, and those 14+ can dive with sharks.

Join a Marine Wildlife Safari in Mooloolaba!

Amaze World: Bellingham Maze

21.7 kilometers, 17-minute drive

One of the most popular activities in the area is the Bellingham Maze, which is a collection of different mazes and puzzles. There is even a night maze where visitors use glow sticks to find their way out of the dark.

There is a cafe at Bellingham Maze and an 18-hole mini-golf course.

Chipmunks

15.7 kilometers, 19-minute drive

Kids 0-11 can run off some energy at Chipmunks Playland in Sippy Downs while the parents can order lunch or coffee from the cafe and sit down in the middle of the indoor playground.

There is a baby zone, toddler zone, and main zone for kids 5-11 at Chipmunks Playland.

We came here to cool off one hot summer day, and with unlimited play and a cafe, it was the perfect place to spend a few hours.

Restaurants Near Bli Bli Water Park

While there is a cafe inside Bli Bli Aqua Park, we chose to head elsewhere for lunch. If you are looking for a meal near Bli Bli Aqua Park, here are a few good options.

Right across the river from Bli Bli Watersports Complex is a group of restaurants, including The Takeout Co. for take-out fish and chips, The Pizza Shop, and Thai Point. Driftwood Restaurant is just a 5-minute drive away.

We chose to go to the playground by Mudjimba Beach, so the kids could play while we ordered lunch from one of the restaurants across the street.