10 great barbecue spots to cook up a storm

LOAD the family in the car or gather some friends and fire up a barbecue at one of these awesome spots on the Sunshine Coast.

1. Maddock Park, Ewen Maddock Dam

MADDOCK Park features free barbecues and a fun playground for the kids. There are picnic tables under shelters and a swimming area with a sandy beach for some fun in the sun. The park is also a great area for bushwalking, paddling and mountain biking. Located at 221 Mooloolah Connection Rd, Mooloolah.

2. Gympie Tce, Noosaville

THE long stretch of riverfront in Noosaville has many different parks to choose from so there's enough space for everyone. Take the kids to the Pirate Park and while they play, you can make use of the nearby barbecues to cook up some snags for the whole family.

3. Buderim Lions Park

LOCATED on Burnett St in Buderim is a free barbecue area with a great playground. The Lions Park features a lookout with spectacular eastern views of popular suburbs, the coastline and the ocean. The park is the perfect place to take a break from the business of town and relax.

4. Peregian Beach Park

THE Peregian Beach Park has free barbecues and picnic tables right next to the beach for a fun day out. While the adults are sizzling up a storm, the kids can stay entertained with the playground equipment and a nearby skate park.

5. Clarke Place Park, Happy Valley

FOR an early morning picnic with some bacon and egg rolls, head to the park that overlooks Happy Valley in Caloundra. There is a fantastic children's playground with free barbecues and picnic tables right next to the beach.

6. Noosa Botanic Gardens, Lake Macdonald

JUST alongside the Noosa Botanic Gardens, on the opposite side of the boat ramp, is a park with free electric barbecues. Have a fry-up and then go for a relaxing walk in the gardens to see the flower-lined paths and spectacular lake views. Find these barbecues in Cooroy on the shore of Lake Macdonald. Don't forget the pooch as this is a leashed dog area.

7. Alex Bluff Foreshore Park (Churinga Park)

A surfer checks out the improving surf conditions at The Bluff, Alex Headland, before hitting the water.
Photo: Iain Curry / Sunshine Coast Daily — A surfer checks out the improving surf conditions at The Bluff, Alex Headland. Iain Curry

THE park stretches for a kilometre along the length of the headland and features several picnic shelters with free barbecues and lookouts for the family to enjoy. You can find the park on Alexandra Parade and Mooloolaba Esplanade, featuring a playground with spring toys for the kids to ride. Located in this park is the HMAS Brisbane Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Australian War Dog Memorial.

8. Cotton Tree Park

Good morning Cotton Tree. June 15, 2106. Ping pong tables at Cotton Tree Park. — Ping pong tables at Cotton Tree Park. Patrick Woods

CREATE some delicious burgers for the family at the undercover barbecue areas in Cotton Tree Park. The park is right next to the Maroochy River so there's loads of space for the kids to run free, whether they are stand-up paddleboarding on the river or playing a game of soccer on the grass. There's even outdoor ping pong tables so bring along your tournament-winning bats.

9. Arthur Parkyn Park, Mooloolaba

No Caption — Arthur Parkyn Park, Mooloolaba. Picasa

ON Parkyn Pde in Mooloolaba, this park offers plenty of shelter with free barbecues to make lunch for the whole family. Mooloolaba Beach is close by for a dip in the ocean and some sandcastle building with the kids.

10. Tickle Park, Coolum

Launch of Youth Strategy at Tickle Park, Coolum. Ivan Vargas gets some air.
Photo: Jason Dougherty — Tickle Park, Coolum. Jason Dougherty

LOCATED on David Low Way in Coolum Beach, this popular hub has free barbecues, a playground and skate park. Tickle Park is right on the beachfront, next to a popular patrolled surf beach and caravan park, and is across the road from the main shopping precinct if you forget the drinks and pastries.

- Abbey Cannan