Evandale Lake
A serene, family-friendly oasis on the Gold Coast, offering swimming, picnics, and free BBQs with easy ferry access.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Evandale Lake
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene, family-friendly oasis on the Gold Coast, offering swimming, picnics, and free BBQs with easy ferry access.
"The best place in Gold Coast to swim and relax."
🚢 Scenic Ferry Ride
Take the HOTA ferry from Surfers Paradise for a quick, scenic 10-min trip to the lake.
🧺 Pack a Picnic
Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy at the free BBQs or picnic spots.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.8 · 9 reviews
Type
Natural Feature
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Lake
Evandale Lake
A large, inviting lake perfect for swimming and cooling off. Great for all ages!
Children's Playground
Adjacent to the lake
A safe and fun fenced playground for toddlers and young children.
Free BBQs
Picnic areas
Utilize the free BBQ facilities for a delightful picnic lunch by the water.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Escape the Surfers Paradise Hustle
Getting There & What to Bring
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚢 Scenic Ferry Ride
Take the HOTA ferry from Surfers Paradise for a quick, scenic 10-min trip to the lake.
🧺 Pack a Picnic
Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy at the free BBQs or picnic spots.
☀️ Sun Protection
Don't forget sunscreen, hats, and swimwear for a day by the water.
👶 Fenced Playground
The playground is fully fenced, offering a safe space for little ones.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚢 Scenic Ferry Ride
Take the HOTA ferry from Surfers Paradise for a quick, scenic 10-min trip to the lake.
🧺 Pack a Picnic
Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy at the free BBQs or picnic spots.
☀️ Sun Protection
Don't forget sunscreen, hats, and swimwear for a day by the water.
👶 Fenced Playground
The playground is fully fenced, offering a safe space for little ones.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Evandale Lake is praised as a wonderful, budget-friendly escape from the Gold Coast's busier areas, perfect for families and relaxation. Visitors appreciate the free amenities like BBQs and the safe, fenced playground. While generally peaceful, occasional noise from other groups can be a minor drawback for some.
"Came here for the day as we wanted a break from the busyness of surfers, and looking for a cheap day out. It’s part of HOPA the arts centre just outside. We got the ferry from the surfers boat ramp on the hopa ferry to the park which only takes about 10 minutes. The ferries leave about every hour and half from the boat ramps.
There’s a children’s playground there, and a large lake which is great for the kids and swimming and a small beach. Plenty of grass and trees do you can sit around and watch the kids swim. There’s free bbqs there as well.
Well worth the trip and as mentioned a cheap day out for the kids, take a picnic or food for the bbqs."
Stuart C
"Nice place to swim for all ages, bathroom facilities, and fully fenced playground.
Was an awesome day apart from another group set up in the garden behind us right next to our gazebo hub with our sleeping babies with 2 huge speakers which woke our kids, started afire for their meat spit roast which smoked out our tent. A huge area and they chose to set up in a garden right next to us."
Mel
"Nice lake, with some play areas for toddlers and a market too."
Henry Wong
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The easiest way is to catch the HOTA ferry from the Surfers Paradise boat ramp. Ferries depart approximately every hour and a half and the journey takes about 10 minutes.
While specific parking details aren't widely mentioned, it's generally accessible by public transport via the HOTA ferry. Consider this your primary mode of transport.
Evandale Lake is part of the HOTA precinct, which is a short distance from the main Surfers Paradise area. Walking is possible, but the ferry offers a more direct and scenic route.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Evandale Lake is generally considered a free public space, making it a great budget-friendly option for a day out.
As a public park and lake, Evandale Lake is typically accessible during daylight hours. Specific facility hours (like restrooms) may vary.
No, booking tickets is not required as Evandale Lake is a public park. You can visit anytime during daylight hours.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can swim in the lake, relax on the small beach, enjoy the children's playground, have a picnic, and utilize the free BBQ facilities.
Yes, bathroom facilities are available at Evandale Lake, which is convenient for families and day visitors.
Yes, Evandale Lake is described as a nice place to swim for all ages and is a popular spot for cooling off.
Some reviews mention a market being present, suggesting occasional market days or events might occur at Evandale Lake.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While there isn't extensive dining directly at the lake, the HOTA precinct nearby offers cafes with views. It's recommended to bring your own food for picnics.
Absolutely! Evandale Lake offers free BBQ facilities, making it an ideal spot for a casual cookout with family and friends.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture serene shots of the lake, families enjoying the water, and the children playing in the playground. The surrounding greenery also offers lovely backdrops.
The lake can offer beautiful reflections, and the open space might provide good views for sunset photography, though specific vantage points are not detailed.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit