Is AREA 51 Mt Gravatt actually worth it for families?
Yes – if your kids love climbing, obstacle courses and exploring huge indoor zones built for different ages. We spent just over two hours here with our kids and left feeling like it was money well spent, which honestly surprised us.
📍 Westfield Mt Gravatt (Upper Mount Gravatt)
👶 Best for ages: 4–10 (toddlers can still enjoy the soft play)
💲 Price: On the higher side, but feels fair if you stay 2–3 hours
⭐ Our verdict: Great for active kids who need space to burn energy
If you haven’t been, AREA 51 is a space-themed indoor adventureland with climbing zones, ninja areas, trampolines and toddler-friendly spots. We went in not really knowing what to expect – and genuinely ended up enjoying it more than we thought.
If you’re planning ahead for the break, we’ve also rounded up the best school holiday ideas in Brisbane to help you plan days out the kids will actually enjoy.
First Impressions:
As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a shiny chrome astronaut display and glowing neon lights that look like you’re stepping into a sci-fi movie. It feels modern, clean and exciting -my kids literally took off before we could finish scanning the tickets.
Toddler & Younger Kids Zone:
There’s a dedicated play area for littler ones (under 5s) with:
- A small hospital/repair station style play setup
- Soft play obstacles
- Mini slides and tunnels
My youngest spent a good chunk of time in the service station rocket tunnel and barely needed help. Everything here is designed with padded flooring and rounded edges – huge plus.
Older Kids Area (5–12yrs)
For the older ones, it gets a LOT more interactive:
- Giant twist slides (pink and teal) – these were a big hit
- LED game floor where kids race to stomp the colours
- Climbing challenges and a factory-style obstacle course (with a timer running overhead)
- Trampolines and multi-level play zones
It’s not just running around – there are actually competitive and skill elements which kept our kids busy the full two hours.
Birthday Party Rooms
We peeked at the party rooms and they looked organised and themed. Personalised “Happy Birthday” messages on the TV screen were a cute touch. Basic setup – but functional and clean.
If you’re considering hosting a birthday, it’s definitely a venue where kids won’t get bored.
Pricing (as of our visit)
Pricing varies depending on age and how long you stay. For example:
| Age Group | 2 hrs (School Term) | Weekends/Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 yrs (Astrotot) | $15 | $15 |
| 3–4 yrs (Mini Rover) | $27 | $30 |
| 5–12 yrs (Moonwalk) | $27 | $30 |
Public holiday prices go up slightly (e.g., $34.50 for 2hrs for older kids).
What We Loved
Easy to spend 2 hours without feeling rushed
✔ Sections for different age groups so siblings weren’t on top of each other
✔ The glowing LED floor game – our kids LOVED this
✔ Staff were visible and areas felt supervised
✔ Clean + futuristic atmosphere makes it feel a bit “premium”
What Could Be Better
• It can get busy during peak times – keep an eye near the slides
• Seating for parents is decent but you definitely end up walking around a lot
• Pricing adds up quickly for multiple kids + holidays
⭐ Our Rating: 4.4 / 5
Great for high-energy kids and families wanting something different to the usual play centre.
📍 Location: Westfield Mount Gravatt (Mt Gravatt)
🕒 Recommended time: 1.5 to 2 hours for best value
🎂 Birthday parties available
