A water park, wakeboarding and fishing all in one place? Seems too good to be true at Bli Bli Waterpark!
Interested in going somewhere unique that everyone in the family is sure to love? I highly recommend that you check out the Bli Bli Watersports Complex located on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast.
It is just one of the great places to swim on the Sunshine Coast.
In operation since 1990, the 50 acre property is split into 3 parts:
- An aqua park full of inflatable slides, swings and obstacles
- A wake park consisting of two separate lakes with full size cable systems
- A large catch-and-release fishing park with a variety of species
There’s really something here for everyone! Let’s take a look at each of them in more detail.
Bli Bli Waterpark
Probably the most popular part of the complex, the Bli Bli Aqua Park is a floating obstacle course consisting of slides, runways, monkey bars and a whole lot more! The entire course sits in a dedicated lake for the aqua park.
The whole thing is made from plastic and inflated with air which gives it a fun, jumping castle feel!
Because the whole thing is wet, however, it’s all very slippery, which leads to a lot of hilarious moments, such as watching Mum or Dad slip over while trying to run across an inflatable pole connecting two sections of the course!
There are tons of interesting features, including huge slides, large rope swings, plus a large climbing wall that leads to a point where you can jump off and plunge deep into the water below!
All users are required to wear a flotation vest while in the park (provided free of charge), which makes this a great activity even if your kids are not the strongest swimmers.
RELATED: Check out our overview of the Aqua Park in Southport if you are on the Gold Coast.
Part of the course is sectioned off and dedicated to small kids. This is great because it stops the small kids from being trampled by the teenagers running amok on the full-size course!
Opening hours
- Summer hours
- September 9 to April 30
- Open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- Winter hours
- April 30 to May 31: 11am – 4pm (weekends only)
- June to September 9: 11am – 3pm
- QLD school holidays: opening times may vary
Sessions run for 50 minutes, starting every hour on the hour from opening time. I highly recommend that you get to the park 30 minutes early so that you have time to sign the waiver, get changed, put on some sunscreen and put your stuff in the car or locker (available for a few extra dollars).
You must be present for the safety briefing at the beginning of the hour otherwise you won’t be allowed in.
Cost and age requirements
- One session: $25
- Two sessions: $40
All participants are the same price, regardless of age. Bookings online are essential.
Personally, I am pretty knackered after a single session – I think that will be enough for most people.
Ages 3 and under are not permitted in the park. Ages 4-6 may use Aqua Park but must be accompanied by their parent or guardian in a one-on-one situation at all times. Ages 7 and over may go to the park on their own.
All participants will need to sign a paper waiver on site on each visit. 16 years and over may sign it on their own. Under 16 will need an adult (or 18 years of age) to sign for them.
You can also purchase an Aqua Park membership (including unlimited entries to the aqua park). Prices differ across different seasons. Season membership from September 1 to April 30 costs $279. Season membership from September 1 to December 31 costs $169. A summer membership from January 1 to April 30 costs $189.
Anything else?
At the back of the aqua park lake, you can also do stand-up paddleboarding. It’s $10 for a 30-minute session, $20 for a 60-minute session.
Wake Park
If the aqua park isn’t quite thrilling enough for you, why not try out the wake park?
You can choose from a wakeboard, kneeboard or water skis, as well as two different lakes, each with full size circular cable systems and tons of jumps and obstacles. The cable system on the back lake runs much slower than the front lake, so it is recommended for beginners.
No prior experience is required and the staff are very patient when it comes to teaching new riders the basics. There’s also a dedicated buggy that will come and pick you up if you happen to fall over on the far side of the lake.
Wakeboarding is now being run by sessions 55 minutes long, every hour on the hour. Bookings are essential.
Opening hours
- Summer hours
- September 1 to May 31
- Open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm
- Public holidays: 11am – 4pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- Winter hours
- June 1 to September 1
- Thursday and Friday: 12pm – 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm
- Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Cost and age requirements
- One hour session (same for adult and child): $42
- Two hour session (same for adult and child): $62
- “First timer” introductory ticket: $35
- Additional sessions: $20
- Wake’n’Cake (girls only): $39
- Kids club: $39
This price includes either a kneeboard, wakeboard or water skis, plus the necessary safety equipment (helmet and flotation vest).
Any riders under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by, and signed in by, their parent or guardian. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your booked start time to allow for check-in.
Riders must be 10 or over to ride on the full-size cable when operating at standard speed. Ages 6 and over may ride when the full-size cable is operating at slow speed for beginner for beginner sessions. Slow speed is currently available on weekends as well as additional weekdays, depending upon the season and demand. Kids 5 and under cannot use the Wake Park.
There’s also one-on-one coaching available, plus a Kids Club, where riders aged 6 and up can learn a few tips and tricks to improve their game.
There are seasonal memberships available, giving you unlimited entry for a regular subscription fee (around $30 per week).
Barra fishing park
If the Aqua Park and Wake Park are a bit too intense for you, check out the Barra Fishing Park. This is a catch-and-release fishing park, meaning that you can’t take home your catch.
In saying that, it is stocked full of a variety of fish species, including Cod, Mangrove Jack, Bream and Barramundi, all of which range in size from 35cm to some which are well over 1 metre long!
The park supplies all of the gear that you will need, including rods and bait, so it is suitable for beginners and families that don’t have much fishing experience.
You are, of course, also welcome to bring your own gear.
Opening hours
- Summer hours
- September 9 to March 1
- Open 7 days a week: 10am – 5pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- Winter hours
- March 1 to May 31
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10am – 5pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
- June 1 to September 9
- Thursday and Friday: 12pm – 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm
- Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
- March 1 to May 31
In summer, the park runs two sessions per day, each running for about 2.5 – 3 hours. Bookings are essential for all sessions. Hours may vary so please check their website here or social media for up to date opening hours and special events.
The complex often runs night fishing during the summer months as well as other events, so keep an eye on their website for information.
If you wish to have lunch at the park before or after your session, you can use the provided BBQs (free of charge), or go to the onsite cafe & bar.
Cost and age requirements
All sessions are 2.5/3 hours long dependent on season.
- Single session pass (same price for adult and child): $39
- All day pass (same price for adult and child): $59
- Family single session pass (2 adults and 2 children): $149
- Night fishing: $45
Only those fishing need to pay, spectators are welcome to enter free of charge. Tickets can be purchased here.
There are no minimum age requirements to go fishing here.
Bli Bli Watersports Complex
All in all, the Bli Bli Watersports Complex is a great place for the whole family to have fun!
Whether you and your kids prefer zipping around the Wake Park cable course, flying down the Aqua Park slides or kicking back and enjoying a bit of fishing, there’s something here for you!
This review was written by Louis from Outdoor Explorer. Dedicated to helping more people get out and go camping in Australia’s great outdoors, Outdoor Explorer is packed full of advice, guides and camping gear reviews.
