At a glance
- Cost
- Free at both car parks
- North car park
- 100 to 149 spaces. Limit of 3 hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- South car park
- 50 to 99 spaces. Limit of 4 hours, 8.30am to 6pm, every day
- Outside the limits
- Available 24/7 and unrestricted
- Address
- North: adjacent to Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, Old Burleigh Road. South: southern end of Pratten Park, Broadbeach
- Features
- Accessible parking spaces and motorbike parking spaces at both
Parking is free at both City of Gold Coast car parks at Pratten Park in Broadbeach, but each has a time limit: 3 hours between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday at the North car park, and 4 hours between 8.30am and 6pm every day at the South car park. Outside those times, the City says parking at both is available 24/7 and unrestricted.
The North car park has a listed capacity of 100 to 149 spaces and the South car park 50 to 99. Details below are from the City’s pages, checked on 15 October 2026.
How do the two car parks compare?
| Pratten Park North Carpark | Pratten Park South Carpark | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No charge | No charge |
| Time limit | 3 hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday | 4 hours, 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday |
| Outside the limit | Available 24/7, unrestricted | Available 24/7, unrestricted |
| Capacity (City listing) | 100 to 149 | 50 to 99 |
| Where the City says it is | Northern side of Pratten Park, adjacent to Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, Old Burleigh Road | Southern end of Pratten Park |
| Features listed | Accessible parking spaces, motorbike parking spaces, outdoor parking | Accessible parking spaces, motorbike parking spaces, outdoor parking |
Each page is on the City’s site: Pratten Park North Carpark and Pratten Park South Carpark. The City’s pages give no height limit for either car park.
Which car park suits a weekend visit?
The two time limits differ most on weekends. The North car park’s limit applies Monday to Friday only, so by the City’s description there is no time limit there on Saturday or Sunday. The South car park’s 4-hour limit applies seven days a week between 8.30am and 6pm.
For a longer stay on a weekday, the limit at both car parks lasts into the late afternoon: until 5pm at the North car park and until 6pm at the South car park. After those times the City lists the car parks as unrestricted.
What is at Pratten Park?
The City’s Pratten Park page describes a park popular with locals, with two playgrounds, an off-leash dog exercise area, picnic facilities with barbecues and several beach access points. Exercise equipment is scattered along the pathway, along with bike racks, drinking fountains and benches.
- Playgrounds: the Gold Coast’s first All Abilities Playground is at the northern end, with a hill slide, a flying fox, a swing set for up to 5 children and a fully harnessed seat. It is fully fenced. The second playground is towards the southern end, with a pedal-powered monorail, a pirate ship and slides.
- Dogs: a large off-leash area is at the southern end, opposite Broadbeach State School. Dogs must be on a leash everywhere else unless a sign says otherwise, and they are not allowed in children’s playground areas.
- Facilities: the City lists barbecues, a bicycle track, toilets, a disability toilet, showers, drinking fountains, a water tap, picnic shelters and picnic tables.
The City says the on-site parking is at the Old Burleigh Road and Margaret Avenue roundabout or at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, with plenty of off-street parking nearby as well. Pratten Park adjoins Kurrawa Park, and together the two parks run for more than 1km.
Is Pratten Park used for events?
Yes. The City lists Pratten Park as an event venue with about 33,000 square metres of potential activation space, a beachfront location, lighting, power and water access and shade. Event organisers apply through the City.
If you are heading to Broadbeach for the Groundwater Country Music Festival from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October, the road closures and the best way in are in our Groundwater road closures and parking guide. The City’s Pratten Park pages do not say whether either car park is affected by the festival, so check the signs on the day.
More guides: Gold Coast parking guide
Sources
- City of Gold Coast — Pratten Park North Carpark (checked 15 October 2026)
- City of Gold Coast — Pratten Park South Carpark
- City of Gold Coast — Pratten Park
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Gold Coast. Check the signs at the car park and the City’s pages before you park, as limits can change.