10 unique sports to try in Brisbane

We're a nation of sports lovers with some of our favourite sports including football, netball, swimming and cricket. But we're also lovers of quirky and unusual sports.

We’ve compiled 10 unique sports you can try in Brisbane—some you’ve probably never heard of.

1. Pickleball

If badminton, tennis and table tennis got together, pickleball would be the result. This paddle ball sport started in Washington in 1965 and combines elements from popular classic sports. Similar to tennis, players use wooden paddles and follow 5 basic rules.

The game arrived in Australia just a few years ago. Its growing popularity in Brisbane shows it's easy for all ages and skills levels to play.

Where to play pickleball

You can find purpose-built pickleball courts and dual-marked courts at the following parks in Brisbane:

Amazons Place Park, Sinnamon Park
Bonemill Road Park, Runcorn
Banyo Memorial Park, Banyo
Boyd Park, Boyd Road, Nundah
Coolabah Crescent Park, Bridgeman Downs
Dash Street Park, Keperra
Davies Park, West End
Downfall Creek Reserve, Virginia
Enbrook Parkland, Bracken Ridge
Ferguson Park, Bracken Ridge
Greenway Esplanade Park, Parkinson
Joachim Street Park, Holland Park West
John Magee Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks
Keong Park, Stafford
McCook Park, Newmarket
Mulbeam Park, Boondall
Perrin Park, Toowong
Sheriff Park, Wakerley
The Lake Parklands, Forest Lake
Twilight Street Park, Kenmore
Wallace Place Park, Coorparoo

2. Walking football

Walking football is a modified version soccer that suits all fitness levels and abilities.

Whether you're a beginner or returning to team sport, you can improve your fitness with walking football. Have fun with friends without running, tackling, or putting pressure on your joints with this low-impact game.

If you're keen to give it a go, reach out to Walking Football Queensland for more information.

Where to play walking football

Perry Park, Folkestone Street, Bowen Hills

3. Disc golf

Looking to put a new spin on your golf experience? Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, offers an alternative way to play.

Instead of using balls and clubs, players use plastic discs and aim for baskets, trying to score with the fewest throws possible.

This fun and easy-to-learn game is for anyone keen to try a new outdoor activity.

Where to play disc golf

Cadogan Street Park, Carindale (18-basket course)
Freney Street Park, Rocklea (12-basket course)

4. Obstacle challenges

Want to test your strength and agility like a ninja warrior? Our park obstacle courses turn everyday exercise into a fun challenge.

Climb, swing, balance and jump your way through courses at your own pace. Free and outdoors, these courses offer a full‑body workout that builds strength, balance and coordination. They are suitable for all fitness levels.

Where to do obstacle challenges

Carl Street Park, Woolloongabba
Doulton Street Park, Calamvale
Ferny Grove Picnic Ground Park, Ferny Grove
Frew Park, Milton
Graceville Riverside Parklands, Graceville
Guyatt Park, St Lucia
Peter Lightfoot Oval, Middle Park
Regency Place Park, Stretton
Teralba Park, Everton Park
Wally Tate Park, Kuraby
Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill

5. Quadball

The sport that got its start in the fictional pages of J. K. Rowling's iconic Harry Potter. Once featuring chasers, beaters, keepers and seekers, quidditch now thrives on city ovals worldwide thanks to fans.

Quadball is an official team sport at US colleges like Berkeley. Unlike Harry Potter, players stay grounded, but still hold a broomstick between their legs during play.

Harry Potter fever runs wild in Australia. With several clubs playing across Brisbane, your only choice is which position you'll play?

Where to play quadball

Guyatt Park, Laurence Street, St Lucia (UQ Quadball)
Raymond Park, Wellington Road, Kangaroo Point (Brisbane City Quidditch Club)

6. Roller derby

Looking for a fast, fun way to get active? Roller derby is a fast‑paced sport that combines skating, teamwork and strategy.

Played on an oval track, it delivers a full‑body workout with skaters using roller skates or inline skates to race, block and score. Expect energy, friendly competition and plenty of fun.

Where to try roller derby

Salisbury Recreation Reserve, Salisbury

7. BMX riding

BMX riding is an energetic way to get active outdoors, with dedicated facilities across Brisbane..

From dirt tracks to concrete tracks, we have purpose-built loops with jumps and turns for BMX riders of levels.

Where to ride BMX

We have more than 25 parks with BMX facilities, including:

Bill Brown Sports Reserve, Bracken Ridge BMX facility, Fitzgibbon
Chelmer Recreation Reserve, Chelmer
D. M. Henderson Park, Macgregor
Sunset Park, Bardon.

8. Foot golf

Kicking off in 1920, the game of foot golf is for playing with friends. Played on a golf course, foot golf sees players kick a football (soccer ball) into a series of large holes. Your aim is to finish the course using the fewest possible shots.

Where to play foot golf

Mt Gravatt Mini Golf and Foot Golf, Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Mt Gravatt (enter off Broadwater Road)
Virginia Golf Club, Elliot Road, Banyo

9. Dragon boating

Dragon boating is an energetic, team‑based water sport that blends fitness, rhythm and community.

Suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers, it’s an easy way to enjoy Brisbane’s waterways together.

Our Active and Healthy program offers free dragon boating sessions for teens to adults. Learn to paddle in a 12-metre dragon boat, with sessions including a warm-up, paddling instruction and time on the water.

Where to try dragon boating

Colmslie Recreation Reserve, Morningside (Brisbane River Dragons)
Yowoggera Park, Albion (Te Waka Dragons)

10. Springboard diving

Springboard diving turns a day at the pool into something thrilling. Leap, twist and splash your way through a sport that builds strength and coordination and confidence.

From your first springboard bounce to more confident platform moves, it’s a great way to stay active in the water.

Not sure where to begin? Try our free springboard diving sessions presented by Diving Queensland. Start with a warm-up, followed by guidance from a diving instructor and learn to dive at your own pace.

Where to try springboard diving

Sleeman Sports Complex, Chandler

Discover more outdoor activities in Brisbane

Brisbane offers pools, water play areas, skate parks and bike tracks – plenty to enjoy outdoors.

Download the Brisbane app from your app store to find new places to visit and things to do close to you.

10 unique sports to try in Brisbane, including pickleball