Big Scrub Nature Play

If your little one loves getting messy, exploring and being outside, this is such a beautiful playgroup to know about, set amongst the Noosa Botanic Gardens.

📍 Noosa Botanic Gardens, Lake MacDonald Dr, Lake Macdonald
🗓️ Thurs, 10am – 11:30am | 6 Aug – 27 Aug 2026
💲 $100 per child | 4 week block
💛 0 – 3 years

👍🏻 Toilets
👍🏻 Parking
👍🏻 Pram Friendly
👍🏻 Booking Required – via website
👍🏻 Outdoor
❌ Dog Friendly
❌ Enclosed
❌ Indoor
❌ Bites
❌ Sips

We’d had our eye on this nature playgroup, run by Sunny Coast mum Lidia, for a while before visiting, and it did not disappoint. She puts so much care into creating a beautiful nature play experience amongst the lush Noosa Botanic Gardens.

I took both my little ones along and they had the best time exploring all the nature activities Lidia had set up. There are plenty of opportunities for the kids to get hands on and explore, with activities such as sensory play, mixing clay and mud, water play, grinding herbs and flower petals, painting with natural pigments and plenty of time to simply explore the gardens.

The morning follows a gentle rhythm, beginning with circle time and seasonal songs before moving into sensory free play and finishing with a shared snack and storytelling.

It might be a bit of a drive depending on where you’re coming from, but it’s such a beautiful way to spend the morning immersed in nature. You can also explore more of the Botanic Gardens afterwards or make a day of it and head into Cooroy.

Dogs are allowed on leash within the Noosa Botanic Gardens, although personally I wouldn’t bring one along to the actual playgroup session.

The current timetable runs from 6 August to 27 August 2026, so make sure you check Big Scrub Nature Play for the next block of dates once this one finishes.

We visited September 2025. While we do our best to keep our listings up to date, information can change. We recommend checking Big Scrub Nature Play’s website or social media before visiting.