Dig IT is Australia’s first excavator site designed for kids, located in Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain, only an hour from Brisbane.

It’s a fantastic day out with the kids, perfect for the school holidays.

Thunderbird Park

Thunderbird Park is an adventure park on Tamborine Mountain, offering a huge range of activities to keep the kids busy. Aside from Dig IT, there’s mini golf, thunder egg mining, crystal digging, bird feeding and laser tag. It’s all in a beautiful natural setting by a creek which you can paddle in. Catch the daily tropical bird feeding and when it’s the adults’ turn for some indulgence check out the newly opened bathhouse just across the car park.

Thunderbird Park is free to enter but you do have to pay for each activity.

Also onsite is the Terrace Cafe which has a good selection of sandwiches and ice creams and a little play area to entertain the kids – if they have any energy left!

If you like the idea of having a drink and a meal while the kids play, check out these Brisbane pubs with playgrounds.

Dig IT

Dig IT is a mini excavator park where the theme is firmly digging and construction. The whole park is decked out like a building site, and the kids each get a hard hat, lanyard and safety vest. You work your way around demolition zones, using excavator equipment to complete different tasks. The excavators are all small-sized but fully functional. The kids will be jerky, fast and overexcited on the equipment and lots of laughter will ensue – from both the children and the spectators.

Although the aim is squarely to have fun, this is real equipment and they take safety very seriously. There’s a safety briefing before you go in and strict measures in place – for example, you must stand in a designated spot while your child is on the equipment.

I was questioning this a little bit when my child got button-happy on the wrecking ball excavator – I had a few moments of panic when I thought I was going to get hit with the wrecking ball! Hence the need to have strict places for the parents to stand – it’s all been carefully thought through to ensure it’s a fun but safe environment for everyone.

There’s plenty of staff around to help you with the controls, which can be daunting at first but the kids soon get the hang of them.

Keep scrolling to watch my viral Dig IT reel. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to watch all of our Brisbane and South East Queensland adventures.

Demolition Zones

• Dig Zone – this is the most popular zone and the first you’ll come to. Top tip – skip the crowds and choose a different zone to start, then circle back to this one. In the Dig Zone you’ll use your excavator to dig up dirt, lift it, move it and dump it on the pile.
• Demolition Zone – this will be another favourite. The kids will control a wrecking ball to knock over a tower of bricks.
• Croc and Claw Zone – a little more tricky, there are two sections in this zone – the first you’ll use your claw to pick up tyres and move them. The second you’ll use a hook to pick up “crocs” in a pond and move them.
• RC Zone – here you’ll get to play with remote control diggers and there’s a construction play area as well.

In addition to the four zones there’s a sandpit for the younger kids, complete with little trucks and diggers they can play with.

You can go around the zones in any order you like; you get a hole punched in your lanyard for every zone you complete, and then you can go back to your favourites.

Are you looking for more activities to do with the kids in Brisbane and beyond? I have heaps of ideas here.

Good to Know

• Tickets are $65 each. You only have to buy a ticket for each child going on the equipment – spectators are free of charge.
• Visitor numbers are capped by a timed entry system. For your ticket you’ll get a two-hour slot, during which time you’ll have unlimited use of all the equipment. This keeps the park quiet enough that you never have to queue too long.
• Children 5+ can operate the equipment on their own and are in full control. Children 4 and under will have to sit on their parent’s lap and the parents can help control the equipment.
• Dig IT is pram-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
• Ample car parking is available.
• There’s a pit toilet onsite.
• Cold water is sold at the entrance kiosk.
• If you’re not wearing a hard hat, bring a hat for sun protection – the park is exposed and can get hot.

Dig IT – Final Thoughts

Dig IT is a great day out with the kids, perfect for channeling any destructive energy they might have. At Dig IT they are actively encouraged to knock things over and play with the dirt! It’s heaps of fun for the kids and something really unique. Highly recommended!

What Else to do Nearby

Tamborine Mountain has a wealth of other activities nearby. From rainforest skywalks, cuckoo clocks, wineries to waterfalls and creeks.

Take a look at my guide to spending the day on Tamborine Mountain.

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