Rapidly growing regions such as South East Queensland strive to maintain the quality of life and standards of liveability that initially attracted the incoming population. Continued urbanisation invariably leads to a loss of open space, a loss of regional landscape quality and limitations on opportunities for outdoor recreation. This paper examines the potential role of regional parks as a policy option and as environmental infrastructure capable of addressing many challenges associated with rapidly urbanising regions. The paper proposes determining a regional parks network that can provide a full array of environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits. Investigations have considered a range of regional park types based on a recreation opportunity and level of service approach. If the concepts outlined are adopted and developed within the SEQ regional planning process, this will make a significant contribution to the achievement of the regional visions of sustainability and liveability.