Playgrounds Archives - Adventure, baby!

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Visiting Berry Reserve at Narrabeen Lake

February 19, 2021 / Bush, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Berry Reserve at Narrabeen Lake

Berry Reserve at Narrabeen Lake is the perfect family outing, featuring a brand new playground, basketball court, lagoon bike track and a fab cafe that has its own vintage tram.

Berry Reserve is a public open space along the Narrabeen Lagoon foreshore. The lakeside area is perfect for picnics, with plenty of shady trees.

Ducks are in abundance (please don’t feed them).

There is a multi-use track that runs around the lagoon, through Berry Reserve. The track at Berry Reserve is an entry point to the 8.4km Narrabeen Lagoon Trail that can be walked, biked or scooted. 1.2km along the track, you’ll come to to Bilarong Reserve, which has an excellent playground with play equipment and mythical beast sculptures.

The new playground at Berry Reserve is excellent. It’s completely fenced and offers equipment for kids of all ages, with several accessible features.

The castle in the middle is a lovely addition, with access from the top to the slide.

Dotted around the playground are some fantastic pretend play elements such as shops and a tram stop.

The in-ground trampolines are also fun.

There are several Australian animal statues also sprinkled around the playground.

There is also a basketball court and fitness equipment.

Enter the car park from Pittwater Road. There is 3-hour parking Monday-Friday and 2-hour Saturdays plus some all day commuter parking.

Tramsheds Narrabeen

Next to the playground is the Tramshed Cafe, which has a fantastic vintage 1930s tram out the front.

Read more about visiting the Tramshed Cafe.

Berry Reserve
1417 Pittwater Rd

Narrabeen NSW 2101
northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Brays Bay Reserve & Mcilwaine Park Playground, Rhodes

February 9, 2021 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Brays Bay Reserve & Mcilwaine Park Playground

Brays Bay Reserve & Mcilwaine Park Playground are a fantastic green space for leisure activities located on the waterfront in Sydney’s inner-west.

Brays Bay Reserve was named for the Bray family, who were pioneer settlers with a land grant in 1794. Their home, named “Braygrove”, was built opposite the reserve, on the other side of Concord Road. Alfred Llewellyn Bray was the first Mayor of Concord (1883-1886) and Henry David Bray, Alfred’s younger brother, was the third Mayor of Concord (1890-1891).

Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, Brays Bay Reserve is a scenic spot, with stunning water views. It’s the perfect location for a family picnic, with plenty of wide, open space to run and play ball games.

There are plenty of picnic tables and BBQs available for public use.

Next to Brays Bay Reserve is McIlwaine Park Playground. The playground has two seperate play areas, a fenced play area for younger kids and an unfenced area for older kids. Both play areas feature shade cloths.

There are public toilets available for use and a free car park.

Brays Bay Reserve joins the end of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, which is also worth a visit. Read more about the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway.

Brays Bay Reserve & Mcilwaine Park Playground
443 Concord Rd, Rhodes NSW
canadabay.nsw.gov.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Jubilee Park & Playground Glebe Sydney

October 14, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Jubilee Park & Playground Glebe Sydney

Jubilee Park is a large, waterfront park in Glebe, featuring a large children’s playground, walking/cycling path, picnic / BBQ facilities and public restrooms.

Jubilee Park has plenty of shady with huge fig trees with roots above ground, and a large playground which is located at the end of Glebe Point Road.

The playground is great for kids of all ages, with a slippery dip, sandpit, swings, carousel and a cubby house shaped like a pod that was designed by award-winning landscape architect Sue Barnsley.

The park is located on the Glebe Foreshore Walk, which is a fab walk wrapping around the harbour.

Jubilee Park
5 Northcote Rd, Glebe
cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/playgrounds/jubilee-park-playground

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Fagan Park & Playground Galston Sydney

September 15, 2020 / Bush, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Fagan Park & Playground Galston Sydney

Fagan Park in Sydney’s Hornsby shire is a 55 hectare park with themed gardens, playgrounds, historic Netherby Cottage and an Eco Garden to explore.

Fagan Park history

The Darug people hunted and fished in the region for thousands of years, and were the original inhabitants of the land where Fagan Park sits. The Darug people were forced to leave the land by white settlers as detail above.

Fagan Park is located on a piece of land originally granted to George Hall. After being purchased by the Fagan family it was developed as a citrus orchard and later a cattle property. The land was donated by the Fagan family for use as a recreational and culture centre. Hornsby Shire Council was appointed as sole trustee for the park, which officially opened in November 1988.

Things to do in Fagan Park

Picnics & Barbecues

Enjoy a picnic or barbecue, with a number of shelters and electric barbecues that accept $1 coins scattered throughout the grounds. (Remember to bring change!)

Gardens of Many Nations

Take an ambling stroll around the Gardens of Many Nations, which covers 10 hectares and has 11 themed gardens.

The gardens include Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, Australian, African and Mediterranean. The Chinese and Japanese gardens are particularly beautiful in spring with cherry blossom trees blooming.

Netherby Homestead and Rural Museum

The original Fagan home, Netherby Cottage, was donated to the Crown under Hornsby Shire Council’s care, control and management in 1979. The cottage and adjoining Rural Museum are a great place to learn about colonial life and local history.

The cottage and museum are open evert Tuesday and second Sunday of each month.

Playgrounds

There are two large playgrounds in Fagan Park, one at the Arcadia Road entrance and one at the Carrs Road entrance.

Arcadia Road playground

The Arcadia Road playground is a modern space with small and large climbing frames, flying fox, swings, including a Liberty Swing, water play, sand play, slides and turning disc.

There are picnic shelters and barbecues surrounding the playground, as well as a large toilet block featuring a disabled toilet.

The proximity to the car park, playground, toilets and play equipment makes this a popular spot for children’s parties. The picnic shelters are often booked out on weekends for parties.

Carrs Bush playground

The Carr Bush playground is located in the Carrs Bush area of Fagan Park. The nature-themed playground blends into the surrounding bush landscape.

Features include climbing logs, a water play feature, swings including a basket swing and disabled swing, an all-abilities carousel and a climbing frame.

There are picnic tables and toilets nearby.

Eco Garden

The Eco Garden is an educational, sustainable garden. The Council-driven community initiative features over 36 different types of fruit and vegetables, as well as showcasing environmentally friendly gardening techniques.

The Eco Garden is a great spot for kids, too, with fun features to explore including a scarecrow, sandpit and fairy garden.

Get active

Fagan Park is the perfect place to get some exercise. There are long, sealed paths perfect for riding bikes or scooters, large graded areas for ball sports, frisbees or kite-flying and bushland with short bushwalking trails.

Dogs are welcome, however must remain on a lead at all times.

Carrs Bush

A beautiful 8.5 hectare area of bushland within Fagan Park, Carrs Bush features several short trails with interpretive signage, picnic areas, barbecues and a playground.

There are over 120 species of native plants in Carrs Bush, including the endangered Sydney Turpentine – Ironbark. Birds, marsupials, amphibians, mammals and invertebrates take refuge here.

Important info about Fagan Park

There are two accessible / disabled toilets inside Fagan Park. One is located at the Arcadia Road main amenities block; and the other is located at the Carrs Road amenities block.

Small portable barbeques including charcoal are permitted under strict conditions.

There is a privately run kiosk selling light refreshments (open weekends and selected weekdays only). I would highly recommend that you bring your own food and water. The park is perfect for a long, luxurious picnic.

All barbeques within the park require $1 coins to operate.

There are two car parks, one off Arcadia Road at the main park entrance, and another off Carrs Road. Parking costs $6 per vehicle.

Dogs are permitted but must stay on a leash at all times.

There are many water birds living in Fagan Park. Please don’t feed them.

Fagan Park
38-48 Arcadia Rd, Galston
Hours: Daily, 7am-6:30pm
hornsby.nsw.gov.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Wentworth Common at Bicentennial Park Sydney

August 19, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Wentworth Common at Bicentennial Park Sydney

A hidden gem inside the sprawling Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Common is a quiet, grassy park with wetlands, a playground and picnic facilities.

Wentworth Common is easy to find, with a car park directly outside, off the main road (Marjorie Jackson Pkwy). It’s often overlooked, making it a lovely spot for those seeking solitude.

The park features a huge grassy area, with lots of trees around the perimeter for shade. There are several sheltered picnic areas and free barbecues, plus a large, modern bathroom block.

There is a large adventure playground with a huge sandpit, slide, climbing frame, swings and flying fox.

Little kids will love the stone sculptures of the lizard and frog in a smaller sandy play area.

There is a small water play feature connected to the sandpit in this part of the park for play during the warmer months.

There are some lovely wooden beams linking the two small play areas though the wilderness as well as low circular stepping stones dotted throughout the bush – great for balance as well as imaginative play.

Dogs are allowed on-leash.

If you want some exercise, walk or cycle to the top of Bay Marker lookout for views of the wetlands, Haslams Creek, Homebush Bay and the city skyline.

Look for ducks and other water birds in the wetlands.

Afterwards, check out nearby Brickpit Ring Walk.

There is more of Bicentennial Park to explore as well, plus nearby Blaxland Riverside Playground and the Olympic Cauldron in Cathy Freeman Park. Or, take a dip in the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Scoot or bike around the Newington Armory.

Wentworth Common at Bicentennial Park Sydney
Marjorie Jackson Pkwy, Sydney Olympic Park
sydneyolympicpark.com.au/parks/wentworth-common

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Berry Island Reserve & Playground

August 12, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Berry Island Reserve & Playground

Enjoy some of the most beautiful harbour views in Sydney from Berry Island Reserve, a bushland island in North Sydney.

Berry Island Reserve is a small, circular island, connected to the mainland by a grassed causeway.

The grassed causeway is a nice, wide, open space, perfect for picnics. Public toilets and free barbecues available for use, and some seats dotted around. I would suggest bringing picnic blankets and chairs however.

There is a lovely little fenced adventure playground tucked into the side of the island. It has some of the best views of any playground we have seen. The playground is designed to blend into the bush setting and has equipment suitable for toddlers to primary aged kids.

The Berry Island playground is fenced on three sides, with a rockface creating the fourth wall. At the entrance to the playground can be equipment suitable for younger kids, while the harder equipment is in the rear.

Take the Gadyan Track around the island for some exercise, stunning views, and to learn about Berry Island’s Aboriginal history. The 20 minute bush walk has interpretative signs posted along the way and there are some Aboriginal midden sites, a watering hole and rock engravings to be discovered.

Berry Island was a fishing, hunting and camping site for Aboriginal communities. The island was attached to the mainland with the construction of a stone causeway in the early 19th century by Edward Wollstonecraft, and was dedicated as a public nature reserve in 1926.

Dogs are permitted on Berry Island Reserve, however they must be kept on a leash in bushland areas and they are not permitted within 10m of the playground.

Berry Island Reserve is quite easy to reach by driving straight down Shirley Road in Wollstonecraft, however parking is a bit tricky – there is limited on-street parking on Shirley Road. If you’re catching the train, Berry island Reserve is a 10-minute walk from Wollstonecraft railway station.

Berry Island Reserve
10 Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft
https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Recreation_Facilities/Parks_Reserves/Search_Parks/Berry_Island_Reserve

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Central Gardens Nature Reserve Merrylands, South-West Sydney

July 30, 2020 / Animal Experiences, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Central Gardens Nature Reserve Merrylands

The Central Gardens Nature Reserve, also known as Central Gardens Merrylands, is a nature reserve in south-west Sydney. The 12-hectare park features two playgrounds, animal enclosures, BBQ areas, a flat path perfect for scooters and bikes, plus a small waterfall feature.

Both playgrounds were updated this year (you can see what the park looked like last time we visited here) with an accessible design.

The main playground is located closest to Paton St. It has a massive shade cloth over the bulk of the playground, with an inclusive ramp structure and slides at the end, sand pit with water feature, swings, liberty swing, tyres that make music when you jump on them, merry go round, in-ground trampolines, walking see-saw, a rock climb feature on the ramp structure on the centre, talking tubes, a tunnel and a spinning teacup.

There is also a large rope climbing structure outside of the shade cloth area and a toddler play area.

The second playground is a much smaller one located near Merrylands Street car park. It is also all-abilities and has a liberty swing.

Behind the main playground you’ll find the native animal exhibits. It’s free to wander through them and see the very well cared for animals, including birds, particularly scary emus, wallabies with babies in their pouches, and kangaroos.

There is also a nocturnal house with possums and fruit bats.

Central Gardens Merrylands also features a waterfall right in the middle of the park. It’s a lovely spot to wander around, with water birds and cockatoos in abundance. Behind the waterfall is a koala sanctuary.

The park has plenty of wide open green space for kids to run around and picnics, plus free barbecues and picnic tables.

Near the main playground is a Bush School that meets monthly.

Central Gardens can be accessed from Merrylands Road or Paton Street, where there is a free car park. If you are going via public transport, take bus 806 (from Parramatta to Liverpool) or 818 (from Westmead to Merrylands).

Central Gardens Nature Reserve
Cumberland Hwy & Merrylands Road, Merrylands West
https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/central-gardens-nature-reserve
Get Directions

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

The Canopy Precinct at Lane Cove, Sydney

July 23, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

The Canopy Precinct at Lane Cove, Sydney

The Canopy is a vibrant new precinct in Lane Cove, featuring a village green and children’s playground, restaurants, living green wall and solar arbour.

Located in the heart of Sydney’s lower North Shore, the Canopy is a destination to shop, dine, play and relax. It also includes Coles and Aldi supermarkets and a 500-space underground car park, making accessing it and grabbing your groceries at the same time a breeze.

Village Green

This lovely green space has a stage set up for entertaining, and sculptures dotted around.

Playground

The playground is a special place, featuring a shaded toddler area with slippery dip, tunnel and water pump with park.

Older kids can enjoy the adventure playground which includes the solar arbour, trampolines, accessible swing and the incredible climbing structure. Reaching 8 metres high and over 15 metres in width, the structure includes vertical climbing nets, a fire pole, pommets, sagging bridge, junior and spiral slides and upper/lower play decks.

Sustainability Features

The Canopy was designed with several sustainable features, including a living, breathing green wall, 230 solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and a bespoke galvanised arbour.

The solar arbour is a stunning sight to behold. Featuring printed solar cells developed by the University of Newcastle, this arbour in Lane Cove is the only public place in Australia where you can see these cells in action. From 5:00pm each day visitors can trigger the motion sensors to display LED lighting which is powered by these ultra light-weight, flexible and recyclable solar cells.

The 20 square metre green wall houses plant species scientifically developed to improve air quality including Philodendron Xanadu, Alternanthera Dentata, Philodendron Imperial Green, Philodendron Hope and Westringia Fruticosa. The green wall also acts as a sound barrier, improves acoustics and cools the immediate surrounding air temperature.

Rainwater Harvesting & Fountain

The Canopy features 90,000 litres of water harvesting capacity, with rain water from the water feature and the building roofs captured and reused for landscape irrigation. The Canopy’s fountain features 46 jets and is going to be very popular in summer.

Bathrooms

A quick note about these excellent new bathroom facilities, which feature disabled and family areas.

The Canopy
2 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove
thecanopylanecove.com.au

Thanks to Lane Cove Council for the additional images.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.