Playgrounds Archives - Page 3 of 5

16 Of The Best Free Water Parks In Sydney

January 11, 2019 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

16 Of The Best Free Water Parks In Sydney

When it’s molten outside, there’s only one thing to do – head to one of these free water parks in Sydney to cool off, pronto!

Variety Livvi’s Place, Bankstown

The Canterbury-Bankstown area’s first all-abilities playground opened in late 2018, a joint project between Variety, the Children’s Charity, and the Touched by Olivia foundation. The fully-fenced playground features picnic and bbq facilities, bathrooms, Variety Livvi’s Place includes a sensory zone, flying fox with accessible seats, a climbing net, trampoline, swings with accessible seats, water play area, a climbing tower with ground level play features, two nest swings, roller table, accessible carousel, slides, a nature trail, sand play and a lizard log carved from wood.

Get more info on visiting Variety Livvi’s Place here.

Ollie Webb Reserve Parramatta

Parramatta’s first all-inclusive playground opened in early 2019. It features climbing structures, water play with a splash play area and water pumps, an elevated sandpit, an accessible carousel, swings, BBQ facilities and excellent bathrooms.

Read the full review of Ollie Webb Reserve playground here.

Putney Park Playground and Water Park

A great spot to take kids in summer, Putney Park features climbing equipment for kids of all ages plus two shallow pools connected by a pebble creek and a large climbing web.

Livvi’s Place Ryde

Livvi’s Place is a full-enclosed playground located in Yamble Reserve, Ryde. The reserve features formal gardens, deciduous trees, picnic shelters, large green grassed areas, barbecues and the excellent all-abilities playground, Livvi’s Place. Livvi’s Place playground includes a water pump play area, dual flying fox, nest swing, musical instruments, climbing frame and tunnels.

Read more about Livvi’s Place Ryde here.

Green Square Library

The underground Green Square Library opened in late 2018. It features a water play area in the outside plaza, public artworks, dedicated kids zone with books and DVDs, vintage game stations for rent, a piano for hire, a sunken garden, kid-friendly cafe and take-home makerspace kits for kids aged 5+. The library also runs school holiday workshops and story time sessions.

Get more info on Green Square Library here.

Pirrama Park Playground, Pyrmont

This beautiful playground in Pyrmont has shiny, well-designed equipment, a water play area, sand pit with shade cloth, new, well-maintained bathrooms (including baby change facilities) and a cafe with shaded seating. Street parking is available. Pirrama Park features grasslands, wide avenues for scooting and entry into the harbour for swimming.

Get more info on Pirrama Park Playground here.

Bigge Park, Liverpool

Bigge Park in Liverpool, a south-west suburb of Sydney, received a $5 million upgrade a few years back. The upgrade included a fantastic free water play area, much of which is covered by shade cloth, and an excellent water tipping bucket. Bigge Park also includes an accessible playground, a regular playground and climbing equipment.

Get more info on visiting Bigge Park.

Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland

A lovely park with seperate playgrounds for kids of different age groups, a water play area and BBQ facilities.

Read more about visiting Mary O’Brien Reserve here.

Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park

The Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden opened in Centennial Park in October 2017. The 6500sq m nature-based play area features a 7m-high climbing tower, wooden bridge, water play area and an open play area where kids are encouraged to use sticks and natural materials to make their own shelters, artworks and games.

Get more info on visiting the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden here.

Blaxland Riverside Park, Sydney Olympic Park

A gorgeous spot for families with one of the biggest playgrounds in Sydney set among three hectares of rolling hills and big open spaces. The playground caters for kids of all ages and abilities with a fantastic water play area (the largest outdoor water play facility in NSW), moving play elements, high and steep landforms and hidden and confined spaces. There’s a double flying fox, mega-swing, tunnel slides, scramble wall, spinning play disk, Viking swing and a multi-level tree house to be discovered and enjoyed.

Get more info on Blaxland Riverside Park.

Darling Quarter Playground

The most centrally-located Sydney playground features a 21-metre flying fox, water play area with pumps and buckets and plenty of slides, climbing structures and swings. It’s a must for kids visiting the city.

Get more info on the Darling Quarter Playground.

Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park

The site of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games is now a monument to sporting legends and a peaceful parkland. Visit Cathy Freeman Park to see the Olympic Cauldron that was used throughout the games and has been transformed into a water feature that kids love to play under in summer, located next to a shady playground and vast grassy field.

Get more info on Cathy Freeman Park here.

Plough and Harrow, Abbotsbury

The Plough and Harrow park is part of the massive Western Sydney Parklands that spans across the suburbs of Abbotsbury, Eastern Creek, Prospect and Horsley Park. The entire parklands covers 5,280 hectares, and includes several playgrounds, events centres and sporting venues. The playground features include a hamster wheel, flying fox, sand pit, little kid play area, large climbing spiderweb, basket swing, big kid swings and a water pump feature.

Get more info on the Plough and Harrow here.

James Ruse Reserve Playground, Parramatta

Our go-to when it’s hot, this playground has an undercover water play area that is a fave of ours. The splashpad features a large variety of water jets and water guns. James Ruse Reserve Playground also features climbing structures and is close to cafes.

Get more info on the James Ruse Reserve Playground here.

Bungarribee Park, near Blacktown

Opened in 2017, Bungarribee is a 200-hectare recreational space that features walking and cycling tracks, 20 barbecues, 13 picnic shelters and a playground with a climbing tower, flying fox, plenty of slides, swings and a water play area. Since reviewed, shade sails have been put up in the park.

Get more info on visiting Bungarribee Park.

Curry Reserve Water Play Space, Camden

Opening in December 2018, Curry Reserve brings much-needed water play to Western Sydney. The water park features a large splash pad with 36 play features for all inclusive, accessible fun, suitable for kids of all ages.

The low water play canal area is great for little kids, there is a shade cloth covering much of the water play area, and there’s shade and seating for parents supervising. The park is accessible for wheelchairs.

Thanks to Have Wheelchair Will Travel for reporting on the park and pics.

Curry Reserve Water Play Park, Camden Valley Way, Elderslie

More things to do in Sydney

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

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

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

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

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

Livvi’s Place Ryde, Yamble Reserve

January 10, 2019 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Livvi’s Place is a full-enclosed playground located in Yamble Reserve, Ryde. The reserve features formal gardens, deciduous trees, picnic shelters, large green grassed areas, barbecues and the excellent all-abilities playground, Livvi’s Place.

The all-inclusive playground was designed to allow children of all abilities to play, learn and socialise, with a combination of traditional and purpose-built play equipment and landscaping.

Livvi’s Place includes themed play zones, designed to stimulate and calm children with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities, as well as give them some sensory features, too.

The playground features a dual flying fox, accessible carousel, climbing net, water pump and play feature, tunnels, musical instruments and a nest swing.

There are two free parking areas. Visitors with mobility restrictions are better off with the one off Clermont Avenue.

Lastly, there is a fully accessible amenities block which includes both child and adult change tables.

Livvi’s Place Ryde
Yamble Reserve, Quarry Road, Ryde
Get Directions

Variety Livvi’s Place: Bankstown Playground

January 8, 2019 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Variety Livvi’s Place: Bankstown Playground

The Canterbury-Bankstown area has its first all-abilities playground! The new Variety Livvi’s Place officially opened late in 2018, a joint project between Variety, the Children’s Charity, and the Touched by Olivia foundation. More than 6% of Bankstown City’s population live with disabilities, which is the highest percentage of any community in NSW.

Variety Livvi’s Place is a completely fenced playground located inside Bankstown Central Gardens. Outside the playground is a wide scooting / bike path, picnic and bbq facilities and bathrooms.

Inside the playground, Variety Livvi’s Place includes a sensory zone, flying fox with accessible seats, a climbing net, trampoline, swings with accessible seats, water play area, a climbing tower with ground level play features, two nest swings, roller table, accessible carousel, slides, a nature trail, sand play and a lizard log carved from wood.

The playground has two areas with shade clothes but the majority of the playground is not shaded. Trees have been planted around the playground but it will be a while before they give full shade.

There is ample unrestricted parking outside the gardens.

Variety Livvi’s Place
Ross St, Bankstown
Get directions

More things to do in Sydney

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

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

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

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

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

Bigge Park Water Play Liverpool, Sydney, Australia

December 30, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Bigge Park in Liverpool, a south-west suburb of Sydney, received a $5 million upgrade a few years back. The upgrade included a fantastic free water play area.

The water play area has three zones, two of which are under cover. The water play feature include a tipping bucket, overhead showers and water guns pumping filtered recycled water.

There is an outdoor shower for rinsing off afterwards and bathrooms located a few steps away next to the tennis court.

While there is plenty of seating for adults around the water play area, very little of it is in the shade. The deck chairs cannot be moved.

Bigge Park also features two children’s playgrounds, one of which has accessible features, and an outdoor exercise park.

There are also wide paths for scooting, picnic tables and climbing structures near The Shed kiosk.

Paid parking is available at the north end of the park near the water play area.

Bigge Park
124 Bigge St, Liverpool

Victoria Park, Sydney CBD

November 19, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Right in the middle of Sydney lies Victoria Park, a 9 hectare public park adjoining Sydney University.

Victoria Park features historic structures such as the entrance gates, Gardener’s Lodge, a Canadian totem pole and ornamental wooden bridge.

Grass fields sprawl across the park and frame Lake Northam, a quiet space where you can find a secluded and peaceful spot under the shade of a nearby tree.

There is the picturesque Lake Northram in the middle of the park with plenty of chairs around it for relaxing ad admiring the view. In spring, the jacaranda trees in the park come into full bloom.

Beyond the lake is a modern playground with equipment for a variety of ages. The play area is partially shaded.

There is a half basketball court nearby, and BBQ facilities.

The park also features plenty of paths perfect for scooters or bike riding, wide expansive grassed areas and plenty of shade thanks to the trees.

Victoria Park Pool also located within the park, featuring the 50m King George VI Memorial Swimming Pool and a shaded children’s wading pool with water deck. The pool also has a fully-equipped gymnasium, child minding crèche, swim shop and a café.

Get to the park via bus along Parramatta Road and City Road, or catch the train to Central Station and walk. Car Parking is available – free two hour parking on the City Road entrance.

Victoria Park
Parramatta Rd, Broadway
cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/parks/major-parks/victoria-park

Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland, Sydney

November 14, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

The high-density suburb of Zetland is home to an excellent park, Mary O’Brien Reserve. The park features two playgrounds including a water play area, a large green space, barbeques and a bike / scooter path.

Mary O’Brien Reserve has been a feature of Zetland since the 1960s and was named for a former member of Waterloo Council who championed a wide variety of charitable organisations for 50 years.

The park features two playgrounds. One is larger and for older kids and the other is smaller and for younger kids. Both playgrounds now have shade cloths.

Next to the playground for older kids is a splash park area featuring water jets. The water jets turn on when you step on a large button on the ground, ensuring water isn’t wasted when there are no kids to enjoy it.

The playground for older kids features a large climbing frame and large slide.

The playground for smaller kids features a smaller slide and some interactive features.

There are two barbeque areas in the park. One, near the playground, has some shade.

While there are no bathrooms in the park, there is a public library across the road where toilets may be used.

Outside the park is a wide path that can be used for bike riding or scooting.

Mary O’Brien Reserve
8 Tilford St & Joynton Ave, Zetland
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/parks/playgrounds

More things to do in Sydney

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

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

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

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

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

Darling Quarter Playground, Sydney

November 8, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

The Darling Quarter playground is one of the best playgrounds in Sydney. With a huge water play area, climbing ropes for big and little kids, swings, slides, and a flying fox, there’s enough to entertain (and wear out) kids for an entire day.

The playground is fantastic for kids of all ages – note however that it is not contained and is in a very busy area, so keep a very close eye on your kids.

Water scoop: turn the wheel, get wet!

Lots of shade over rest and play areas.

An Archimedes water screw!

Three-metre high giant slide and supanova wheel.

3D ring swing.

10-metre high octanet.

Baby ropes.

21-metre long flying fox.

There are bathrooms in the park as well as extra bathrooms that can be used at the nearby Lendlease Theatre.

The old fountains that we used to love to play in have been given a facelift of late and have turned into a water feature that is also popular for wading in in summer.

There are plenty of food options in all directions – our fave is Fratelli Fresh.

Read more about Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour here.

Darling Quarter Playground
1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney
Bathrooms: Several very clean bathrooms with change facilities.
Picnic tables: No
Shade cover: Partial (not over the water area)
Cafe: Yes
Skatepark: No
Off-street parking: No (Use the Darling Quarter Wilson car park)
Children’s playground: Yes
Water features: Yes
Get Directions

Putney Park Playground and Water Park

November 7, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Putney Park Playground and Water Park

A fantastic playground for kids of all ages, Putney Park has some really unique features.

The large climbing structure dominating the playground is best for older kids, had has a long slide that looks scarier than it actually is to ride inside.

At the bottom of the slide and climbing structure is a water park that is semi enclosed by a stone retaining wall.

The Putney water park has two shallow pools connected by a pebble stream. The upper pool is best suited for toddlers as it is the most shallow of the two pools, but it is not covered by a shade cloth. This does however mean the water is warmer in this pool.

The lower pool is a bit deeper. Neither pool is very deep – the deepest part would be around 30cm.

Around the pools are brightly coloured shapes that the kids enjoy trying to climb.

There are plenty of places for parents to sit in the shade around the edges of the park.

A few steps down from the main playground is a large climbing frame inside a sandpit.

There is a small, traditional kids playground next to it.

Putney Park is located on the western foreshore of Putney, giving the park excellent water views.

There are plenty of shady trees for picnics, barbeque facilities and shaded picnic tables.

Clean, maintained public bathrooms are located near the playground.

There is an on-site, free public car park at the entry from Pellisier Road near Jetty Road.

At the southern end of the park, near Pillisier Road, is another small, traditional kids’ playground with swings and small slides.

Harold Park and Playground, Sydney

November 7, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Harold Park and Playground

Created on the site of a former paceway, the new Harold Park is a 3.8 hectare green space that leads to the Glebe foreshore and links to Bicentennial, Federal, Jubilee, Pope Paul and Blackwattle Bay parks. The result is a continuous 20.6-hectare green corridor.

Harold Park is located next to the Tramsheds food precinct in Forest Lodge. You can read more about the Tramsheds here.

The park features a custom-designed playground with two slides and rope climbing structures, walking and balancing planks, a toddler swing, a regular-sized swing and a nest swing, sand pit, plus climbing logs and structures.

Shade cloths have been placed over picnic tables and the main parts of the playground. There are also barbeque areas available for use and plenty of wide open green spaces.

Bathrooms are located inside the nearby Tramsheds.

< img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30924" src="https://christineknight.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tramsheds-blog-15.jpg" alt="Harold Park, Sydney" width="700" height="525" />

The Best Things To Do In Parramatta And Western Sydney With Kids

June 28, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

I grew up in Sydney’s South West suburbs, so have spent much of my life in the Parramatta and Western Sydney area. Sydney’s South West and Western suburbs are an incredible mix of history, nature and delicious food, a perfect place to bring up kids or visit for the day. Check out the best things to do in Parramatta and Western Sydney with kids!

The Best Things To Do In Parramatta and Western Sydney With Kids

Livvi’s Place Ryde

Livvi’s Place is a full-enclosed playground located in Yamble Reserve, Ryde. The reserve features formal gardens, deciduous trees, picnic shelters, large green grassed areas, barbecues and the excellent all-abilities playground, Livvi’s Place. Livvi’s Place playground includes a water pump play area, dual flying fox, nest swing, musical instruments, climbing frame and tunnels.

Read more about Livvi’s Place Ryde here.

Auburn Botanic Gardens

The delightfully zen Auburn Botanic Gardens are located in Auburn, in South-West Sydney. Established in 1977, the gardens are surprisingly tucked away in a suburban pocket between rows of houses. Spread over 9.7 hectares, the gardens are a serene place to enjoy nature. They include a waterfall, inclusive playground, Japanese garden and plenty of native animals like kangaroos and wildlife.

Ollie Webb Reserve Parramatta

Parramatta’s first all-inclusive playground opened in early 2019. It features climbing structures, water play with a splash play area and water pumps, an elevated sandpit, an accessible carousel, swings, BBQ facilities and excellent bathrooms.

Read the full review of Ollie Webb Reserve playground here.

The Central Gardens Nature Reserve Merrylands

The Central Gardens Nature Reserve, also called the Central Gardens, is a nature reserve in the southwest Sydney suburb of Merrylands. The 12 hectare park features two playgrounds, animal enclosures, BBQ areas, a flat path perfect for scooters and bikes, plus a small waterfall feature.

Read more about visiting the Central Gardens Nature Reserve here.

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

Located in South West Sydney, the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is a place to experience the arts including performances and exhibitions.

As well as featuring six galleries with rotating exhibitions, the Powerhouse also has a pair of three-story decommissioned tanks that are open to the public as legal graffiti spaces.

The Casula Powerhouse runs family-friendly art programs throughout the year. Check out their upcoming events and workshops here.

Get more info on visiting the Casula Powerhouse here.

Image credit: Casula Powerhouse

Casula Parklands Adventure Playground

The brand new Casula Parklands has something for everyone, from toddlers to adults. Located near the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, the park features play equipment and fitness training for all ages.

The $15 million park includes a ninja warrior training course for teens and adults, toddler climbing equipment, older kid / tween climbing equipment, flying foxes, swings, on and off-leash dog parks and a fitness area.

Get more info on visiting Casula Parklands Adventure Playground.

Blaxland Riverside Park

A gorgeous spot for families with one of the biggest playgrounds in Sydney set among three hectares of rolling hills and big open spaces. The playground caters for kids of all ages and abilities with a fantastic water play area (the largest outdoor water play facility in NSW), moving play elements, high and steep landforms and hidden and confined spaces. There’s a double flying fox, mega-swing, tunnel slides, scramble wall, spinning play disk, Viking swing and a multi-level tree house to be discovered and enjoyed.

Get more info on Blaxland Riverside Park.

Museum of Fire

Enjoy exhibits focusing on fire safety and firefighting and explore historic fire trucks at the Museum of Fire in Penrith.

Junior firefighters will enjoy puzzles, dress-ups, fire safety activities and computer games.

Get more info on visiting the Museum of Fire here.

Image credit: Destination NSW Adam Hollingsworth

Museums Discovery Centre (MDC)

Inside the Museums Discovery Centre you’ll find millions of treasures and the opportunity to learn about museum collecting, conservation and research practices.

Get more info on the MDC here.

NSW Rail Museum

Bring your locomotive-loving kids to get up close to trains at the NSW Rail Museum in the historic town of Thirlmere. Since 1975 this little town has been home to a large collection of NSW’s railway heritage, including over 100 vehicles that move on a railway including locomotives, railroad cars and more.

Get more info on visiting the NSW Rail Museum here.

Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

Explore Australia’s unique plant life at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, a 416-hectare botanical garden located in Mount Annan, between Campbelltown and Camden. The wide, flat paths are a delight to follow as they weave in and around the garden areas, as are the grassy hills to roll down!

The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan has free entry, picnic shelters, barbecues and a playground with an excellent flying fox, making it the perfect outing for families.

Get more info on visiting the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.

Featherdale Wildlife Park

A privately-owned zoo in Doonside, near Blacktown, Featherdale Wildlife Park specialises in Australian native wildlife and birds, as well as reptiles and marsupials.

Get more info on visiting Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Calmsley Hill City Farm

The place to introduce city kids to a farm! Calmsley Hill City Farm has plenty of farm animals to get up close to, plus tractor rides and interactive shows such as sheep shearing, a small playground, picnic area and cafe.

Get more info on visiting Calmsley Hill City Farm.

Skyline Drive-In Blacktown

Watch a movie under the stars at Sydney’s last remaining drive-in movie theatre. Introduce kids to the movie experience of a bygone era complete with a Happy Days-style diner, spiders and choc-tops. The gates open at 5:30pm, with parking allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Tune your car’s FM radio or bring along a portable radio to hear the movie. Before you leave home, check session times for what’s on.

Sydney Olympic Park

The site of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games is now a monument to sporting legends and a peaceful parkland. Visit Cathy Freeman Park to see the Olympic Cauldron that was used throughout the games and has been transformed into a water feature that kids love to play under in summer, located next to a shady playground and vast grassy field.

To get there: Take a 30 minute train trip from Central Station to Olympic Park Station or a ferry from Circular Quay to Sydney Olympic Park Wharf.

Get info on visiting Sydney Olympic Park here.

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

While adults will enjoy swimming in the same pool that Ian Thorpe won his Olympic gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, kids will go wild over the water slide, Splasher’s Water Playground that caters for kids aged toddler and up, and Rapid River Ride that caters to all ages. Comfortably heated to 26 degrees, the Aquatic Centre is year-round fun.

Get more information on visiting the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

To get there: Take a 30 minute train trip from Central Station to Olympic Park Station or a ferry from Circular Quay to Sydney Olympic Park Wharf.

Bicentennial Park

A fave for families with its wide expanses of undulating hills, plenty of shade and picnic spots. Bicentennial Park is a beautiful location that combines mangrove wetlands with 40 hectares of gentle hills, meadows, lakes, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Driving to this park is the best option but parking can also be a challenge so arrive early.

Read more about visiting Bicentennial Park.

Brickpit Ring Walk

Search for endangered frogs and learn about Sydney’s brick-making history on this elevated walk over wetlands.

Read more about visiting the Brickpit Ring Walk.

Wentworth Common

Enjoy a quiet picnic at this hidden gem of a park. Kids will love the huge adventure playground and bushland setting.

Read more about visiting Wentworth Common.

Newington Armory

The world heritage-listed Newington Armory is now an industrial arts precinct with a fab sculpture walk (or bike) along the Parramatta River.

Read more about visiting the Newington Armory.

Ryde Park Playground & Scooter Track

What a gem of a spot! Ryde Park has a shaded playground and a new scooter/bike track. The park also has sporting fields and picnic areas.

Get more info on Ryde Park here.

Western Sydney Parklands

An urban park and nature reserve located in Sydney’s western suburbs, the Western Sydney Parklands contains various parks and attractions that are perfect for families to enjoy.

Plough and Harrow

This popular picnic spot is surrounded by bush and features a playground, cafe, high ropes course and wide open spaces for kids to run free. The playground’s hamster wheel is particularly popular!

Get more info on visiting Plough and Harrow.

Lizard Log Park & Playground

A nature-themed playground with a bush setting, Lizard Log also features walking and cycling tracks plus barbecue stations.

Read more about visiting Lizard Log Park and Playground.

Treetop Adventure Park

Adventurous kids will adore getting up high in the gum trees with the Treetop self-guided rope courses. With rope ladders, wobbly bridges and zip lines to navigate, it’s the perfect place for kids to test their problem-solving ability as well as push physical boundaries. Kids must be aged three and older to participate, with the children’s rope course designed for ages 3-9. Treetops Adventure park is located at the Plough and Harrow park.

Get more info on visiting Treetop Adventure Park.

Sydney Zoo

Located next to the sprawling Western Sydney Parklands, Sydney Zoo is home to over 2000 animal species, housed in 30 custom, state-of-the-art exhibits.

Get more info on visiting Sydney Zoo.

Raging Waters Sydney

Cool down at Raging Waters Sydney (formerly Wet’n’Wild SYDNEY), a water theme park filled with over 40 slides, a zone dedicated to kids under 5 and a sandy beach. Popular with younger kids is the Nickelodeon Beach water splash park area that features characters like Dora, Spongebob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Get more info on visiting Raging Waters Sydney.

Image credit: Havewheelchairwilltravel.net.

Bungarribee Park

Opened in 2017, Bungarribee is a 200-hectare recreational space that features walking and cycling tracks, 20 barbecues, 13 picnic shelters and a playground with a climbing tower, flying fox, plenty of slides, swings and a water play area. Since this photo was taken, shade sails have been put up in the park.

Get more info on visiting Bungarribee Park.

Bigge Park, Liverpool

Bigge Park in Liverpool, a south-west suburb of Sydney, received a $5 million upgrade a few years back. The upgrade included a fantastic free water play area. Bigge Park also includes an accessible playground, a regular playground and climbing equipment.

Get more info on visiting Bigge Park.

Variety Livvi’s Place, Bankstown

The Canterbury-Bankstown area’s first all-abilities playground opened in late 2018, a joint project between Variety, the Children’s Charity, and the Touched by Olivia foundation. The fully-fenced playground features picnic and bbq facilities, bathrooms, Variety Livvi’s Place includes a sensory zone, flying fox with accessible seats, a climbing net, trampoline, swings with accessible seats, water play area, a climbing tower with ground level play features, two nest swings, roller table, accessible carousel, slides, a nature trail, sand play and a lizard log carved from wood.

Get more info on visiting Variety Livvi’s Place here.

Fairfield Adventure Park Playground

Especially designed to provide a play space for kids of a variety of ages, the Fairfield Adventure Playground brings the “wow” factor in spades. The park opened in 2015 after a $1.4 million council investment. With the star attractions designed specifically for teens, this is a unique playground that provides a much-needed recreational space for older kids.

Get more info on visiting the Fairfield Adventure Park Playground here.

Parramatta

The second oldest city in Australia, Parramatta was founded in 1788 – the same year as Sydney. Walk up Church street to discover its vibrant, multicultural food scene, or walk along the river to discover the city’s rich history.

Parramatta CBD Riverside Foreshore Park

We love this playground with its tall slides and sand play area, situated right on the banks of the Parramatta River.

Get more info on the Parramatta CBD River Foreshore Park here.

James Ruse Reserve Playground

Our go-to when it’s hot, this playground has an undercover water play area that is a fave of ours. It also features climbing structures.

Get more info on the James Ruse Reserve Playground here.

Parramatta Park

This World Heritage Listed park is a must see. Gazetted as a People’s Park in 1858, Parramatta Park been a place for locals to enjoy for over 150 years. It’s also home to Old Government House, a historic site and museum and Australia’s oldest surviving building. Parramatta Park also features wide open spaces with shady trees for picnics, a large formal rose garden, a creek and two playgrounds. Get info on upcoming events in Parramatta Park.

Gatehouse Tea Rooms, Parramatta Park

Enjoy high tea in the historic Gatehouse, located in beautiful Parramatta Park. Choose from a traditional high tea, savoury high tea or kids high tea. Gluten-free high tea, dairy-free high tea and vegan high tea are available.

Parramatta Park is rich in colonial history. In 2007 the park and Gatehouse building were granted World Heritage Listing by UNESCO.

Built in 1887, the Gatehouse is one of the oldest high tea venues in Australia, and my favourite spot for high tea in Parramatta.

Get more info on the Gatehouse Tea Rooms here.

Gatehouse Tea Rooms, Macquarie St Gatehouse, Parramatta Park, Parramatta

Domain Creek Playground Parramatta Park

The largest and most modern playground in Parramatta Park, the Domain Creek Playground is nature-based and features mazes made from branches and wires, water pumps and sand diggers, a flying fox and sunken trampolines.

Get more info on visiting Domain Creek Playground.

Paperbark Playground

Paperback Playground is the newest playground in the park and has some inclusive features. Located in the historic Gardens Precinct near the George Street Gatehouse, the playground is best suited to children and toddlers. Features include an accessible sandpit, swings and a carousel which kids with varied mobility, including wheelchair users, can use, as well as the ‘explorer dome’ centrepiece – a maze made of nets, ropes, ladders and tubes best suited to older children. The playground floor is covered with ‘Softfall’ pavements and there’s plenty of seats for parents and carers.

Thank you to Have Wheelchair Will Travel for the images.

Elizabeth Farm

Built in 1973 for John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Elizabeth Farm is one of the oldest homes in Australia. Inside the house you’ll find reproductions of furnishings and objects that belonged to the home’s original owners. Wander the recreated 1930s garden or enjoy a Devonshire tea at the tea room. The scones are some of the best we have ever tasted.

Elizabeth Farm runs year-round family tours and programs to engage kids in the history of the property and introduce them to what life was like during the early 19th century. Kids will get a kick out of trying to do the laundry in a tub, throwing quoits or doing some craft. Get info on upcoming events and programs here.

Carnes Hill Community & Recreation Precinct & Skate Plaza

This lively community precinct includes an excellent library with large kids’ area, excellent playground, community centre, outdoor fitness stations, gym, cafe, sports courts and picnic areas. The Carnes Hill Skate Plaza is also located in the precinct, a fab spot for kids to bring their scooters and bikes and enjoy a sprawling park that is suitable for all ages and levels of experience.

Images courtesy of Liverpool City Council