Adventure, baby!

sydney playgrounds

Elouera Reserve & Playground, Macquarie Park

Elouera Reserve Macquarie Park

Elouera Reserve

Elouera Reserve is a delightful playground and green space, located next to the Macquarie Centre and Macquarie University. It was upgraded in 2018 with new play equipment, and a BBQ.

Elouera Reserve includes a variety of play equipment such as six swings, two illuminated cubbies and a slide, two embankment slides, a flying fox, spinner, two in-ground trampolines and a hammock.

There isn’t a great deal of shade and the slides get hot in summer, however this is a great spot for a play and picnic on a not-so-hot day.

Other facilities at Elouera Reserve include:

  • Accessible BBQ
  • 4 picnic setting (2 with umbrellas)
  • Water bottle refill station

There is also lots of space for kicking a ball or throwing a frisbee.

There are no bathrooms at Elouera Reserve. The closest one is either nearby Macquarie Centre or the train station. 

Get more info on Elouera Reserve.

Elouera Reserve

82-84 Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park

 

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Central Gardens Nature Reserve Merrylands, South-West Sydney

Central Gardens Nature Reserve Merrylands

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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.

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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. 

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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.

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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.

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens, Merrylands: The best of southwest Sydney for families via christineknight.me Central Gardens, Merrylands: The best of southwest Sydney for families via christineknight.me Central Gardens, Merrylands: The best of southwest Sydney for families via christineknight.me

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

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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.

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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

Central Gardens, Merrylands: The best of southwest Sydney for families via christineknight.me

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

Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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 Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney Central Gardens Merrylands Sydney

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

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The Canopy Precinct at Lane Cove, Sydney

Canopy Lane Cove

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

The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney

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

The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney

Playground

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

The Canopy

The Canopy

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.

The Canopy The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney

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 Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney

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.

The Canopy, Lane Cove, SydneyBathrooms

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

The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney The Canopy, Lane Cove, Sydney

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

Thanks to Lane Cove Council for the additional images.

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Livvi’s Place Five Dock: All-Abilities Playground

Livvi's Place Five Dock, Sydney Playgrounds

 

Livvi’s Place Five Dock: All-Abilities Playground

Livvi’s Place in Five Dock, Sydney, is a playground designed for children of all abilities. The equipment and unique design of the playground ensures that all kids, including those with special needs, are able to enjoy playing side-by-side.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Livvi’s Place playgrounds are an initiative of the Touched by Olivia Foundation. There are now a series of Livvi’s Place playgrounds in Sydney, each designed in consultation with leading academics, play, disability, and landscape experts and the local community.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

The aim of Livvi’s Place playgrounds is to reduce the barriers experienced by children with special needs and their families, helping to give them a level playing field for life.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Livvi’s Place was designed to cater to children with all forms of disability, including mobility, vision and hearing impairment as well as spectrum disorders such as autism.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Walking into Livvi’s Place is akin to entering Wonderland. The playground is beautifully bright, with exciting elements to be explored across a large, enclosed space, all linked by a paved, flat track, perfect for cycling, scooting, prams or wheelchairs.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Central to the playground is a shaded merry-go-round, with buttons to press to make it go different speeds. Nearby are slides that have ramps to access them, a mini ropes course and large musical instruments.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

There is a flying fox with a bucket seat so all kids can have a ride.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

More features include a toddler area with swings, a small slide and a spinning purple flower.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

There are several shaded picnic tables inside the playground plus a BBQ.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

A small, sandy water play area is a fun place for summer, with taps and sinks for kids to fill buckets with and create all kinds of fun in the sand. 

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Dotted around the hills of the playground are imaginative play areas, like a little cafe front. 

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Outside the gated playground is a kiosk (is was closed when we visited). The kiosk usually sells basics like banana bread and milkshakes, and some of the profit is returned to the Touched by Olivia Foundation. 

Livvi's Place Five Dock

The bathrooms are also outside the playground and include an an electric adult sized change table which can be accessed with an MLAK key.

Livvi's Place Five Dock

There is accessible parking available nearby – we parked in a nearby side street however.

Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock Livvi's Place Five Dock

Livvi’s Place Five Dock
19 Henley Marine Dr, Five Dock
Get Directions

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Lizard Log Park & Playground, Western Sydney Parklands

Lizard Log Park & Playground, Western Sydney Parklands

Lizard Log is a bushland park in the Western Sydney Parklands. This beautiful green space features a nature-themed playground, scenic walks, cycling tracks and a dam.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

As part of the sprawling Western Sydney Parkland nature space, Lizard Log park is often overlooked in favour of its bigger, brighter cousins. As such, the park is generally a quiet one in comparison to the other better known areas, and is a quiet, relaxing space to enjoy nature with less people around.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

Lizard Log playground sprawls through the natural landscape, with features designed to blend into the bush. The park as a result is full of surprises, with hidden features waiting to be discovered while running through the various paths among the trees. 

Lizard Log Park and Playground

The playground features an extremely long dual flying fox and single flying fox that are perfect for thrill-seekers. 

Lizard Log Park and Playground

Nearby is a climbing wall with a slide.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

Through some trees are a giant sand pit with digging implements, two massive basket swings and a turning circle.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground

Hidden nearby in the trees is a water pump with a water play deck.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

Our favourite feature was the sand pit area with logs and ropes for balancing. We made challenges to see who could get through the circuit quickest.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

There are also wood-carved animals in the section, including the lizard.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

Around the playground are paths that loop around the park, nice and flat, so perfect for bikes, scooters, wheelchairs and strollers. 

Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground

For a short walk, take the 1.6km Pimelea Loop path that circles around Lizard Log. For a longer walk or cycle take the Parklands Track, which connects Lizard Log to The Dairy, Calmsley Hill City Farm, Moonrise Lookout, Sugarloaf Ridge and Prospect Reservoir. 

Lizard Log

Lizard Log park has excellent barbecue and picnic facilities which make it an excellent choice for family gatherings and parties. There are 20 picnic shelters, most free and readily available, with 10 able to be booked for parties and special occasions.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

There are 24 electric barbecues and 10 coal barbecue stations (concrete platforms for you to use your own barbecue on) are available free of charge for the public to use. Please leave them clean after use! Portable gas barbecues can also be used.

Lizard Log Park and Playground There is a little cafe, Saluti Cafe by Novella, near the park entrance to grab a coffee. It was closed when we visited. There is often an ice-cream van in the park for old school soft-serves. Every Saturday, Lizard Log Markets, are held in the park.

Lizard Log Park and Playground

The entrance to Lizard Log park and playground is at the corner of Cowpasture Road and The Horsley Drive, Abbotsbury. There are two carparks, one on the east and one on the west side of Lizard Log. Time restrictions apply in some areas. 

Lizard Log Park and Playground

There are two modern, clean toilet blocks with accessible facilities, can be found at two locations in the centre of Lizard Log, close to picnic shelters.

Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground Lizard Log Park and Playground

Lizard Log Park & Playground, Western Sydney Parklands
The Horsley Dr &, Cowpasture Rd, Abbotsbury NSW
westernsydneyparklands.com.au/places-to-go/lizard-log/

Western Sydney Parklands

More things to do in Sydney

Try nearby Bungarribee Park.

Also nearby is the Plough and Harrow Park and TreeTop Adventure Park.

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

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

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Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

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Jubilee Park Adventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

Jubilee Park Adventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

The Jubilee Park Adventure Playground in Mortdale, Sydney, features a large climbing frame with nets and slides, a children’s bike track, junior swings, flying foxes and multi-purpose sports courts.

The excellent new multi-million dollar Jubilee Park Adventure Playground is a great addition to the community. Built behind the existing Mortdale Community Centre, the playground has revitalised the park and given the community a great spot to picnic, play and get fit.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

As part of the upgrade, Jubilee Park was also given a new picnic and BBQ areas, outdoor gym equipment and new seating areas.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

The centrepiece of the park is the adventure playground. It’s a huge structure that suits older kids best, where they can climb up a huge spiderweb or enclose rope ladder to reach the top, and traverse suspended rope bridges. There is a large tunnel slide to get to the bottom.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

Also new to the park are a flying fox, basket swing, children’s bike track, junior swings, flying foxes and multi-purpose sports courts.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

While older kids will love the new climbing structure, littlies can enjoy the junior play area, with rubber hills featuring handholds, swings and a smaller basket swing.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

 

The bike track is really fun for young riders, with a series of paths posted with street signs, road markings and crossings. The track continues throughout the park and through the landscaped play area, where kids will love the “wombat crossing”.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

A landscaped play area is lovely for nature play, with wooden logs and rocks for climbing on, and concrete animals such as the wombats.

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

 

At the bottom of the park is the fitness area. A variety of multi-purpose courts are perfect for netball, basketball and soccer with goals for all sports available. There is also fitness equipment including balance beams, parallel bars and sit up boards. On the day we visited the courts were being used for skating practice, which is a great idea for kids just learning to rollerskate or ride a bike.

There are public toilets in the park which are clean and maintained well. There is an accessible toilet that has a baby change table in it.

There is no cafe in the park, but we love Bitton, which is only a few blocks away.

We parked in the free car park at the community centre. 

If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking out Oatley Park and the Oatley Park Adventure Playground as well.

Jubilee Park
2b Boundary Rd, Mortdale
Get Directions

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Newmarket Dining Randwick: Eat, Play and Unwind

Newmarket Dining Randwick: Eat, Play and Unwind

Sydney’s newest precinct, Newmarket Dining is a place to eat at cosy cafes and restaurants, picnic in the park and play at a state-of-the-art playground.

Officially opened in 2020, Newmarket Randwick was built on a site containing plenty of local history. The original inhabitants were thought to be the Cadigal and Biddigal Aboriginal people. In 1809, the land was granted to an ex-convict named Andrew Byrne, before becoming part of Randwick’s horse racing story. William Inglis & Son, Australia’s largest and oldest racehorse auctioneer, took over the site from 1917 – 2017, transforming it into the Newmarket Sales yard.

Some of Australia’s most famous horses paraded the sales yard, which has now been transformed into a children’s playground, and scenes from the movie Phar Lap were filmed in the Newmarket Big Stable, which is in the process of being resorted for use by the community.  

Surrounded by a ring of shiny new apartments, the Newmarket Dining precinct at Newmarket Randwick has opened with Baccomatto Osteria, an Italian restaurant, RaRa Randwick, a Japanese diner, Cali Press, makers of seasonal salad bowls, Café Mckenzie, serving speciality coffee and a Middle Eastern menu in a family-friendly environment.

The outdoor space at Newmarket Randwick is designed to encourage community engagement, with space for picnics, BBQs and a brand new playground with lots of inclusive elements.

One challenge we noticed on our visit was that the bathrooms were locked and not generally accessible, so keep that in mind when visiting that if you need to use a toilet you will need to ask one of the shops/cafes for a key.

The easiest way to reach Newmarket is by public transport as parking in the area is a challenge. To use public transport, take the light rail or bus. The nearest light rail stops are UNSW High Street and Randwick.

Newmarket Randwick
154 Barker St, Randwick
https://newmarketrandwick.com.au/

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Strathfield Park and Playgrounds

Visiting Strathfield Park

Strathfield Park, the oldest public park in Strathfield, is home to a huge playground with three play spaces, spanning 1.5 acres.

The park was renovated in 2017, with the resulting play spaces uniquely designed to  compliment each other, taking into account the various ages and abilities of children who might enjoy the play equipment. 

Strathfield Park

The main playground area features the premiere Skytower, an eye-catching structure, with four slides attached, a Konnecta rope play structure and triple Skyrider flying fox.

Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park

Nearby is the all abilities play area, which includes a carousel, mounds, slides, swings, maze and fortress area.

Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park

Next to this play area is the 4.5m Mammoth Swing (Australia’s biggest).

Strathfield Park

Linking the two play areas is a forest garden area with a Bushwood Teepee Tower, a giant wooden Lizard and the Flecto spinner.

Strathfield Park

A flat bike path leads across the park to the last playground area on the Chalmers Road side, which includes a smaller climbing structure and an excellent educational kids bike track with road signs.

Strathfield Park Strathfield Park

The rest of the park includes barbecue equipment, sporting fields and a very old toilet amenities block in the middle of the park.

There is no cafe in the park, so be sure to bring your own picnic lunch.

Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park Strathfield Park

Strathfield Park
Chalmers &, Homebush Rd, Strathfield
Get directions
Read more about Strathfield Park

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Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

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

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30 of the best playgrounds in Sydney

Playgrounds Sydney

30 Of The Best Playgrounds in Sydney

Swing, slide and climb the weekend away at one of these excellent playgrounds in Sydney. There are all-abilities playgrounds, spaces for teens, tweens, toddlers and everyone in between in this list of playgrounds in Sydney.

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

Oatley Park Playground

The Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground is an adventure playground designed to blend into its bush setting, incorporating nature-based play elements and built with predominantly natural materials. 

The park features seperate play zones with a toddler play area, a flying fox with river views, an active play zone, giant tube slides and a teen zone. This has to be one of the best natural playgrounds in Sydney.

Read more about visiting Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground.

Jubilee Park Adventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

Jubilee Park Addventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

The Jubilee Park Adventure Playground in Mortdale, Sydney, features a large climbing frame with nets and slides, a children’s bike track, junior swings, flying foxes and multi-purpose sports courts.

The excellent new multi-million dollar Jubilee Park Adventure Playground is a great addition to the community. Built behind the existing Mortdale Community Centre, the playground has revitalised the park and given the community a great spot to picnic, play and get fit.

Read more about Jubilee Park Adventure Playground.

Strathfield Park

Strathfield Park

Strathfield Park, the oldest public park in Strathfield, is home to a huge playground with three play spaces, spanning 1.5 acres.

The park was renovated in 2017, with the resulting play spaces uniquely designed to  compliment each other, taking into account the various ages and abilities of children who might enjoy the play equipment. 

Read more about visiting Strathfield Park.

Darling Quarter Playground

Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

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. The Darling Quarter Playground is without a doubt, one of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Get more info on the Darling Quarter Playground.

Pirrama Park Playground Pyrmont

Pyrmont Playground and Cafe #Sydney via christineknight.me

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.

Victoria Park, CBD

Victoria Park, Camperdown

A 9 hectare green space connecting to Sydney University, Victoria Park features a beautiful lake, playground for kids of all ages and plenty of shady trees, right in the middle of the city.

Get more info on Victoria Park here.

Enmore Park, Marrickville

Enmore Park, Marrickville, Sydney

Kids can play astronauts at this excellent park which features two space rockets, a large grassy area with plenty of trees, swings, slides, a climbing net and see-saw. The park has partial shade so bring a hat and sunscreen.

Enmore Park, Marrickville, Sydney

The Annette Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre is located in the park so bring swimmers if it’s hot. There are plenty of kid-friendly cafes nearby, including Petty Cash, which is just across the road from the playground. Enmore Park, without a doubt, has the best playground in Sydney for wannabe astronauts!

Read more about Petty Cash Cafe.

Tramsheds and Harold Park

The Tramsheds, Harold Park, Sydney

One of our fave places to eat and play in Sydney! The Tramsheds is home to a full-size restored tram that kids can climb inside, plus a wide range of family-friendly restaurants.

Harold Park, Sydney

Outside the Tramsheds lies Harold Park, an expansive park featuring a custom-built playground.

Read more about the Tramsheds here.

Read more about Harold Park here.

Fairfield Adventure Park Playground

Fairfield Adventure Playground Sydney

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. Fairfield Playground is absolutely one of the best playgrounds in Sydney, particularly for older kids.

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

Bigge Park, Liverpool

Bigge Park, Liverpool, Sydney, Australia

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.

Ollie Webb Reserve Parramatta

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.

Variety Livvi’s Place, Bankstown

Variety Livvis Place Playground Bankstown Sydney Australia

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.

Livvi’s Place Playground Five Dock

Livvi's Place Five Dock

Livvi’s Place in Five Dock, Sydney, is a playground designed for children of all abilities. The equipment and unique design of the playground ensures that all kids, including those with special needs, are able to enjoy playing side-by-side. 

Read more about visiting Livvi’s Place Five Dock.

Casula Parklands Adventure Playground

Casula Parklands Sydney

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.

Casula Parklands Sydney

The $4 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

Blaxland Riverside Playground via christineknight.me

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.

Parramatta CBD Foreshore Playground

Parramatta CBD River Foreshore Park

Built into the slope of the hill on the river’s foreshore, the Parramatta CBD Foreshore Playground has got some really cool features like a 4 metre slide and rock climbing. In summer, water features are turned on near the sand play area.

Be aware that the playground is not fenced, not does it have any shade cover or bathrooms.

Get more info on visiting the Parramatta CBD Foreshore Playground.

James Ruse Reserve Playground

James Ruse Reserve Playground via christineknight.me

The James Ruse Reserve Playground is almost brand-spanking new (it was built in 2014), and has a fantastic water play area, which is under cover. 

The playground has no shade cover so is best visited on cooler days. It features an excellent net climbing area.

Get more info on visiting the James Ruse Reserve Playground.

Domain Creek Playground Parramatta Park

Domain Creek Playground, Parramatta Park: The best of southwest Sydney for families
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.

Newmarket Dining & Playground, Randwick

Newmarket Randwick

Sydney’s newest precinct, Newmarket Dining is a place to eat at cosy cafes and restaurants, picnic in the park and play at a state-of-the-art playground. The playground has the most incredible slide built into the centre of what used to be a horse sale yard.

Read more about Randwick Dining & Playground.

Paperbark Playground, Parramatta

Parramatta Park 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. 

Plough and Harrow, Abbotsford

Plough and Harrow: Best of Southwest Sydney for Families via christineknight.me

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.

Bungarribee Park, Abbotsford

Bungarribee Western Sydney Parklands
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.

Get more info on visiting Bungarribee Park.

Livvi’s Place Ryde

Livvi's Place Ryde, Yamble Reserve, Sydney, Australia

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.

Putney Park: Playground and Water Park

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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.

Read more about Putney Park here.

Sydney Park, St Peters

Sydney Park, Sydney Australia

A 40 hectare green space near St Peter’s, Sydney Park was built in the space once occupied by Bedford Brickworks – the chimneys of which have been left and are a feature of the park that can be seen from some distance away. Features of the park include a large playground on its western side, the Sydney Park Cycling Centre on its northern side, winding pathways over hills for walking and cycling, wetlands, a kiosk and bathrooms.

Get more info on Sydney Park.

Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden, Centennial Park

Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park, Sydney, Australia

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.

Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Entertainment Quarter Sydney via christineknight.me

This park consists of 115 hectares of  open spaces and playing fields, including the ES Marks Athletics Field, an 18-hole public golf course and golf driving range, tennis courts and netball courts.

The Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park has plenty for kids to do, from plaster painting, a Hoyts movie cinema, Monkey Mania play centre, Strike Bowling as well as two partially shaded playgrounds with excellent bathroom facilities.

Queen’s Park, Randwick

Queens Park Shed: #kidfriendly cafes #Sydney via christineknight.me

A 26-hectare urban park with panoramic views and natural sandstone cliffs. Queen’s Park has an excellent gated and partially shaded playground for kids next to a kid-friendly cafe, Queen’s Park Shed (read more here).

Waluba Park, Waterloo

Wulaba Park, Green Square, Waterloo, Sydney

A beautifully designed and landscaped park featuring a mega slide, three-story climbing tower, swings, picnic and BBQ area and bike paths.

Get more info on visiting Waluba Park here.

Lizard Log Park & Playground, Abbotsford

Mary O'Brien Reserve, Zetland

Lizard Log is a bushland park in the Western Sydney Parklands. This beautiful green space features a nature-themed playground, scenic walks, cycling tracks and a dam.

Read more about visiting Lizard Log Park & Playground.

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Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

The Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground is an adventure playground designed to blend into its bush setting, incorporating nature-based play elements and built with predominantly natural materials. 

The new playground is located in Oatley Park, a 112 acres reserve on the Georges River in the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley. The park is bounded by the Georges River, Lime Kiln Bay, and Jew Fish Bay.

The Oatley Park Adventure playground design incorporates community feedback and ideas and follows the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ inclusive play space guidelines to create accessible play elements for children of all abilities in over 80 per cent of the playground. (Note: whether this level of accessibility has been achieved or not remains to be seen.)

We visited the playground on a warm winter morning, and were thrilled with the many nature-themed play activities it offered.

The park features seperate play zones with a toddler play area, a flying fox with river views, an active play zone, giant tube slides and a teen zone. 

There is a smaller slide and climbing net area for younger or less confident kids.

The flying fox has a regular seat and a bucket seat.

Oatley Park Playground

The nest swing is a great inclusive addition. There are also regular and toddler swings.

New picnic and barbecue facilities have also been built. The toilets are a 200m walk from the main play area, up the path through the bush, towards the oval. They are currently the portaloos while new toilets are built.

Oatley Park Playground

The paths in Oatley Park are shared by pedestrians, cyclists and cars, and the maximum speed limit is 20km/hour. Navigating the parking areas involves reversing across shared paths, so please check twice before reversing. 

When visiting Oatley Park playground, please be kind to the new shrubs that have been planted and stay out of the garden beds to enable these plants to grow. 

Oatley Park Playground
There are rubbish bins in the park but no recycling bins, so be prepared to take your rubbish with you. There has been lots of rubbish left in the park already, so please be responsible with your rubbish!


Oatley Park is home to many beautiful creatures: wallabies, echidnas, tawny frog mouths and king parrots to name a few. You might see a few on a quiet day.

Oatley Park is also home to various bushwalking tracks. Many of these tracks criss cross over the shared path. Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society has developed bushwalking maps and flora and bird guides to Oatley Park.

Try the Headland track, which has water and bush views that just sparkle on a sunny day. It starts or ends at the Baths. 

The Myra Wall Garden has a wheelchair accessible bushwalking path.

The original steamroller that has been park of the park for decades remains in the new design. It is an excellent place for kids to let their imagination run wild. 

The park features lots of nature play areas for kids to get imaginative and close to nature.

Getting to Oatley Park Adventure Inclusive Playspace Playground

Oatley Park Playground

There are no direct public transport links to the park. It is a 1.7km walk from Oatley Station. The 954 bus service from Oatley Station drops you 700 metres from the entry to Oatley Park. 

Entry to the park via Oatley Park Avenue is narrow and means that often, only one car at a time can pass through. AVOID entry and exit to the park during school drop off and pick up. You can also drive in via Douglas Haig St. 

Myra Wall Garden, Frog Hollows and the Oval are overflow carparks.

The park closes at sunset and the vehicle gates are locked. Make sure if you have driven in, to leave before the gates are locked as there is a fee to retrieve your car.

Oatley Park is a gorgeous place to visit – get info on the Oatley Park Baths, walking tracks and more.

Get Directions

More things to do in Sydney

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

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Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

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Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

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Oatley Park Playground