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16 Of The Best Free Water Parks In Sydney

The best free water parks in Sydney, Australia

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

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.

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.

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.

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 here.

Green Square Library

Green Square Library, Sydney Australia

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

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.

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, 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

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

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.

Blaxland Riverside Park, Sydney Olympic 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.

Darling Quarter Playground

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

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

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

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

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

James Ruse Reserve Playground via christineknight.me

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

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. Since reviewed, shade sails have been put up in the park.

Get more info on visiting Bungarribee Park.

Curry Reserve Water Play Space, Camden

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.

Curry Reserve Water Play Space, Camden

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.

Putney Park Playground and Water Park

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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.

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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.

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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.

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

Putney Park and Playground, Sydney

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

Putney Park

Putney Park

Putney Park

Putney Park

Putney Park

Putney Park

Darling Quarter Playground + Lindt Cafe

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The sparkly new Darling Quarter playground is one of the most amazing playgrounds I’ve ever seen. Ever. I remember visiting the area when I was a kid and it was a bit of a waste land. After a huge renovation of the entire Darling Quarter area, Darling Harbour is now a fun destination for local families to enjoy year-round. The playground is the big feature that families will love. 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 of all ages for an entire day.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Water scoop: turn the wheel, get wet!

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Lots of shade over rest and play areas.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

An Archimedes water screw!

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Three-metre high giant slide and supanova wheel.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Sand diggers!

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

3D ring swing.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

10-metre high octanet.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Baby ropes.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

21-metre long flying fox.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Little E spotted a carousel and so we took a spin. $4 per person to ride. Adults can accompany 3-year-olds for free as long as they are standing beside them and not on a horse.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

After playing it was time for lunch. Just around the corner is the Lindt Cafe, where I have indulged in many a chocolate shake over the years.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

While you’re waiting on your order, stock up on Lindt balls and and bars. The cafe also serves cakes, chocolates and ice cream, making it pure chocolate heaven.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

For a light lunch, the cafe is perfect with its location and menu. I ordered the milk chocolate shake, a vegetarian quiche and sourdough toast for Missy E. Alec ordered a roast beef sandwich. The order took a while to arrive, so we entertained E in the meantime by giving her a Lindt ball.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

On a lovely day, sitting in the outdoor area is really a relaxing experience. The cafe sits on the waterfront in Cockle Bay, giving it a gorgeous view.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Our last stop in Darling Harbour is the fountain area. These fountains have been here for as long as I remember. When I was a kid I loved playing in them, so I thought E might as well. The big water arcs are a favourite with kids of now two generations, who dance in and out of them trying to get wet just enough to cool down, but not so much as to get soaked. Ahh memories!

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

Lindt Cafe
104-105 Cockle Bay Wharf
Darling Harbour, Sydney
Phone: (02) 9267 8064
Hours: Sun-Thur 10am-10pm Fri & Sat 10am-12am

Highchairs: Not that I saw.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Lindt Chocolat Café on Urbanspoon