This gorgeous little play area is located on Point Park Crescent, in Docklands, nestled between tall residential buildings and the banks of the Yarra. This playground has some simple play equipment but the beautiful gardens and amazing sound play can enthrall all who come for a visit. It truly is a stunning playground and park area with great views!
Equipment:
interactive sound wall
water pump for water play in the sandy river
2 open slides
2 swings
1 spinning roundabout
beautiful flower sculptures
toilets
Jack liked:
Jack ran straight for the water pump! He loves the water play but I just wish the weather was warmer for him to enjoy it. He wasn’t quite tall enough to get the full benefit of the sound wall, but he liked listening to mum and dad playing on it. He had fun going on the slide and swings as well. It would have been great to have take Jack’s bike to ride along the bike trails. We walked around to South Wharf for lunch which was an easy stroll along the river, checking out the boats along the way.
Woodlea just keeps building amazing playgrounds, full of details that capture the interests and imagination of kids, young and old! This is the 3rd playground that we have visited (and a 4th has just recently opened as well). The hardest part is driving past the original epic playground to convince the kids that there is something equally as amazing just a little further along. The playground comes equipped with covered BBQ facilities, toilets, water play (in warmer months I imagine) and some simply awesome slides and climbing features. The area is beautifully landscaped and incorporates nature elements to climb and investigate as well.
Equipment:
2 large towers, connected by a net to crawl through, with large slides from each tower.
climbing bridge walks
nets to climb
water play (not on when I visited). However the water pump was working in the sand play.
nest swing
swings
nature based balance walk – logs etc
Jack liked:
Like I mentioned above, Jack saw the first playground on Woodlea Boulevard, and was desperate to play at that one! It was hard work telling him that something was just up the road. I was so impressed with all that he played with and attempted to climb when we visited. He will be 3 in November, and he went up and down those tall, twisty slides all by himself! He also ventured into and crawled half way along the net connecting the 2 towers before I thought I better join him in case he gets stuck on the other side (side note – the net is a bit hard on my mum knees!). He talked endlessly about the stairs leading up to the big slides for weeks after! The water play area looks like a bit of fun, so I will have to come back in the warmer months to have a splash and a play.
This playground, is hidden, nestled between huge walls of the Dock complex, and the beach that overlooks Princes Pier, where the huge ships beckon. If you head along Todd Road, and turn onto the side road, before seeing the Life Saving Victoria building, you will eventually find a car park. Towards the end of the car park, you can see the playground start to peak out from behind the coastal tea trees. The whole area has been beautifully landscaped and works with the natural surroundings. Several people have used the gorgeous bike paths to ride down to have a play. There were a few shipping containers that people were also using to house some birthday parties – a very popular place!
Equipment:
large sand/grit based play
separated into toddler play
smaller timber climbing structure, with steps, footholds, small slide
large sand play wall
digger
turtle and seal statues
boat structure
spinning tyre
spinning bowl
majority of the remaining play encompasses nets and climbing
large net climbing walls
balance net walks
timber structure with large metal slide
moving bridges
fireman pole
sand play
several buoys/channel markers that the kids can climb on – added footholds, ladders
water play area
driven by the action of the see saw or the hand pump. Quite a workout to get the spray out!
channel play in another area
Jack liked:
climbing into the channel markers, and climbing up the poles to have a lookout at the whole area. Once I figured out he was happy to walk on the sand with his shoes off, he was more excited about exploring the area. He loved the sand play wall and tipping the dish of sand into the spouts or onto the balance dish and seeing where the sand went. The playground was quite busy on the weekend when we visited, and Jack loved helping his dad pump the water and wet everyone in the water play section. A lot of the playground is still too advanced for him, but this is a playground I will return to when Jack is old enough to climb and explore by himself!
During the Christmas break, Jack and I headed out for a drive to find this new playspace, in a relatively new estate of Melton South, Atherstone. After noticing that the roads literally come to an end as you turn into the estate, you start to marvel at the beautifully maintained (and green) grass in comparison to the paddocks around you. To find this playspace, you need to continue down the main road (Bridge Rd), and past the first playground right at the entrance to the estate. This playground is fully fenced (yay), sits across the road from the athletics track, and it even has toilets, and covered seating (lots of yays)!
Equipment:
fully fenced
water play – pump, channels
nest swing
1 toddler swing, 2 swings, disability swing set (with handles)
expansive bridge, with fireman poles
different climbing options under the bridge (rockwalls)
natural stepping path
rotating carousel with handles, at ground level
flying fox (no harness though)
small metal slides, into sand
3 in-ground trampolines
Jack liked:
He loved running over that bridge! He’s obsessed with bridges – and this one just kept going on and on and on! As per usual, he had a go on the swing, and had a few bounces on the in-ground trampolines. The trampolines were fairly popular the morning we visited. He would’ve loved a go on the flying fox, but he’s too little to hold on by himself, without one of the fully harnessed seats. We didn’t have a play in the water play/river bed sections as someone forgot to bring a spare change of clothes! It’s a great space for those that love to have an adventure, those that love climbing and for those mums with little runners as the fully fenced playground brings a sense of relief about avoiding parks built on main roads. Would love to visit this playground when it’s slightly cooler, and can’t wait to see how this playground gets better when the trees grow and provide some extra shade.
This playground is nestled right under the Bolte Bridge, at the end of Docklands Drive, Docklands. I love the look of this park – the industrial type structures, the gigantic bridge overhead, beautifully manicured grass ovals, the peaks of the city on view in the distance and knowing that the water is a stones throw away. There is a parking bay right next to the park, so parking was easy mid-week. There are toilets and even an off lead dog area for your 4 legged friends to have a run. You may even spot a few bunnies hopping around on your visit.
Equipment:
1 stone path water play area
nest swing
sand play, complete with complex pulley’s for multi-level play
gigantic climbing tower, with 2 slides, both enclosed
1 smaller open (metal) slide
rope bridge
sand digger
spinning tyres
different textures for climbing elements
Jack liked:
Jack ran straight to the sand digger when we arrived. It was warm enough to take part in the water play, but I didn’t bring a change of clothes, so tried to keep him away from that area. The smaller slide was more interesting to him, and he could easily navigate the rocks to climb to the top. He went into the slide/climbing structure, but needed my help to get around the internal ladder. Once we got to the top, he decided he didn’t want to go down. Unfortunately this meant I had to balance Jack and camera down the slide! Not the best plan. He sat in the tyre and let me spin him briefly, but decided that wasn’t really for him. There’s not a lot of shade here, so definitely bring hat and sunscreen.
In Sanctuary Lakes, at the furthest point, as Sanctuary Lakes Boulevard North turns into Sanctuary Lakes East Boulevard and North Shore Drive. You can see the peaks of the shade sails before you see the actual playground. This playground opened earlier this week, and there is still a bit of landscaping work to be completed. Jack and I visited on Boxing day, and there was a bit of water underfoot around the equipment. The water play was not in use yet, as were the water drinking fountains and BBQ area. It’s great that the team who designed this, actually thought to include the shade sails to create some cooler play areas. Although warm this morning, the cool breeze off the water made for a pleasant trip to have a play. The area is both tanbark and soft rubber, which is great underfoot.
Equipment:
half court basketball
beach volleyball net
water play with sand digger
2 swings, one with toddler harness
nest swing
extensive rope climbing area, suited for primary school aged kids
slide
spinner bowl
BBQ area, with tables and seating
Jack liked:
Watching the kayaks on the water, and although the park is called Regatta Beach, I didn’t even think to bring the bucket and spade to play in the sand! To be honest, this play area is more suited for older kids, who love to climb. There isn’t a lot to do for someone Jack’s age yet. I imagine that when the water play is up and running, he would have fun in that area. He was happy to have a go on the swing and the spinner bowl. He also liked that there was excess water around the digger, so he thought that that was hilarious to move around, although he is still not big enough to use and move the digger by himself.
About 20 minutes drive away from home, set in a quiet residential area, is this massive park and playground area. As you drive around the corner and into Buckingham Crescent, it’s a pleasant surprise that you don’t really expect! There is plenty of car parking, massive fields to run, toilets and covered BBQ areas. Throw in some truly epic climbing equipment, a flying fox and a water play area, and this park is definitely onto a winning combination! I can’t wait to head back here when we have some warmer weather – and this time, pack a spare set of clothes to survive the water play.
Equipment:
4 swings – one with toddler harness, one high back with harness and handles (disability swing)
nest swing
2 spring rockers – bee and grasshopper (suited for multiple people)
2 spinning poles
1 spinning merry go round
1 large climbing net structure
2 slides – one enclosed, one smaller and open
flying fox with 2 seats (no harness, unfortunately)
1 large sand pit
1 water play area
wind the handle to bring the water up to the top platform
water then overflows into the second tank
3rd section has a wedge that allows you to stop/start the flow of water
mixed surfaces – tanbark, sand, soft rubber
rubber bridge to climb between the 2 playground structures
tall tower, with narrow entries. Multiple levels to climb to the slide at the top. Not fun when Mr Nearly 2 decided he didn’t want to go down the slide after all.
sheltered tree pathway
close to the river – can continue along the Kororoit Creek bike trail
in one of the newer estates in Werribee, Riverwalk, this park comes highly recommended for summer when the water is turned on and the heat is turned up! In the middle of winter, when it’s threatening to rain, this park was eerily quiet. The water features were turned off for maintenance, I believe the sign said as I entered the park. Now, I confess to have lived in the west since I was 3, and I can basically count on 2 hands, the amount of times I’ve been to Werribee. I’ll be definitely heading back here when the weather warms up! The park itself, is huge! Heaps of open spaces to run!
Equipment:
timber climbing equipment, with soft rubber pathways and tanbark
1 smaller slide, 1 larger twisty slide
climbing ropes
balance beams, moving bridge
2 swings & 1 gyro swing
monkey bars
digger (in tanbark), tanbark sifting station – multiple levels with different exits
cubby house under the smaller timber equipment
Undercover area, BBQ facilities, toilets (I think were down near the basketball court)
Jack liked:
the slides – first time he’s gone down a twisty slide! Unfortunately the weather was not on our side, and the wind was quite cold so we didn’t stay for too long. The slides were slightly wet from the shower we experienced driving there. He seemed to like the tanbark sifting area, but you really need other kids there to help lift the buckets of tanbark to the different levels. This area is definitely toddler friendly. The playground feels quite crowded with equipment, and if it were a busy day at the waterpark, I would imagine that there wouldn’t be enough space for lots of kids to run and play. Parking was extremely easy on a day like today! The display homes are opposite the park, so tempting for the parents to wander through.
Jack and I headed back here in late April, when the weather was warm enough to dip our feet. The water felt cool, but it didn’t seem to deter Jack. He headed in with gusto, and loved the water under his feet. It was easy to navigate the sections., even for me who chose to stay out of the watery depths. Definitely worth the trip (all of 5 minutes for me) and the tantrum when it’ was time to leave!
Swing
Crocodile
Crocodile
Water Fountains
Water fountains
View from the other side (towards the park)
View from the other side (towards the park)
View from the other side (towards the park)
View from the other side (towards the park)
Location:
In Saltwater Coast estate, along Saltwater Promenade (after Citybay Drive). You can find the park quite easily, as its pops up right when you see the waterways. The waterways frame the walking tracks along and around the park. You can also stroll down to check out the city views or perform a few simple exercises at the exercise stations located along the way. There’s a coffee shop close by and public toilets are around as well. We were here in mid Oct, the weekend before the park officially opened. It’s had numerous problems with sand getting into the crocodile and blocking the water flow. They had it turned off for a few weeks to try and fix the problems. Not sure if it’s working currently. There is a facebook page that you can follow for updates though.
Equipment:
plenty of shaded BBQ’s
water play park – the water comes out of the crocodile’s mouth, flows around into an ankle-depth river, and empties where the water fountains dance and play
plenty of boardwalks and concrete paths to walk and ride
Rubber soft surface for little feet (water area)
sandy area where the play equipment is
rope swings (as pictured)
several metal slides
fort style climbing equipment
Jack liked:
the sporadic nature of the water fountains. They’d appear and disappear, they get small and then grow to huge sizes. Being a new park, they are missing shade cover, but once the trees grow and mature, this park will be great. We were here when Jack wasn’t walking so we need to venture back here for a play now that Jack is up and walking around.
