Top 10 Play Parks / Playgrounds in Sydney

Sydney has hundreds of play parks or playgrounds for the kids. Where ever you are staying, there is bound to be one within 5 minutes drive, or if you're lucky, walking distance. A lot of the time, the kids don't need anything more than the standard swings, slide and climbing frame, but for us mums and dads, some of the optional extras, like a source of good coffee, and a great view of the harbour or the ocean, make a visit to the park more desirable.

1. Flying Fox Park, Mona Vale, Sydney's Northern Beaches

Located at the Winnererremy Bay Foreshore Reserve, the Flying Fox Park has plenty of activities for the younger and older kids. For the little ones there's a modern baby slide, swing, things to bounce on and a boat to climb on. There's also room to ride trikes and ride ons in the park.

The older kids can climb the spider's web, spin around, use the skate board type sliding things (!), clamber across various structures, or use the Flying Fox. Actually the flying fox is fun for all ages. I go on with my 2 year old, and my 4 year old is just brave enough to do it alone!

The Reserve itself has a walking/bike path, plenty of picnic tables and barbques, and best of all, the Flying Fox Cafe is right next door, so you can get your coffee, or even stay for lunch.

The only downside is this park gets very popular in summer, and is a regular spot for children's parties, so you need to get in early if you want the best table.

2. Clifton Gardens

Clifton Gardens is not far from the Zoo in Mosman. It's located at the bottom of Morella Road, right by the Harbour, so you can combine a paddle in the sea, a picnic and a play, all while admiring the view across Sydney Harbour.

The playground includes rope climbers, nets, a big slide, spring rockers and swings, as well as a small climber with a slide for the littlies. The toddler area is fenced and there are toilets nearby.

The park is in a large grassed area back from the beach with plenty of space for ball games and picnic tables, or a coffee shop and restaurant at Chowder Bay.

Parking is pay and display, unless you go for the local streets, which are up the hill a bit.

On Boxing Day this is a fantastic (and popular) spot to watch the Sydney to Hobart ships go by.

3. Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown

There is a relatively new park here, with equipment for all ages. There are small slides and climbing frames for your toddlers, and a larger rope climbing frame for the older kids. There is also a rope and timber bridge, a larger slide, roundabout, swings and pringy ride-ons.

The whole area has been landscaped with some sandy areas and some softfall, rock walls to jump off, paths to run around and plants to hide behind. The kids can use their imaginations and play for hours, and the playground is fully fenced with child proof gates, so mums and dads can sit back and relax.

The surrounding park is huge and grassy, and a great spot for a picnic. The only thing that's lacking is a toilet, so make sure you go before you set off!

4. Bicentenial Park (Jubilee Park), Annandale

This large playground is between Annandale and Blackwattle Bay. The equipment is great, and suits all ages. There is a huge conveyer-belt style slippery dip, large sand pits with construction diggers and a boat on springs that holds 5 or 6 kids There is a castle, a bridge over the sand and a smaller slide into the sand pit area.

For older kids there is an enormous rope pyramid, a rope hammock and very large wooden ship with all manner of climbing equipment. There are long paths perfect for bike riding, with gentle slopes up and down.

Next to the playground there is a large covered picnic area with gas fired barbeques and toilets, or you can picnic on the small grassed area inside the fenced playground.

Bicentennial Park joins on with Jubilee Park next to Blackwattle Bay, so when you've finished playing and picnicing you can watch the boats coming in and out of the harbour, or just admire the views of the Anzac bridge and in the distance, the Harbour Bridge.

 

5. Collaroy Beach

   The play park at Collaroy Beach is located at the south end of the beach near the Surf Life Saving Club. It has a section for the toddlers, and slightly older children, and even has an area designed for the over 12s. It also has a disabled swing and room to ride your scooter or ride on.

   There are picnic tables in and around the playpark and barbques near by.

   The park is just across the carpark from the beach and close to the rock baths, so it's perfect for a day out. Picnic on the grass, play in the park, have a swim in the pool or jump in the waves, collect shells and wander 5 minutes up the beach to get a coffee on 'The Deck' at the north end of the Surf Rock Hotel.

   Other coffee shops and restaurants are located just across Pittwater Road.

6. Willoughby Park

The playground at Willoughby park is fully fenced and nicely shaded. The equipment is relatively new and caters for all ages from todders to teenagers. The older kids love the designer roundabout and for the young ones the sandpit, tunnels and slide are a big draw.

The playground is right next to an oval so there's plenty of space to kick a ball or have a run around. There is also a bike path for the kids, with mini zebra crossings and road markings. Great for learning to ride.

There are barbeques and a covered gazebo if you want shelter for a picnic. Toilets can be found in the Willoughby Park Centre next door.

 

7. Buffalo Creek Reserve, Hunters Hills

A great park for the younger children, including a flying fox, a bike track, picnic tables, barbque facilities and toilets.

Also walking trails along the Lane Cove River.

 

8. Darling Harbour

If you're at Darling Harbour for the day, take some time for the kids to let off steam at the play park, located at the south end towards the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

The playground is unfenced, a little chaotic and somebody is bound to get hurt. That said, the kids love it. You'll find coffee nearby, best collected before you let the kids loose. You are advised to keep a close eye on them or they may disappear from view. The huge slide needs to be scrambled up with ropes, there are structures to climb, huge sandpits, water fun is at hand, foot, head everyone gets soaked really and, while we were there, there was an entertainer blowing giant soap bubbles. Ideally, a visit requires at least two adults for adequate supervision. In case you are thinking, "Darling Harbour - that'll cost then" it won't - it's free. The playground is located behind the Imax Theatre. Just listen out for the screams of excited kids.

 

9. Bobbin Head

Bobbin Head is part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is easily reached by taking Bobbin Head Road through North Turramurra.

The playground is probably nothing special on its own, but combined with a beautiful location for a picnic or barbque, and a walk along the mangrove boardwalk, or along the river it is a great place for a day out.

The playground has a range of equipment of different sizes to suit all age children. It's all in sand, so bring a bucket and spade.

The marina is nearby, as is the tourist information centre and the Bobbin Head Inn where you can get lunch or a coffee. There are toilet and barbeque facilities.

10. Parramatta Lakes reserve, North Parramatta

    
    New playground within the parramatta lakes reserve with equipment suitable for older and younger kids. The lakes offer toilets, BBQ areas, a cafe, bushwalking tracks and of course the stunning lakes and ducks galore. A beautiful setting.