The Ian Potter Garden and playcentre at Centennial Park is really lovely. It’s definitely worth driving to. You can have a play there and then a picnic either in the garden or Centennial Park. It’s a lovely lovely play space for young kids and young school kids.
It’s a big space with lots of different aspects to it. Don’t get stuck on one side without visiting the whole area.
Just beware of the mosquitos. There are plenty hanging around, maybe even thousands. If you can get past them you will have a fantastic time. Especially if its warm and you’ve remembered the kids’ swimming costumes.
Writing about it now, I just realised we haven’t visited in the last couple of months and we must go back! Next school holidays, we will be there.
This post will cover the basics of where it is, what it is and why you should visit. I’ll deal with the boring logistics after dealing with the what and the why.
The Ian Potter Garden for Kids
My kids love this place. There really isn’t something like it on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where we live so I completely understand why they are prepared to sit in the car for almost an hour to play there.
Top Tip: Make sure you check the Centennial Parklands website before visiting as it there are times when it’s closed. The garden takes an annual break every year. In 2019, the garden was closed throughout August for the plants to take a break and other plants to be planted. The Garden will reopen for Spring, 1 September 2019!
What is the Ian Potter Garden
This is more than a garden! So much more. It’s the best natural playground I’ve ever been to.
The Ian Potter Garden is a natural interactive play space for kids to play in and discover.
The play space has been developed for kids of all ages and all abilities to be able to immerse themselves in nature. They’ve planned out everything and incorporated so many aspects: Grass, rocks, trees, riverbanks.
It’s not a small space either! 6000 square meters! It’s big enough for your child to wander around all morning or all afternoon. And although certain spaces get quite busy, you can easily find a quite corner for a picnic or an ice cream.
There are 3 main areas to the Ian Potter Garden.
1. The playground area.
2. Water play area.
3. The Wild Play area.
In each of these spaces there is something for the kids to examine and play with.
Top Tip: You need to pack swimming costumes, this water play area is big!
Why visit the Ian Potter Garden, what we love about it
The water play
The water play area has to be one of the best aspects of the garden! It really is good for all ages. There are fountains that shoot up, little rivulets that run around the floor and into drains. It’s not as big as the water play space at Darling Harbour but it’s got more to it.
It’s exciting enough for the kids to want to spend an hour playing in it.
The Tree House
I won’t lie, even I think the tree house is pretty cool, after spending quite some time high up in it. Getting to it is half of the fun.
You can either go up from the side of the water play area in which case you have to climb up a narrow wooden plank with grooves cut out, thankfully it has large nets on either side. Or you can go up on the banksia tunnel side where you have to climb HUGE stairs. My 3 year old struggled to get up there, each step was about as tall as she was.
To come down you come down those really really tall steps or if you’re brave enough you go down the slide. Just be warned the slide is fast and there isn’t a soft landing at the end. Coming down the slide can end in a big scratch especially if you’re wearing a swimming costume.
The tunnel
There is a tunnel that connects two parts of the garden. You can go through the tunnel or around along the walkway or just up and over and around through beautiful flowering grasses.
My son was through the tunnel as soon as he saw it. My daughter on the other hand needed me to crawl through it with her. Let’s just say, it’s a lot longer than it looks.
The big sandpit
At the other end of the tunnel is a huge sand pit. It’s pretty big. I reckon you could fit 30 kids in that sandpit. And it’s set inside stones and wooden planks. It all feels so natural.
This side of the Ian Potter Garden is more shaded and generally emptier.
And that’s not all
- There are dry dry creek river beds.
- A Banksia tunnels and bamboo forests to walk through.
- Eel & Swamp stepping stones through sand and plants.
The Facilities
Bathrooms
Thankfully, there are bathrooms on site. On the opposite end of the garden to where the water play is.
Food
The Bar Coco kiosk is located within the Garden, near the gathering circle and the Discovery Centre.
It is a little stand that sells coffees, cold drinks, water, gelato and food on site from 10 am to 5 pm, daily.
Top Tip: If you’re planning to go, take your own food and a picnic blanket. When we go next we’ll be taking a picnic and setting up in an area of the garden.
Seating
There are little benches and larger “table” style seating in the Wild Play area. However, there isn’t much seating around the water play area or in the playground space.
This is one of the reasons I suggest bringing a picnic blanket.
Where is the Ian Potter Garden
The entrance is off Grand Drive, opposite the York Road gates.
You could always look out for the directional signs in the Park but my goodness, that got me more lost than anything.
I would have a look at Centennial Parklands maps first to see where it is and then make sure you aim for the right entrance.
Top Tip: I would aim for the York Road gates, then go down Robinson Drive and turn left into Grand Drive. Park as soon as you get onto Grand Drive!
Opening Hours
The garden only opens at 10am in the morning.
What to pack for a visit to the Ian Potter Garden
You need to pack a few things to visit the playground otherwise you’ll land up with a hungry, sunburnt wet child. And we all know what those are like…
- Hats. There is no shade over the water play area so make sure the hats can get wet.
- Sunscreen.
- Sports shoes.
- A change of clothes.
- Swimmers and towels.
- Drinks and snacks.
- BUG SPRAY!!! Or some form of repellant.
- Picnic blanket or rug.
Glass is NOT allowed in the Ian Potter Garden.
Are you looking for other great playgrounds?
Sydney is packed with great playgrounds. Water based playgrounds, natural playgrounds, playgrounds that overlook the sea, playgrounds that close to cafes. In each suburb you’ll find a playground and within each council you’ll find great playgrounds.
