Billarong Reserve Playground

There are a lot of playgrounds around Narrabeen Lakes but the most natural of these and currently our favourite is Billarong Reserve Playground.

Billarong Reserve Playground used to be the most popular of the three playgrounds but with the introduction of the new Tramsheds playground it has taken a back seat. I like that it’s not the most popular anymore. It means that when we visit we’re only one of two or three families there.

It’s not the biggest playground nor the fanciest, I think the selling point here is the location, the natural setting and everything you can do in addition to visiting the playground.

To be honest, I spent ages not knowing where this playground was until we were invited to a birthday party there. Since then we’ve been back to Narrabeen Lakes countless times to explore what else we may have missed.

I’ll talk about the playground first before explaining where it is.

There are two parts to Billarong Reserve Playground – the fully enclosed toddler playground and the bigger kid area that sits along side a dry river bed.

The whole playground has been created to fit in with the natural beauty of the Lakes. Compared to other playgrounds, I feel quite peaceful when we visit.

*Billarong Reserve Playground against the backdrop of the Narrabeen Lakes*

Playground Features

The Dry River Bed

Walking to the playground from the car park you’ll first come across the “dry river bed”. Walk across the bridge or down the stone steps and across the sand. One of my kids just had to be in the sand immediately while the other quite likes looking at all the strange stone carved creatures from the bridge vantage point.

I wouldn’t recommend playing in the sand but I am always adverse to playground sand. You never know what’s in it. And in this case it’s also open to the natural elements

*The dry river bed at the Billarong Reserve Playground, check out those sandstone carvings among the edge.*

Big kids play area

From there you’ll hit the big kids playground. It doesn’t have a lot of equipment but it does have a fantastic climbing structure. One of those big net structures except this one goes up and along creating almost a bridge.

There are two spinning things that you hold on to and one of the round ones that tilts at an angle and turns slowly. Not a lot to it but my kids couldn’t get past the climbing structure.

There are also big open spaces to run and play. When we visited last I watch two kids fly kites in one of the open areas. I am definitely taking my kids back with a kite! We just need to find a kite!

*The big climbing net at the Billarong Reserve Playground. My kids just love climbing it.*

Small kids play area

The toddlers playground is completely enclosed so the little escape artists can’t run away.

This area has a little slide and swing and a few of those little bouncy things you sit up and bounce up and down.

My descriptions don’t seem to be very well constructed so have a look at the pictures instead.

*The little kids playground at Billarong Reserve. Enclosed and covered for the most part.*

Playground Facilities

The downside to the Billarong Reserve Playground is the lack of facilities. There isn’t a trendy kiosk or cafe for coffee and there aren’t bathrooms in the immediate vicinity.

The bigger kids playground and the dry creek are not enclosed although they are some distance away from the parking area and the road.

There is a bathroom but it’s just across the car park. And to cross the car park you have to walk across the space where incoming traffic enters the car park.

There is plenty of natural shade to sit under around the playground and it’s a perfect place to have a picnic! Or you could find one of the BBQs and fire it up.

Where is the Billarong Reserve Playgound

Narrabeen Lakes

The Narrabeen Lakes is a coastal lagoon bordering various Northern Beaches suburbs including Narrabeen, Collaroy Plateau, Cromer and North Narrabeen.

The Lakes are big covering approximately 55 square kilometers. There are loads of activities around the lake, cycle paths plenty reserves and playgrounds.

*Billarong Reserve Playground is on the north side of Narrabeen Lakes.*

The Billarong Reserve

The Billarong Reserve sits on the North side of the Lakes.

The actual address

The address for the reserve is 55 Wakehurst Parkway, North Narrabeen, NSW 2101.

Age Suitability

I would say that this playground is best for children between the ages of 2 and 7. The smaller kids will love the toddler area and the bigger kids can play in the big kids area.

Disclaimer: Not all children have the same abilities. The above age suitability is purely a guideline and should be considered in light of your own child’s ability.

Walking around the Lakes

We love walking or riding around the lakes discovering various parts of the lakes. There is a complete 8.4km circuit around the Lakes but it is a little long for kids unless they’re on bikes.

You could try one of the shorter routes, between two of the entry points, which we often do, just walking to and from one of the two points. You could try any of the following: