Sydney’s Best Playgrounds

Sydney’s Best Playgrounds 

This is our list of Sydney’s Best Playgrounds.

There are hundreds if not thousands of playgrounds in Sydney, lots of which are written about and to be honest aren’t that great. Staying at home with two young kids sends you out the house in search of entertainment most days of the week.

 

As we have been to our fair share of playgrounds we are quite fussy about what is needed to make the Sydney’s Best Playgrounds list. For a playgrounds to make this list, it had to have:

  • A variety of equipped suited to little kids (toddlers) and pre-schoolers / young kids who are adventurous.
  • Either new equipment or equipment in good working order that is stable, safe and smart.
  • Parking that isn’t miles away or always full.
  • Space for the kids to move about in.
  • Somewhere for the moms to sit down for five seconds.
  • Food nearby.
  • Bathrooms… you know why!

 

Enclosure is important but in some instances the playground is far enough from the road or set low for this not to be an issue.

 

Sydney’s Best Playgrounds 

 

1.   Livvi’s Place, Yamble Reserve, Ryde

This playground wins hands down, everytime. I just love this playground. It has space for the kids to run, hundreds of different types of play equipment and is accessible for all children. We even held one of my children’s birthdays at this playground, it is just that great.

 

The playground is set within a greater reserve where you can easily have a picnic or simply relax. It isn’t a big reserve, just a big patch of grass with some trees and flower beds spread around.

 

Livvi’s Place, Ryde is one of a few in the City which are playgrounds set up by the Touched by Olivia Foundation. If you don’t know about this organisation, you should check it out, it is amazing!

 

You can head over to  Livvi’s Place, Yamble Reserve or click on the picture below for our full review.  The review has all the information need to know in order to plan your visit.

 

livvi's place ryde

 

2.  Flying Fox Park, Mona Vale  

This is a really well known playground on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and its easy to see why.

Flying Fox ticks all the boxes. It has loads of different play equipment for kids of all ages and yet has space for the kids to run around in.

 

The two big draw cards for this playground is the setting and its proximity to coffee. The playground is right next door to a full blown cafe which serves food and coffee. Location-wise it is set alongside a little Pittwater beach, bushland and a open grassland.

 

If you’re struggling to find it or looking for more information, the park is also known as Winnererremy Bay Park or Winnererremy Bay Foreshore.The full review is accessible here or you can just click on the picture below.

 

 

3.  Bernie Mullane Playground, Kellyville

Another of the Livvi’s Place Playgrounds makes the list. This was a great playground even before its amazing facelift. It now has a fully accessible playground and water play area.

 

Remember to pack your swimming costumes and towels otherwise your kids will come home in wet clothes. Unfortunately there isn’t shade cover over the water play area so make sure you are prepared.

 

We don’t have a full review of the new playground up so head over to Hills District Mums for all the details.

 

4.  Ian Potter’s Children Wild Play Garden 

This is not a conventional playground but it certainly is an outdoor space where you go to play so it must qualify as a playground. Surely? There may be no swings but it is a natural playground where children can play and learn and explore.

 

Ian Potter’s Children Wild Play Garden is located in Centennial Parklands where there is much to see and do. There are plenty of places to eat and play and plenty of bathrooms if you’ve got a child who needs the loo.

 

For all the information you need to plan your trip head over to the Centennial Parklands website . 

 

5.    Bungarribee Park Playground

This playground is a site to behold. It has this huge colourful wall that rises up out of the playground like something that has to be conquered by all little kids. Aside from the 14m tower there is water and sand play too.

You do need to make sure the kids are covered in sunblock and hats because shade is somewhat limited.

There is plenty to do in the 200 hectare park – with walkways and cycleways. This is the biggest park in Western Sydney.  Visit the Western Sydney Parklands website for more information.

 

6.    Hallstrom Park, Willoughby 

I love this playground. It recently underwent a massive renovation and its just magic now. It’s not as big as Livvi’s Place, Ryde but it has plenty to do. The play structures are definitely suited to pre-schoolers and young school going children.

 

Best of all, just beyond the playground is a little cycleway that has signs and pedestrian crossings. It’s so cute. We spend ages at this playground every time we visit!

 

The playground is right next door to the Incinerator Cafe should you need to get some food or coffee.

 

You must head on over to the full article on Hallstrom Park, Willoughby  or click on the picture below to read the full review.

 

the new Hallstrom Park and Cycleway in Willoughby

Other playgrounds that could be added to Sydney’s Best Playgrounds 

 

Wahroonga Park Playground 

This is another playground that tops so many lists. I’ve seen it come up time and time again but it makes sense to be added to Sydney’s Best Playgrounds. It is a fantastic little playground but it is best suited to younger kids.

It is completely enclosed and is packed with play equipment. There isn’t as much space as the other playgrounds so the kids can’t really ride their bikes around but there is space to run.

The park that the playground is set in is lovely and you could definitely picnic in it or cross the road and grab a bite to eat. Full review here.

 

Collaroy Beach Playground 

This is one of the best playgrounds on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It has the feel of a Livvi’s Place playground but I am not sure that it is actually one. It is fully accessible, completely enclosed and directly opposite the beach.

I love heading to this playground because it has so many swings, not the usual four and the climbing net is big enough to keep my son busy for quite some time.

If the weather is good be prepared to pack the swimming costumes because Collaroy Beach gets too enticing for the little ones. You can access the Full review here or click on the picture of the playground below to read the full review.

 

playgrounds on sydney's northern beaches

Darling Quarter Playground 

This playground coupled with the big water play area at Darling Quarter is just fantastic. There is a massive set of slides that the bigger pre-schoolers can climb up and speed down. There is a tall climbing net or spider net as some call it. I prefer the big water play area because I get to sit down for five seconds while the kids redirect the water through the big network.

My kids can’t walk past Darling Quarter or Darling Harbour without getting completely sidetracked.

The only downside to this playground is that it gets unbelievably busy and it is right alongside a MacDonalds.

 

Blaxland Riverside Park, Sydney Olympic Park

This playground is touted as one of Sydney’s best playgrounds. I have never read a negative review so it has to be added to this list.

For more information check out the review from Hello Sydney Kids. I love Hello Sydney Kids so be sure to check out the site for great information.

 

♦ 

 

For other great playgrounds, have a look at of the following links: 

 

Hammond Playground, Beauchamp Park, Chatswood

Chelsea Street Playground, Redfern

Willow Park, Hornsby 

St Ives Wildflower Garden Playground

Newport Beach Playground

Greengate Park, Killara

Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft

Balmaringa Reserve, South Turramurra

Walter Gors Park and Playground in Dee Why

Green Street Playground, Brookvale