The 50 Best Playgrounds in Sydney

Hello and welcome to the Hello Sydney Kids list of the very best Sydney playgrounds. This is a huge post, and you are probably looking for something close to you, so let’s start with showing you all the playgrounds you can find area-by-area.

Table of Contents

With three boys and a girl, all lively kids and two with ADHD diagnoses, I am not kidding when I say that Sydney playgrounds saved my sanity.

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NB I have also a post called Sydney’s Best Playgrounds Listed By Suburb – it lists kids’ playgrounds we’ve been to plus others that have been recommended.

Sydney Playgrounds – City

Darling Quarter Playground, Darling Harbour

Huge in size and popularity, this adventurous kids’ playground has something for all ages and is the best playground Sydney city has. The interactive water play areas are a winner in summer, there’s rope climbing structures for both young and older children, a long flying fox for thrill-seekers and plenty more.

Plus, this playground is surrounded by a huge assortment of cafes.

Find all the details you need to plan a visit to Darling Quarter Playground here.

Darling Quarter playground - Sydney best playgrounds

Zetland: Mary O’Brien Reserve

Tilford St & Joynton Ave, Zetland 

This inner city playground has a terrific splash pad with lots of sprinklers and plenty of space to run around.  There are also two playgrounds here, one for very little children and the other for older kids. A great place to cool off and play in warm weather.

Read more and see photos on Adventure, Baby! here.

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Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland    Credit: Katherine Griffiths / City of Sydney

Pirrama Park Playground at Pyrmont Point

This is a groovy playground in Sydney with an inner-city feel, set right on Sydney Harbour. Kick a ball around the expanses of grass, dig in the sandpit or dodge the water spouts. Perfect on a hot day!

The kids will love the modern play equipment, and don’t forget to bring the bikes/scooters because there’s plenty of paths to explore.

Pirrama Point playground - Sydney best playground

Eastern Suburbs Playgrounds

Bondi Beach Playground

This is perhaps the best located playground Sydney has to offer. It is shaded and fenced and has amazing views right over Bondi Beach. There is plenty of sand which gives it that beachy feel.

It’s one of the particularly good parks for toddlers and there is a more challenging climbing frame suitable for older children.

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Grant Reserve, Coogee

This is an expansive children playground with views over Coogee Beach. There are swings, slides, arched bridges and a huge spider web climbing frame. Littlies love the boat, rockers and tunnels.

There’s some really great parks for kids in the eastern suburbs. This one is ideal for a pre- or post-beach visit, with plenty of pathways for trike and bike riding.

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Lyne Park Playground, Rose Bay

These Eastern Suburbs playgrounds enjoy wonderful water views and this fenced playground is no exception with harbour views towards Shark Island. You can even watch the sea planes taking off and landing!

Younger kids will love the huge seesaw and wooden play ship and then relax and enjoy the views with a picnic on a grassy slope.

Lyne Park Playground Rose Bay

Ian Potter WILD PLAY Playground at Centennial Park

This is a spectacular playground within gorgeous Centennial Park where you’ll also find cafes, bike tracks and other playgrounds too. Click to read all about the WILD PLAY playground here.

Centennial Park playgrounds
WILD PLAY at Centennial Park

Maroubra Beach Playground and Skate Park, Maroubra

While the water at Maroubra Beach can be rough, young kids can have fun in safety in this terrific, fenced, nautical-themed playground. There are two large ship play structures and most of the other equipment has a wood and rope ‘rigging’ feel to it.

Older brothers and sisters will love the big skate park near the playground.

Maroubra playground beach skate park

Robertson Park Playground, Watson’s Bay

This is a great destination playground. Make an outing of it by taking a ferry from Circular Quay, swimming at Watsons Bay Baths and getting takeaway fish and chips from Doyle’s.

Have a play at the playground, enjoy views of the harbour and boats or take a sightseeing walk around The Gap.

Robertson Park Playground, Watsons Bay

Rushcutters Bay Park Playground, Rushcutters Bay

This harbourside playground can be a whole morning out. Go for a walk to look at the boats bobbing on the harbour, have a play, then a sit down with a coffee or snack from the kiosk right next door.

The sea-inspired sculptures are a unique touch here – look out for beautifully carved crabs and sea horses. Kid-proof art!

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Inner West Playgrounds

Sydney Park Playground, St Peters

West of the city is where you can find some really cool parks in Sydney and older kids and even teens will love this vast playground.

Sydney Park is a large green space covering over 40 hectares with the playground on one side and a cycling centre on the other. Everything is huge here with long slides going down the side of hills and sky-high climbing structures and wobbly rope bridge.

The kiosk is an absolute winner and bring the bikes/scooters to learn the road rules at the cycling centre. This is one of the best parks for kids in Sydney.

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Excellent slides at Sydney Park playground, the equipment here is super groovy

Burwood Park Playground

Burwood Park has a wonderful community feel with plenty of space and a large duck pond. Have a scooter around the paths and watch people playing chess.

Under 5s will find plenty to enjoy at this lovely fenced and shaded playground.

Click here to read about Burwood Park and playground.

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Camperdown Memorial Rest Playground

This green oasis in the inner city is a beautiful natural environment – very bushy with a lot of wooden structures. Bring a bucket and spade to play in the sandpits and there’s plenty of cafes and shops in nearby, super cool King St, Newtown.

camperdown memorial rest playground

Elkington Park and Playground, Balmain

Elkington Park is the prettiest of the parks in Balmain. There are lovely stroller walks, excellent views of the sparkling harbour and the most gorgeous old trees to relax under. There’s even a beautiful old bandstand.

This Sydney playground has a small and simple play structure, ideal for younger children. There are four swing sets outside the fenced part of the playground too. The Dawn Fraser Pool is at the end of the park to combine a play with a swim.  

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Livvi’s Place, Timbrell Park, Five Dock

This is a vibrant playground with murals and equipment in bright colours. It is one of the best kids parks in Sydney as it is a modern and inclusive play space, which aims to cater for all members of the community, including those with vision, hearing and mobility impairments, as well as people with autism spectrum disorder.

This means that as well as your typical climbing structures and swings, there are musical instruments to play, different textures and a quiet bushy natural environment to discover. Plus a cafe!

Five Dock - new parks in Sydney

Steel Park Playground, Marrickville

Steel Park features a fun playground and a water play area amongst lots of shady trees. A picturesque part of the Cook River flows by, with a bike track alongside. There are sprawling sporting grounds surrounding the park, giving it a wonderful feeling of space.

The kids will particularly love splashing the stream and water jets, and zooming along on the flying fox.

Steel park marrickville water playground

Strathfield Park + Playgrounds

Newly renovated and with equipment for all ages, including some amazing huge slides, this is a local favourite and one of the best Sydney parks for kids. You could spend hours here!

There are two playgrounds, so all ages are covered, but the absolute highlight is the adventure play area. With three sky towers, three big slides, a climbing net and wall, and triple flying fox, your children will probably spend most of the time in this area.

Strathfield Park playgrounds sydney's best plagrounds

Lower North Shore Playgrounds

Balmoral Beach Playground

This is a lovely, shaded playground for kids by one of Sydney’s favourite beaches, ideal for combining with a paddle in the harbour and some sandcastle building. The equipment and fencing make it perfect for the under 5s. And there’s lots of cafes nearby to grab a coffee or snack.

Balmoral Beach playground

Berry Island Reserve Playground, Wollstonecraft

This is one of those wonderful destination playgrounds that has plenty to do for all ages. Once an island it has long been joined to the mainland, but retains a natural, bushy environment. There is a scenic walk around the island complete with Aboriginal carvings.

The playground is fenced with equipment made from wood and sandstone for both adventurous and imaginative play. Older children will not be bored here!

Berry island reserve playground sydney

Blackman Park Playground, Lane Cove West

Tucked away amongst suburban streets, past a series of sports grounds is this treasure of a playground. Plenty of space means there’s ample open grass and picnic areas, as well as bush to explore by foot or bike/scooter.

This park in Sydney has something for everyone from baby friendly swings, a modern merry-go-round and a fun play structure for preschoolers to several other large play structures with climbing frames, slippery dips and even a fabulous flying fox to delight primary aged kids.

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Buffalo Creek Reserve Playground, Hunters Hill

This playground is particularly excellent for adventurous kids with a long flying fox in addition to the shaded play equipment. The playground has everything under 5s might require including twist slides, spicas, monkey bars, swings. There’s also a large wooden cubby house nearby.

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Clifton Gardens Playground

This is an oasis of fun for kids of all ages and one of the best beachside kids playgrounds Sydney can lay claim to. The harbour beach has a gentle slope and is partially netted with a lovely view out to the bobbing boats. Bring the sports gear because there’s heaps of grass to kick a ball. Perfect for get-togethers with family or friends.

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The play equipment is imaginative and challenging, with a fenced toddler area as well as a huge sandy-floored zone for big kids.

John Roche Playground, Northbridge

This is a delightful, fully fenced playground which is tucked away behind Northbridge Public School. It is terrific for toddlers and preschoolers and has fab district views. A nice place to relax.

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I miss my kids being little and playing at John Roche playground, Northbridge!

Memorial Park Playground, Mosman

This is a terrific playground for young children. It has simple play structures and plenty of shade and places to sit down.  The shops and cafes of Mosman’s Military Road are very close by.

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Gore Hill Park Playground, St Leonards

Just behind Gore Hill Oval, in the midst of this build-up area of the north shore, there is a great play space. You’ll find a bushy setting with water play, lots to climb and musical instrucments.

Read all about Gore Hill Park and playground on North Shore Mums here.

Warners Park Playground, Northbridge

A shady, bushy environment welcomes you to this playground tucked in between Northbridge and Castlecrag. With lots of meandering paths and creative play equipment throughout, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy.

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Waverton Park – Merrett Playground

Waverton Park enjoys stunning views across Sydney Harbour to the Harbour Bridge. Quite spectacular!

This playground is part of an extensive open space network that includes the BP Parklands, Balls Head Reserve and the former Coal Loader/Caltex site. It is small, but away from the water and fenced. There’s lots of grassy open space and you can take a walk to the old BP site and see the vast curved area where the oil tanks used to be.

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Willoughby Park Playground, Willoughby

This is one of our favourite playgrounds on Sydney’s north shore with heaps of space and great equipment for kids of all ages. It’s a peaceful, shady environment with an adjoining oval and bike track.

Equipment includes a large tunnel under the hillside slides, a big sandpit, swings, balancing beams, a roundabout and more.

Jamie new roundabout at Willoughby - children park

Upper North Shore

Bicentennial Park Playground, West Pymble

Set in the midst of Bicentennial Park, it offers two substantial playgrounds, electric BBQs and undercover picnic tables. With an extensive area beyond the playgrounds to explore, you could easily spend a day here.

A gigantic maze of monkey bars, a challenging seven-foot-high climbing wall, platform and swing-like see saw with soft fall mulch is sure to excite the young athlete.

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Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights

This gorgeous Reserve has an excellent playground, heaps of space, is by the river and is good for swimming and camping too.  Check out all the delightful features of Crosslands Reserve here.

Crosslands Reserve boardwalks

Wahroonga Park Playground

Wahroonga Park ticks all the boxes. Big enough to have all the modern equipment to keep the kids busy, but small enough to be able to keep your eyes on them. There’s a pirate ship and crows nest for bigger kids to explore and a little train and house for the younger ones.

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Northern Beaches

Apex Park Playground, Mona Vale

This is a large playground with a small bike track alongside, which is best for younger kids. The extensive equipment includes roundabouts, sandpit, climbing frames, spicas, spring rockets and much more.

Don’t miss The Bronze Kiosk across the road.

Apex Park Mona Vale playground

Berry Reserve Playground, Narrabeen 

This fully-enclosed playground is heaven for preschoolers and toddlers. Younger school-aged kids will enjoy it too. There’s a lovely castle theme and wonderful equipment, plus a cafe right beside it and the joys of Narrabeen Lagoon too.

Check this playground out here.

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Bilarong Reserve, Narrabeen Lagoon

There are lots of fabulous Northern Beaches playgrounds, but this one is very popular.

On the shores of Narrabeen Lagoon, this adventurous playground offers fab views, excellent play equipment and wonderful stone sculptures of wondrous mythical beasts. There is a fantastic sandpit/dry creek bed that big kids will love to scramble around and a fenced area for little ones.

Bilarong Reserve (3 of 37)

Clontarf Beach Playground

Clontarf is a firm family favourite amongst Sydney beach lovers. It is one of the best parks for birthday parties Sydney has, ideal for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and primary-school aged kids. But in the cooler weather kids can splash in the water, dig in the sand and play in this fabulous playground.

This is a large playground with plenty of shade, equipment for all ages and stunning harbour views.

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Collaroy Beach Playground, Collaroy

What a paradise Sydney is for young families with playgrounds like this set right next to the sand of a gorgeous beach. Our faves here are the rope climbing frame, the water play area, the musical instruments and the large flat swings. It’s great to have the bike track within the enclosed park area too.

Water Gors Park at Dee Why

Water Gors Park is a rarity on the Northern Beaches as it has extensive water play equipment. Hooray!  There are fun fountains in two separate water play areas.  There are also great places to play here plus good play equipment.
 
 
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Walter Gors Park: Photo by Landscape Solutions

Flying Fox Playground at Winnererremy Bay Park

Set on the picturesque shores of the Pittwater there is heaps of space here to play cricket or kick a footy, and the equipment for the kids is seriously fantastic.

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Older children will adore the more adventurous play area with its long flying fox, large spider’s web climber and cool skateboard-like play equipment. There’s an area for younger children, with boat-shaped play structure and other equipment.

Governor Phillip Park Playground, Palm Beach

Palm Beach is a great spot for a day trip and this playground, although small, is just one of the many activities to do in the area. A replica of the cutter Governor Arthur Phillip sailed on, as he passed these shores in 1788, defines the layout of the park. And the beach itself is the set of Home and Away and the fictional parklands of Summer Bay.

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Lagoon Park Playground, Queenscliff by Manly

This large enclosed playground is beside Manly Lagoon and near Queenscliff beach. It is lovely and quiet with plenty of modern playground equipment, including swings and a spider web climbing frame, plus a sandpit.

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Lionel Watts Playground, Frenchs Forest

This excellent playground has a bushy feel with large trees casting acres of shade. There are junior and senior play structures, swings, picnic tables and barbecues inside the playground, a dry creek with a little wooden bridge and the essential swings.

Passmore Reserve Playground, Manly Vale

With lots of wooden play structures and plenty of space for playing, we thought this was the best kids playground when our kids were younger. This is where their imaginations, as well as their little bodies, can run wild and free.

We love the bushy feel of this fully-enclosed playground. It’s large, with so much equipment as well as the natural areas to explore.

Walter Gors Park in Dee Why

Brand new in 2017, this park with playground features: a large grassed area, children’s play equipment, nature play area, community herb garden, outdoor fitness and kitchen area, improved seating, accessible toilets, water feature and multiple trees and other plants.

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Warriewood Valley Playgound – Rocket Park 

Known fondly as Rocket Park, this is one of the best playgrounds Northern Beaches locals love. It is a playground that suits all ages, great to visit if you have a range of kids with you. It’s also excellent for family get togethers, parties and mothers’ groups. There are BBQs and shaded shelters , grassy areas to play and not too many cars going by.

warriewood-valley-playground_5 - Best kids playgrounds Sydney

Northern Suburbs Playgrounds

West Epping Park + Playground, Epping

This playground was updated and extended in 2018 and is a state of the art play space suitable for kids from toddlers to teenagers.

Check out the cool equipment and find all the details you need to plan your trip on this post.

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The huge playground at West Epping Park

Elouera Reserve Playground, Macquarie Park

This terrific and very modern playground is best for school aged children as it is not fenced and has equipment that is exciting for the older ones.

It is right across the road from the Macquarie Centre so super handy before or after a shopping trip.

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Anderson Park, Ryde

This isn’t a huge playground but it’s well built and in a lovely location by the Parramatta River. There are three swings, rope climbing frame, groovy spring rockers, spicas and boat-themed play equipment. These won’t challenge older children at all but the under 5s will love it.

Blenheim Park, North Ryde 

There are so many things to do here that you won’t know where to start! This play area and park is designed to suit every member of the family, even the dog who can bound and bark in a fenced-off dog exercise area.

Older children will love the flying fox and can bring their radio control cars to play in a dirt track area.

Putney Park Playground, Putney

The water features here make this one of the best kids parks Sydney has for under 5s. Especially on a warm day.

The water play area has two landscaped paddling pools linked by a little river. There is a bubble beach area and lots of space for kids to splash about, plus huge coloured squares, pyramids and balls dotted here and there which the kids can play around. The humungous slide is a big draw for the older children, little ones need to sit on mum or dad’s lap though, it’s pretty scary.

Putney Park playground water play Sydney

Ryde Park and Playgrounds

What a wonderful spot, possibly the best park for kids in the Northern Suburbs. There’s a lovely playground, a fantastic kids’ bike and scooter track plus the delightful Grounds Keeper Cafe.

The bike/scooter track is quite amazing. There are traffic signs, several roundabouts, traffic lights, zebra crossings, a racing section and even parking spots with the same signs that you can find in the street.

Ryde park - Best parks for kids Sydney

Livvi’s Place Yamble Reserve,  Ryde

Yamble Reserve is a huge park, with vast areas of smooth lawns and within it is this enormous and very beautiful playground. It is an inclusive playspace meaning that is is aimed at all members of the community, young and old, of all abilities and with all and any needs.

The range of play equipment here is dizzying.  There is a very long double flying fox, one of the seats has a full harness, a large rope pyramid roundabout and a lower roundabout too.  There is a large sandpit, a birds nest swing, a spinning dish, a musical play area and a car to climb all over!  There’s a tunnel to play in and a large area covered with rubber soft fall with handholds, excellent for people with mobility issues.

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Hills District Playgrounds

Fagan Park, Galston

Tucked far away from the bustling Sydney CBD, Fagan Park is perfect for a day trip. In spring and autumn, the park is like a mosaic of bright colours. There are two playgrounds, endless bike paths and acres of grassy space for running around and kicking a ball.

As perhaps the most diverse kids playground Sydney has, you can travel the world at the Gardens of Many Nations, feed the ducks at the lagoon, visit Netherby Cottage, the original Fagan family homestead or go to the Eco Garden and learn about sustainable gardening.

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The Backyard at Rouse Hills Town Centre

The Backyard is a brightly coloured playground is meant to resemble a backyard. Best for under 9s, there are mounds to climb over and sensory boards to keep little fingers occupied. Bigger kids will love the balance beams, climbing nets and slippery dip.

It is sandwiched between two cafes at the Rouse Hills Town Centre, where there is also a second playground called the Play Terrace and a water splash area.

Backyard playground at Rouse Hill Town Centre - Best kids playground Sydney

Livvi’s Place Playground at the Bernie Mullane Complex, Kellyville

The Livvi’s Place playgrounds really are very special places. They are inclusive playspaces, so are ideal for all levels of mobility and ability, young and old too. The playground is also fully fenced to help protect your little explorers.

As well as the usual equipment, this wonderful playground has two large multi-featured climbing forts with slides, bridges, ladders and interactive panels, a waterpark, in ground trampolines, musical features, a soft fall covered climbing hill and a small track that would be ideal for small scooters.

Livvi's Place playground Bernie Mullane - Sydney park kids
There’s a huge amount of equipment, water play and it’s fully fenced. fantastic!

Rouse Hill Playground

This is one of the best Sydney playgrounds check out our review for all the information! Rouse Hill can get busy, but that’s because it is much loved by kids and families!

Rouse Hill Regional Playground

Western Sydney Playgrounds

Bankstown City Gardens Livvi’s Place

This playground opened in late 2018 and is a marvellous place for people of all ages and abilities, adults too! There are some excellent pieces of play equipment like double flying fox, embankment slide, a giant basket plus cradle swings.

There is a sensory garden and BBQs and plenty of space all around.

Read all about Livvi’s Place Bankstown here.

Bicentennial Park Playground, Sydney Olympic Park 

Sydney Olympic Park is one of the best parks Western Sydney offers. The Village Green playground has lots of shade and equipment for teenagers as well as younger children. There is a junior play structure with a viewing bubble, shop cubby, bead panel, a bridge, slides and tunnels and two small swings. You can visit the ducks at the nearby pond.

The Concord West picnic area playground is beautifully landscaped with plants, sandstone boulders and little walks through the trees. There is a small children’s bike track with road markings.

Bigge Park in Liverpool

Bigge Street, Liverpool

This is a large and spacious free water playground and has some terrific water play equipment.

There’s a bucket that tips, all sorts of sprays, fountains and showers and some water squirter guns. You will also find water rings to run through and crazy shaped showers. There are even deckchairs to relax on. Bigge Park also has normal playgrounds and great spaces to runa nd play.

Plan your trip using this detailed post from Adventure, Baby!

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Bigge Park at Liverpool, photo from ParkEquip who created the playground

Blaxland Riverside Park Playground

Blaxland Riverside Park is one of the best parks in Sydney for kids and makes for a terrific family day out for Sydneysiders of all ages.

This is a huge and very modern playground set over three hectares. There are no dry creeks or rocky sandpits here. It’s all  bright colours and shiny surfaces, very high tech and with challenging equipment.

It’s a marvellous playground, especially for older children, and there are many places for cycling around the park.

*Blaxland

Bungarribee Park and Playground, Western Sydney Parklands  

Touted as the largest park in Western Sydney, this playground is quite striking with the central feature being an enormous 14 m high climbing tower, suitable for all ages, but appealing for any tweens you have in your group when you visit.

It includes a fantastic water play area which is a favourite with the toddlers and preschoolers. It also has seesaws, 50m long flying foxes, balance beams, swings, a spinning chair and spinning dish style ride.

Bungarribee Park Playground tower - Family parks Sydney

Central Gardens, Merrylands

Central Gardens is a large parkland with great playgrounds close to both entrances and a huge open space in the centre. The playgrounds are shaded with some fun equipment and nearby is a huge pond full of ducks and other birdlife, plus two fountains and a waterfall.

Within the park are also an aviary and animal enclosures. The animals on view include wallabies, hens, cockatoos, budgies and waterfowl.

Central Gardens main playground is being upgraded in 2019, hopefully open by the end of the year.

Click here to read all about Merrylands Central Gardens.

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Curry Reserve Water Playground, photo by Camden Council

Elderslie: Curry Reserve Water Play Space

Curry Reserve, Camden Valley Way, Elderslie
 
Open: 10am-7pm  September – April
 
This is a massive water splash pad playground with over 30 play features. It is fully accessible and there are wheelchair accessible change facilities at the amenity block. The water can be heated in the splash pad so the season should be long. The water play area is surrounded by a beautiful  grassed area and there is another  playground next to the water park.

Fairfield Adventure Park

This is arguably the absolute best playground in Sydney and certainly has the wow factor.

The star of the teenagers’ playground is the 11 m tall spider web climbing frame that provides access to three long tube slides. This zone has a double 33 metre long flying fox, different types of swings, a balancing rope, a sandpit, two different types of spinning wheels and a little trampoline.

There is a nature-inspired with an industrial-feel playground area that is ideal for primary school aged children. And in between the teenagers’ playground and the nature-based playground is an area that is suitable for young children.

Fairfield-Adventure-Park best playgrounds in Sydney

Francis Park Playground + Splash Park, Blacktown

With two water playgrounds and lots of other equipment, this is a must visit playground in the Western Suburbs!

Governor Phillip Park in Windsor

George Street, Windsor

There’s an awesome regional playground at Governor Phillip Park in Windsor, with heaps of different play spaces and lot of natural areas and effects.

Within the playground is a super but fairly small splash pad with one central fountain and then several water spouts that come from the ground. A terrific addition that is available all year round.

For a detailed post on Windsor’s Governor Phillip playground go to this post on Parraparents.

Granville Park Playground + Water Park 

Granville Park, Montrose Ave, Merrylands

The very spacious water park beside the children’s playground in Granville Park is officially known as the Laurie Ferguson Water Park. (What a win in life to have a water park named after you, I would be thrilled.)  There are sections of the water park for older and younger children and there really is heaps of space to run and play as well as splash about.

There is a normal playground too and heaps of other activities in this lovely park.

Read all about Granville Park here.

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James Ruse Reserve Playground + Water Play Parramatta

Hassall Street, Parramatta

Open: September to May: 9:00am – 8:00pm
June to August: Closed

The water playground at James Ruse Reserve is large and spacious and set in a terrific park which also has a good children’s playground. This water park does get very busy on hot summer days of course. But you can see why.

Check out all the details you need on Parraparents here.

Holroyd Gardens, Merrylands

There are really three play areas in this park. The under 5s have a colourful and bright playground with a slide, climbing wall, roundabout and climbing frames.

The seriously adventurous adventure playground has big forts, very long slides, loop-the-loop slides, long tube slides, flying foxes, swaying suspension bridges, tyre walks, Roman rings and a lot more.

And nearby is the Road Safety Training Track, a very elaborate bike track with a real road layout.

Livvi’s Place Penrith at Jordan Springs

Northridge Oval, 1, Discovery Way, Jordan Springs, NSW

All of the Livvi’s Place playgrounds are suitable for all abilities and most of the newer ones have a splashpad. The splash pad here has tall water jets, ideal for cooling off after running wild on the play equipment.

Lizard Log Playground, Horsley Park

This is a spacious playground, located within a bushland setting, a real escape into nature from the city.  Lizard Log has equipment best suited to children 4+, there is good stuff for teenagers here.

There’s a cafe on site and plenty of parking, it’s a top spot but can get busy. Not great for boiling hot days though.

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Mt Annan Botanic Gardens Playground

This awesome playground is set amongst the beautiful Botanic Gardens at Mt Annan, perhaps the best park in Sydney. Within the fully fenced play space there’s a section for the smaller ones with a short slide and a see saw, a sand pit complete with little buckets on pulleys, two sets of swings, a timber and rope bridge and a flying fox.

Across the small road is the newest section of the Botanic Gardens and is stunning to wander through. The kids love running around in “the jungle”, while Mum and Dad can admire the beautiful gardens. You can even spot some big lizards lounging on the rocks in the sun.

best playgrounds in Sydney mt annan botanic gardens - best park Sydney

Nurragingy Reserve and Playgrounds, Doonside

You’ll find a lovely playground and a large water play park at the Wren Picnic Area. It’s closed in winter but open everywhere else. Read all about this terrific park with its lovely playgrounds here.

Ollie Webb Reserve Playground Parramatta

37A Glebe St, Parramatta

New in 2019 is a terrific playground with a lovely splash pad where kids can stay cool under the sprinklers.  This is an all abilities playground created by the Touch By Olivia team in collaboration with the City Parramatta so you know that it will suit all ages of people (including adults!) and people of differing abilities will be all catered for.

At Ollie Webb you will find:

  • splash pad
  • water pump with water play equipment
  • in ground trampolines
  • slides and tunnels

Read more on the Parraparents website here.

Parramatta Park Playgrounds

There are two playgrounds to visit here in one of our favourite parks for kids.  On the west side of the park is Domain Creek playground and on the east is Pavilion Flat playground. Pavilion Flat playground is not huge, but has a good variety of play equipment with swings, spring rockers, a rope climbing web, playhouse, slides and more. A large wooden boat-shaped area is great for creative play. The Grounds Keeper Cafe is nearby.

Domain Creek playground, possibly the best Sydney playground, has mazes, water pumps and sand diggers, sunken trampolines and a flying fox that will delight older children and teens.

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Parramatta River Foreshore Playground

As this scenic playground sits on the foreshore of the Parramatta River, you could even travel there by Rivercat from Circular Quay. Built on a steep slope, this playground is terrific for teenagers, older children and bold younger ones. There’s a long and steep slide, a smaller slide, a climbing wall and a challenging steep rope net.

Parramatta River Foreshore Playground pic

Philip Ruddock Water Playground

Dundas Park, Yates Avenue, Dundas Valley

In Dundas Park, you will find a huge water playground  with dozens of water play features. It does get super busy on hot days. You’ll also find a big playground, bike track and loads of  space in the park to play.

Open: September to May: 9:00am – 8:00pm
June to August: Closed

Read more about this terrific water playground and see photos on Parraparents here.

Plough and Harrow Playground, Western Sydney Parklands

This playground and picnic area is very close to Tree Top Adventure Park and makes a great add-on to a visit there. It is a really large playground with equipment to suit children of all ages in one of the most fun parks Sydney offers.

Older children will love whirling around in the rotor, the water play area and the big circular swings structure. The rope bridges, larger climbing frames and flying fox are delightful for the older kids. By the sandpit is some toddler playground equipment, with little cubby and slide.

plough harrow-1 best playgrounds in Sydney
water parks sydney
Werrington Park splash pad. Photo from Bump Into Mums, see below

Werrington: Werrington Lakes Playground

Burton Street, Werrington, NSW, 2747

There’s a small splash pad in this fun playground. Excellent for a quick cool down after a play.

There’s a short review and some photos on Bump into Mums here.

Southern Sydney Playgrounds

Carss Bush Park Playground

The playground at Carss Bush Park in Southern Sydney really is terrific. It’s a bush-themed all-abilities playspace with heaps of great equipment especially for the older kids. There’s also an enclosed playground for little ones. Add in a cafe right beside it and a beach and baths plus BBQs and bush walks, Carss Park is excellent for a day trip.

Carss Park 5

Como Pleasure Grounds

Como Pleasure Grounds has walks and bike tracks, and swimming pools too, as well as the playground and cafe.  For small kids there is a pirate ship with big platform and slide. There’s also a  four-seat seesaw plus swings. The big rope climbing pyramid frame and spinning wheel keep older kids amused.

Kyeemagh Beach Playground

When you’re looking for a beachside kids park Sydney has plenty, but a unique feature of this fenced playground is the great airport views. You can watch planes taking off and landing for hours. Make a day of it with the netted baths, gently sloping beach, Cook Park and playground.

Bring the bikes to ride along the seafront on the bike track that runs all the way south alongside Botany Bay. Cafes are close by and there are picnic tables and barbecues.

Kyeemagh beach Sydney's best playgrounds parramatta

Oatley Park

This huge park has everything the family needs. There’s the playground with its own steamroller, lovely walks, an old building that kids call a ‘castle,’ cycle path, and a large netted swimming baths.

You can easily spend the whole day at Oatley Park, read more here. 

oatley park playground
Beautiful views from Oatley Park over the Georges River

Shelly Beach Playground, Cronulla

In the winter it’s well worth a visit just for the playground, in summer there’s the lovely beach, the rock pool and the large park to enjoy as well.

A really wonderful playground, fully fenced with marvellous equipment and a bushy feel. There are lovely artworks dotted about, stone sculptures and a terrific colour scheme.

I do have some other posts listing playgrounds by attribute, you can check out:

The 15 Best Playgrounds in Western Sydney

The Best Bushy, Natural Playgrounds in Sydney

How To Find Great Fenced Playgrounds

Best Fenced Playgrounds – North

Best Fenced Playgrounds – East

Best Cafes Beside Playgrounds

50 Best playgrounds pin
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And Some Great Playgrounds We’ve Visited Outside Sydney!

If in Cairns, do not miss the fantastic Muddy’s Playground on the Esplanade.

When in Newcastle, visiting Speers Park Playground is a must.

Canberra’s Best Parks and Playgrounds is here

Oops! It looks like we’ve gone over the 50… and I bet there are more to add to this list.

Can you recommend a fantastic playground to other Sydney families?

If you’d like to send in any suggestions and photos I could add them to this list.

If you’ve written about a great playground, please do leave a link in the comments.

Does your family have a passion for playgrounds too?

Happy playtime.

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44 Comments

  1. says: Seana Smith

    Good to hear you give it the thumbs up. I feel daft as I live fairly close – in fact I drove through Warriewood tonight – but I haven’t gone yet. Might try to pop in there on Friday, won’t have kids but it’d be good to see it and then I can do a proper post on it. before the twins went to school we visited new playgrounds all the time but these days it’s trickier. Thanks for popping over.

      1. says: Seana Smith

        The problem is that I live in the north so know the places near me best. I need a Southern correspondent… if you would like to take photos and write up playgrounds I pay for articles, so do let me know.

  2. says: Rebecca (Little Munch)

    Out here in them thar Hills of Sydney some good ones are Balcombe Heights Estate in Baulkham Hills; Winston Hills Lions Park; Bernie Mullane in Kellyville; The Brickpit playground at Pennant Hills x

  3. says: Sophie

    Very useful post. Playgrounds are absolute lifesavers. Some of these in Sydney look very creative. My youngest is 12 now, but she still enjoys playgrounds every now and then; although usually just to hang about in the swings, chatting with friends.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      My twins are almost 8 and still love a good playground, there are so many here that still work well for older kids. More for the littlies but lots are still good for us in school holidays – which started today – hooray.

  4. says: Marcia

    Great roundup, Seana. Don\’t you sometimes wish adults had playgrounds like these too? I love some of the names. Lizard Log\’s my favorite and the photo you showed almost had me think of a log.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Hi Marcia, some of these are big enough for teens and adults too… but I can never keep up with my little kids! Lots of great outdoor places for the adults here too tho’ I had a lovely swim in a rock pool down at one of the beaches today, and the water felt warm, amazing for autumn.

  5. says: Phoebe

    What a useful list and one I’ll certainly make the most of next time I visit Sydney (though when that’ll be I’m not sure!) I lived for many years in Sydney all over the Eastern Suburbs and Inner West but it was pre-kids and I can honestly say I never noticed any of these places!! Now I’d make a bee-line for them with children in tow. Funny how we notice or don’t notice things depending on our mindset.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      I was the same when I lived in Sydney the first time, without kids… never saw a playground… after I moved back with a toddler, they miraculously appeared.

  6. says: budget jan

    It is mind boggling the amount and variety of playgrounds you have at your disposal in Sydney. We live in a smallish city and when our kids were little, playgrounds were their thing. If we didn’t want to stop or wanted to save an argument about so, we had to plan our route to avoid the sight of playgrounds. Ah – those were the days 🙂 This will be a great resource for young families in Sydney. I bet your kids loved the research 🙂

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Thanks jan, and guess what< I knocked another one off today, without my kids sadly though. I visited one in warriewood, it's fab and I will post pix soon, only issue was no toilets - bad for me today!

  7. We were very impressed with the playgrounds in Sydney during our visit there. They were everywhere! And they were so nice with lots of fun equipment. We found one on the way to dinner during our last night that the kids absolutely loved.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Good to hear! These ones are all over the city, I must do a list one day of playgrounds that are close to the centre and to places visitors would go to. I took photos of another excellent one today, didn’t have the kids with me sadly.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      My pleasure, I like to link up when I know I’ll have time to read around a bit, and that’s not so often during the times I am home alone with the kids when husband is working away. Hope you had a good weekend. And now I remember that I fogot to leave a link to you – oh no!

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Hello Mansi, is that the playground as you come over the bridge from the north, it’s on the left hand side?? I can’t remember the name of the park. Could you let me know and I must get over there sometimes.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Oh thank you! That’s great to hear, I ;ove getting feedback from folks who find the blog handy. I’ll pop over to visit you at your blog once I get my own kids in bed, or tomorrow. Hope that you continue to have a fantastic trip.

  8. Totally agree on this!! Loads and heaps of not just playgrounds but creative ones set in awesome environments! Thank you for gathering all these great info for us, Seana!!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

  9. says: Kelly

    There’s a fantastic park down at Umina Beach. It’s probably one of the best I’ve ever seen. There is a fenced playing area for the littlie’s. There is a massive flying fox, a huge climbing spider thingy. There is number little areas for kids of all ages to explore. There is also adult exercise equipment attached to it so you guys can work out whilst the kids play. Which is another bonus it’s also attached to a soccer/football field on one side. There is also a fully fledged skate park attached, the beach is just across from it, so there is also the surf club kiosk who sells food & drink easily. There is an abundance of parking for it. It’s fantastic. A must see!!

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Oh that sounds fabulous. I’ve stayed at the Holiday Park at Umina beach years ago, I was pregnant with the twins so it must be almost 10 years ago. It was fab but I didn’t get to any playgrounds. Note taken! Thanks so much for sharing your top tips.

  10. says: Seana Smith

    Hello, how lovely to live in the Blue Mountains. I’m afraid I don’t know the parks and playgrounds very well, but there is a Kidsizeliving website there: https://bluemountainspenrith.kidsizeliving.com.au/parks-and-playgrounds/

    And I’ve heard about Wentworth Falls Lake, but haven’t been there myself: http://www.yelp.com.au/biz_photos/wentworth-falls-lake-wentworth-falls

    I did a wee online hunt and also found this page on Kidspot: http://www.kidspot.com.au/thingstodo/parks-and-playgrounds-in-the-blue-mountains/nsw-sydney/56543.htm

    Best of luck with finding new places that work well for your family!

  11. says: Adele

    This is an awesome list that you have produced Seana. I have three girls and I also love exploring new parks and playgrounds. We are so lucky in Sydney as there are what feels like hundreds of mind blowing playgrounds all around Sydney. Plus they only get better with more state of the art equipment being built.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Totally agree, we have wonderful places and they are free – love an egalitarian outdoors space… like our beaches too.

  12. says: Jenny

    Hi Seana,
    What a great website you have. We are planning our trip to Australia with our 4-year old son. Now we are already enjoying all the possibilities while we’re still in the Netherlands. Thank you so much!
    greetings Jenny

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Thank you so much. I keep meaning to add more info specifically for people planning a visit… how long will be stay in Sydney??

      1. says: Jenny

        We’re not sure yet. Still orientating. We are planning to make a trip, probably from Sydney, via Canberra, Melbourne, maybe to Adelaide (kangaroo Island) or Tasmania. Next week we’re trying to make it more specific.It’s finding a way to combine our wishes (visiting national parks, enjoy walks in beautiful nature) with the wishes of our fouryear-old who likes to play with other kids and really enjoys telling en playing stories.

  13. Awesome website! Just came across it from the Aussie Bloggers Facebook group and can’t wait to check out your recommendations with our two boys. There’s a massive playground and water park in Sydney’s west at The Blacktown Showground precinct – totally perfect to cool down on a hot sunny day or for a family picnic/party. There’s a cafe too. Just wrote did a write up (with pics) – hope you get to visit: http://joyadanwrites.com/blacktown-showground-precinct-francis-park/

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Spooky! I’ve just had a post and pix emailed to me about this playground by a contributor. Will pop over to visit your blog too. Cheers

  14. says: Krutika

    Hi,

    I would recommend to put Burns Bay Reserve definitely on the list with plenty of toddler,preschooler play area, mini gold .. toilets and barbeque facilities. Except water play all is there.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Thank you Krutika, great to hear about this spot. I am sure I went there many years ago, will try to pop back with camera.

  15. says: Lina

    Hey!! I know a great park in Riverwood nsw called rotary park. it has soft floor and flying fox and all under large shelter.

  16. says: Fiona

    Try Carss Park in the (not too!) South. Don’t have any photos, unfortunately since I just got a new phone, but there is a cafe, a fenced toddler area, a wheelchair swing, some great climbing structures. Flying foxes and a high slide for older kids.

    1. says: Seana Smith

      Ah yes, I do have something on the wesbite about Carss Park, I must update it though and add it in here…. thank you!!

  17. says: Yolanda Cuesta

    Hi! I used to play at Cook´s Paddock and Centennial Park many years ago. I am living abroad now but recently I went back with my family on holiday and we were so sorry to see that all the old playground elements such as the maypole, the trapeze swings the giant see saws and the horizontal ladder had all disappeared and were replaced with elements for toddlers. The old ones were much fun and gave you a sense of thrill. They were for elder children. A real pity. Now I have to show my children what they looked like with pages on the web such as 74 dangerous playgrounds your granparents used to play in.

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