Carss Park, actually officially known as Carss Bush Park, is a magnificent place to spend a day with the family. Carss Park scores the family friendly trifecta having a wonderful playground; a terrific cafe/restaurant, the Carss Park Cafe and Grill, right beside the playground, with delightful views over the water; a beach and enclosed swimming area on the Georges River; and plenty of space to picnic and play, plus some small bush walks good for all ages of the family.
NB It’s Carss with one ‘r’ and two ‘ss’ by the way, this park is often mistakenly called Carrs Park or even Cars Park, sometimes Carss Bush Park but it’s definitely Carss Park.
Carss Bush Park
Carwar Avenue, Carss Bush ParkNSW 2221
Parking: There’s a car park at the Kogarah Swimming Pool on Carwar Avenue and that’s where I have always parked. You can also enter the park from Bunyala Street and there is a car park within the park there.
In both cases there’s a short walk into the park to get to the cafe, playground and beach, no problems at all for strollers.
NB Like all excellent parks in Sydney, Carss Park can be VERY busy, especially on sunny weekends and public holidays. Do get there early!
Cars Park Toilets: There are public toilets close to the playground
Dog-friendliness: A dog friendly area is located opposite to Parkside Drive Reserve with entry available on Carlton Crescent.
Carss Park Playground
There are two sections of the playground, the original enclosed toddler play area, then the newer very bushy, all-abilities playground beside it. The enclosed space is great for little kids, it’s great there’s an enclosed section as the water is just a toddler dash away.
There’s some really interesting play equipment.
The all abilities roundabout is small but the kids love it.
Love all the rope and wood used in building this playground.
Plenty of challenging equipment for the older children.
The Liberty swing is fully enclosed, I don’t know why this is needed.
Great slide at Carss Park playground!
The always popular flying fox.
Plenty of areas to climb, jump and just play.
Why swing alone?
The musical instruments are very cool and blend in well.
And, yes, there are swings too.
By The Bay Cafe and Grill
Right alongside the playground, this delightful cafe serves breakfast and lunch. The best seating is outside where you can watch older kids play in the playground and soak up the Georges River and Kogarah Bay views.
Address: 107 Carwar Avenue, Carss Bush Park, NSW 2221
Phone: 9547 2567
Open: For breakfast and lunch daily and some evenings for dinner — check website.
A lovely cafe which has the ideal location: set in a beautiful park far from traffic and close to a marvellous playground. Tra-la!!
The cafe has tables indoors and outside, with splendid views over Carss Park Baths and the water beyond. There is plenty of space in and out and this is a favourite with local mums and dads, grannies and granddads. The children can run back and forth to the playground, the water is further away but not fenced off.
The cafe’s menu includes light meals and full meals, plus drinks, teas, coffees, ice creams, ice blocks and milkshakes. There is a kiosk also as part of the cafe building, however, it was closed when we visited.
Toilets/Baby change: Yes
Highchairs: Yes
Children’s menu: Yes
Mum’s report: There aren’t many places where the kids can play in a great playground and you can order a glass of wine. Good spot for family meals or just for a coffee whilst the kids play. By The Bay Cafe really is a super kid-friendly spot. I should say family-friendly really as all the generations of the family would enjoy a visit here. If you are planning a family meal out with grandparents then this spot would do nicely.
Apart from being a good cafe/restaurant in itself, there’s delightful outdoor seating, plenty of space to run around, no cars nearby, a playground right beside the cafe, and Carss Park Baths within cooee.
Picnic Facilities
You’ll find shaded picnic tables and BBQs throughout the park. You cannot book these facilities so it’s first come, first served.
Beach and Baths for Swimming
The beach and Carss Point Baths are terrific for children, being shallow and very calm. It’s a good spot to play at any time of year. The netted baths can be used year round but are more popular in summer.
Bush Walks
There are flat paths on the lower part of the park which are fine for trikes, bikes and strollers. We didn’t walk up to the lookout but I believe there are steps. You can easily do some nice short bush walks within the park and the views would be lovely.
Carss Park History
This lovely area on the Georges River is a suburb of its own, between Kogarah Bay and Blakehurst. Carss Park itself was a bush and farming area until the 20th century owned from 1863 by the Scottish immigrant William Carss. William Carss’ home, now known as Carss Cottage, is at Carss Park, it is now the museum for the Kogarah Historical Society, and is open on Sundays.
50 acres of the original Carss estate became public parkland in 1924. Read more about the history here.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour around Carss Park. Our family has visited with babies and toddlers and with preschools and primary aged kids and now with the twin teenagers. All ages have really enjoyed their visits!
Happy exploring!
