Central Gardens Nature Reserve is often better known simply as Central Gardens Merrylands, and is a much-loved local area of natural beauty.
Central Gardens is one of the best of Sydney’s free entry wildlife parks. Seeing the animal enclosures at the Gardens is a highlight for little kids.
There are also beautiful bush trails and two playgrounds. as well as lush grassy spaces, excellent areas for BBQs and picnics and lovely water features to relax beside.
NB The larger playground is currently closed for an upgrade! Opening late in 2019, it is hoped.
Have you visited Central Gardens in Merrylands?
You haven’t? How daft! You need to get over there!
Central Gardens Merrylands
Cnr Merrylands Road and Cumberland Highway
Merrylands West 2160
Book picnic areas on the Cumberland Council website here.
Central Gardens Opening Hours: 7.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 9am – 5pm at weekends. Until 7pm during daylight savings. Closed Good Friday and Christmas day.
Water features operates from 11am – 2pm daily.
Central Gardens is a large park with great playgrounds close to both entrances and a massive open space in the centre.
Central Gardens Wildlife Exhibits: you’ll find the animals close to the Merryland Road entrance and car park.
Opening hours are: Monday – Friday: 7.30am – 5pm or 7.30am – 7pm in daylight savings. Weekends: 9am – 5pm pr 8am – 7pm in daylight savings.
Central Gardens Playgrounds
The smaller of the two playground is to the right of the Merrylands Road entrance, beside the Yarrabee picnic area. It has long, wide ramps, two slides, a rope-grid bridge and spring rockers. The picnic area is shaded and has barbecues.
It is pretty close to the huge pond full of ducks and other birdlife, plus two fountains and the long waterfall.
The second playground is larger and very good.
To the right of the Paton Street entrance is a third picnic area with barbecues, lots of picnic tables and plenty of tree shade. The larger playground is found here, currently being upgraded. There are lovely areas to picnic by the river area here.
Central Gardens also has bush trails to follow with interesting interpretative boards. So a visit here can stretch the legs and the mind too!
Nearest takeaway coffee: BYO
Toilets: Toilet blocks beside both playgrounds, the disabled toilet has a baby change table
Shade: Yes
Enclosed: The playgrounds are not enclosed but the gardens themselves are fenced
Dog friendly: No, dogs are not allowed in the gardens.
Mum’s report: A great spot for a picnic and play, especially if you are meeting friends and family. A trip to see all the animals always goes down well with the children.
Parking: There are car parks near both playgrounds, entry from Merrylands Road and from Paton Street
Bus stop nearby: Yes, at Merrylands Road
Hope you have enjoyed a look around the lovely playgrounds at Central Gardens Nature Reserve and around the lovely Merrylands animal park there. It is a fun place to visit!
You might like these other playground posts:
Seven Great Cafes Beside Playgrounds
Sydney’s Best Bike Tracks Part 1
Best Fenced Playgrounds – North
Click the image to find all the best playgrounds in Sydney!
I had no idea this was in Merrylands. Not that big a distance for us. Must take a look 🙂
Australia has hands down the best playgrounds in the world! Been to Perth and these playgrounds looked nicer than most Disney entertainment parks.
I just followed you on Twitter – looking forward to connect!
Lovely to meet you! Will pop over to visit your blog too. I agree that our playgrounds here in Oz are just fantastic, much better than most UK ones we have visited though there are some top ones there too.
Is dogs allowed at central garden merryland
I will call Cumberland Council to ask and will add to the article, if you need to know quickly, contact Council’s Parks and Recreation Team by phone on 8757 9000. I will update the article when I know.
I have just called and dogs are definitely not allowed into Central Gardens Merrylands.
Playground? Whats a Playground? Can’t remember the last time we were able to visit one with all the rain we have had!
I am so disappointed in the Playgrounds in the Wollongong area – there is nothing worth visiting besides the Botanical Gardens Playground.
Can’t wait for the sun to come back out so that we can look for more places to explore – will have to remember Merrylands when we are up in Sydney visiting our older son 🙂
Omg!
That park is 18min walk from my house!!! I will try…
Love,
– Isolated incompetent 1st time mum with 5mo Froggie scared to leave the house…
Get out of the house!! Would you like to have a chat sometime. I found the early days with my first son very hard going. Very sympathetic!
This is a great park as both play areas are completely covered with shade. On a hot 30degree day, we enjoyed our time underneath the canopy. However, there are no swings in this park.I am finding it very difficult to find a park where the swings are covered. My son is at the age where he is not walking without assistance and his favourite equipment is the swing, but not ideal now that summer is here.