7 minute read
Summer fun: Family-friendly parks and activities
Photography by Leo Rivas
Canberra and the South Coast are jam-packed with family-friendly parks and attractions that you and your loved ones will adore this summer. Here’s our pick of the best.
TIDBINBILLA NATURE RESERVE (ACT)
Situated on the fringe of Namadgi National Park, this bushland reserve is brimming with spots to relax, play and swim, all surrounded by native wildlife. The Corin Forest site nearby has an outdoor adventure playground with a 1.2km slide, alpine ash forests, and picnic spots aplenty.
WESTON PARK (ACT)
This picturesque 40-hectare park in Yarralumla boasts an adventure playground with climbing net and swings, a swimming beach and a wading pool. At the nearby Yarralumla Play Station, there’s a miniature train, orienteering course, picnic tables, barbeques, cycle paths and toilets.
AWARD-WINNING INSTITUTIONS (ACT)
When the summer heat becomes too much to handle, there are plenty of places in the capital that you can cool off while still having a whole lot of wholesome family fun. Why not soak up some history at the National Museum of Australia and the Australian War Memorial or immerse yourself in the world of science at Questacon, where you’ll find over 200 educational and interactive exhibits.
COTTER (ACT)
The grassy Cotter Reserve and the nearby Casuarina Sands are surrounded by bushland and offer a modern adventure playground, swimming, walking tracks and lots of green space to run around or kick the ball. The area also has barbecues and picnic tables.
FRANKLIN RECREATIONAL PARK (ACT)
This recreational park in Canberra’s north caters for all ages. There are shaded play areas, specialty play equipment, a skate park, gym equipment, table tennis facility, an enclosed soccer/basketball court, and large grassy areas to run or enjoy ball sports. The park also has barbecues, undercover seating and toilets.
NATIONAL ZOO AND AQUARIUM (ACT)
As Australia’s only combined zoo and aquarium, you can enjoy two attractions in one. Spanning over 47 acres of land, you’ll find more than 200 native and exotic animals and the largest inland saltwater tank in the country. Sign up for the Awesome Roarsome Tour to get up close and personal with the animals and feed a lion, tiger, bear and hyena, or become a zookeeper for the day for the ultimate experience.
JOHN KNIGHT MEMORIAL PARK (ACT)
This park is located on the shores of Lake Ginninderra in Belconnen and has an impressive adventure playground with treehouse, flying fox, play sculpture, snakethemed house, climbing facilities and sound tubes. The site has lots of shade and grassy space, perfect for picnics.
NATIONAL ARBORETUM (ACT)
Kids will fall in love with the National Arboretum’s award-winning POD Playground. This beautifully crafted interactive outdoor space features giant wooden acorn treehouses, nest swings, banksia seed pods, rope tunnels, climbing ladders and music-making instruments. Admire the views over Canberra while you have a picnic or enjoy the refreshments from the on-site cafe.
BARRACKS FLAT PARK (ACT)
This great park in Queanbeyan is an ideal spot for families with children of all ages. The site has swings, a slide, climbers, spinners, a half basketball court, plus loads of green space for kicking a ball and a well-formed bike track with dirt mounds for jumps and stunts. Much of the play space is gated and under the shade. There are barbeques, picnic tables and toilets here too.
BOUNDLESS (ACT)
As Canberra’s first all-abilities playground, this state-of-the-art play space gives children with varying levels of ability lots to play with, from swings, ramps, cubbies, slides and a sandpit with diggers. Located in Kings Park on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, it is fully enclosed and includes barbeques and toilets.
RIDGELINE PARK (ACT)
This fun park in Denman Prospect boasts a fantastic adventure playground packed with high tunnels, jumping stones, climbing nets, slides, swings, and a flying fox. The site is the perfect spot for a picnic or day out with the whole family, with plenty of shady spaces and views of the National Arboretum and across to the city centre.
CORRIGANS BEACH RESERVE PARK (NSW)
Located just a few kilometres south of Batemans Bay, this beachside playground is the largest in Eurobodalla. The large accessible area is fully fenced and has a liberty swing plus wheelchair access to the beach. It offers lots of shade, toilets and picnic facilities. Nearby, you’ll find stunning views at Observation Point and the Edward Road Market Place for fresh food and local art.
KAMBAH ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND (ACT)
The site is a lovely location for a picnic or barbeque with the whole family. Children of all ages in for a treat at this funfilled adventure playground in Canberra’s south. Here you’ll find a treehouse, space net, junior and senior flying foxes, giant swings, and a wheelchair-accessible liberty swing.
EUROBODALLA REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN (NSW)
Situated 5km south of Batemans Bay, this 100-acre site is brimming with native flora, green lawns, ponds, an arboretum, electric all-weather barbeques, walking trails, and picnic tables. There’s also a kid’s play space with unique and interactive equipment.
YERRABI POND DISTRICT PARK (ACT)
The Yerrabi Pond District Park is a popular adventure playground catering for children of all ages and abilities. This park is located by the water’s edge and includes an allabilities swing, flying foxes, a slide and a climbing structure with cubby spaces. For the older kids, there’s a skateboarding and scooter area, and for the parents, there are barbecues and plenty of shady areas to sit back, relax and watch the little ones have fun and explore.
NELLIGEN RIVERSIDE (NSW)
Down by the banks of the River Clyde at Nelligen is a fantastic family friendly picnic area with a waterfront playground, featuring boat-shaped play equipment that the kids will love. Conveniently, the nearby River Café sells refreshments, and there are canoes and kayaks available for hire.
MOGO WILDLIFE PARK (NSW)
At this 70-acre zoo and conservation park, you’ll find an incredible variety of Australian and exotic animals, including the southern white rhino, lion, red panda, spotted hyena, cheetah, meerkat, gorilla, and the ring-tailed lemur. You can even meet the animals at one of the up-close and personal encounter experiences but be sure to book early to avoid missing out.
MURRAMARANG NATIONAL PARK (NSW)
This national park spans 44km of coastline and is home to some of the beautiful beaches, lakes, walking trails and native wildlife in the region. Within the park, you’ll find Durras where you can swim at one of its beaches, or canoe and kayak on its lake. Take your binoculars and try to spot a peregrine falcon or sea eagle flying above,
TREETOPS ADVENTURE (NSW)
Located inside the Shoalhaven Zoo in Nowra, this aerial playground is Australia’s first cliff-edge adventure park. The whole family will enjoy the thrill of over 90 aerial challenges including high rope challenges, climbing courses and ziplines. Book early to avoid missing out.
FORD PARK PLAYGROUND (NSW)
The Ford Park Playground in Merimbula is a popular spot for families and children, complete with accessible play options, various swings, climbing equipment and slides. This fully fenced park offers a blend of sunny and shaded areas and is located close to the main beach and a takeaway shop.
