Sydney’s best parks and playgrounds to explore these school holidays
Find out where to let the kids loose these school holidays as we round up the best of Sydney’s green spaces.
Sydney Weekend
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From our beaches to the bushland, or the urban jungle of the CBD it’s no secret Sydney’s landscape is unique. What better way to explore the treasures of our city than enjoying the parks and playgrounds built upon it. With such a smorgasbord to chose from don’t just settle for the local swing set down the road, plan a day out for a memorable playtime or picnic.
CAMPERDOWN MEMORIAL REST PARK – NEWTOWN
Just a stone’s throw from Newtown’s main strip of King Street this eclectic and sprawling park is an inner west institution where people come in droves to gather, enjoy the sunshine and share a beverage.
The relaxed, sociable atmosphere makes for a melting pot with a strong sense of community where people happily strike up a conversation with one another.
If you don’t like dogs, then this park is probably not for you as dogs run freely off leash – but part of the joy of coming to Campo is making friends with the pooches that come bounding over every five minutes.
For little ones there is a fenced-in playground area, sandpit and wobbly bridge. Portaloos are a recent and welcome addition and there is a decent amount of natural shade, although on busier days it’s a case of first in best dressed.
Where: Federation Road, corner of Lennox and Church Streets, Newtown
Closest station: Newtown
OBSERVATORY HILL – MILLERS POINT
The appeal of coming to Observatory Hill can be summed up in three words: Location, location location.
Established around 1857 to 1859 the same time as nextdoor Sydney observatory- this grassy knoll offers up panoramic views of both Sydney’s harbour and skyline, sitting here feels like sitting on top of the world.
Perhaps the best time to visit here is at golden hour – around late afternoon to early evening depending on time of year. This is when the setting sun bounces off the office buildings in the CBD casting a glow over the city as far as the eye can see. Needless to say it makes for a spectacular photo opportunity.
It’s a great spot if you want to impress out of town visitors and despite its superb views it’s usually quite peaceful.
There is ample shade provided by the many enormous Moreton Bay fig trees, which are also fun to climb, and nearby public bathrooms.
Where: Millers Point, CBD
Closest station: Wynyard
AUBURN BOTANIC GARDENS – AUBURN
As an oasis in the middle of western Sydney, these gardens do not receive half of the recognition they deserve. Established in 1977 the botanical gardens are a source of immense pride for locals and it’s easy to see why.
In their entirety the gardens cover a whopping 9.2 kilometres. With so much to see, you’d be hard-pressed to fit everything this park has to offer within one day.
Auburn botanic gardens is made up of several separate gardens all with different themes, the most popular of which is the Japanese Garden. Here you will find waterfalls, a traditional tea house, rock formations and a brilliant and eerily tranquil ornamental lake.
Kids will enjoy stepping over the water blocks and marvel at the koi fish below. The tranquility may even instil a rare moment of calm into any unruly toddlers.
The ideal time of year to visit is cherry blossom season in March and April which attracts huge crowds, but there is still plenty to see all year round.
Another notable attraction of the gardens is the fauna reserve, home to native animals including eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, emus, peacocks and a wombat.
There is also a playground with slippery dips and a little maze that's big enough for kids to run around in but small enough that they can easily be watched over.
The community picnic area equipped with BBQ facilities is a popular spot for family gatherings so the gardens usually have a festive atmosphere.
Where: 99 Chiswick Road, Auburn
Closest station: Auburn
Car parking available, or the park can be reached by taking the Auburn community loop bus.
BRONTE PARK – BRONTE
This park sits just upon a grassy knoll looking down on Bronte beach, offering up an ideal combo of surf and turf perfect for those scorching summer days where walking on the sand feels like hot coals.
Here you’ll find grass and shaded areas, picnic tables, BBQs and a kids’ playground.
Enjoy a picnic with a sea view, and tuck into some fish and chips from one of the many nearby cafes or kiosks.
Location: East end of Bronte Rd, Bronte (back of Bronte Beach)
Closest station: Bondi Junction
Buses that run right to the beach will take you here.
WULABA PARK – WATERLOO
This delightful inner-city playground looks like it was designed by Willy Wonka – minus the Oompa Loompas – and will spark kids’ imagination ensuring a memorable playtime.
As well as being one of the most aesthetically pleasing playgrounds in Sydney due to its rainbow colour scheme, Wulaba Park also boasts a slide that’s almost three stories high.
The park also offers up various climbing structures, swings, nets, tunnels, a handball court and BBQ facilities, not to mention self-cleaning toilets on site.
This playground would be best for adventurous kids primary age and above who want to put their climbing skills to the test.
There's not a whole lot of shade so make sure you slip slop slap and wear a hat if you’re planning a visit.
Where: Amelia Street, Waterloo
Closest station: Green Square
DARLING QUARTER PARK – DARLING HARBOUR
This is another good playground for (safe) thrillseekers that has long been popular with young families.
Conveniently close to restaurants, cafes and Harbourside Shopping Centre, this park can be used as an incentive to keep kids patient and well-behaved while mum browses the bargains beforehand.
One highlight of paying a visit here is the the giant climbing web named ‘The Octonet’, consisting of 83 square metres of netted rope rising 10 metres into the air. It really puts kids to the challenge to see just how high they can climb, and there is also a separate smaller climbing web for younger ones.
The park also boasts a 3-metre high slide as well as a flying fox that's 21 metres long.
Darling Quarter Park is one of Sydney’s best to visit on a hot summer’s day with multiple waterworks installations to cool kids down as they play.
The intermittent water jets that spurt out of the ground will have kids squealing as they run through them and try and guess the changing patterns.
Where: Darling Harbour
Closest station: Town Hall or Exhibition Centre light rail stop
IAN POTTER’S WILD PLAY GARDEN – CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS
Situated within Centennial Parkland this magical garden is designed for kids to go wild in a way that is safe and supervised.
Designed to suit children of all abilities between the ages 2 and 12 there’s something to be explored for everyone, with plentiful shade provided by ancient fig trees that are both fun to climb and nice to sit under.
The playground equipment includes a 7-metre climbing tower, rope bridges, tunnels, slippery dips and a cubby house.
Wetlands, swamps, and waterjets offer plenty of opportunities for kids to get their hands dirty – so don’t come dressed in your Sunday best!
After a couple of hours here running amok, littles ones should be all tuckered out.
Where: Centennial Park, Sydney
Closest station: Bondi Junction or Moore Park light rail stop
DOMAIN CREEK PLAYGROUND – WESTMEAD SIDE OF PARRAMATTA PARK
You’ll find this playground inside Parramatta Park offering up everything needed for a enjoyable play day, including but not limited to a double flying fox, climbing nets, slides, sandpits, a merry-go-round and of course water pumps.
The park is surrounded by walkways making it wheelchair and pram-friendly.
Where: the Westmead side of Parramatta Park
Closest station: Westmead
WILLOWDALE PARK – DENHAM COURT
This newly established regional parkland is striking in its appearance as it’s made almost entirely of timber, and its location within a bushland setting really adds an atmosphere of adventure.
There are shared pathways for biking and scootering providing a friendly environment for someone just learning to ride a bike, as well as rope bridges, swings and two separate flying foxes both 40 metres in length.
Adding to the wow factor of the park’s impressive design is a ‘bespoke’ cubby house made from recycled timber.
The play equipment is surrounded by plentiful open spaces – the parkland is almost 3 hectares – with electric BBQs dotted throughout, making Willowdale Park a good place for an evening or afternoon catch up while kids explore and conquer their surroundings.
Location: Jamboree & Baden Powell Ave, Denham Court
BOBBIN HEAD – KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK, MOUNT COLAH
The last park on this list has lots to offer in terms of both scenery and activities.
Bobbin Head is an idyllic waterfront haven in the majestic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park just past Sydney’s upper north shore.
Kayaks can be hired or brought and little paddleboats can be rented to take on the water. You’ll be surprised at how much of a workout it is and will be feeling it in your glutes the next day.
Alternatively, you can take a bushwalk – there are multiple walking trails with moderate levels difficulty.
As well as being rich in natural wonder Bobbin Head also has a brand new playground featuring a huge and very adorable platypus sculpture that kids will love climbing on.
Newly opened in September 2021 the play equipment has been designed for nature-based play and includes a swing set wooden log maze and scooter track.
The cafe on site offers up substantial meals to both eat in and take away or you can pack a picnic.
Where: 688 Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah.
Nearest train station: Mount Kuring-gai
Park entry fees apply.
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