Best children’s playgrounds in Melbourne
The humble swing set and sand pit is surpassed by mega slides, multi-level forts and even a giant croc at these astounding parks. Is your favourite on the list?
South East
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A Melbourne council has just opened four new play spaces after spending a whopping $5.3m on the projects.
However, the investment is par for the course among Victorian kids who are already used to burning off energy at some incredible playgrounds.
Check out some of the best around the state.
Royal Park Nature Play
Gatehouse Street, Parkville
The Australian Institute for Landscape Architects named this Parkville playground the best in the nation in 2016 and it’s still a hit with young city dwellers.
Build for $5.5m the park was designed to encourage risk taking.
There are the traditional slides and swings but what makes this playground stand out for the kids is the water play area that allows them to pump and dam water before letting it flow into the sandpit.
Adults love the dramatic city views and the chance to let their offspring explore nature.
It’s also close to Royal Children’s Hospital and it’s not uncommon for patients to be wheeled out to enjoy some fresh air.
Booran Reserve
Cnr Booran Rd and Glen Huntly Road, Glenhuntly
When it opened in 2017 Booran Reserve was the most expensive playground in Melbourne.
The $10.8m price tag made it almost twice as expensive as Royal Park Nature Play and Glen Eira Council copped more than a little flak for the extravagance.
But kids loved it then and still do today.
The water-themed playground boasts Australia’s first double-dome climbing net, custom-made play equipment, a water play area, outdoor gallery space, urban forest corridor and double flying fox.
Hays Paddock
Longstaff Street, Kew East
This all-abilities playground is regarded as one of Melbourne’s best.
It has a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, swings with harnesses and extra wide slides.
There’s two wooden fortresses and the playground is fully fenced.
The walking paths are also wheelchair friendly and there are public toilets, barbecues, seating and tables.
Bicentennial Park
Scotch Parade, Chelsea
Families from across Melbourne’s south east flock to the super long slides at this park’s huge adventure playground.
There’s also a Smurf village, an express train and a flying fox.
Teens visit for the skate park with mogul plaza and youth zone featuring a multi-court area with soccer and basketball goals and spectator seating, a stage, timber climbing poles and a DJ table.
Older residents also love the park for its walking trails, a fitness track which is home to the local park run and a Disc Golf course.
Furry friends can also enjoy a run around in the fenced off leash dog park.
Ballam Park
Cranbourne Road, Karingal
Frankston Council recently opened its first water play at Ballam Park, just in time for summer.
The $3m project was one of four new playgrounds launched by the council in 2022.
It’s part of the 30ha park which includes two playgrounds, premier athletics track and sports fields for AFL, soccer and cricket.
The latest addition also has a giant basket swing, carousel and plenty of trees and shade shelters.
The new space links to the existing Ballam Park Bumps which is perfect for skateboards, scooters and BMX.
Fido is also in his element with the dog agility park and off leash and dog friendly on leash spaces.
The council has also launched the $1.5m Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve Play Space and two $400,000 playgrounds — Orwil Reserve Play Space, Frankston and Brolga Reserve Play Space, Carrum Downs.
Wilson Botanic Park
668 Princes Highway, Berwick
This 35ha park is so popular it has its own shuttle bus to cope with demand for parking spots.
There’s a cafe with lake views, a playground that little ones love and plenty of room to throw down a picnic blanket.
The playground is a gem with a track ride offering an ‘I can fly’ moment, a tunnel for crawlers and fireman’s pole and spiral ladder.
The Hoo Hoo Lookout Tower has incredible views across Melbourne to Port Phillip Bay, but the climb is steep and its not for the faint hearted.
Many visit the park just to see the resident wildlife including turtles, ducks and lots of lizards.
Rosebud Foreshore Playground
Jetty Road, Rosebud
Located just metres from the beach this is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s best play spaces.
The park feature two slides - one long ride with some exciting turns and a shorter option for the less adventurous.
The long slide can be reached via climbing net
There’s also a flying fox, basket swing and carousel.
Saltwater Coast Crocodile Park
Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook
Visitors to this unique park in Melbourne’s west can be forgiven for thinking they’ve take a detour to Darwin.
King of the park is a 5m bronze crocodile that shoots water into a series of rapids.
Children can follow the water through the undulating concrete or have their own boat races.
The whole park is built in and around man-made lakes, decking and boardwalks and is set among man made wetlands.
There’s a more traditional wooden playground as well as swings and slide for those who don’t want to get wet.
Frontier Park
Woodlea Boulevard, Aintree
This is one for the daredevils.
It has three big tree houses connected by rope bridges with twisty tunnel slides providing a fast way to the ground.
There is also a water play area with pump, spray, chutes and dam and a covered sand pit.
Frontier Park is one of five playgrounds in the Woodlea housing estate including Woodlea Adventure playground, Pioneer Drive, Nugget Place and Muster Drive playground.
Bring your bathers and bike or scooter and make a day of it by visiting them all.
Buckingham Reserve
301 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine West
Dreams of space adventures take off in this playground thanks to a nine metre rocket ship
Those that make it to the top of the colourful craft can then launch themselves down the slides.
There’s also a dual flying fox, rock walls, water play area, swings and a sandpit.
Buckingham was one of five flagship parks developed by Brimbank Council through its creating better parks strategy.