central park playground, malvern east
There is a new playground at Central Park in Malvern East and it is FULLY FENCED!
There is a new playground at Central Park in Malvern East! It’s not just about play; it's an invitation to engage with the wonders of nature around us. As you wander around the park, you’ll find signs encouraging you and the kiddos to touch, smell, look, and really connect with nature.
The new, FULLY FENCED play area is ideal for younger kids and toddlers, offering a safe space to explore and play. Mamma's 4-year-old loves keeping an eye out for magical creatures hiding in the discovery nodes, in the trees and along the new paths. Play equipments include a sandpit and cubbies, a trampoline, three swings, a slide, and a spinner… there's plenty here to keep the little ones engaged and happy.
For older children, the partly-fenced playground nearby provides more adventurous options like rope climbing and swings, perfect for those seeking a bit of excitement.
The park itself is a charming spot for a family walk, with beautiful flowers and a water fountain.
the nitty gritty
148 Burke Rd, Malvern East, 3145
Grassed areas for picnic – no table or BBQ facilities – dogs off leash area
Public toilet near the corner of Wattletree and Burke roads (another new toilet is being built, expected Feb 2024)
Mamma's special mentions:
Stop at Blitz Bar and get some snacks to enjoy while you play!
booran reserve, glen huntly
Pack up the kiddos and sunscreen, because Booran Reserve in Glen Huntly is where it's at! This award-winning park, part of Glen Eira Council, is an absolute gem especially in the warmer Melbourne months.
Pack up the kiddos and sunscreen, because Booran Reserve in Glen Huntly is where it's at! This award-winning park, part of Glen Eira Council, is an absolute gem especially in the warmer Melbourne months.
The star attraction is the water play area, hugely popular for people of all ages. With a surface splash pad and playful water jets shooting up every couple of minutes, it's the perfect cool-down spot on summer days.
For those not interested in a splash, there is a separate dry playground area with flying foxes, trampolines, tunnels, a two-tiered sandpit complete with a water pump (I know, right?), and even an oversized hamster wheel! The giant bird's nest swing and a 5-way swing are just the cherries on top.
Older kiddos will be busy at the basketball and netball rings, and a jaw-dropping 10-metre-high double dome - with a slide to swoosh down.
the nitty gritty
Booran Rerserve
1051 Glen Huntly Rd,
Glen Huntly
Toilets with change tables – separate dry playground – shade sails – BBQ facilities – picnic shelters – tables and seatings – dogs on leash – street parking – pram accessible
Water play feature operates during the following times:
October to March, 9am to 7.30pm
April to September, 9am to 5pm
Mamma's special mentions:
Make a day of it and head to the gorgeous Major Mitchell cafe
hodgson reserve, bentleigh
This awesome reserve has not one - but THREE different Playgrounds! So there is definitely bound to be something to keep kids of all ages entertained.
This awesome reserve has not one - but THREE different playgrounds! So there is definitely bound to be something to keep kids of all ages entertained.
The first is a brightly coloured - and well shaded - playground, best suited for the littler ones. All your usual fun equipment is here; slides, spinners, climbing apparatus, tunnels, swings and rockers. Next to that playground is a rotunda with tables, a BBQ and toilets. (You can also book to reserve this shelter - ideal for parties)
Then there is the huge oval - perfect for footy/cricket and picnics, with a path so grab your wheels!
Next, there’s a recreational area aimed for the bigger kids/teens. There’s a large (and difficult!) bouldering wall, basketball/netball court, table tennis table, rebound wall and rope climbing tower.
The next playground is up the hill a little. This consists of an awesomely cool snakes and ladders game complete with a spinning wheel dice, undercover picnic area, a few kids size picnic tables and a fitness station.
Be prepared to spend a few hours here! Oh, and you can also bring your furry friend, with both leashed and off-leash areas available for play.
Mamma’s special mention: Head around the corner for a meal at Good Times Milk Bar.
the nitty gritty
Three separate playgrounds - picnic tables - BBQs- street parking - toilets - shade - rotundas
packer park, carnegie
This is a such a great frog-themed playground, you’re sure to have a ribbit-ing good time!
This is a such a great frog-themed playground, you’re sure to have a ribbit-ing good time! It’s spacious, it’s bright and it is ever so green, but, unlike Kermit, it IS easy to be green and FUN!
Nestled in a tree-filled reserve, there’s a real Australian nature vibe. With great - and unique -equipment such as; little stepping stones to balance on and follow - which are in the shape of a tadpole that gradually grows legs and turns into a frog statue, a giant frog in a pond statue - perfect for climbing on, a frog see-saw (4 person), and frog rockers. There’s little colourful toad stool poles leading to a big bouncing lilly-pad style rope bouncer, a very large and intricate climbing apparatus, swings and slides galore!
With a great expanse of grassy area you can set up a picnic or kick a ball, BBQs and shaded picnic tables, an off-leash dog area, even a path you can take your wheels for a spin on - and TOILETS, there’s something for everyone.
Mamma’s special mention: Head around the corner for a treat at the delicious Lizzy’s Chocolates.
the nitty gritty
Frog themed- picnic tables - BBQs- street parking - toilets - some shade
allnutt park, mckinnon
This park is a beauty! It has EVERYTHING you could want.
This park is a beauty! It has EVERYTHING you could want.
There’s two undercover picnic shelters and BBQ facilities, making it perfect for parties. Yes - a toilet too!
There’s heaps of wide open grassy areas, perfect for picnicking or ball sports. It’s doggy friendly with one section an off-leash area.
The playground is in a couple of sections - making it spacious and allowing the little ones to have their own area with age appropriate play things.
You’ll find all your usual park equipment, but also bonus extras like a basketball ring, skate/bike path and even a golf cage - Mamma hasn’t come across one of those before!
Be prepared to stay here a while folks, the kids will love it!
Mamma's special mention:
Make a day out of it and head for lunch, coffee or high tea at the charming Mr Burch cafe around the corner.
the nitty gritty
BBQ - picnic areas - undercover shelters - shade sails - public toilets - free parking
where?
harleston park, elsternwick
This is the ultimate picnic park - and recently upgraded!!
This gorgeous leafy park has recently been upgraded, and is one that you are going to come back to time and time again!
With a heap of huge trees offering shade, a gigantic slide, picnic tables, colourful earthy tones with lots of wooden materials, all your usual playground equipment - this is the ultimate picnic park!
This is great for kids of all ages, as there is something for everyone. There’s an area in the sand for the little kids with a small slide, climbing structures and equipment for sand play.
The older kids have THAT great slide, a basketball court, great climbing trees, rock climbing wall and heaps more.
There’s BBQ facilities, tables and a toilet - so it’s the perfect picnic spot.
Note - The rock bed is still there, but there’s no water in it.
Mamma's special mention
After you have worked up an appetite - head down to Jerry's Milk Bar to enjoy some delicious food - and amazing milkshakes!!
the nitty gritty
toilet facilities - bbq facilities -some shaded area - picnic tables - free parking
mckinnon reserve playground, mckinnon
Keeping very much in touch with nature, you will find heaps of trees, plants and wooden equipment. Such as a cubbyhouse/shopfront, a giant tree-house leading up to the huge slide, a mini-petrol station, see-saw, 5 poster swing set and wooden beams spread throughout the playground to sit on.
Mamma loves a good playground upgrade! And WOW - this one is quite incredible!
Keeping very much in touch with nature, you will find heaps of trees, plants and wooden equipment. Such as a cubbyhouse/shopfront, a giant tree-house leading up to the huge slide, a mini-petrol station, see-saw, 5 poster swing set and wooden beams spread throughout the playground to sit on.
Mamma’s crew have never come across a petrol pump at a playground before, so this was a big hit!
Also proving popular were both of the tree-houses. One is the climbing tower leading up to two giant slides, and the other is built around the ultimate large climbing tree. This has a double smaller slide attached.
There is also a seriously cool obstacle/warrior-type climbing frame, rock-climbing walls, two zip-liners - one seated with a strap for the littler ones, spinning climbing nets, and lots of climbing rocks and space for imaginative play.
With BBQ facilities, tables and lots of grass - this is the perfect place for a family picnic! Oh - and YES! There are toilets!
note - the slide is better suited for older children, it is quite large for little bodies.
Mamma's special mention:
Head down the road for some delicious tucker at Good Times Milk Bar - or head in the other direction for some decadent sweet treats at Dolce House Gelato.
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - BBQ facility - free street parking - toilet facilities
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
halley park, bentleigh
Mamma loves a colourful park with lots of trees to picnic under. This is a great one.
Mamma loves a colourful park with lots of trees to picnic under. This is a great one.
There’s heaps of climbing equipment, stepping stones, swinging beams, slides, see-saws, multiple swings, and rocking horses. There’s a small basketball court, heaps of open space, BBQ facilities - and yes, there IS a toilet!
The park has lovely trees to sit under, plus a few tables under the rotunda.
The majority of the play equipment is also covered with shade sails.
For the adults there’s a workout station to fit in a quick workout (just in case you don’t get enough of a workout chasing your kids around!)
Mamma's special mention:
Grab some delicious food and coffee to takeaway from Good Times Milkbar
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilities - picnic tables - free parking- some sheltered areas - basketball ring - toilet facilities
caulfield park, caulfield north
This place is so big there are three different playgrounds to explore! Caulfield Park is Nanna's favourite place to take a stroll on a sunny afternoon and she is always delighted to have a little munchkin to share it with! Mamma loves both playgrounds.
This place is so big there are three different playgrounds to explore! Caulfield Park is Nanna's favourite place to take a stroll on a sunny afternoon and she is always delighted to have a little munchkin to share it with!
Mamma loves all playgrounds. The first - closest to Inkerman Road - is great for toddlers and preschoolers. A splash of colour over all the attractions and low inclines for crawling or beginning walkers. The car was a huge hit and Uncle Jack got to be bub's unwilling passenger - Mamma is thinking she could do with some lessons! The second playground - closest to Balaclava Road and the duck pond - is very cool with sensory play and big bugs everywhere! This second space would be more suited to your older adventurers with climbing towers, swings and spinners. Oh and after you have played, make sure you talk a walk around the pond to visit the ducks.
the nitty gritty
Corner Hawthorn Road & Balaclava Road, Caulfield North
public toilets - shade sail - dog friendly park - bbqs - ovals - pond area
Mamma's special mention: There are three playgrounds here! Check out the Alphabet Sensory Playground here too
