san remo park playground, san remo
Swings, slides, rocking horses, old-style flying fox, and some cool wall mazes set around a climbing structure to resemble a pirate ship.
There’s a great little playground right at the foot of the San Remo bridge that is just perfect to have a little picnic at; with plenty of access to great take-away options (delicious pies from San Remo Bakery!) directly across the road. There are BBQ facilities and picnic tables as well.
The playground itself is of a brightly coloured seaside theme, with heaps to do to keep the kids busy. Swings, slides, rocking horses, old-style flying fox, and some cool wall mazes set around a climbing structure to resemble a pirate ship.
It is close to a main road and sea-side, so make sure you keep an eye on the little ones!
Mamma's special mention:
You simply cannot visit the playground without stopping to watch the Pelican Feeding next door!
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - BBQ facility - free parking - toilet facilities
trueman reserve playground, cranbourne west
This great playground has heaps to keep kids of all ages happy!
This great playground has heaps to keep kids of all ages happy!
Check out that slide! This is one for the older kids, as the climbing structure leading up to the slide is the only way you can get up there, and is quite complex for tiny feet; but awesome fun for the older monkeys.
But never fear! There is a heap for the little ones to do. Jump on in-ground trampolines, slide down multiple smaller slides, rock climb, twisty monkey bars, tunnels, nest and traditional swings and spider web climbing nets!
The reserve also has an undercover picnic area with BBQ facilities and tables, and yes - there are toilet facilities with a changing table!
Opposite the playground is an enclosed dog park complete with an obstacle obedience course.
Fun for the whole family here!
Mamma's special mention:
Do your kids love dinosaurs? Head around the corner to the roarsome Megasaurus park.
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - BBQ facility - free parking - toilet facilities with change table - fully enclosed dog park
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
hill farm park, clyde
This cute little farm-themed park is built on the site of an old 19th Century family farm.
This is a clucking - awesome playground! This cute little farm-themed park is built on the site of an original 19th Century family farm. The picnic shelter is the ACTUAL remains of a cottage which resided on this land, built in 1875.
The little playground shows in a small scale of what the farm would have looked like. There’s a collection of pig statues, giant pitch forks and roosters, some old wagon-style bench seats, as well as a slide, swings, balancing beams, see-saw and rocking horse. There’s plenty of open grass space too, so pack the soccer ball or the footy. There’s also a sheltered area with a BBQ and some picnic tables. Next to the playground there is enclosed dog park with a training course.
This is a cute little place to check out.
Mamma's special mention:
Kids want more to play on? There’s another great park nearby - Highgrove Outlook Park.
Hungry? Check out the delicious Deoro & Co Cafe.
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - BBQ facility - free parking - fully enclosed dog park
Bimberry Circuit, Clyde
(In the Pasadena Estate)
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
bruce park, frankston
This little local has just been updated and is now a perfect pit stop for the little ones.
This local has just been updated and is now a perfect pit stop for the little ones.
Set behind the Bruce Park Oval, it’s a great spot to bring the little ones when the older kids might be doing their Saturday sports.
It’s very reminiscent of the playgrounds of Mamma’s childhood. Nothing too fancy, but lots to keep the imagination flowing. There’s stepping logs slides, swings, little turning climbing pyramid and a table with holes in it to put rocks through.
Mamma's special mention:
Wanting more fun? Head around the corner for some ten pin fun at Zone Bowling.
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - free parking
beauty park, frankston
This is a lovely park to have a picnic or little weekend walk with your fur baby.
This is a lovely park to have a picnic or little weekend walk with your fur baby.
Lots of large leafy trees make it beautiful all year round, especially in the autumn months.
There’s a very small playground with a climbing pyramid, small slide and an undercover picnic area with a BBQ.
Watch the ducks and water birds swim around the small lake, pay your respects at the war memorial or take a walk/scoot/bike ride along the track.
With 3 fitness stations scattered around the park, it may just be the perfect place for a weekend workout!
It is also home to a gorgeous market once a month from October to April.
Mamma's special mention:
Feel like a treat? Head to the delectably sweet Twisted Sista cafe!
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - BBQ- free parking - some shade - walking track - lake - war memorial
No toilets yet, but are in the process of being built.
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
bayport reserve, langwarrin
This great local reserve has recently had a face-lift, and, wow, does it look great!
This great local reserve has recently had a face-lift, and, wow, does it look great!
They’ve put a huge emphasis on nature play here, incorporating lots of wooden equipment and climbing logs that are surrounded by wide open space and lots of new trees planted. Ensuring that in years to come all the new equipment will be under the cover of trees.
For now, there are existing trees that provide some shade to parts like the see-saws and climbing blocks.
There’s equipment to suit all ages, which means some of it is a little challenging and some parent assistance may be needed for the little ones.
There’s a sandpit with a drum and a sort of cubby-house in the middle; a large structure with ropes and mats to climb up; slides and poles to dismount; little tunnels to hide in; cement paths to ride on and a couple of picnic tables.
Mamma also hasn’t yet come across a 5-way swing like they have, and Little Miss wasn’t too sure how to use it (either was Mamma!). Oh, and another first was a fun-house mirror!
Lots of fun to have here folks!
Mamma's special mention:
Need some healthy treats to bring on your picnic? Stop by the deliciously healthy Acai brothers first!
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - free parking- some shade
rf julier reserve, port melbourne
This park has something for all ages. Even your fury kids will love it!
This park has something for all ages. Even your fury kids will love it!
There’s a full size basketball/netball court, and off-leash dog park and an awesome little fairy garden with mushroom houses for the littlest ones.
The play equipment is suitable for older kids with a huge climbing pyramid leading up to a massive slide.
There’s also a much smaller slide, swings, teepee, and some climbing stones.
There’s some tables and chairs and lots of open space with big trees, perfect for ball games and tree climbing.
Good news! There IS a toilet too! However, not much shade so be sure to slip slop slap!
Mamma's special mention:
Why not head down the road to the awesome Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre for some splashing fun!
the nitty gritty
picnic tables - free parking- toilet facilities - basketball/netball court
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
reg marlow reserve, mentone
You’ve gotta love a fully fenced in park!
How good is a fully enclosed park! There’s no way the little ones can escape from here! Which is a good thing seeing as the reserve runs off a main road.
Not only is it fully enclosed, but there’s also an outdoor gym to keep the adults busy, too!
The playground itself has some gorgeous little gumnut babies poking through the equipment. A little cubby house shopfront, swings, slides, climbing wall, open grass area for ball sports, a sandpit with a digger and more.
There’s a few tables with some shade and a BBQ. Around the corner is an off-leash dog park, so bring your fur babies along for some fun!
Mamma's special mention:
Feel like something sweet? A short drive away is a gorgeous cafe with delicious cakes, Ginger Fox.
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilities - picnic tables - free parking- outdoor gym equipment
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
highgrove outlook park, clyde north
Not only is there a giant slide, but there’s also a full-sized basketball court AND tennis court!
Mamma stumbled across this awesome park after driving down a street and spotting THAT gigantic slide.
Not only is there that great slide, but there is also a full-sized basketball court AND tennis court! This Mamma hasn’t come across a tennis court in a park before!
There’s also a zip-liner, 4 person see-saw, swings and huge open space for ball sports. With a large undercover picnic area with BBQ facilities, it really is almost the perfect way to spend a day. Only it is let down by the fact that there are no toilets.
Mamma's special mention:
Looking for some delicious food or want to grab a takeaway coffee - you must check out the scrumptious Deoro and Co cafe!
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilities - picnic tables - free parking- some sheltered areas - basketball court - tennis court - NO toilets
Highgrove Estate
Fitzwilliam Circuit, Clyde North VIC
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
george pentland playground, frankston
Mamma promises this playground upgrade was worth the wait!
Hooray! The playground is finally updated! And let Mamma tell you - it was sure worth the wait!
What was already one of the best treasures in Frankston, has now been upgraded with an awesome new playground. It includes equipment Mamma has never seen before (which is some feat considering how many parks the crew have visited!)
For example, one of the highlights for Mr tree-climber was a set of different sized ropes which are bolted into the ground and threaded throughout the huge climbing trees. Such a simple thing, yet a great tool for hours of imaginative play!
The other faves were the 6 person rope swing, the incredible tree house complete with twisty slide dismount, the net standing see-saw and the inclusive carousel.
Of course, there are the usual - swings, slides, rocking horses (bees), sandpit and large statues of spiders and crocodiles.
The gardens themselves are a hidden oasis in the middle of Frankston - with plenty of space for kids to run around and explore - kick the footy - even a game of cricket! Read more about George Pentland Botanical Gardens here.
Pack your picnic basket and prepare to spend a few hours enjoying this beautiful spot.
Mamma's special mention:
Feel like a sweet treat? Head down the road to the decadent Twisted Sister!
For more to do at George Pentland Botanical Gardens click here.
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilites - toilet facilities - picnic tables- free parking- some sheltered areas - playground - pram accessible walking track
Gate opening/closing times:
7am - 9pm November to March
7am - 6pm April to October
Corner of Williams and Foot Streets, Frankston
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
clydevale park, clyde north
This is one AWESOME spot! With lush greenery covering all areas, it is more than just your average local playground!
This is one AWESOME spot!
Spread over 1.2 hectares with lush greenery covering all areas, it is more than just your average local playground!
Separated into little sections you will find a basketball court, amphitheatre, gym area, picnic table and BBQ, and a playground.
The playground is very nature-inspired. There’s loads of rocks, shrubs, tan bark and grass which lead up to a small hill surrounded by a wooden structure - which is home to 3 slides that run down the hill.
Be a palaeontologist for a day! There’s a small sandpit which covers some dinosaur fossils if you look closely enough. There’s also a water pump tap over a stony area that trickles into the sandpit. Creating a great opportunity for splashing around in some water play!
With a BBQ, shaded tables, large grassy area and a basketball court, this is a fantastic space to have a play.
Mamma's special mention:
Hungry? Head around the corner to the delicious Deoro and Co Cafe
the nitty gritty
bbqs - sheltered picnic areas - free parking - gym equipment - basketball court - water play
Clydevale Avenue, Clydevale Estate, Clyde North
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
dunns road reserve, mount martha
Mamma just loves this little farm themed playground!
With a large covered ‘banyard’, complete with picnic tables and a BBQ, it is the perfect place for a get together.
Mamma just loves this little farm themed playground!
With a large covered ‘banyard’, complete with picnic tables and a BBQ, it is the perfect place for a get together.
The play equipment is super cute, with a large tractor, cubby house, tunnels, horse rockers, see-saw, pyramid climbing frame, swings, monkey bars and more!
There is SO much wide-open space here, perfect for a game of cricket and a family picnic. You can even bring your canine family members and let them run loose in the fenced dog obstacle area!
Mamma's special mention:
Hungry? Head around the corner to the delicious Mornington Hyrdoponic Cafe.
the nitty gritty
bbqs - sheltered picnic areas - toilet facilities - free parking - dog park
berwick waters grand prix playground, clyde north
Ladies and Gents, start your engines, pop on a helmet, ding those bells. GET READY TO RACE! There is a BRAND NEW Grand Prix themed playground and it is just made for riding.
Ladies and Gents, start your engines, pop on a helmet, ding those bells. GET READY TO RACE! There is a BRAND NEW Grand Prix themed playground and it is just made for riding. Whether your crew are into scooters, bikes, trikes or heck, just running, they will love this playground at Berwick Waters in Clyde North.
The yellow racing track, complete with bending corners, wicked overpass and funky humps, is the standout feature of the play space. Mamma lost count on how many laps were completed as the kids just wanted to keep going and going. It is so simple and so effective. The course is designed well to build up speed then slowing the kids down just before they hit the corners.
Also to be explored is the finishing-line play structure. This twin tower frame is super narrow to get to the top but has hidden bells and a great tunnel slide at the end. We also love having a jump on the inbuilt trampoline, a flying fox and swing set.
Mamma’s special mentions: Need refuelling? Head to Deoro and Co.
the nitty gritty
bbqs - street parking - bike and scooter track - green space nearby - drinking fountain - pram friendly - no toilets
kingston heath reserve, moorabbin
With heaps of wide open space, super cool play equipment and a BBQ - this is the ultimate picnic park!
With heaps of wide open space, super cool play equipment and a BBQ - this is the ultimate picnic park!
Surrounded by lush green gardens and leafy trees, this park has an almost bush-like feel to it. Providing plenty of room to kick a footy or set up a cricket match to entertain the older kids. Whilst having a fantastic play area including; a fire truck, spinning wheel, slides, swings, sandpit with digger, toadstools to climb, hidey-holes, a huge intricate climbing sphere, a clock and more!
There’s also shaded areas with picnic tables, a BBQ and toilet facilities - making it the perfect place to spend the day!
Mamma's special mentions:
Hungry after all that play? Head to the delicious Cool Bean Kitchen to refuel.
the nitty gritty
toilets - shaded areas - BBQ - picnic tables - free parking
Cnr Grange Rd and Centre Dandenong Rd
Moorabbin
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
skinners adventure playground, south melbourne
This is one adventure YOU must explore!
WOW! What a playground!
When you enter the gate, you will not know which way to turn; adventure is at every angle!
This is such an amazing community playground. It was initially created for the local kids of the commission houses nearby, but has quickly turned into a very popular weekend/school holiday destination!
Whilst there is something for all ages, it is best suited for those 5 and up. Which is pretty rare for a playground!
It’s an awesome, kooky-themed junkyard of assorted creative play objects!
There’s haunted houses, cubby holes to climb through, double-storey tree houses, basketball court, multiple large slides, skateboards, bikes, in-ground trampoline, punching bag and more!
There are sandpits with diggers, shopfronts, ride-on cars, wooden ships, a stage to dance on and slides for the little ones. They can also explore the castles, cubby houses and double-storey tree houses, they will just need to be monitored a little more closely. There are also some areas that adults won’t fit in.
This is one of only a few staffed playgrounds in Melbourne, and is also a great little learning community for local residents.
It is definitely one to put on your weekend list!
Mamma's special mentions:
When in South Melbourne, it is a must to visit the awesome South Melbourne Market!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday – Friday
3.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Saturday – Sunday
12pm – 4.30pm
School holidays
12pm – 4.30pm
Public Holidays
12pm– 4pm
toilets - water tap - a picnic table - paid parking - mostly fenced
wanna know more?
click here!
211A Dorcas St, South Melbourne
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
burden park, springvale
This wooden wonderland has everything you need for a perfect park play!
Get ready to enter a wooden wonderland.
This playground has everything needed for your little one to be a perfect princess or brave knight! A giant fortress with castles and towers and hidden areas.
Not to mention multiple slides, sandpit, springy rocker, swings, see-saw, climbing nets and so much more!
With some shaded picnic tables, and lots of open space to kick the footy or have a hit of cricket. Making this the ULTIMATE family play space.
Be warned: leaving this playground may require bribery. The Mcdonald's across the road MAY help!
Mamma's special mentions:
There’s now a NEW Park Warrior Course here as well.
Still hungry for adventure? Head down the road to the roarsome Gardenworld to check out some dinosaurs and grab a bite to eat.
the nitty gritty
bbqs - picnic shelter - picnic tables - toilets -park warrior course- free parking
pencil park, keysborough
Mamma loves a themed park, so when she heard there was a park with huge pencils randomly spread we had to visit!
Mamma loves a newly updated playground! And what a difference this playground has made to what was already a fantastic space!
With new equipment including a zip liner, in-ground mini trampoline, huge climbing structure with net tunnel and rock-climbing walls, inclusive carousel, swings, musical chimes, small obstacle course and a spinning net pyramid - there is something for everyone!
There is also a gorgeous lake with a walking path over the bridge and through wetlands where there are ducks swimming and frogs croaking. Simply beautiful and unexpected.
Mamma also loved watching the locals do their tai chi in the morning sun!
There’s plenty of open fields, perfect for a picnic and kicking a footy!
Definitely worth adding this one to your list for a sunny day stroll. The only downside is that there are no toilets.
Mamma's special mentions:
Still hungry for adventure? Head down the road to the roarsome Gardenworld to check out some dinosaurs and grab a bite to eat.
the nitty gritty
bbqs - picnic shelter - picnic tables - limited shade - lake - no toilets
dandenong park, dandenong
A completely fenced park with one of the largest sand pit we have ever seen. Not only is it a maze of logs and stepping stones and has everyone's favourite digger - but there is water.
The best thing about a fenced playground is the reaction your shoulders have when you walk inside and close the gate. Your shoulders go down. You let a big breath out. It is that feeling of relaxed. Knowing that little one or two of yours is contained and that road over there is one thing less for you to worry about. Mamma had that reaction here at Dandenong Park. A completely fenced park with one of the largest sand pit we have ever seen. Not only is it a maze of logs and stepping stones and has everyone's favourite digger - but there is water. A 'castle' style wall with a tap with an automatic stop, lets water trail into the sand leaving the castle making opportunities endless. You'll find other things here too - spinners, rocking horses, a big climbing structure with a spiral slide and a look-out tower in the opposite corner.
Mamma's special mention: Dandenong has plenty of great family friendly spots including the library, the market and in the suburb JUST next door Myuna Farm.
the nitty gritty
fully fenced - sand - water - no shade in playground - public toilets - bbqs nearby - picnic shelters nearly - walking trails - sporting fields nearby- car parking
grattan gardens, prahran
There's two separate areas to have a play with facilities like slides, swings, rock-climbing wall, shop and more!
This great little reserve is perfect for the little ones to run around, chase birds and burn some energy. Perfect position, being smack in the middle of one of the most fashionable areas of Melbourne, providing a great break from some serious shopping!
There's two separate areas to have a play; with facilities like slides, swings, rock-climbing wall, shop and more! Lots of grass, some windy paths and soft mat turf, make it awesome for bikes of all sorts.
There are plenty of cafes nearby to grab a coffee and snack to enjoy a picnic, too.
Mamma's special mention
Right next door to the delectable Pierrick Boyer Cafe Patisserie, and down the road from Prahran Market
the nitty gritty
toilet facilities nearby - some shaded area - grass area - small bike path