50+ Best Playgrounds in Melbourne
Looking for the best playgrounds in Melbourne to take your kids to burn off some energy? So many parents ask themselves, “Where is the best playground near me? Well our little explorers have visited so many Melbourne playgrounds and here you can find the ultimate guide to the best of the best! See below the top parks and playgrounds in Melbourne CBD, East, South East, North, and West!
Playgrounds Near Me
Asking yourself “Where is the best playground near me?” Look no further. We have been and checked out a whole list of playgrounds to review and we are working our way up to 50 playgrounds! The hard work is done for you.
Below you can find a photo and summary, but if you want more photos and information, just click the review link to check the full post. Keep checking too as we will update the list often!
Melbourne Playgrounds
To make it easier we have broken it up for you into areas of Melbourne.
- Best Playgrounds in Melbourne CBD
- Best Playgrounds in Melbourne West
- Best Playgrounds in Melbourne North
- Best Playgrounds in Melbourne East
- Best Playgrounds around Melbourne Bayside
- Best Playgrounds in Melbourne South East
If you know of a Melbourne playground we haven’t listed, let us know so we can go check it out and see if it makes it to our list!
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne CBD & Surrounds
Here you can find the best playgrounds in Melbourne CBD and the city surroundings. If you find yourself in the city for the day, these Melbourne playgrounds are great fun for the kids.
1. Darling Gardens & Playground, South Yarra
Darling Gardens Playground is a fun playground for kids in a great location for a family day out or picnic. The playground suitable for all ages and it has great views of the Yarra surrounded with beautiful gardens, picnic areas BBQ facilities and more.
Read More>>> Darling Gardens Playground
2. Southbank Boulevard Play Space, Melbourne
If you have an adventurous little one, this is the best playground in Melbourne and it is right in the heart of the CBD! It is a “risky playground” so it features climbing ropes, boulders, monkey bars, big swings and more.
Read More>>> Southbank Boulevard Risky Playground
3. Maritime Cove Community Park Playground, Port Melbourne
If your kids love to watch big machinery then they will love the Martime Cove Community Park Playground in Port Melbourne. This marine themed playground with lots of interactive stations made out of repurposed old maritime equipment.
There are excellent examples of simple machines throughout the interactive stations which are great for all ages. For the warmer months there is also some water play with pumps and fountains.
Read More>>> Maritime Cove Community Park Playground
4. Fitzroy Gardens Dragon Playground, Melbourne
If you are looking for a family day out the Fitzroy Gardens make a great choice. Lots of walking paths and green areas perfect for a picnic. The playground is only small but it is really cool. It features a large dragon structure with slide and a giraffe themed swing set.
Read More>>> Fitzroy Gardens Playground
5. Royal Botanic Gardens Children’s Playground
The Ian Potter Children’s Playground and garden is a designated area for kids providing a natural educational environment for kids of all ages and abilities. While not your typical playground with wooden or plastic structures it has everything you could possibly want for the kids to learn about nature.
They can run through mazes, climb trees and explore the bamboo forest. There is also a treehouse to climb and various water features where they can get their hands dirty. It is the perfect sensory experience for kids.
Read More>>> Ian Potter Childrens Garden
6. Art Play Playground, Melbourne
Artplay playground is located in the heart of the city and is always a favourite when you are on a city trip. There are slides, sandpits, climbing structures and swinging hammocks. It is one of the largest all abilities playground within the city centre.
7. Ron Barassi Snr Park, Docklands
Ron Barassi Senior Park is a community area with a great children’s playground in the Docklands. Makes a great spot to let the kids run
8. Riverslide Skate Park Melbourne CBD
Although not your typical playground, Riverslide is a popular spot for kids to hang out on their skates and scooters in the heart of the city. There is a lot of space to ride around and plenty of ramps for those who are more experienced.
Read More>> Riverslide Park
9. Harmony Garden, Point Park
Harmony Garden in Point Park is one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne for nature lovers. It is a new art-based nature play space at Southbank in the heart of Melbourne’s docklands inspired by the local natural environment and indigenous plants and flowers with local plants such as native lilies, grevillea, grasses and noon flower. Kids will love this nature playground with rain gardens, water storage cells, sand pit with diggers, musical instruments, and more.
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne North
These playgrounds in Melbourne’s North are all fantastic and have so much to offer.
10. Mill Park All Abilities Space, Mill Park
One of the biggest playgrounds in Melbourne’s northern suburbs is the Mill Park all abilities play space. It is a fully gated park and playground spread out into multiple zones. Along with the usual playground features, there is a sensory / nature zone, a large sandpit with two large diggers a sand play table as well as a flying fox!
Read More>> Mill Park All Abilities Play Space
11. Gumnut Park and Adventure Playground, Donnybrook
One of our personal favourites, this unique playground in Melbourne’s northern suburbs is so much fun. Set among native river red gums this awesome playground ticks all the boxes you would expect, being full of nature and imaginative play, and of course adventure!
With a range of structures, climbing pods and slides, it caters to all ages. You will find two lovely large wood-carved animals; a koala and a lizard; featured around the play space. Perfect photo opportunity for the kids!
Read More>>> Gumnut Park
12. Lehmann’s Farm Park Playground, Epping
Lehmann’s Park Playground is a fun and exciting dairy-themed playground in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. It pays homage to its history by featuring lots of dairy themed park activities for the kids. There is a a large Jarlsberg cheese climbing sculpture, a butter block, milk agitator spinner, milk urns, a quirky milk barrel slide, a large windmill, and much more.
Read More>>> Lehmann’s Farm Playground
13. Whittlesea Public Gardens Playground, Lalor
Whittlesea public gardens outdoor recreation hub has a brand new playground and bike track. One of the newest and best playgrounds in Melbourne northern suburbs, it has a huge double flying fox, rope obstacle course including balancing beam, a swing section with multiple swings and double face to face swing.
The learn to ride track is perfect for little ones to learn traffic rules with roundabouts, speed bumps, intersections and crossings. The kids can bring their scooters and bikes and have a great time.
Read More>>> Whittlesea Public Gardens Playground
14. Merrifield Recreation Reserve, Mickleham
The Merrifield recreation reserve is set to be the sports centre of the North and has been created to provide something for everyone. The awesome new playground is perfect for all ages with nature play areas and a great skate zone and bike/scooter areas.
If you have a dog you can bring your fury friend along as there is an off leash dog park nearby.
Read More>>> Merrifield recreation reserve
15. Royal Park Nature Play
One of the best new playgrounds in Melbourne’s north in Royal Park is great for all ages. The playground boasts natural play features like high rope traverses, a great climbing structure, water play zones, and landscaped areas.
In the centre you can find an exhilarating ropes course, flanked by rock steps, with varying heights and slides of different steepness nearby. Above, swings offer aerial thrills, while a grassy hill overlooks the scene. Water play elements, including hand pumps and sprays, add to the excitement, with channels directing water flow to a sandpit below.
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne West
Many of the playgrounds in Melbourne’s West are new and modern and so much fun.
16. Patchwork Playground, Altona North
One of the newest playgrounds in Melbourne’s West is Patchwork Playground, Altona North. The main drawcard to this playground is its different levels of climbing and activities for all ages.
It is one of the best playgrounds in the area to suit all age groups. There is a small, structured climbing area for toddlers, challenging slopped climbing activities for young children and some great, steep climbing pursuits for older kids.
Read More>> Patchwork Playground
17. W.J Irwin Reserve Playground Altona North
W.J. Irwin Reserve in Altona North was renovated in 2023 and is a modern, natured inspired playground that will be loved by many. The park sits upon a big, open grassy area, with concreted paths through the park, and around the perimeter; perfect for bike riding or scooting around. There are slides and swings for all ages, a beautiful big cubby house, a variety of rope climbing structure and a flying fox!
Read More: WJ Irwin Reserve
18. Pirate Ship Playground, Point Cook
If your kids love pirates, this pirate ship playground in Melbourne’s western suburbs is perfect. In the heart of the family suburb point cook, it is a modern playground featuring everything from swings, slides, sandpit with a digger and more. The main feature is the large pirate ship with a net ladder and climbing wall which all the kids love.
Read More>>> Pirate ship playground
19. Upper Point Cook Playground, Point Cook
You can’t miss the massive playground at Upper Point Cook with it’s three story tower with spiral staircase. Perfect for little thrillseekers featuring a giant three storey tower with two tunnel slides, a flying fox, and climbing ropes. Lots of swings, including a parent child swing too.
The area is also perfect for family picnics with lots of shaded areas, lots of seating including undercover chairs and tables, a bbq area, water taps and toilets.
Read More>>> Upper Point Cook Playground
20. Cerlew Community Park and Playground, Laverton
One of the best playgrounds in Melbourne’s west that has it all! Fairly new, this playground in Laverton has everything you need for a day out with the kids. Swings, slides, climbing structures, in ground trampolines, bike paths, and even a scooter / skate track. Lots of greenery and walking paths, along with shaded areas and picnic facilities.
Read More>>> Cerlew Community Park Playground
21. Crocodile Park, Point Cook
This is one of the best playground in Melbourne west and has everything you could want in a playground and more. With swings, slides, see-saw and more, it also has beautiful boardwalks and decks with stepping stones and lots of water play! The big hit is the crocodile which spurts water from its mount. Perfect spot for a picnic too with shaded tables and BBQs.
Best Playgrounds Melbourne East
These are the best playgrounds in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs. There really is so many to choose from so we have checked them out and reviewed the best.
22. Lillydale Lake Playground & Water Play, Lilydale
Lillydale Lake Playground is one of the biggest playgrounds in the Yarra Valley and has so many facilities and things to do that you can easily set up for the day. Set on the Lillydale Lake it has everything you could need for the kids to burn off some energy. Swings, slides, water play for those warm days. It is right by the lake too so if you have a kayak or paddle board you can head out on the lake.
Lots of grass and shaded areas, picnic and bbq facilities. There is usually a coffee van and icecream truck set up too.
Read More>>> Lillydale Lake Playground
23. Seville Water Play Park and Playground
A popular spot in the warmer months is the Seville water play park in Melbourne’s east with a playground, small wooden kids maze, built in trampolines, swings, slide and flying fox! The water jets are great fun and will provide hours of fun for the kids when the weather is warm. Great spot for a picnic for the whole family too.
Read More>>> Seville water park
24. McKenzie Reserve Playground, Yarra Glen
The Mc Kenzie Reserve Playground has the works! Located along the main street of Yarra Glen is one of the most magnificent parks and best playgrounds in the Yarra Valley. There are areas for kids of all ages from toddlers to tweens.
Read More>>> McKenzie Reserve
Best Playgrounds Melbourne Bayside
25. St Kilda Adventure Playground, St Kilda
The St Kilda Adventure Playground is a great playground in Melbourne’s bayside area. It is a manned outdoor playground run by volunteers and only open set times. You will find a large inbuilt trampoline where the kids can jump around.
There are monkey bars, a tree hut and a sand pit and a basketball court (with many balls available to play). It is an older playground, not as modern as many of the other new playgrounds in Melbourne on our list, however the location is great, and there is lots of fun to be had for the kids.
Read More>>> St Kilda Adventure Playground
24. Peterson Reserve Playground, Highett
A favourite in the Bayside area is Peterson Reserve playground in Highett. There are playgrounds with different structures and sandy areas for digging. You can also find two sport ovals, a skate park, tennis and basketball facilities too.
Read More>> Peterson Reserve Playground
26. Point Ormond Reserve Playground, Elwood
An awesome playground beside Elwood Beach and Beacon Hill this new summer favourite is Point Ormond Reserve Playground. Lots of facilities from slides and swings to firemands pole and flying fox. There is water play and a great picnic area with barbeques. There is also a paved walking or scooter track around the playground.
Read more>>>> Point Ormond Reserve
27. Peter Scullin Reserve Playground, Mordialloc
One of the newest and best playgrounds in Melbourne Bayside, Peter Scullin Reserve playground in Mordialloc has been upgraded into an amazing active space for kids with a diverse range of play equipment, inviting children of all ages to dive into a world of imagination and fun. So close to the beach and a short walk to the main shopping strip, there is plenty to do in the area and makes a great stop with the kids to help them burn off energy.
Read More>>> Peter Scullin Reserve Playground
28. Sir William Fry Reserve Playground, Highett
Sir William Fry Reserve and Playground is a large community area with a playground, walking trails, picnic spots, a pond and lake. Great playground in Melbourne’s East for all ages, and also makes the perfect day out for a family picnic or family event as there are picnic facilities and bbq’s too.
Read More>>> Sir William Fry Reserve
28. Bicentennial Park Playground, Chelsea
Bicentennial Park Chelsea is one of those Melbourne playgrounds which has all the features needed to keep kids entertained all day. It is one of the biggest playgrounds in Melbourne’s south East with you would expect and more. There are the classic playground features such as the different sized slides for older and younger kids, a shaded sand pit, monkey bars, swings etc and much more. There is also a skate park and basketball ring along with bbq and picnic facilities too.
Read More>>> Bicentennial Park Playground
29. Highett Reserve Playground, Highett
A cute little playground in Melbourne’s South East is at Highett Reserve which has had some upgrades recently. It is a wooden playground with lots of fun features. It lies right next to a few huge ovals with lots of green space too.
Read More>>> Highett Reserve Playground
30. Dendy Street Park Playground, Brighton
Dendy Street Park Playground is the perfect playground for toddlers and young kids in Melbourne’s inner east. This fully fenced playground with child proof gate gives parents peace of mind while watching their kids play independently on the sandy playground. There are swings, a little boat, a couple of rockers, a little slide, a tower with scoops for picking up sand and a central multi-room cubby. A huge sand area too.
Read More>>> Dendy Street Playground
31. Thomas Street South Reserve Playground, Hampton
One of the best playgrounds for kids in Bayside is the Thomas Street South Reserve. The highlight is definitely the three story castle, along with swings, slides, inground trampolines and a flying fox! It also has everything to be a favourite for group gatherings, picnics, and kids’ birthday parties with lots of shelter and picnic facilities too.
Read More>>> Thomas Street South Reserve
32. Jean Street Reserve Playground
New and improved, the Jean Street Reserve Playground in Cheltenham is a fantastic playground in Melbourne south east for all ages. The main play equipment by the station has a little rock-climbing wall, fireman pole and two slides. This all leads to an in-ground merry-go-round, swing sets, a ball maze board and a corner store front for imaginative play.
Read More>>> Jean Street Playground
33. Booran Reserve, Glen Huntly
Booran Reserve was recently named one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne. It’s an amazing space and summer favourite with a huge water play area offering water jets and a surface splash pad. There are swings, slides, a huge climbing structure as well as a basketball ring and tennis wall.
This is a great reserve for general gatherings and kids’ parties, featuring barbeque facilities with undercover shade and lots of seating.
Read More>>> Booran Reserve
34. Mentone Racecourse Reserve and Playground, Mentone
The Mentone Reserve is perfect for the whole family. There is a small playground with racecourse themed toys, a flying fox, lake with ducks and bridges, sandpit and a fun walled maze the kids will love. For little sports fans, there is a tennis wall and along with a basketball court along with a cycling/walking/scooter track.
Read More>>> Mentone Racecourse Reserve
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne South East
Check out the best playgrounds in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, so many to choose from.
35. Murrumbeena Park Playground, Murrumbeena
Murrumbeena park playground is a beautiful spot with so much space. There are different zones for different ages to explore. The playground in Melbourne’s south east includes a rope bridge, spiral slide a double slide, and a rope bridge which is great for older kids.
There are two wooden structures and a flying fox which will fast become a favourite for kids of all ages. For those who want to have a kick of the footy or ball there are also two sporting ovals next to the playground too.
Read More>>> Murrumbeena Park Playground
36. Tirhatuan Park Playground, Dandenong North
Tirhatuan Park is another great playground in Melbourne south eastern suburbs. It has various different play spaces including a pirate themed playground, rock climbing wall, flying fox and more. Lots of picnic facilities for a day out too.
37. Deep Creek Eco Play, Pakenham
Another favourite playground in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs is the Deep Creek Eco play space which is beautifully landscaped to showcase Australian flora, and cleverly designed for kids to enjoy sensory exploration. You can’t miss it with the massive dragonfly structure which is designed to be accessible via a ramp and provides a safe space to explore and view the surrounding wetlands.
Read More>>> Deep Creek Eco Play
38. Rocket Playground, Narre Warren
If your kids are into space they will love this Rocket playground in Melbourne’s south east! An older playground but still lots of fun and will provide your kids with hours of imaginative play.
There are various interactive themed stations, including a ground control panel, play telescope and weather reading instruments. There are also multiple swings (including a liberty swing), a sand play area and also plenty of space for bikes and scooters. Great place to spend the day as there are shaded areas and picnic and BBQ facilities.
Read More>>>> Rocket Playground
39. Livvi’s Place Playground Casey
Livvi’s Place in Casey is an inclusive fun, fully fenced play space located at Marriot Waters Reserve beside the creek, cricket ground and half basketball court catering for all ages. Apart from the usual playground features like swings and slides, there are climbing walls, music play and a flying fox. Three is also a sand play area and water play for warmer months. The whole playground is wheelchair and pram accessible.
Read More>>>> Livvi’s Place Casey
40. Berwick Springs Reserve and Playground
Berwick Springs Reserve is a great park for the whole family with lots of green space. The playground offers fun for all ages with a wooden structure offering climbing frames, slides, swings and more. There is a shaded picnic area beside the playground where you can watch the sun set over the lake while enjoying a picnic.
Read more>>> Berwick Springs Reserve
41. Orana Park and Playground, Clyde North
Orana Park and Playground is quite new and features state of the art play equipment The ‘Skywalk’ will be a highlight – being the first of its kind in Melbourne’s South East – it includes a giant slide and two sky-high cubbies. You’ll also find the usual playground features such as swings, trampolines as well as some fun sensory sand & water tables, and a wheelchair accessible carousel. Lots of shade and picnic and BBQ facilities so perfect for a day out or event.
Read More>>> Orana Park
42. Ballam Park, Frankston
A huge playspace in Frankston is Ballam Park with two huge playgrounds with something for all ages. There are walking trails, ovals, a basketball half court, tennis wall and more.
43. Ross Reserve Park and Playground, Nobel Park
If you are looking for a playground in Melbourne that has everything, check out Ross Reserve Playground in Nobel Park which has a skate park, Aquatic Centre, Community Centre, an athletics track, a multi sports centre and 2 playgrounds.
Read More>>> Ross Reserve Park
Melbourne Parks and Playgrounds
Hopefully our lists of parks and playgrounds in Melbourne has inspired you and get out and play at a playground near you, or in a new area of Melbourne. Make sure to check in as we work our way around the Melbourne playgrounds to review for you!
For more activities see these posts:
- Best kids activities Melbourne
- Best picnic areas Melbourne
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