Author: Shelley

Braybrook Aeroplane Park, Braybrook

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Located:

This new playground, rebuilt after fire destroyed the previous one, is beautifully themed. The kids can imagine climbing over the plane structure and running along the tarmac. There are 2 awesome flying foxes and a gigantic control tower, similar in construction to Williams Landing’s Ashcroft park. There is also under cover seating. There are no toilets located at the playground, however we were thankful that there are toilets next door at the library.  

 

Equipment:

  • giant net climbing structure, in aeroplane shape. Slides, rope walks, rubber slides, and other climbing features inside the plane structure. 
  • each aeroplane wing consisted of a toddler swing with harness, 2 standard swings and a nest swing
  • 1 control tower with steps leading to twisty, enclosed slide. Also a dual smaller slide.
  • 3 aeroplane spring rockers
  • several ramps with musical stamping steps
  • 1 spinning net feature
  • several spinning poles and seats
  • 1 seated spinning wheel
  • 2 flying foxes (no seated harness though)
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Jack liked:

Jack was in his element climbing the control tower and going down the slides. He surprised me by actually wanting to go on the flying fox – he loves the harness ones, but the ones where you need to hold on tight with the smaller seat, he has shied away from. He even happily tried to climb the structure, by mimicking other kids. 
We visited the week or two after opening and maintenance teams were still putting the finishing touches on the playground. It was nice to have a mix of different surfaces for kids to play on. I know I struggled to find playgrounds that weren’t made of tanbark when Jack was first learning to walk – this is a nice area for those with new walkers. Jack definitely pushed outside his comfort zone playing here and learning new things. I think it helped having a new little friend to play with and follow – thanks Mr J!  

Leapfrog Park, Life Estate, Point Cook

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Located:

Life Estate are having a grand opening of this playground, tomorrow, Saturday 18th November from 11-2pm. This playground is the first park to open in the new Life Estate, which is located off Point Cook Road, opposite the Saltwater Reserve sporting grounds. If heading towards the RAAF base on Point Cook Road, turn right at the traffic lights opposite the ovals. If you are travelling from the Alamanda Estate, follow Fongeo Drive until you find the giant frog, aptly named Lily, near the land sales office. The frog is very sweet and it’s a nice theme to have in an area, where you can still see the grasslands for the moment.  This is a nice park for the little kids. 

 

Equipment:

  • 1 giant frog with a bench to sit on inside it. On the wall are interesting facts about frogs.
  • 2 swings, 1 with harness
  • 1 climbing frame with nets
  • 2 tunnels
  • several speaking cones
  • 1 nest swing
  • undercover picnic benches
  • 2 small slides
  • 2 spring rockers with light up seats
  • 3 in ground trampolines
  • grassed area
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Jack liked:

Jack headed straight for the trampolines! He loves having a jump and was showing off by jumping in circles. He investigated the tadpole shaped stepping stones embedded into the tanbark, climbed through the tunnels, and pushed his soft toy on the swing. His face lit up when the seat in the spring rocker lit up like his shoes! 

Pioneer Drive (Stage 4) Woodlea

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Located:

Woodlea’s newest playground, in stage 4, is within viewing distance of Frontier Park. According to Google Maps, it’s off the map! The best way to explain it is as follows – drive past the epic first park where the display homes are, drive past the second epic Frontier Park (turn Right onto Frontier Avenue) and follow that down until you can see the slides peaking through the gap between the houses. The playground is on Pioneer Drive. If you travel in the car with a toddler, you will understand why driving past so many playgrounds to get to another, is a cause of great angst. Thankfully this playground kept Jack busy enough that he didn’t mind missing out on a trip to the others. A small suggestion for those that venture here – bring a scooter or bike! Jack would’ve loved to ride over the bumps and edges that surround the play equipment. 

 

Equipment:

  • BBQ facilities, covered seats, drinking water tap and beautifully landscaped gardens.
  • 1 ladder leading to 2 enclosed, twisty slides
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 tunnel wall, with mini slides and circular openings
  • 1 see saw
  • 1 spinning platform
  • sand pit with water pump (wasn’t working when we visited)
  • 4 swings (2 with baby harness)
  • brightly coloured path around the play area, with bumps for bikes, scooters, skateboards. Also had an area of raised edges further around.
  • large tunnels
  • adult gym equipment
  • grassed area

Jack Liked:

Lots of things about this playground! The textures, the slides, the bumpy path to run around and the tunnels to investigate. He took a bit to warm up the climbing the rope ladder to go down the slides, but after the first time, he kept going back over and over. We had a turn on the see saw but was slightly unsure. I attempted numerous times to get some nice photos of him ‘peeking’ through the cutouts in the wall, but he just couldn’t be convinced! After testing out all the playground equipment, he even tried some of the exercise equipment as well! 

Holidaying in Noosa

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Jack and I headed up to Noosa at the end of August for a week-long, mini vacation. I’d been to Noosa once before and was looking forward to a relaxing holiday and attempting to keep Jack amused and occupied. We were lucky and had amazing weather most days. Jack’s grandparents were staying up there a week before we got there, and they had days of 30 plus degree days – perfect days for sitting next to the pool. 
We hired a car, mostly because I wanted to head to Australia Zoo and also to Eumundi Markets. We had plans to visit the aquarium, but didn’t manage to find time to get there. We mostly stayed by the river and didn’t even get to have a play at the beach near Hastings St. It was the perfect place to get away for a short visit, enjoy better weather than what Melbourne was offering and it has plenty for the little kids. 

Playgrounds:

Noosa River Pirate Playground

This was a great playground to walk to as it was only a short distance from the accommodation. It had a large shade cloth over the top to provide a bit extra sun protection during the day.  There’s BBQ’s around and seating for the adults.  The playground has a large climbing net and a large play structure comprising ladders and slides. 

 

Tewantin Splash Park

I looked up areas to take Jack to while in Noosa and this came up, but I couldn’t find many pictures of what it was exactly. This splash park is close to the boat ramp and next to the skate park. There are toilets right next door as well. The area is fully fenced and covered with shade sails. The water play operates for a limited time before needing to push the button again. Jack loved coming here! It was a real highlight, running through and splashing in the fountains. There was seating and a small grass area as well. 

 

Munna Park

Jack and I headed out for a walk along the Noosa River one morning, stopping to look at the pelicans and to wave to the ferry driver. We found this playground, located at the back of the caravan park. Another playground with the added protection of shade, this area had a swing set, a slide, some balance equipment and some spring rockers. The morning heated up fairly fast, and we headed home after a quick play. 

 

Activities:

Eumundi Market – You can’t go to Noosa without a visit at the Eumundi Market. We headed here on a Wednesday morning (also open on Saturdays) and it was packed! This was the hottest day of our holiday, and we were exhausted by the time we walked the entire way around. I liked looking at the local artists and smelling all the delicious food! 

 

Ginger Factory – This was recommended to me by a friend. Leanne and I enjoyed some ginger scones and coffee while Poppy looked after Jack in the playground. The playground is sectioned into smaller babies/toddlers and those that are adventurous enough and tall enough to climb. It is also fully fenced. We all bought tickets for the train ride around the grounds, and let Poppy have an extra special treat by allowing him to take Jack on the ‘Overboard’ ride. Poppy was such a great customer, that they let him go on it again, straight away! The gardens are lovely, and we browsed the shops as well. 

 

Noosa River Ferry – Leanne, Jack and I, took the ferry from the stop outside our accommodation to Hastings St. The captain gives great commentary on the ride up the river, and also let Jack (and all the kids) have a blast of the horn. It was a short meander along the river to Hastings St. It was nice to walk along and browse the shops and even venture out onto the beach. There are various ticket options available letting you go one way, return or all day. 

Noosa River walks

Australia Zoo – So glad I drove up and squeezed a visit here. Upon walking through, we were given the opportunity to look at and touch snakes, we saw a wombat being walked later in the afternoon and got to share a tunnel with a shrieking Macaw. Jack was happy that we got to see lots of crocodiles too. The zoo felt huge and the grounds are gorgeous. 

 

Accommodation: 

We stayed at the Islander Resort in Noosaville. Hubby and I last stayed here way back in 2009 and we liked that it was fully self contained, a great selection of pools that never felt like it was too busy, and a great location. The resort is across from the river, a block away from a shopping centre that includes Woolworths and has a large variety of shops all around the outskirts (that you can get discounts at too). There is a bus stop right outside and the ferry stop is across the road and an easy walk. The added bonus was that the Pirate Park was just up the road too! 

Point Park Crescent, Docklands

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Located:

This gorgeous little play area is located on Point Park Crescent, in Docklands, nestled between tall residential buildings and the banks of the Yarra. This playground has some simple play equipment but the beautiful gardens and amazing sound play can enthrall all who come for a visit. It truly is a stunning playground and park area with great views! 

 

Equipment:

  • interactive sound wall
  • water pump for water play in the sandy river
  • 2 open slides
  • 2 swings
  • 1 spinning roundabout
  • beautiful flower sculptures
  • toilets

Jack liked:

Jack ran straight for the water pump! He loves the water play but I just wish the weather was warmer for him to enjoy it. He wasn’t quite tall enough to get the full benefit of the sound wall, but he liked listening to mum and dad playing on it. He had fun going on the slide and swings as well. It would have been great to have take Jack’s bike to ride along the bike trails. We walked around to South Wharf for lunch which was an easy stroll along the river, checking out the boats along the way. 

Brooklyn Reserve, Brooklyn

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Located:

Hobsons Bay Council are obviously very proud of the work they have undertaken in this recently updated playground and park area. The playground is located within Brooklyn, minutes off the freeway. There is plenty of parking, covered BBQ area, and an added bonus – mum and dad can workout on the gym equipment while the kiddies play! The play areas feel segmented – gym area, sand play, climbing area, music stations and a cool double ‘expression’ swing really top off the features jam packed in here. I like the addition of the cute little animal sculptures, along with the inscriptions of I love Brooklyn. 

 

Equipment:

  • 1 giant ‘nest’ of ladders and ropes to climb
  • 1 yellow tunnel twist slide
  • 2 music stations
  • sand play with digger, climbing tunnel
  • gym/workout stations
  • monkey bars, flying fox
  • animal sculptures
  • painted games on the paths – hopscotch etc
  • spinning seat
  • hammock swing
  • tyre swing
  • expression swing 
  • basketball court

Jack liked:

We visited on an absolutely freezing day, and the rain was threatening to start, so we didn’t play too long. Jack loved the look of the yellow twist slide and ran straight for it. I eventually coerced Jack to attempt to climb the huge rope structure. He also liked investigating the animal sculptures and stopped to say hi to them all as we discovered them. He had a go at the digger, but it was a struggle for him to operate by himself. I think when he is older he could quite easily use a digger like this. He easily climbed over the climbing tunnel within the sand play. I couldn’t convince him to join me in the expression swing. I had previously had a go on one at the Gold Coast when Jack was younger and he really loved it back then.  
I think that this is a great playground for kids of all ages. There is still plenty of space to kick a ball or play basketball. 

Frontier Park, Woodlea

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Located:

Woodlea just keeps building amazing playgrounds, full of details that capture the interests and imagination of kids, young and old! This is the 3rd playground that we have visited (and a 4th has just recently opened as well). The hardest part is driving past the original epic playground to convince the kids that there is something equally as amazing just a little further along. The playground comes equipped with covered BBQ facilities, toilets, water play (in warmer months I imagine) and some simply awesome slides and climbing features. The area is beautifully landscaped and incorporates nature elements to climb and investigate as well. 

 

Equipment:

  • 2 large towers, connected by a net to crawl through, with large slides from each tower.
  • climbing bridge walks
  • nets to climb
  • water play (not on when I visited). However the water pump was working in the sand play.
  • nest swing
  • swings
  • nature based balance walk – logs etc

Jack liked:

Like I mentioned above, Jack saw the first playground on Woodlea Boulevard, and was desperate to play at that one! It was hard work telling him that something was just up the road. I was so impressed with all that he played with and attempted to climb when we visited. He will be 3 in November, and he went up and down those tall, twisty slides all by himself! He also ventured into and crawled half way along the net connecting the 2 towers before I thought I better join him in case he gets stuck on the other side (side note – the net is a bit hard on my mum knees!). He talked endlessly about the stairs leading up to the big slides for weeks after! The water play area looks like a bit of fun, so I will have to come back in the warmer months to have a splash and a play. 

Essendon Traffic School

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Located:

The school is located in Essendon, on the corner of Lawson & Albion St. Opening times are listed on their website. The school has various traffic scenarios for the kiddies to ride around and pretend to be cars – I think it’s actually funny seeing what the kids have picked up from mum and dads driving! If you don’t have a bike, you can borrow one. They had all sorts of sizes and even some balance bikes for the little ones. We took Jack’s bike, and expecting a line, got there right before opening time. We were the first ones there this particular day, but as the lady running the session mentioned, some days can be absolutely packed, while others are quiet. There is a limit to the age of kids, and the number of kids at any one time. You can even hire out the entire area for birthday parties! There are BBQ’s on the grounds, and a sandpit to play in too. 
There is a cafe a block up the road, toilets on site, and for when the kids want something different, there is vast parkland to run and explore. There is a fairly large slide on one end of the park, and a cute little pirate themed playground at the other. 

 

Equipment:

Jack liked:

Jack loved the idea of the train crossing, with the lights and noise! He was also extremely fascinated with filling his bike up with petrol from the bowser. So much so, that he would just ride loops around that area, and would constantly return to fill up. They also have a tram on site that we were able to explore, ring the bell and sit on the seats. 

Overall, Jack loved coming here. He took some time learning which side of the ‘road’ to be on, but loved riding around attempting to obey all the road rules. I can see us making a few more trips out here. 

Jubilee Estate, Wyndham Vale

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Located:

We visited the newly opened playground, within the Jubilee Estate midweek. It was eerily quiet. The playground is viewable from the  display homes precinct, immediately as you turn off Welcome Parade. It has a distinctive look, which makes you want to run and explore the area. When landscaping works are completed, it will look like a lovely area. 

Equipment:

  • 1 large structure, joined with netting and 1 large metal slide at each end
  •  natural river/rock walk around the perimeter of the playground
  • 4 in-ground trampolines
  • spinning pole
  • 2 swings
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 water pump for water play
  • 1 sand digger

Jack liked:

He loved walking around the sand beds, climbing over the rocks and the wooden logs. I was excited to see the structure, but it was too big for Jack to play on. Give him another couple of years and we may be able to climb and navigate the large structure with slide. Which also meant that we had a minor meltdown because he wanted to go down the slide, but there was no safe way to get him up there to have a go. I wouldn’t come here again until he was 4+.

He was attracted to the water pump/water play. In the middle of winter, with no change of clothes, I was less impressed with it. But kids will be kids, and he kept make a bee line to play with it. He was also able to use the digger by himself! The trampolines were a bonus, and he loved running up and jumping on it, before getting off and repeating the process. 

Little Green Playground, Tarneit

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Located:

This new playground is located within a new and growing estate in Tarneit, Little Green. You can hear the trains as they rush past, and watch the builders complete the houses around the playground. 

 

Equipment:

  • bright green playground structure
    • segmented safer equipment. Easy to navigate stairs lead to a tunnel and small slide
    • the larger slide is separated with the more challenging playground equipment
      • climbing nets
      • balance walk
  • BBQ’s and seating
  • nest swing
  • maze game 
  • sand play
  • rotating roundabout
  • 2 x spring rockers
  • 1 large rope play bouncer

Jack liked:

Jack loved having a friend to play with! Both boys liked investigating the play areas and showed off how great they were at climbing. They liked the balance beam walk, and climbed repeatedly up and down the ladder to go on the slide. They both loved having a jump on the circular rope bound ‘thing’. I have no idea how to describe it! They did struggle to get into and out of it, which was kind of funny, and both boys didn’t want to leave it when it was time to go!