BBQ Facilities

GH Ransom Reserve, Altona

Located:

In 2018, Hobsons Bay Council upgraded this reserve, replacing the playground and toilets. There is designated parking along The Esplanade, and when the kids get sick of the playground equipment, you can head across the road to the beach, or walk/scoot/ride along the path into central Altona and their shopping strip. There is quite a unique piece of equipment that can be walked along, or with enough momentum, turns into a giant rope swing. 

These photos were taken in January 2020, right before Lexi’s 1st birthday :’-( 
We drive past this park frequently, and I saw a few weeks ago now (approx May 2021) that there were additional works being undertaken. 

 

Equipment:

  • giant rope swing
  • Multilple climbing options – rockclimbing, ropes, chain
  • rocker
  • smaller play structure with slides
  • neighbouring open space to kick a footy
  • bbq’s
  • toilet facilities
  • opposite Altona Beach
  • swings  – expression swing, normal swing, rope saucer swing 

Navigation Park, Newhaven Estate, Tarneit

Located:

I’ve heard how great this playground is and I was looking forward to taking the kids! This playground is located within Newhaven Estate, Tarneit. As you turn onto Journey Drive, and head past the display houses, the park beckons you! Parking was easy enough, and the playground looks pretty impressive at first glance. Basketball courts, and scooter/skate park features suit the older kids, water play with the elephant (who totally needs a name, by the way), cool climbing aspects, and lastly BBQ facilities and toilets! It has it all! 

 

Equipment:

  • metal elephant, complete with water play features, able to climb
  • water play with channels and troughs
  • large play structure
    • nets
    • ladders
    • enclosed slide
    • open slide
    • tunnels
  • swings
  • spinning ring element
  • trampolines
  • scooter/skate area
  • basketball court
  • toilets
  • bbq facilities

Jack liked:

the water play – he spent ages playing with the water flow by changing the gates. 
Lexi was happy with the trampolines, and the soft fall areas in the playground. We visited back in January and she was not walking at this stage. 

Davis Creek Playground, Tarneit

Located:

If you have a kid that loves to ride their scooter or bike, this is one to add to the list! The playground is found near the corner of Birregurra Drive and Hodgson Avenue, within the Habitat on Davis Creek estate, in Tarneit. I found some photos of their park launch on their website, and knew a certain little boy who would love to take his bike and have a ride here. There is a riding track that circumnavigates the playground, full of twists, turns and mini little hills. Mums and Dads can relax, as they can see the kids riding the track almost the whole way around. 

Equipment:

  • Mix of softfall, tanbark and sand surfaces.
  • Intricate wooden climbing playground, great to test all climbers.
  • Covered BBQ and seating area
  • sandpit with giant snake
  • expression swing, 1 toddler swing, 2 (no-harnessed)  kids swings
  • spring rocker
  • multiple slides

Jack liked:

being able to take his bike to the park! We met up with some friends here, and they happily raced around, and around, and around… Lexi was happy exploring the softfall areas, the expression swing and the spring rocker. 

Wyndham Park, Werribee

Located:

Wow, just wow. What an epic new park precinct! Jack has already placed dibs on coming back again real soon. 
The park precinct is best accessed from the Wedge St pedestrian bridge (opposite the Werribee library). There were cars parked at the back of the Adventure Playground, but I believe that this is a construction zone.
We crossed the pedestrian bridge and looked down at the beautiful grassed areas and could see the colourful playground structures beckoning us from a distance, Jack struggled to decide which way to go first. We ended up heading towards the’Nature Play’ area so that Lexi could also have an explore, then moved onto the ‘Adventure Playground.’ Being a long weekend, with perfect exploring weather, the place was packed! Great space to bring the kids bikes and scooters, a bat and ball, or even just to roll down the gentle sloping hills (which Jack loved doing!). 
This playground suits such a variety of ages and abilities. Lexi loved playing in the water, and I was glad to see the toddler friendly area existed in the Adventure Playground. The use of softfall also makes this mum happy, with little legs able to explore and crawl to her hearts content! 

 

Equipment:

There are 2 distinct play areas- the Nature Play and Adventure Playground areas. 

Nature Play

  • water play 
    • Pumps, wheels, rivers, blockages
    • sand play
    • wooden balance beams
  • sensory paths
  • wooden structure with ladders, ropes, sand play
  • softfall middle section with slide
  • musical xylophone
  • lots of elevated seats, plenty of shade

Adventure Playground

  • Huge structure, with rope climbing and swings, that lead to an enclosed twisting slide
  • Multi levels
    • top level has BBQ facilities, and toddler play area.
    • 2 smaller swings, small slide, spring rockers
  • large green net structure to climb over, and under
  • 2 large swings
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 flying fox (there was meant to be 2, but it looked like one had broken when I had visited)
  • skate park
  • large metal slide
  • spinning carousel
  • A really cool spinning wheel (suitable for 120cm plus). Jack is not tall enough to have a go on this. 

Jack Liked:

He loved so much about this playground. His favourite thing, when asked, was the water play! The adventure playground slide structure looked overwhelming for me, but now that he is in prep, I think he managed to hold his own with the masses of kids climbing on top of one another! There is just so much to see and do, and there are still bits of the precinct to be completed. I will be back, and will probably bring his scooter to help us get from one end of the area to the other. 

Curlew Community Park, Laverton

Located:

Recently opened, this park, located on Epsom Street in Laverton, is a pretty amazing new edition for the area! We popped in for a quick play, and Jack was upset that he hadn’t managed to have a play on all the bits. I think the level of detail in the park is amazing, and it will look epic once the surrounding gardens have grown. Parking was plentiful on a weekend, and with 3hr time limits, should detract from people parking there to access the train station, midweek. With both BBQ’s and toilets, I can see this playground being used for a lot of birthday parties! 

 

Equipment:

A huge nature based playground, full of winding paths, balance items, and quirky little details. 
Covered BBQ area and toilets
A bike/scooter path loops around the areas, and it also has an awesome little pump track for all those that wish to have a go.
Basketball court and table tennis table. 

Sand area:

  • pirate ship, with wheel and binoculars
  • metal slide
  • water play

Tanbark & softfall area:

  • nest swing
  • spinning carousel
  • 2 trampolines
  • 2 swings
  • large net climbing frame, that leads to a larger slide

Jack liked:

taking his new scooter and trying out the scooter pump track. I liked that they had marked beginner, intermediate and more advanced paths on the pump track, so it was easy to advise the little ones what colour to stick to, based on their experience. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Checking out the new Curlew Community park in Laverton. Jack loved having a go at the pump track with his new scooter!

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Shearwater Village Park, Werribee (Harpley Estate)

Located:

The playground is located on Treeve Parkway, within the Harpley Estate, Werribee. 
You could visit the other playgrounds within Harpley, or do as we did, and visit the Safari Park in the neighbouring estate. 

 

Equipment:

  • outdoor gym stations
  • half basketball court
  • covered bbq and seating area
  • drinking water fountain
  • 2 swings plus one with supported seat
  • 1 large play structure
    • 2 slides (metal)
    • rock climbing wall
    • ladders
    • noughts and crosses underneath the structure
    • rubber underneath the playground, suitable for younger kids
  • 1 large net climbing area
    • multiple ladders, linking to nests
  • spinning net structure 
  • nature based stepping stones 

Jack liked:

the climbing areas and the slides. He had a fall at a previous playground, and had been cautious, however, he seemed to have found his confidence and enjoyed all aspects of this playground. He went up and down the slides multiple times. 

Addison Park, Williams Landing

Located:

Recently opened, this playground is located on Airmaid Drive, Williams Landing. It combines an aviation themed wooden playground, a beautiful walking path and gym stations around the wetlands. There is covered seating next to the BBQ facilities. It was a popular little playground when we visited on a Sunday. 

 

Equipment:

  • Wooden play structure
    • linked with moving bridge
    • climbing nets
    • flying fox
    • monkey bars
    • curly slide
    • small double slide
    • fireman pole
    • rock climbing entry, ladder entry and steps
  • two swings, one with harness
  • spinning seat
  • sandpit
  • grassed area
  • bbq facilities

Jack liked:

The flying fox, the climbing apparatus and the swings. He happily ran off towards the gym equipment for a look as well, before having a last play on the way home. He asked me to read all the names on the propellers that lined the sandpit. 

Armstrong District Playground, Armstrong Creek

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Located: 

I’ve been super slack at getting these photos loaded – I was looking at the photos thinking that Jack looks so different these days. Then I realised that these photos are from July last year, whoops! 

Anyway, I digress. This playground was heaving on the Saturday morning that I visited. It is tucked away at the back of the estate and it certainly brings people in. It seems to cater for everyone. There are toilets and a cafe around the corner. There’s shaded areas and nature play areas as well. It’s just one of those playgrounds that as soon as you get out of the car, you just can’t quite decide what area you are going to run to first! It’s well and truly worth a visit! 

 

Equipment:

  • large flying fox
  • sand play area
    • pulleys, buckets
  • multiple rope climbing sections
    • a really cool spinning net that I hadn’t seen before
  • large structure
    • bridge walk
    • slides
    • large tunnels
  • trampolines
  • toilets
  • BBQ facilities

Jack liked:

the sand play area. I think it was one of the first times that he actually wanted to play in the sand area and was really enthusiastic on figuring out how to pull the buckets up and empty into the pipes. He was a little overwhelmed in the larger playground, as there were big kids running around and having a ball. He also enjoyed the large tunnels that he could run through and I was super proud that he attempted a few runs of the flying fox (I was super proud that he stood and waited for his turn too). I’m glad he sat still long enough for a photo on top of the wombat. They seem to have these gorgeous little wood carvings dotted through the play area. 

Baden Powell Skatepark, Tarneit

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Located:

Baden Powell playground and skate park is located on Baden Powell Drive, Tarneit, right next to Baden Powell College. There is plenty of off street parking available, toilet and BBQ facilities. This playground is set over a large expanse, and also has a huge skate park facility. We visited midweek during May, and it was relatively empty, but I imagine that this area is extremely popular at the weekend. 

 

Equipment:

Playground features:

  • bank of spring rockers
  • swings
  • net play for climbing
  • net hammock swing
  • nest swing
  • bank of slides
  • rope assisted incline pull up
  • large undulating rubber mounds and rubber underfoot, with tanbark
  • fitness stations
  • large skate park with beginner sections, and more advances areas. 

Jack liked:

that mum let him bring his scooter to a playground for once! It was a great scooter area for Jack to explore on his own, with beginner areas, and areas that are for the more advanced. When the kids get sick of riding their scooters, they can burn off some energy in the playground area. 

Djila Tjarri Park, Torquay

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Located:

Djila Tjarri Park is located alongside the Banyul-Warri sports fields, on Merrijig Drive, on the edge of Torquay. We ventured down here in July, and this was one of the many playgrounds I squeezed into visiting on one fairly hectic day! We were lucky and had some beautiful, sunny, winter weather. Whilst we came unprepared with no scooter or skateboard, Jack was happy watching adults and kids alike, at the skate park. Finally getting around to writing this down, I noted that there was an article advising that one of the skate bowls has since been closed. 

 

Equipment:

  • shade cover, with seating and BBQ’s
  • Toilets
  • expansive rope climbing course, set in sand
  • nest swing
  • large enclosed, curly slide
  • concrete rock climbing wall
  • spinning merry go round
  • noisy tyre (great for jumping, watch the video below)
  • xylophone fish
  • swings x 2
  • rope walk
  • wide slide

Jack Liked:

Exploring the nets, climbing up and over and doing ‘exercises’ on them. He also loved jumping on the tyre, and going on the big slide. It was so hard to drag him away from this playground as he was also happy watching all the kids skating. He begged to come back with his scooter so that he could have a go! 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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We were out visiting some new parks and playgrounds today! Now it’ll take me another month to process the photos and do the write up! #jackandthebenstalk

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