Toilets

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. 

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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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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Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, Castlemaine

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Located:

I’ve been told by many people that if you are ever in the area, it is worth swinging past the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens for a play at the playground. It’s a great little precinct and definitely worth dropping by.  There’s a huge covered seating area, toilets, and multiple play areas spread over a large area with gorgeous paths throughout the beautiful gardens. We brought along Jack’s scooter and rode down to the lake to have a look at the ducks. After a play at the playground we headed around to The Mill Castlemaine where hubby was impressed with The Taproom, while Jack and I loved an icecream from Icecream Social – the chocolate was delicious!  

 

Equipment:

  • play hut
  • train and carriages
  • see saw
  • bridge
  • 2 wooden structures, one with smaller slide.
    • speaking pipes
    • wobbly bridge
    • stairs
    • fireman pole
    • climbing nets
  • 2 sets of swings
  • nature inspired spring rockers
  • sand play
  • nature inspired branch play
  • balance walk
  • monkey bars, flying fox 

Jack liked:

Playing on the train! He ordered both of us to sit in the carriages. Another great part to this playground (for those that are train lovers) is that the vline trains run past quite regularly. Jack loved waving at the trains. The ducks were extremely friendly, and even though the path to the lake was gravel, Jack had minimal trouble scooting along the path. There was plenty to do for kids of all ages at the playground. Plenty of space to kick a football, or in our case, play a quick game of cricket too! And a quick drive up the road to The Mill, made Mum and Dad very happy! It’s a great area! 

Gramercy Boulevard, Point Cook (The Address estate)

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Located:

New playground alert! 
Beautiful, lush green lawns and striking blue metal frame acts as a feature for this playground. It captures interest and makes you want to run and explore. This playground is located in Gramercy Boulevard, in The Address estate, located just off Point Cook Road. The great news is, there are BBQ facilities and toilets (which should open soon). This playground suits those that want to run up the rubber mounds to go down the slides, and explore the expansive net climbing frames. 

 

Equipment:

  • basketball courts, with skate ramps
  • seated BBQ area
  • huge net climbing area
  • long net tunnel
  • larger slide
  • 3 smaller slides
  • 2 spring rocker pieces
  • 1 nest swing
  • 2 large swings, 1 with toddler harness
  • 2 balance walks
  • 2 large grassed areas
  • 1 water drinking fountain
  • toilets (not yet opened)

Jack liked:

I asked Jack what he liked most – he said the tunnel, the slides and the swing. I was amazed that Jack wanted to climb up the nets, right to the top! He had fun with some other kids, running up to the top of the slide, and racing down to the bottom. We will have to come back with Jack’s bike so that he can test out his skills going over the ramps and around the bumps. It’s great to have another playground within Point Cook that will have the added bonus of toilets! 

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. 

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.