Australia is well known for having plenty of amazing, FREE playgrounds. They are typically kept very clean and tidy and usually have ample free car-parking nearby. Most playgrounds are easily accessible by public transport, and many have good picnic facilities available including free barbecues and picnic tables.
Playground Tour of Geelong and Bellarine Peninsular
The below reviews of the best playgrounds in the beautiful Geelong and Bellarine Peninsular are meant for kids in the 3-8-year-old bracket, the ‘wonder years’ for children’s playgrounds.
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What Makes the Best Playground?
Playgrounds are not only great for kids, but they are also great places for parents to unwind and socialise. The things we normally look for in a good playground are:
- Interesting playground equipment to stimulate the child’s curiosity.
- Good condition playground equipment – not too old, not covered in graffiti, kept nice and clean.
- Ample car parking nearby.
- Picnic tables for the parents (and kids) to socialise.
- Plenty of other kids playing – it makes for a better experience for the kids if there are other kids to play with.
- Heaps of space to run around.
- Clean toilet blocks nearby.
Here is our list of the best Geelong playgrounds, ranked from best at the top.
1. Eastern Beach Playground
Eastern Beach is located on the city’s waterfront and is one of the prime tourist locations in Geelong. On a nice day, this area is full of tourists strolling along the waterfront and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
There are ample walking paths, a large shark-proof sea bath, a large free swimming pool and heaps of barbecues and picnic tables. About the only drawback to this area is that you need to pay for parking if you want to park near the beach.
Although Eastern Beach is a fairly small playground, it is jam-packed with modern play equipment. Some of the equipment is top of the line and you won’t find them anywhere else. Here it is all about climbing and mixing with other kids because this place is never empty.
Because Eastern Beach is one of the premier tourist attractions in Geelong, this playground is always kept spotless and in great condition by the authorities.
There are ample grassed areas to run around, and even some nice white sandy beaches nearby. It’s a great place for parents and kids alike, not to be missed, and definitely one of the best of all Geelong Playgrounds.
Location: Eastern Beach Playground, Eastern Beach, Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
2. Rippleside Park Playground
This expansive playground was built by the community in 2001. It is constructed out of treated pine and is very rugged construction. Although it is getting a little old, it is still a fantastic place to take kids.
The large size of this playground is the best feature, there are lots of raised walkways, castles, towers and slides to explore. It’s a perfect place for kids to play tag, hide and seek etc. There are lots of swings and slides scattered through the play area.
Parking is plentiful, and the playground backs onto a large grassy parkland area. There are quite a few picnic areas and barbecues available and the beach is only a couple of hundred metres away. Here you can stroll along the beautiful bicycle paths and take in the splendour of the Geelong Waterfront.
Location: Rippleside Park Drive, Geelong, City of Greater Geelong, Victoria 3221 Australia
3. Barwon Valley Fun Park
This is a hidden gem, and it’s where the locals go. You never see many tourists at this playground, mainly because it’s out in the suburbs. The Barwon River is a wide river that weaves its way through the suburbs of Geelong, and the Barwon Valley playground is found on the banks of the Barwon River.
Here you will find a large spread-out playground loaded with lots of playground equipment for the more adventurous kids. It has a flying fox, a high-speed merry-go-round, and lots of other great equipment. On a hill, this is a great place for kids to do a lot of running and use up all their energy.
There are some lovely picturesque picnic settings here, and a terrific bicycle path along the Barwon River just a few metres away. You will often see rowboats practising up and down the river in this section.
Location: Barwon Valley Fun Park, 132 Barrabool Rd, Belmont VIC 3216, Australia
4. Torquay Play Park
This is an expansive sandy playground right near the Torquay main beach. It’s roughly a 20-minute drive from Geelong.
This wonderful Geelong playground is often loaded with dozens of excited kids. The sandy base has loads of elevated walkways and suspended bridges, some huge slides and lots of stuff to climb on. This is a great playground for little climbers. There are even some great trees to climb on the edge of the park!
This is another good place for a picnic. One of the local traditions is to eat fish and chips by the beach, and there are a few great fish and chip shop nearby in Torquay.
You can either have a picnic right here at the playground or move on up to the main beach reserve where there are heaps of free barbecues and picnic areas.
One of the best and safest swimming beaches in the area is very close also, during summer it always has lifeguards and a flagged swimming area for safety sake.
Location: Torquay Play Park, Elephant Walk Reserve, Torquay VIC 3228, Australia
5. Botanic Gardens Play Space
Right next to the Botanic Gardens is the Geelong Play Space. This is an expensive playground that caters for kids with physical disabilities. It is jam-packed with many interesting play themes which you will not find anywhere else.
It’s especially good for kids who have a high level of curiosity and like to tinker with things and learn. Things like a musical bridge, sound machine, bamboo maze, hand pump, and loads of other curiosities.
The drawback to this playground is that you don’t see crowds of other kids playing here, so your children will probably have to play by themselves. It’s a wonderful quiet place for parents to hang out and enjoy the lovely treed surroundings.
Location: Eastern Park, Geelong – adjacent to the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens
6. Point Lonsdale Playground
This is a little way out of Geelong, about a half-hour drive. The location is right next to “the rip”, which is the famous entrance to Port Philip Bay where both Geelong and Melbourne are located on. The playground is situated on top of a cliff and has wonderful views of the bay, the other side of Port Phillip Bay, and the shipping channel which runs through “the rip”.
Whilst the kids are playing you can relax by watching the large ships navigating through “the rip”. It’s also very relaxing just blending in with the coastal environment. This is one of the most beautiful playgrounds the Geelong area has to offer.
This is a very pretty playground in a magnificent setting. Whilst fairly compact, there is enough climbing, swing and sliding equipment to keep most kids satisfied. It is situated right next to a busy road so you do need to keep an eye on the kids.
The good news is there are various cafes and takeaway food shops right opposite the playground, so you can buy some food and enjoy one of the many picnic tables next to the playground.
When the kids are finished playing there are some great nearby coastal walks to the Point Londsdale lighthouse and pier. This is probably my favourite playground in the whole area.
Location: 77 Point Lonsdale Rd, Point Lonsdale VIC 3225, Australia
Geelong Waterfront Playground
Down on the Geelong Waterfront, right next to the start of Cunningham Pier is another fantastic little Geelong playground. Although not packed with playground equipment this playground is on a steep little hill, thus it has some wonderful hill trails and slides. There are a few unusual pieces of equipment in this playground that you won’t find anywhere else.
When the kids have had enough playing there are some wonderful walking paths along the waterfront in both directions from this park. It is very accessible because it is right on the edge of the CBD.
Location: Western Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia – Adjacent Cunningham Pier
Get out and play!
So there you have some great options to get out and enjoy the sunshine in the beautiful Geelong and Surf Coast regions. There are many more great Geelong playgrounds you can try, however, these are our absolute favourites.
They are also the kid’s favourites because let’s face it, it’s all about the kids. When both the parents, kids and friends all have a wonderful day out at the playground, you’re on a winner. And trust us, all of these Geelong playgrounds are winners!
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