Byethorne Park is a beautiful 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills playground located on Woodside Road in Nairne AND it’s had a great little upgrade in 2021 that includes a nature play area and a beautiful great big grassy kick around area, plus there are plans for more upgrades due for completion is late 2026. These include;

• Flying fox (track slider)
• Spinner
• Swing
• Giant treehouse system with slide
• Hammock
• Double embankment slide

The new equipment will be relocated closer to the newer playground and nature play area withthe existing area along the boundary fence will be returned to a natural passive space.

The nature play elements blend beautifully with the existing equipment that includes a climbing spiders web, flying fox, drums, bouncers and lots of interesting play equipment for the kids to discover.

The park features a lovely duck filled lake in the centre. Make sure you know the . The playground is really well maintained and has a covered BBQ area that is close by, so the kids can play while you cook.

It’s a beautiful spot for a BBQ, picnic or just a new spot to take the kids for a good run around in the park. Fab wide open spaces and lots of fresh air, which the hills is so good for! Well worth the drive.

It’s also a popular spot for Rock Drops so keep your eyes peeled!

Stop in at Pallett Cafe, It’s only a couple of minutes from the park.

We have them all below, but here are some of our Top Themed Playgrounds;

• Thorndon Reserve (Birds)
• Largs Foreshore (Ice Cream)
• Stanley Street Reserve (Bees)
• Jubilee Playground Port Noarlunga (Pirates)
• Kapunda Playground (Trains)
• Morialta Adventure Playground (Nature)
• Barossa Adventure Station (Trains)
• GT Fisher Victor Harbor (Trains)
• Jack Watkins Reserve Playground (Trains)

Scroll down for all the pics and info you will need to tackle your next adventure.

Animal Themed Playgrounds

Thorndon Reserve, Paradise

Australia’s Best Playground as voted in 2023, the incredible bird themed playground has some of the most unique and wonderful equipment in South Australia. The kids will love climbing through the huge structures and this is one of those play spaces where you can easily spend the day.

Read all about this great spot here!

Cormorant Drive Reserve, Hallett Cove

A giant Diprotodon (pre-historic wombat) is the star attraction at this playground down south, a nod to fossils of the extinct giant that was found in the area. Great fun to learn about and even better fun to climb.

Read all about it here!

Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge

Home to the world (well….SA at least) famous Bunyip, this attraction at Sturt River Reserve has scared kids for generations and delighted parents equally as much. The Bunyip is currently in really good condition and is primed to scare the shite out of anyone under the age of 10 and quite a few older than that. An all round ripper of a playground which is fully fenced, fully shaded and absolutely enormous. Don’t forget the pump tracks, rage cages (its a sport thing…not where you leave angry kids) and a fantastic skate park.

Read more about it here

Sea Turtle Park Playground, Port Noarlunga South

Turtle Park Playground is the latest in Hickinbotham and Land SA’s housing developments vision to create playgrounds as the hub of these new communities. This one is suited for the younger kids under 6.

Read more about it here

Keith Stephenson Reserve, Mount Barker

A wonderfully updated playground (in 2024) which focusses on the local wildlife, this fully fenced playground is great for the under 10s and is highlighted by a giant climbable turtle.

Check it out here!

Stanley Street Reserve, Glengowie

This bee themed playground down south is up there for the cutest playground in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½. Let your little ones explore and learn all about the world of bees, while having some fun on the unbee-lievable equipment.

Check it out here!

Semaphore North Foreshore Playground

This playground features an incredible locally crafted Blue Swimmer Crab – a unique play structure packed with slides, climbing nets and more than 15 interactive features designed to spark curiosity and adventure for children of all ages. Other sea-inspired elements include turtles, pippis and winding seaweed paths.

All the pics and info here

Boat Playgrounds

St Kilda Adventure Playground

* Pirate Ship is currently closed due to maintenance*

One of 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s playground icons, the adventure playground is also home to the famous pirate ship which 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ kids have enjoyed for what seems like forever. Every kid has at some point, stood on that ship and looked out to sea and imagined they were sailing the seven seas looking for treasure. The playground itself is probably 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s biggest and maybe most famous. A bit of a trek out north but totally worth it and a rite of passage (along with schoolies and doing something stupid to end up on Sh*t91¹û¶³´«Ã½) for all South Aussies.

For more on this fantastic spot click here

Mary Ann Reserve Playground, Mannum

Located on the beautiful riverbanks of Mannum lies this fully fenced playground. Not only does this playground have a boat for your little ones to play on, you are right at the heart of the river bank where house boats dock and boats are at full force during the summer months. Our little ones even loved watching the ferry cross the river while they were playing. With toilets close by and a shade sail, this is the perfect playground to add to your road trip list.

For more on this fantastic spot click here

AA Bailey Reserve, Clarence Gardens

We love this huge plagryound at Clarence Gardens, which has so much to offer kids of all ages, least of all the pirate loving tikes who will gain their sea legs on the really cool pirate ship. The pirate ship here may be a bit smaller, but the playground is an absolute fave. It is basically 2 big playgrounds in one, with nature play, toddler age equipment plus climbing equipment that caters to the older kids

more info here

Jubilee Adventure Playground, Port Noarlunga

One of the biggest and best playgrounds in the deep south, the ‘wooden’ playground at Porties includes a huge wooden fort inspired throughout with boating themes, to give you the impression of being on a massive wooden boat. The kids will love running around and being fully fenced (the fort part….the other nature section isn’t sadly) you can let the kids run around knowing they (probably) can’t get out.

More pics and info here

Moana Seaside Park

A brand new addition to the pirate playground landscape, opening in June 2020 is this ripper of a playground way down south at Moana! The highlight of this playground is the brightly coloured pirate ship with added escape slide for those who don’t want to walk the plank. A very popular new addition for the locals, we loved our recent visit!

Read more here

Angus Neil Reserve, Seacliff

Beaches = Pirates. So it makes sense that one of the best beachside playgrounds along our southern coast has a sweet little nature inspired pirate ship. This is a ripper playground and one of the best party playgrounds going around too, so if you want to book a party for your pirate loving tykes, give this a look.

More info here

Bandon Reserve Marino

With some spectacular views along our southern coast, Bandon Reserve landed a nautical makeover in 2021, which makes for a picture perfect pit stop as you head down for a day at the beach. With great climbing equipment and of course a boat to explore, this is a ripper.

More pics and info here

Train Themed Playgrounds

GT Fisher Playground, Victor Harbor

The OG train playground, with the huge steam train being parked in this playground as long as I can remember (lets just say 30 odd years). Now massively renovated to include one of the best nature playgrounds in the state, the train remains (slightly modified for safety compared to years gone by) for kids to climb all over and imagine being an engineer!

All the pics and info here

Tolley Reserve Playground, Nuriootpa

Tolley Reserve, or Nuriootpa Train Playground is a large open space for kids of all ages and abilities. It makes the perfect stop on a day out at the Barossa Valley so that the kids can play and run off some energy! The full size old train has been there for years and is an icon in the area.

All the pics and info here

Victoria Square, Kadina

One of our fave regional playgrounds, this place is massive and suits all ages. Including a huge fully fenced (and shaded) playground for the younger crew, as well as a very high treetop climbing set up (it is really high!), add to that the Apex Express, a huge train full of space for the kids to climb on the explore.

More on this ripper here

Tailem Bend Playground

Train fans this one is for you! That might even equally apply to the train enthusiast parents as well, because this one is a beauty! A fully fenced, humungous playspace in the heart of Tailem Bend, this one not only caters to train fans but includes a great range of play equipment for all ages. When we popped in for a visit, there were lots of local families enjoying what is obviously THE place to be for families in Tailem Bend.

Plan your day trip here

Jack Watkins Reserve, Kilburn has had a multi million dollar upgrade, and has officially opened in September 2025. Expect to find an incredibly creative TRAIN THEME here, with a lot of inclusive thought across some elements. The smaller kids will adore the train-themed fun, including train, carriages and ticket booths. There are facilities galore! With two sets of toilets, multiple water refill stations, BBQs, and more sheltered seating and tables than we’ve ever seen at a park!

 Find out more here

Barossa Adventure Station

Another brand new playground is this belter up at Angaston, which draws on the old train station land where it was developed. Kids can slide down the huge tube slide from the tower into the train carriage themed area down on the lower level. Great fun! So much more to do, including bike tracks and a skate park. One of our fave day trip playground destinations which will take you through the stunning 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills.

Plan your day here

Crozier Reserve Daw Park

We love a hidden gem and for the little train lovers down south, this one at Daw Park is a fully fenced beauty. Light on equipment but big on peace and serenity, this ideal toddler playground includes a small train which is perfect for imagination play.

Read more here.

Kapunda Lions Park Playground

What a gem of a regional playground this one is! Fully fenced and spacious, with plenty of natural and artificial shade, plus one of the best trains (full sized we might add) we have seen in quite some time. Leo is an old steam engine from the copper mining days of the town, and your train loving kids will be all over this one. 

Read more here.

Kadina Playground

Some people think this is the best playground on the Yorke Peninsula, and we’d have to agree it would certainly be up there! This park also has a FULL SIZE TRAIN with a ramp to jump in the back. All aboard the Apex Express!

 

Read more here.

Croydon Playground

This playground is a little gem with its own little train, perfect for those young train enthusiasts. The kids will love this park as it’s right next to the Croydon Train Station and the kids can view the train coming and going frequently- right up close! Don’t worry- the playground is fully fenced and now has toilets! 

Check it out here.

Dinosaur Playgrounds

Greenglade Playground, Paradise

Do you have a Dinosaur loving kid? Greenslade Playground at Paradise is a lovely little spot with a really cool dinosaur that you (or the kids…but don’t let me stop you!) can climb all over and through a little dino-tunnel! How cool!

All the pics and info here

Hazelwood Park Playground, Burnside

The Womat Waterhole playground also features a dinosaur dig sandpit where you can bring our your inner paleantologist and dig for dinosaur bones.

All the pics and info here

Cormorant Drive Reserve Playground, Hallett Cove

This reserve has an interesting history with a Diprotodon (Giant Wombat) fossil remains found here in 1992. This Australian megafauna was the world’s largest marsupial and lived between 15,000-10,000 years ago.

Check it out here

Naracoorte Caves Fossil Hunters Playground

The Naracoorte Caves are a world famous natural wonder right here on our doorstep, but did you know they also have a (probably) world famous nature playground as well? We visited last year and it is just sensational. Fossil themed naturally, kids will love exploring and digging their way around this sensational facility. On your trip to the caves, allow time to explore this spot.

 More info here.

Adventure/Nature Playgrounds

Morialta Conservation Park Playground

Maybe 91¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s premier nature playground, Morialta is a sensational spot for 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ families located in the eastern suburbs, which forms part of the larger conservation park (stunning family walks…more on those here!), a perfect day out at Morialta will have the kids running around and exploring the magnificent scenery and playing on all the wonderful play equipment which blends seamlessly into the environment….except the 3 storey tube slide…you can’t hide that!

Read more on this 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ fave here

St Kilda Adventure Park

An Adelaie icon for what feels like generations, St Kilda Adventure Playground has had a few upgrades over the years and is still a fabulous spot for a day out with the family. Plenty of space, all the facilities you would want and some incredible play equipment.

Read more on this 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ fave here.

Mitcham Reserve

This has always been a rather spectacular spot due to the beautiful scenery, nearby creeks (and awesome coffee shops around Mitcham), but after a massive redevelopment in about 2018, it is even more special now. Constructed using beautiful wooden materials of different shapes and sizes, the kids will feel like they have been transported to some sort of medieval kingdom with the highlight being the huge tower and tube slide (we know, not many tube slides in ye olde times but a bit of poetic licence here). This is the perfect playground picnic spot too, with so much grass and shade from the trees.

Just love this one and you can find out more here!

Marshmallow Park

If you have a kid that has gone on any excursion to the city with kindy in the past few years, chances are they ate lunch here so the teachers could rest. A fully fenced sandpit with lots of water and play equipment, pack extra clothes for this one. Located on Glen Osmond Road in the city, it really is a fantastic playground and one of our faves for the little kids, with some great natural elements to climb on and interact with, plus some really cool standard playground equipment. If your kid loves to get messy, this is the park for them.

Read more here!

Largs Foreshore

An ice cream themed playground by the beach? How good is this! So unique it really fits in its own category, this 2024 built playspace out at Largs Foreshore is your wildest dreams come true. Full of ice cream themed equipment, your kids will love it!

Read more here

Glenthorne Adventure Playground

Opened in late 2023 in our brand new Glenthorne National Park, the nature playground is absolutely sensational, with several playspaces offering an abundance of nature themed play, as well as some great climbing towers and slides.

Get all the info here.

Lobethal Bushland Park

Set amongst family friendly walking trails, this 2023 built playground offers play areas for little and big kids alike, allowing some fabulous play amongst the beautiful scenery of the nature reserve.

Get all the info here.

Hope Valley Reservoir Playground

A playground set amongst the beauty of one of our largest reservoirs? How good is that! Nature themed play aplenty here and explore the reservoir afterwards.

Get all the info here.

Bowman Park Port Pirie

Located up at Port Pirie (near Crystal Brook to be exact), this is such an incredible playground built by the very talented team at . A short detour off the highway, it is well worth the trip. This was really a local project with materials and talented local trades used to bring this to life!

More info and pics here.

Jervois Street Reserve

One of the best playgrounds in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, is this ripper at South Plympton. It is fully fenced to lock in those scallywag tearaway little kids, it has an older kids playground with flying fox and other climbing/sporting stuff to do, but it is the nature play which brings us here today. With fantastic wood and stone pieces to climb on, plus every parents favourite playground feature….sand and water play, the little ones will have a blast. So much more to do that hasn’t been listed here.

read more on our review here

Belair Adventure Playground

This is THE quintessential nature playground in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½. Located in Belair National Park (so obviously a bucketload of nature everywhere you look), it is a bit more dated compared to the others listed but some things get better with age…..not saying this has gotten better with age unfortunately (it hasn’t really changed since I first went 30 odd years ago), but it is still a sensational spot. Apart from the playground you get to experience all that the national park has to offer, which is always a perfect family day out (or weekend if you want to camp). The playground has all the classic features you remember from school excursions in the 80s, the huge wooden fort, the cement tunnel network to hide in….bliss. For some reason this playground always reminds me of giant arrowroot bush biscuits, which I think was the school snack of choice for excursions a long, long time ago.

Anyway, more info and pics here!

This stunning playground is just about everything we love about a day out in our beautiful 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills. Coffee, stunning scenery and a fab playground for all ages. Located just below the Bridgewater Mill, the playground is fenced along the road and edges but NOT on the creek bed, which in my opinion is great because it allows kids to take there shoes off and go for a good explore in the creek bed. When we were there it was only about ankle deep with some deeper sections under the bridge, so you’ll need to use your discretion based on your kids abilities and what’s happening in the creek the day you visit. During winter and after a big rain, the creek can get quite deep and fast, so it will change during the year.

We had a great time crossing the stone path, splashing in the water and saying hello to the resident ducks.

The playground itself is not shaded, but there are lots of little nooks and crannies to sit under the shade of either the trees that surround the park or the undercover area. There is also a BBQ area that overlooks the playground with more shady spots to throw down a picnic rug.

Without doubt the #1 highlight of this park for us was the flying fox. Easy enough for my 4 year old to manage herself, we also saw older kids having a ball and younger kids having a try with the help of their parents. Pretty sure Winnie had close to one billion turns on it before she decided she’d like to check out the rest of the park.

Other playground equipment includes a substantial rope climbing frame, swings, rockers and a slide, plus a whole load of serenity.

PLEASE supervise your kids at this park, as I mentioned there is a small creek at the bottom of the play area that is very accessible. It’s a great splashy place to play but you need to keep your eyes on your kids.

What we loved about this park:

• The flying fox
• The equipment – diverse range for young and older kids
• The creek and natural play spaces – splashing, climbing, running, chasing butterflies, cartwheels on the grass – all that good stuff.
• BBQ Area – great spot for a kids birthday party
• Public Toilets
• The location – 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills = beautiful!
• The temperature in summer – on a hot day it’s always a few degrees cooler up here and lots of shady spots to sit on a picnic rug
• Parking easy to find
• Bridgewater shops over the road if you need a snack, drink, ice cream

For those wanting to enjoy some local food and drinks (including some lovely wines), consider a stop in at the Bridgewater Mill or Bridgewater Inn both within a few hundred meters walk.

Updated at the end 2025, Belair Adventure Playground has had a massive upgrade while also keeping some of their existing gems such as the play tunnels and famous fort. The old metal-framed play equipment is no longer, making way for a fresh, fun-filled upgrade that’s all about better play, safer fun, and less maintenance.

Think three epic slides, a climbing rope pyramid, monkey bars, three swings, a rock-climbing wall, an emu rocker and more.

Accessibility has been thoughtfully included, with an in-ground trampoline, nest swing, story board, raised platform, maze and even a xylophone for musical fun.

The playground sits right in the middle of the picnic area, wrapped around a beautiful existing tree. Families can enjoy hours of play under the shade of towering gum trees, with the layout following the natural slope of the land to make it easier for everyone to get around.

You will find Belair Adventure Playground located inside Beliar National Park. Entry to the National Park starts at $13.90 per vehicle. Check out the national park for all the park entry details.

Belair National Park sells itself. An iconic spot in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ with beautiful natural scenery, fantastic facilities scattered throughout to suit whatever occasion you are after. If you haven’t visited the adventure playground in a few years, bring your kids and spend the day. They will love the open space, the iconic huge concrete tubes, wooden fort and playground equipment.

It has all you need in a playground too. Toilets, shelter, BBQ and parking.

With that in mind coffee lovers, we have scoured our epic playground archive and found the spots with the best coffee nearby. So scroll down and choose your fave for your next playground visit. If we have missed your fave, let us know!

Here are what we think are theTop Playgrounds Near Coffee in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½.

• Apex Park and Joan’s Pantry Hawthorndene
• Largs Foreshore and Kiosk
• Bonython Park and Cafe Bonython
• Semaphore South and Shelly’s Kiosk
• Steamroller Park and Hokey Pokey
• Keith Stephenson Park and Sazon Mt Barker

If none of those are close enough or not what you’re after, here’s even more.

Wigley Reserve / Little Eatery Glenelg

WEST

A ripping playground that is a must visit for a trip to the Bay, this spectacular looking playground overlooks the marina, with plenty of space to run and climb around on some epic equipment. Little Eatery is our go-to for any coffee trip down the bay, located a stones throw from the playground it just goes together perfectly we reckon!

All the playground info here
Find all the Little Eatery info here

Keith Stephenson Park and Sazon Espresso Mt Barker

Hills

Rebuilt in 2024, the fully fenced Keith Stephenson Park is the central playground for Mt Barker and within walking distance along the linear trail of Main Street, the home of Sazon Espresso. Fabulous coffee and a lovely historic building, check this one out next time you are up in the hills.

All the playground info here

Largs Bay Ice Cream Playground/Kiosk

WEST

One of the best summer playgrounds around, the fabulous ice cream themed playground is a real hit thanks to its stunning design, but right smack bang next door is the Largs Bay Kiosk. Perfect for an ice cream or coffee to accompany the playground visit, with shaded seating and a fantastic view, what more could you want!

All the playground info here
Find all the Largs Kiosk info here

Bonython Park / Cafe Bonython

CITY

Is this the best coffee/playground combo in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½? It would have to be close. The beautiful and uber popular Bonython Park playground has been a staple for years, with recent upgrades making this one of the best play spaces around. Sounds pretty good on its own right? But with the newly opened Cafe Bonython right smack bang in the middle, this just makes it one of those destination playgrounds you travel far and wide for. Fabulous coffee, meals and service…one of hte best.

Find all the playground info here
Cafe Bonython is simply sensational. Read all about it here

Heywood Park – Acai Affair King William Road

INNER EAST

Don’t miss this new stop on King William Road prior to making your way to Heywood Park for some ninja course fun! The coffee is fabulous and the frozen yoghurt and acai to die for. If your visit is over summer, be sure to drive the kids down ‘Cubby Street’ (its actually called Victoria Avenue – to day dream about the mansions and delight in the tunnel like tree foliage that fuly umbrella’s the road!

All the info on this fantastic playground here
And the fabulous Acai Affair will sort you out here

Steamroller Playground / Hokey Pokey

HILLS

A trip to Stirling is not complete without a visit to the famous Steamroller Playground, with the nearby Hokey Pokey the perfect spot for that caffeine hit. Yes it is an ice cream and chocolate shop, but the coffee is divine! The playground is fully fenced, perfect for the little crew, and its an ideal space to take in the hills serenity while the kids play. Beautiful in Autumn with the changing colours we must say!

All the info on this 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills icon playground here
And the fabulous Hokey Pokey will sort you out

James Coke Park / So close to the Parade

EAST

Talk about being spoilt for coffee options! James Coke Playground is about 9 metres from the Parade and an almost unlimited supply of options to get your coffee fix. Plenty of parking, shade and fencing, this is an ideal rest stop for your under 8s to run around while you take 5. Probably wouldn’t hurt to hit the shops after as well…because why not!

Check out all the info on this Norwood staple here

Old Noarlunga Market Square / Long Shot

SOUTH

We are spoilt for choice in the deep south, with gorgeous towns hosting picturesque playgrounds and nearby coffee options. Market Square playground at Old Noarlunga is a local fave, always packed with families hosting parties on the spacious lush lawns overlooking the Onkaparinga river. We love Long Shot Coffee, across the road from the playground, to compliment your day out here. Don’t forget to pack all the balls and enjoy chasing the kids on the lawns. It is a real beauty!

All the playground info here

Twelftree Reserve / Fix Coffee

NORTH

A beautiful playground for the little crew, nestled amongst gorgeous grounds at College Park and on the banks of the Torrens river, we love combining our visits here with a trip to Fix (Specialty Coffee) across the road. Don’t forget to pack the basketball to use the small court and pop down for a walk along the Torrens after. A really lovely place to visit with the little tackers.

Check out more on the playground here

Dunstan Adventure Playground / Coffee Institute

EAST

Famous for its ‘huge slide from yester-year’, we only recently went back for a return visit at this eastern suburbs favourite, and it is still a fabulous spot. A short walk will find you at the Coffee Institute, which is definitely worth a go as you sit and watch the kids hurl themselves down the old bum-burner metal slide from your childhood.

All the playground info here

Apex Park / Joan’s Pantry

HILLS

Just behind Blackwood, over the train line and around the bend is the famous combo of Joan’s Pantry and Apex Park Playground. A Hawthorndene favourite for years, the playground is a fully fenced beauty, with lots of equipment, a bike track, tennis courts and BMX jumps nearby. Joan’s Pantry is famous in these parts and you won’t find too many times where it isn’t busy with the hustle and bustle of locals and travellers stopping by. Definitely one of the top coffee/playground combos!

All the playground info you need is here

Glenside Playground / Commissary

EAST

This brand spanking new playground, tucked in the Cedarwoods development at Glenside, is hard to miss isn’t it! With striking bright colours and a giant climbing tower with tube slide, this is an older kids paradise. Our fave coffee spot here is the delightful Commissary, in the old Queen Victoria Hospital building just up the road. A famlily favourite place to eat, we highly recommend this combo!

All the playground details here
Commissary is a fabulous coffee and lunch option…find out more here

Heron Playground / Boat Shed

SOUTH

Hows the serenity of this sensational playground, which overlooks some of the best coastline in the state. Located at the start of the Hallett Cove Boardwalk and next to the very popular Boatshed Cafe, this is one of our fave summer playgrounds. Don’t forget to leave time for a walk along the rocks for a spot of crabbing too!

All the playground info here

Bindarra Reserve / Brighton Jetty Bakery

SOUTH

A fabulous beachside playground located in one of the best coffee strips around. Find this playgound at the Esplanade at Brighton a stones throw from the uber popular .

All the playground info here

Burnside Adventure Playground / Rustic Fig Cafe

EAST

This place is simply sensational. So much to see and explore, with one of the best double flying foxes around, the playground is a ripper. The perfect place to let the kids run around (there is a nearby creek so keep an eye on the smaller crowd) while you sit down to a cuppa….we love the Rustic Fig, located a street over, for your coffee option.

If you haven’t heard of this playground before, it is well worth checking out and planning a day trip.

Check out the info from our visit to this playground here

Willunga Rose Garden / Tealiscious Cakes

SOUTH

Willunga is one of the most beautiful towns in our deep south, famous for its huge hill that causes all sorts of grief to the Tour Down Under crowd, as well as being home to a range of fab coffee spots. The Willunga Rose Garden nature playground opened a couple of years ago and is a beautiful play space that fits right in with the Willunga vibe. Our coffee pick is Tealiscious Cakes, right across the road from the playground (and you have our permission to pick up one or 9 of their cakes too!), which is the perfect coffee partner at this one.

Want more info on the playground? Click here

Civic Park Playground / Pickled Duck

NORTH

This is easily one of the best playgrounds around and a coffee at Pickled Duck is just what you need. Ideal for all ages, with so much for all the kids to do (and parents too if you want to get amongst it), you will find Pickled Duck across the road and we just love the coffee here. Make sure you hit them up when you visit this epic playground up at Modbury.

So much more to find out about this playground…check it out here

Bridgewater Playground / The Grocer

HILLS

If you haven’t been to this stunning playground, lock in a date. It is sensational. With The Grocer coffee shop nearby, this space is just perfect for a playdate. Right next to the Bridgewater Inn, when the river is raging in winter and the kids can hop across on the stone bridge, is there aything more serene? We think not.

All the info on this beautiful playground here

St Clair / Rec Centre Kiosk

WEST

Wow. Thats a phrase your kids will be shouting as you finish a visit to this newly developed precinct out the western suburbs. The rec centre cafe right next to the playground is a really good option here, not to mention the toilets and other facilities inside. The playgroud is epic, but this really is a hub of sporting and other activities that is well worth a look for not only an epic playground, but kids sport too.

All the info on this epic playground here

Semaphore Foreshore / Steam Train Kiosk

WEST

Semaphore foreshore is one of the premiere beach destinations in 91¹û¶³´«Ã½, and the playground is just as good! There is so much to see, do and explore around this playground with the family, but for a coffee hit we always hit up the kiosk right next door (also for ice creams…because it would be rude not too). If you aren’t a local this is well worth a day trip to explore with the kids.

All the info on this epic playground here

Thankfully Mt Lofty-Lite is here, so you can get the fancy insta photo at the top with only half the exercise! Brilliant!

Steub Trail (named after the Cleland Conservation Park benefactor of the same name funnily enough) is a 3.8km trail which winds at a much more gentle incline from Cleland Wildlife Park right to the Mt Lofty Summit itself. We absolutely loved this trail! With a newborn baby in a pram (as well as a terrible level of fitness), the traditional waterfall gully route was not an option, so with pram in tow we took off and it was a dream.

Taking a nudge over an hour to reach the summit, the path is nice and wide, very well made and stable and has no insane steep parts. The bends can be a little steep but they are short and few and far between, so no issues there.

It is very well signed and there is little to no chance of getting lost. We stopped for a coffee and a snack at the summit, then after about half hour we returned back to Cleland. All up it was a 2.5hour adventure and that was really taking it easy and enjoying the day. It is open to running (bleh), mountain bikes and hikers of all ages and abilities this one, so make sure you pop up for a look! We honestly can’t wait to go back, it really is spot on for families and if we can do it with a brand spanking new born in a big old pram, then everyone can achieve insta glory at the top of the Mt Lofty Summit!

For more detailed hiking info, check out Walking SA’s info page .

Archibald Reserve is a hidden gem with plenty to offer kids of all ages. This upgraded playground sits within a quiet park surrounded by open space and sporting facilities.

Key Features:

• Multi-level play structure with climbing walls and slides
• Flying fox
• Swings including an accessible seat
• Half basketball court and netball hoop nearby
• Small bike track adjacent to playground

This reserve is ideal for families with mixed-age children. Shaded picnic tables and plenty of open space make it easy to stay a while, though note that there are no toilets on-site.

Thanks to City of Mitcham for the images.

We love that this beautiful spot in the 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ Hills boasts some smaller equipment and sensory play for the little crew, plus of course the huge climbing tower and tube slide for the big kids.

We raced down for a visit shortly after it opened in March 2022 and we have to say, it is an incredible facility but there are definitely a few things to look out for. Firstly, lets address the elephant in the room….the huge dam. It isn’t fenced at all, is very close to both the little kids play area and the bigger kids spot, and the whole lay of the land just slopes down (quite steeply off the path in parts) down towards it. If you are with your kids constantly it is no drama but it is something to be very watchful over. We took a sprinting 18 month old and although he never looked interested, this isn’t a spot you can really sit and play on your phone at while the kids play.

In saying that, we had an absolute ball and will be bringing the bigger kids back on the weekend for a proper hit out. The sensory and nature themed little kids area was an absolute delight, with plenty of equipment for the little crew to try out. Throw in a water bubbler, toilets and BBQs and this will be a really popular destination party spot we reckon.

The big kids playground is awesome, with a huge 3 level tower and tube slides the standout, while the rope system within a real challenge (for parents…it was a challenge for us OK…we are 40 now and really should get back to pilates) to get to the top.

Parking was easy, with a nice big car park at the entrance to the reserve and the playground is the start to an adventure exploring the park. The park comprises 118 hectares of varied terrain and apart from the stunning playground, comes complete with several fabulous walking trails of various difficulty (Green easy trail come at us!). Whether you want to walk for 20 minutes or 2 hours, there is something for everyone here.

Check out this fab map of the entire park with walking trails !

Tanunda Recreation Park received an upgrade with an inclusive playground in 2022 and it is fabulous!

Features of the Inclusive Playground include a brilliant double flying fox which includes a seated option which is perfect for the little ones to be included. This was ideal for us as we raced the little kids vs the older kids to determine the family flying fox champion! You will also find in-ground trampolines, climbing/elevated play, slides, swings, sand and water play, barbecue shelter, drink fountain, seating and an all-access toilet block.

This is a fantastic stop is a must as you explore the beautiful Barossa Valley. For more family friendly activities, check out our Barossa feature here.

Oak Tree Adventure Playground at Blackwood Park is part of a larger X-Terrain Park that includes an incredible running/walking/riding trail, creek, lake and the epic Blackwood Treetop Playground

There are fitness circuits and exercise stations around the trail, but it’s nice just to relax in the beautiful landscape too!

My kids were very excited when we arrived at the playground as there were literally about 20 kangaroos bouncing around! As it was cold and wet, there were also some cute ducks having a pretty fun time! The playground itself follows the “nature play” trend and boasts wooden and rock structures for climbing and balancing.

The small creek that runs near the playground was cute, but I’m not sure how full it gets during the year. There is a lake nearby though.

Streetside parking is available, and there may be more appropriate parking once further development is completed.

The playground was a little difficult to locate, as it’s not really along a main stretch, but I winged it and drove around without an address and still found it! But it’s probably best to have some directions… so… it’s in the gully reserve between Gartrell Boulevard, Fergusson Avenue and Meridian. You can enter from Symon Crescent in Meridian. Google Maps are yet to catch up with all the developments at Blackwood Park, so be aware that Google Maps may not have the clearest directions for you either!

Pros:

• Benches next to playground
• Beautiful natural space
• Kangaroos and ducks around in the local bushland
• Good mix of activities for toddlers through to ages 6 or 7
• A cool climbing rock (for ages 3-5 probably)
• Links to the trail where you can walk through the area. There are multiple paths to try depending on age, ability and mode of transport (foot, bike or pram… perhaps all if you are like us!).
• For a full map of the trails click:

Cons:

• No toilets
• It isn’t fenced (although it’s not directly on the street and is nice and open so it’s easy to see where your children are)
• No swings, slides or monkey bars (this may be a pro for some of you!
• Shade from trees, but not over the actual playground