Best Playgrounds in Adelaide

WILFRED TAYLOR RESERVE

The largest playspace in Adelaide’s south opened earlier this year for families to explore at Wilfred Taylor Reserve in Morphett Vale.

The $2.2 million nature-based playspace has been designed for people of all ages and abilities to explore, roam and enjoy the reserve’s gorgeous natural environment.

Address: Wilfred Taylor Reserve, Morphett Vale

Marshmallow Playground

Marshmallow Playground is basically an institution in Adelaide’s inner South and has had a huge refurb in the last few years. There’s so much shade here (thanks to the gorgeous fig tree in the centre of the playground), and there’s water play and nature play opportunities, swings and slides, climbing frames and there are adjacent basketball and tennis courts within eyeline for older kids. And an all important feature of a playground when you have younger children – toilets!

Address: Glen Osmond Road, Adelaide

East Tce Glover Playground

Another playground that’s had a decent revamp in recent years is the East Tce Glover Playground. With cubbies, slides, swings, climbing walls, in ground trampolines, a basketball and netball hoop, plus BBQ facilities and toilets – this is a playground that ticks all the boxes, just South of the city and nestled amongst the olive groves, there are also plenty of great climbing trees!

Address: 120 East Tce, Adelaide

Heywood Park

This is one for the ninja kids! Heywood Park has long since been a favourite playground in Adelaide among families, but with its recent renovation, including construction of a mini ninja warrior course, it’s right up the top of the list! As well as the ninja course, you’ll also find all the traditional playground equipment, situated in the midst of a beautiful park setting with plenty of grass to run on, logs to climb and places to picnic!

Address: Addiscombe Pl, Unley Park

Blackwood Park Treetops playground

This one’s for the height loving kiddos, with the playground literally being built into the treetops at Blackwood Park. With rope climbs and climbing nets as well as an enclosed spiral slide, you’ll entertain your young climbers, and for those less inclined to play among the treetops, you’ll also find sand pit, small wooden climbing frame and a less intense slide. Everybody wins!

Address: Cnr of Blackwood Park Blvd and Champion Way, Craigburn Farm

Heron Way Reserve, Hallet Cove

Everybody loves a playground by the beach, and the Heron Way Reserve ticks all the boxes – water play for kids, BBQ’s and communal spaces, nature play, sand play, and a super slide! This is absolutely one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide by the beach!

Address: Heron Way, Hallet Cove

Angus Neill Reserve, Seacliff

Another beach side winner; the Angus Neill Reserve in Seacliff is on the Esplanade and as such has stellar beach views! With on site BBQ’s and plenty of picnic space, this is a great spot for a family day out. Featuring both nature play and water play, as well as an awesome wooden pirate ship that harks back to the playgrounds we hung out at as kids, a spinner and a cool hillside cave and plenty of shade, this is a definite winner for the kids!

Address: Esplanade, Seacliff

Mitchell Park Oval Playground

Climbing ropes, slides, swings, logs and balancing boulders, there’s so much to do at Mitchell Park Oval Playground, and with plenty of shade and space for families, not to mention both water play and sand play options, this could be where you spend your next day out! When we’re looking for the best playgrounds in Adelaide, we look for playgrounds that tick all the boxes, and this one is certainly on the list!

Address: Bradley Grove, Mitchell Park

Mortlock Park, Colonel Light Gardens

This is an Adelaide playground that really gives an option for every family member (including the dog!). Adjacent Mortlock Oval, and right next to Colonel Light Primary, the recently upgraded Mortlock Park Playground has playground equipment to suit a variety of aged kids, while the dog has a run on the oval, and you’ll even find a mini BMX pump track where kids can go for a burn on their bikes!

Address: Mortlock Park, Colonel Light Gardens

Hendrie Street Reserve INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND, Parkholme

The incredible Hendrie Street Inclusive Playground, part of the Livvi’s Place Network – delivering special places to change the way our society plays – is the first playground in Adelaide to be developed specifically for kids with disabilities.

The playspace brings together all children, regardless of their ability, to play side by side and encourage social inclusion through play.

This is absolutely one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide and offers so many accessible play opportunities:

• Wheelchair accessible carousel
• Accessible play – multi station with ramp
• Expression Swing
• Sensory playspace
• The toilets at the playground are fully accessible and include an adult-sized change table
• Hard pathways through the playground have been designed wider to allow the easy access and manoeuvrability of mobility chairs
• Accessible BBQs are installed within the playground that allow wheelchair users to easily cook
• Ample car parking, including disabled parking, is available and allocated coach spaces make this a great group excursion location

Address: Hendrie Street Inclusive Playground, Hendrie Street, Parkholme

Central Park Playground, Craigburn Farm

Firstly, this playground is just so so pretty! I mean look at it! green as far as the eye can see. And who could go past that slide? This playground is nestled in the quiet suburb of Craigburn Farm, but well worth a visit if you’re in the area or are looking for a new adventure. With rope climbs and rock climbing walls, there’s something here that will keep your kids entertained for… well… juuuust long enough until someone needs to wee. There are no toilets, which is a drawback, so make sure everyone goes before they leave home!

Address: 4 Fisher Cres, Craigburn Farm

Princess Elizabeth Playground

When we’re talking about the best playgrounds in Adelaide, the Princess Elizabeth Playground would have to be in the top 5! She’s definitely royalty that’s for sure. Not only is it HUGE, but there is just so much to do! And there are toilets, so you won’t have to leave because someone needs to go, WOOHOO. The kids at KIDDO HQ call this playground the “castle playground” because of the giant spiral slide that’s been built into a castle – and boy they’ve spent many hours climbing those stairs and whizzing down. There are also plenty of swings and slides, in ground trampolines, and the biggest most epic climbing frame you ever did see. With ample BBQ space and grassy areas, this is a great playground for a party!

Address: South Tce, Adelaide

Mitcham Reserve

If you’re looking for a picturesque playground, the playground in Mitcham Reserve is certainly that. With plenty of grassy surrounds, this is another great playground for a birthday party. With plenty of different playground equipment, but also a creek bed to explore and enough grass to kick a ball and onsite toilets, this suburban playground is a definite contender for one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide.

Address: Between Old Belair Rd, Norman Walk & Evans Ave, Old Belair Rd

Jubilee Park

If fun had a middle name, it would be Jubilee Park! This playground is MEGA, and is absolutely one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide. We’re talking climbing frames, water play, sand play.. and, I mean, how many playgrounds have a life sized giraffe? The best part of Jubilee Playground has got to be the giant wooden castle though, which is huge and will keep the kids running, hiding and exploring for absolutely ages! This is the kind of playground that calls for a few solid hours, and probably lunch (plenty of space for picnics and BBQs too)! And right across from the beach – your summer adventure awaits.

Address: Saltfleet Street, Port Noarlunga South

The Paddocks Reserve Playground

The Paddocks in Para Hills features a large playground that includes a splashtastic waterplay area, interactive nature playspace and accessible play equipment. Access the playground via the carpark on Maxwell Road. The surrounding area also boasts a large expanse of land with wide open sporting fields, a bird and wildlife conservation wetlands and a fully enclosed, dog exercise yard.

Bridge Road, Para Hills West

Freedom Park Two Wells

Lightsview Adventure Playground

Completed in April 2021, the final piece of the Lightsview parks and wetlands crown covers approximately 3,000sqm and includes a sensory-rich dinosaur discovery sandpit along with a dizzying array of activities and play equipment.Kids can now explore a nature play zone, creek bed, in-ground trampolines, climbing frames, inclusive play carousel under shade, giant bird’s nest swing, climbing ropes and slides, and there is, of course, plenty of green space for families to picnic, kids to run around or ball games! There’s no doubt that this is one of the newest and best playgrounds Adelaide has to offer in the North!

South Parkway or Wiltshire Drive, Lightsview

Barossa Adventure Station

Barossa Adventure Station truly has something for everyone. Features include a multi-level place space including a mega tower and play deck, 1km mountain bike loop, heritage elements, attractive open spaces, skate ramp, fitness stations and plenty of picnic spots. It’s the perfect place to spend an hour, or the whole day. Best of all, it’s just a short walk to Angaston where you can discover bespoke regional offerings at our many cafes, cellar doors, restaurants and providores.

Address: Washington Street, Angaston

St Kilda Adventure Playground

If you’ve been a kid in Adelaide you’ve probably been to St Kilda Playground, and you’re probably going to want to take your kids there too. Because not only is St Kilda Playground a South Australian icon, it’s also absolutely one of the biggest and best playgrounds in Adelaide. Sure it’s a bit of a drive (45 minutes North of the CDB) but this is an award winning playground and a must visit! And a must go back! This is the ultimate adventure playground, complete with super slides, wooden fortress, old wooden ship, and even a volcano! Not to mention an EPIC flying fox, and a bouncy climbing frame. Kids will run, climb, slide and play for hours here – but make sure to take a towel if it’s hot because those silver slides pack some heat when it’s warm!

Address: 470 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda

Klemzig Recreation Reserve Playground

The 2014 upgrade to the Klemzig playground really did wonders. This colourful, shady wonderland is a definite must-visit with kids in Adelaide. Lots of slides, swings, multiple climbing frames and even two flying foxes, BBQ’s, plenty of grass, and toilets – you can’t ask for much more!

Address: OG Rd & North East Road, Klemzig

Prospect Memorial Park

If they were giving prizes for pretty playgrounds, then Prospect Memorial Park would absolutely be on the short list. This is lush playground has been designed as a magical garden and ticks all the boxes for necessary for being one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide. It’s fully fenced, equipped with slides, climbing frames, nature play, water play and sand play, there are toilets within cooee and plenty of grass and BBQ areas. Another great potential party park!

Address: 1 Menzies Cres, Prospect

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park and Playground, Salisbury

The exciting new Kites and Kestrels adventure playground at Cobbler Creek is absolutely deserving of its place on the list of best playgrounds in Adelaide. With climbing structures that look like trees with raptors’ nests, sandpits, a flying fox, plenty of nature play and a super slide… this is a must-visit with kids in Adelaide. There are also bike paths, and a BMX pump track and trails in the adjacent Peddler Paddock so put the bikes and scooters in the car and get on your way!

Address: Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, Salisbury East

Hope Valley Reservoir Nature Playground

Modbury Civic Park Playground

With climbing castles and frames, slides, an accessible carousel, seesaws and swings, plenty of shade and nearby toilets, Civic Park playground in Modbury has something to keep kids of all ages busy and happy!

Address: Civic Park, Modbury

Thorndon Park Reserve Paradise

JANUARY 2021 UPDATE: Thorndon Park Reserve is preparing for refurbishment!

The Campbelltown City Council is finishing up their consultation phases and have put forward a $2.5m redevelopment to transform the space into a state of the art playground.

Construction time frame for the project is TBC. If the concept images are anything to go by though, if this goes ahead it will absolutely transform Thorndon Park playground into one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide.

Address: Hamilton Terrace, Paradise

Semaphore Foreshore playground

We do love a seaside playground here at KIDDO and the Semaphore foreshore playground doesn’t disappoint. With climbing frames, slides, tunnels and a flying fox there’s so much fun to be had here, and the area is surrounded by the Semaphore foreshore complex which boasts a waterslide and carousel, so make sure you’re planning to make a day of it!

Address: Foreshore, corner of Esplanade & Semaphore Rd, Semaphore

Morialta Nature Playground

The pictures say it all really; Morialta Playground is arguably the best Nature Play playground in South Australia! The playground, which is divided into five themed play areas, is absolutely huge and incorporates natural elements as far as the eye can see. You could easily spend an entire day here playing and exploring the surrounding area, so pack a picnic!

Address: Stradbroke Road, Woodforde

Glenside Playground

Inner East suburbs families rejoiced with the opening of the Glenside Playground in mid 2021 – this is the park the surrounding community have been dreaming of! With a huge expanse of green space to play red rover all over or kick a footy, as well as a basketball half court, multiple swings, plenty of climbing frames and a toddler focused play castle, everybody wins here. Just be aware that if there’s been heavy rain in the preceding days, you might find the lawn area is more of a lake; the space is a rain water detention area and fills up pretty fast in a downpour. 

Address: Harriet Lucy Drive, Glenside

Tusmore Park Playground

The Tusmore Park wading pool has been favourite among parents of toddlers over the summer months; it’s shady and cool and, at knee depth, safe for little tots who are just getting used to the water. However at over 50 years old, the pool has more than reached the end of its useful life and needs to be refurbished with a new facility… but parents of water loving kiddos can rejoice, because it’s happening! The pool is temporarily closed until further notice, but construction on a new wading pool and surrounding landscaping is due to commence in 2021/22. Watch this space! In the mean time, the surrounding Tusmore playground, which is spread across the park, also offers some fun play experiences for older kids, with swings slides and climbing frames, as well as lots of room to kick a ball! Check out the concept plans for the new Tusmore wading pool while you’re waiting!

Address: Stirling St, Tusmore

Hazelwood Park Playground

Shady Hazelwood Park playground is the home of a cracking flying fox, which is reason enough for many kids to want to stop by! With plenty of climbing frames, balance beams, slides and swings, as well as the surrounding park which is lush and full of logs to climb, creek beds to explore and ducklings to spot, this playground is well worth a visit. It’s also home of the Burnside Pool which is super tempting for little people when it’s warm outside!

Address: Hazelwood Avenue, Hazelwood Park

Katherine Street Reserve

This corner block park is great for Fullarton locals, and recently upgraded (as of 2017) it’s bright and fun and in good condition! Complete with all the usual suspects (slides and swings and things to climb on), it also has a big sand pit which the little ones love, and a decent amount of grass for running around or kicking a ball.

Address: Katherine Street, Fullarton

Bellyett Reserve

Small but sweet, at the Bellyett playground in Wattle Park what you see is what you get… an epic cubby with slides and climbing ropes to go up and poles to slide down! There are toilets close by, a basketball hoop and a public tennis court – so there are lots of play options available!

Address: 9 Stonyfell Road, Wattlepark

Burnside Adventure playground

Flying fox lovers – Burnside Adventure Park is calling your name! This award winning playground is set amongst the trees in beautiful Kensington and if your kids like climbing, crawling, flying, sliding or spinning.. there’s going to be something here for them to enjoy! There are BBQ’s and toilets, so you can set up here for the day quite comfortably and know the kids will be happy as Larry!

Address: The Parade & West Terrace, Kensington Gardens

James Coke Park

Parents and caregivers have been taking their toddlers to James Coke Park forever and a day, and that’s because it really is the perfect playground for little people. You won’t find a whole lot here to entertain the older kids (although there is a climbing tower and a longer slide), but there have to be some playgrounds earmarked for the littlest among us! It’s fully fenced so no chances of any getaways from little escape artists, and with swings, slides, seesaws and plenty of spots for sitting in the shade, this playground gets our tick of approval!

Address: Coke Street, Norwood

DUNSTAN ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

With one of the best slides in SA, this playground is perfect for speed demons who want to barrel down a slippery dip at break neck speed! We’re not kidding when we say it’s fast! Other features include wobbly rope bridges, climbing frames and a flying fox… and right next to the OBAHN track, little ones will also love seeing the buses whizz past! Keep in mind that the metal slide is h.o.t. HOT in the summer months!

Address: Winchester Street, St Peters

QUENTIN KENIHAN PLAYSPACE  

The brand new Quentin Kenihan Playspace, located in Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14), honours much loved disability advocate Quentin Kenihan and is fully inclusive and accessible. The playground features a wheelchair trampoline, sound and sensory garden and water play, as well as swings, a carousel and plenty of grassy space for picnics and BBQ facilities.

Address: Rymill Park (Park 14), Adelaide

Stanley Street Reserve Playground

Here is one playground upgrade that will have your kiddos buzzing with excitement. Stanley Street Reserve was upgraded in May 2021 and features a customised hexagon play piece with individual cubbies and bee-themed activities. There is a tunnel slide and children can crawl in and out of each cubby. There is a climbing rope and footholds for those keen to scale the beehive, as well as bee stickers are hidden throughout the play area. Can you find all 100 of them?

Young entrepreneurs can practice playing queen bee at the playground honey shop complete with a wooden honey pot and timber seats. There is a climbable bee sculpture and a table with a bee puzzle. Additional items include a spinner and log steppers along with a toddler and traditional swing set.

The hexagon theme is carried throughout the grounds with the shade, table, seats and planter boxes.

Great for a family day out, the upgrade has seen the addition of a barbeque and shade sail, as well as mulched and rubber softfall complemented by additional planting.

This reserve upgrade sits alongside the existing tennis courts leased by Stanley Street Tennis Club.

Address: Stanley Street, Glengowrie, SA

Wigley Reserve Playground

Just in time for the summer months, the $1m Wigley Reserve playground development is complete!

The playspace, funded by the City of Holdfast and State Government features:

• a climbing tunnel
• in-ground trampolines
• swings
• slides
• a log climbing structure
• stepping boulders
• a sensory nature-trail

In addition, there’s a drinking fountain, bike racks, custom-built shade structure, seating and 10 new exercise stations in the fitness hub.

Accessibility is a focus with the new space offering increased opportunity to all ages, interests and abilities.

Address: Wigley Reserve Playground, Corner of Anzac Highway & Adelphi Terrace, Glenelg

Bonython Park Playspace

Absolutely one of Adelaide’s best playgrounds, Bonython Park play space is a playground that has everything you think a playground should, and a few things you wouldn’t have thought of! The spinning hamster wheel is always popular with older kids, as is the dual flying fox. And adjoining park also has plenty of space for running around and kicking a ball, toilet facilities and BBQ’s so there’s really nothing missing here!

Address: Bonython Park, Adealaide

St Clair Recreation Precinct

The newly renovated St Clair precinct does not disappoint with its new playground. With a combination of nature play and classic playground equipment, they’ve really catered for kids of all ages and stages. Kids can enjoy the multiple swings (including a huge nest swing!), slides and an epic climbing wall as well as a sandpit and water play options. We approve!

Address: St Clair Recreation Centre, Woodville

Glenelg foreshore playground

We LOVE the playground on the foreshore at Glenelg. The pictures say it all really, it’s actually this good and is so popular with the kiddos. The mega slide is super fast (and also super hot in summer so keep that in mind!) and the nature and water play sand pit area keeps big and littles entertained for hours. There are in ground trampolines, tunnels to crawl through, climbing frames and a rope wall, and the beach is only a hop skip and a jump away. Everybody’s a winner!

Address: Glenelg Foreshore, Glenelg

Yanyarrie Avenue Reserve

Thrill seekers will enjoy this new adventure playground and reserve upgrade at Yanyarrie Avenue Reserve. This neighbourhood playground in Edwardstown features a rock climbing boulder with four levels of climbing abilities to try, as well as a 4.5m high gyro basket swing, which rotates 360 degrees, is multidirectional and suspended from an arching post allowing for further movement and height.

Plenty of nature play opportunities here, with woven pods perfect for imaginative play cubby houses as well as a log pathway trail and junior trampoline. The rock shop with an abacus counter takes a fun spin on numeracy and educational play.

Sports facilities include new multi-sport practice courts (3×3 basketball and netball practice courts), a shared-use trike track pathway, and a new kick-about lawn for kids who just wanna run around, ball in hand.

Address: 6 Yanyarrie Avenue, Edwardstown

Westfield Westlakes Playground

So you don’t usually get a noteworthy playground in a shopping centre, but we’ll make an exception for the playground at West Lakes Westfield. With a combination of tubular slides and open slippery dips, as well as climbing ropes and a sand pit, it’s definitely a space worthy of stopping and letting the kids play while you enjoy a coffee and a well deserved sit down.

Address: Westfield Shopping Centre, West Lakes Boulevard, Westlakes

Harts mill playground

Hello yellow! What an awesome playground in the Port. There’s just so much to climb and clamber over at Hart’s Mill playground, your kids will love the spinning wheel, tubular slide and of course, everybody’s favourite, a double flying fox! There’s also a sand play area for little tackers and plenty of swings and even a hamster wheel. While you’re in Port Adelaide, why not go for a wander and see if you can find some of Adelaide’s best street art.

Address: 9 Mundy St, Port Adelaide

MJ McInerney Reserve, West Croydon

Ok let’s talk SLIDES, friends. MJ McInerney Reserve in Croydon is a playground all about slides. Big ones, little ones, straight ones, twisty ones. And what kid doesn’t love sliding? It also has sand play and water play areas, a flying fox, balancing logs, climbing nets… oh and just a FULL SKATE PARK. No big deal. There’s no doubt this is one of the best playgrounds in Adelaide!

Address: Sackville St, West Croydon

Roy Martin Park Taperoo

Well this playground is pretty flipping fantastic! Kids of Taperoo, Roy Martin Park is for you! The playground and surrounds have been upgraded in recent years and all equipment is in separate zones for different ages and abilities. Plenty of shade, slippery dips, sand and climbing equipment will keep your kiddos oh so occupied and that’s just the way we like it!

Address: 22 Wandana Terrace, Taperoo

Collins Reserve

Collins reserve has two play areas, and such a great variety of equipment for big and little kiddos! With onsite parking, a toilet, room to roam, ducks to feed and lots of BBQ facilities, this is a great spot to spend the day!

Address: 88 Valetta Rd, Kidman Park

Sandison Reserve

Who doesn’t love a giant tube slide? There’s something at Sandison Reserve for sliders big and small, with a variety of different slippery dips as well as tunnels, swings and spinny things! Lots of BBQ area and spaces for kids to roam free on the grass – a great park for a picnic or a morning out!

Address: Sandison Reserve, Glenelg East

Allenby Gardens Reserve Accessible playground

We love a fabulous accessible playground here at KIDDO because that means everyone can get involved in the fun! And there’s so much fun to be had at Allenby Gardens Reserve with custom designed equipment including a wheelchair accessible play system. With fairytale and pirate ship play areas, there’s something for all ages and abilities, with lots of climbing structures and a nearby oval for older kids to kick a ball if they’ve had enough of the playground.

Address: 21 Lewanick St, Allenby Gardens