
BEST PLAYGROUNDS IN ADELAIDE: KIDDO’s Quick Look Guide
Let’s talk best playgrounds in Adelaide. In all honesty, Adelaide kids and their parents are spoiled for choice. We live in a state where the CBD is surrounded by lush green parklands and the suburbs are absolutely jam packed with a plethora of amazing playgrounds and play spaces.
At KIDDO we know what makes a good playground, and so do you! You don’t need us to tell you what the weather was like when we visited, or overload you with details about our personal preference between bark chips and soft fall.
You want to know where the playground is, what it looks like and how to get there!
That’s why we’ve created KIDDO’s quick look guide to the best playgrounds in Adelaide. To give you an at-a-glance view of South Australia’s best playgrounds in the North, South, East and West of the state. We provide a snapshot of what they look like and where they are, to give you more time to explore them yourselves!
And, of course, we will be continually updating this post because the list of the best playgrounds in Adelaide is always growing and changing, just like your kiddos!
UPDATED: JANUARY 2021
Here are some of the best playgrounds in Adelaide!
Best Playgrounds in Adelaide - South
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, 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!
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
Best Playgrounds in Adelaide - North
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
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
Best Playgrounds in Adelaide - East
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
Tusmore Park Playground
The Tusmore Park wading pool is a favourite among parents of toddlers when it’s open in the summer months, it’s shady and cool and, at knee depth, safe for little tots who are just getting used to the water. At the current time, however, due to untenable COVID19 restrictions, it’s temporarily closed until further notice. 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!
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
Best Playgrounds in Adelaide - West
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
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
Address: 22 Wandana Terrace, Taperoo
Collins Reserve
Address: 88 Valetta Rd, Kidman Park
Sandison Reserve
Address: Sandison Reserve, Glenelg East
Allenby Gardens Reserve Accessible playground
Address: 21 Lewanick St, Allenby Gardens