The Best Playgrounds on the Central Coast Are Right Here

Toowoon Bay Park 

The best playgrounds on the Central Coast.

When those busy little bodies are itching to get out of the house, the best place to let kids roam free is to head to the local playground. Luckily for us here on the Central Coast, we have some top-class public recreation spaces, parks, playgrounds and playspaces.  Not to mention the plethora that have attracted multi-million dollar upgrades recently!

With both Tash and Nikki, the boss ladies behind Coasties Mag, being mums of small humans we are privy to where the Central Coast’s best playgrounds are positioned. Because, let’s face it, when the local park gets “boring” according to the 6 year old, then you’ve got a bit of a situation in your hands! So we’ve made it easy for parents and carers out there to find a park that ticks all of the boxes. From safety to a wide range of equipment to suit all ages to entertaining activities and of course, something for the parents to do, eat or drink too we have you covered.

Let’s dive right in.

1. Peninsula Recreation and Active Lifestyle Precinct, Umina

The space that is hot on everyone’s lips ATM after its sensational upgrade. And with good reason too: the BMX pump track, world-class skate park, pretty damn cool and colourful bouldering climbing units and more. Tick, tick, tick! 

If you want a park that has it all, the Peninsula Recreation Precinct is your best bet at making sure everyone has a good day on their next playground adventure. If the aim of the game is to tire your active kiddies out, then the job will get done here! There are swings, a bike track, a pirate ship, a cubby house, swings, a slippery dip, a flying fox and a number of climbing nets. And for the parents, you can get your caffeine hit at the cafe Jasmine Greens which is next door.  Oh and did we mention the nearby beach for a dip after all that running about?

Umina Beach Road, Umina

2. Leagues Club Park, Gosford

The perfect park if you have older kids (aged 3 +). The equipment allows for loads of climbing up and sliding down. The wider space’s design also respectfully incorporates traditional Indigenous knowledge and history. And a little birdie might have just let us in on further upgrades to this space due to come very soon!  Look out Gosford. 

Georgiana Terrace, Gosford

3. Vera’s Water Garden

Right in the heartland of The Entrance Foreshore, you’ll find Vera’s Water Garden, an aquatic wonderland for children to splash about on a hot summer’s day. Colourful fountains burst water into ankle-deep water so kids can safely move about while parents look on. For drier activities, there are also two playgrounds flanking the area for additional fun as well as the Memorial Park, which often plays host to a market or event of a weekend. 

46 Marine Parade, The Entrance

4. Terrigal Rotary Park Playground

This fenced-off playground in Terrigal’s Rotary Park really does provide something for the whole family. Kids will be delighted to climb along the freshly renovated jungle gym and let their imaginations run wild in the wooden pirate ship while parents can grab a coffee at the Parklife Cafe, fire up the BBQ and enjoy the beautiful bushland surrounds.  Right across the road too, you’ll find the Banjo skate park which is perfect for the littler of the skaters or scooterers amongst us.  As well as the Marine Discovery Centre which always makes a great educational day out. 

Terrigal Drive, Terrigal

5.  Ross Park Playground, Avoca Beach

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more aesthetically pleasing location for a children’s playground. Tucked behind the Avoca Beach Surf Club sits a very nautically themed playground with soft sand and fenced area for kids to explore. There’s a makeshift yellow dinghy, swings, a jungle gym and some bouncy, elevated surfboards for your little ones to test their wave skills. With the rock pools nearby and great food options (you can’t go past a good fish and chis lunch) there’s plenty to do before and after the park.

Vine St, Avoca Beach

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6. Kincumber Broadwater Park

Venture along the waterfront trail heading out of Kincumber and you’ll stumble across Broadwater Park. In terms of playground structures, this one has it all – swings, a flying fox, things to climb, places to spin and everything in between. When the weather is delivering, pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon down by the water to really cap off a great little adventure.

12 Sea Breeze Avenue, Kincumber

7. Swadling Park, Toowoon Bay 

This park is perfectly located beside Toowoon Bay Beach.  It has wide open spaces with plenty of picnic tables, BBQ’s and shady trees about, making it an ideal spot for birthday parties or weekend gatherings of friends.  Whilst there is a section of the equipment that suits the littler ones, once they become adventurous the majority of the equipment is taller than the reach of most parents and so they need their brave boots on.  As do the parents!  We’ve seen many a parent have to climb this equipment to rescue a stranded little one. But on the flipside the kids love it!

8. Sun Valley, Green Point

The most anticipated playground opening of 2021 went to the multi-million dollar development Sun Valley. And to this space delivers!  It truly is the playground for all ages, even including a dedicated senior space (that the kids love too). From a sensory area to a double flying fox, to a ping pong table and a giant rope climbing tower. This sprawling park really has it all. There are even basketball courts that double up for bike riding, much to the dismay of teenagers trying to shoot some hoops.

 31A Bayside Dr, Green Point NSW 2251

9. Kurraba Oval Park

This swish playground in Berkeley Vale has spared no detail when it comes to activities, swings and jungle gyms. All of the ropes, steps, ladders and walkways have been made using really premium materials. And most importantly the ground has been laid with cushy rubber ready to protect your kids from any trips or falls. Parents of boisterous little ones will rejoice! As it is right inside a park there is a huge amount of space to safely kick a ball about or bring a scooter to explore the grounds.

18W Kurraba Parade, Berkeley Vale

10. Canton Beach Sensory Park

Let your little ones open their minds by taking them to the Canton Beach Sensory Park jam packed full of unique and interesting activities. Imaginations will jump into overdrive with musical instruments to play, large puzzles to configure, bumpy surfaces to feel, contraptions to move about and of course the classics like a swing set is on hand for kids wanting to get some height.

Beach Parade, Toukley

11. The Liberty Playground at Saltwater Creek Reserve

This is another winner with a fenced play area, climbing tower, pump track and the added bonus of the historic Rocket Ship Park across the road, just in case extra variety’s on the cards.

With its sandy playground, it is perfect for younger kids needing a safe area for soft play. There’s plenty to keep them entertained in this fenced area with a small slippery dip, swings and stepping blocks. Oh, and it goes without saying, there’s lots and lots of sand so feel free to bring some toys of your own.

The Entrance Rd & Tuggerah Parade, Long Jetty

12. Springfield Bushlands Reserve Playground

This humble park nestled in the beautiful surrounds of the Springfield Bushland Reserve this playground has one hot ticket activity that brings people back time and time again. You simply must head here if only for the kids to enjoy the longest slippery dip on the Central Coast. There isn’t much else to boast about here but the slide will have your kids gliding for hours.

7 Bushlands Avenue, Springfield

13. Wairakei Road Playground

Your kids will have a blast exploring this quaint playground in Wamberal and you’ll enjoy the peaceful bush location. This shady area is perfect for those wanting to keep nasty UV-rays and heat at bay – and there are also plenty of nice spots to stay for a picnic or a soccer game out the back!

Wairakei Road, Wamberal

14. Ourimba ‘Dinosaur Park’

It’s official title is Bill Sohier but really, locals know it as the dinosaur park as you climb the bones of a dinosaur here. This is a great spot for toddlers, with slides, swings and flying fox suited for pre-schoolers. It’s also in the middle of the bush so plenty of green views.

Corner of Ken Cook Way and Shirley Street, Ourimbah.

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