Adelaide in summer is H-O-T, but that doesn’t stop our kids from wanting to get out and about to their favourite playgrounds. A shaded playground is always a winner in our books, and shade or lack of, is one of the main topics of conversation whenever we post a playground review. So to make it easy to find a spot with lots of natural shade from trees, or great shade sails over the play area we’ve put together a list of our top picks for shaded playgrounds in Adelaide and regional South Australia.
Have we missed one? We’d love to know about it in the comments below.
Thorndon Park playground has been voted Australia’s Best Playground (Winner of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects award for best play space 2023) Find it at: Hamilton Terrace, ParadiseGood for: All ages, especially kids who love imaginative and active playBest for: Nature play, water play, giant bird-themed climbing and slides, swings and trampolinesToilets: YesShade: YesFenced: NoAccessible: Yes with accessible paths and...
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Nature’s Playground is a fantastic play space for kids of all ages, although the climbing equipment best suits kids 4 years and up (smaller kids have things to do and play with too, but be prepared to spend some time lifting them on, off and over things!) Please note, you do have to have an entry ticket or Zoo membership to access this playground. Find it at: Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, AdelaideGood for: All ages, especially kids 4+ who...
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The upgrade at Wigley Reserve playground at Glenelg is an outstanding attraction for an already pretty awesome area. Find it at: Wigley Reserve, GlenelgGood for: All ages, especially kids who love climbing and adventureBest for: Giant climbing structure, twisty tube slide, swings, nature play and exploring the marinaToilets: YesShade: SomeFenced: Partially fencedAccessible: Yes with accessible facilities nearbyParking: Paid parking nearbyCafe...
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The Hugh Johnson Boulevard Reserve upgrade was completed in 2023 and we love it just as much as the locals. There are multiple areas for play including a sports area complete with netball and basketball rings and soccer goal. There’s some great equipment for older kids as well as a smaller shaded area for little ones with climbing area, swings, seesaws and more. Find it at: 2 Patpa Drive, Sheidow ParkGood for: All ages, with plenty of...
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If your kids love a playground with a bit of a story to it, put this little bee-themed gem on your list! 🐝 Stanley Street Reserve has been cleverly designed around the world of native bees, with a giant hive-inspired climbing structure, bee sculptures, a pretend honey shop and hidden bee-themed details for kids to discover. It’s not a huge playground, but there’s plenty packed in, and younger kids in particular can have a great time exploring...
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Jervois Street Playground in South Plympton is one of those playgrounds that just ticks every box when it comes to finding somewhere kids and parents alike will love. It’s a wonderful, open play space and you can definitely tell that a lot of thought and community involvement went into creating it. There is a gorgeous junior playground area which is fully fenced and caters well to the smaller members of the family. Find it at: 43 Jervois...
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Find it at: Peachey Rd (next to The Stretton Centre), Munno Para This is s fantastic one stop shop for the family during the hot summer months. With something for every member of the family you can’t go wrong! Playford Town Park is a HUGE area opened in June 2015. Bring your bike, your scooter, your towel, your picnic blanket, footy, basketball and your BBQ gear and enjoy the whole day down here. The water play areas are the biggest draw...
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Find it at: Port Rd, Adelaide What a beautiful playground for kids of all ages! Renovated back in late 2012, the Bonython Park Playground has a some very cool features not found in the typical suburban park. Some of the best equipment includes two 25m flying fox lines fun for kids of all ages and an extensive water play area complete with pumps, gates and a watermill. Kids love playing and experimenting with water and this...
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Find it at: Heritage Street, Keith Don Moseley Park received an extensive playground redevelopment late 2025. This nature-themed upgrade includes water play, a flying fox, sandpit, huge 4.2m tall towers, slides, swings, cubby houses and so much more. The best news? The famous ‘train’ roller coaster has remained part of this playground! If you are heading to the states South East or on a road trip to Melbourne or any where along...
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Find it at: Milner Road, Richmond Updated in 2024 this playground is tucked into the corner of the larger Richmond Oval sports precinct. This modern and engaging play space for kids includes a wide slide, huge swings and trampolines. Older kids will also love the fact they can take a ball to kick on the oval, or have a hit of cricket in the cricket nets located in the opposite corner. The trees provide natural shade to most of the playground,...
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Find it at: Shearwater Place, Wynn Vale Shearwater Park Playground was updated mid 2025. This playground is a great mix of nature and play, with sand and water elements that make it even more fun and engaging. There is also a wooden boat and a fun rocking car in the play area, which kids will love! They can let their imaginations run wild—setting off on adventures and make-believe journeys. Shearwater Park is also located alongside Wynn Vale...
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Find it at: Bilyara Rd, Tanunda 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,...
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This is a playground where everyone really can join in. 💛 The Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playspace sits beside the lake in Rymill Park and has been designed with a huge range of abilities in mind, without making accessibility feel like an add-on. Kids can splash in the water garden, make music in the sensory area, climb, swing, spin and bounce, with wheelchair-accessible equipment built into the play space. There’s even a little track for bikes,...
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Find it at: Everard Avenue, Keswick This fab little playground had several upgrades through 2024 and 2025. This place is a fantastic local facility, with a shaded modern playground full of unique climbing areas for the kids to explore. The whole playground is shaded by sails in fact, with a number of play areas with a range of equipment to suit most ages. Throw in a fantastic oval, basketball court, pump track and tennis court facilities, and...
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Find it at: Esplanade, Seacliff Located opposite the tranquil beach that runs between Seacliff and Brighton, Angus Neill Reserve is ideal for large gatherings. There’s plenty of parking available around the park and it is extremely well-maintained. During the warmer months, you can see kids setting up slip ‘n’ slides on the weekends and sliding down the grassy hill. Things we love about this park 2 x Undercover BBQ areas Lots...
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Find it at: Cormorant Drive Hallett Cove A new playground and reserve has opened at Cormorant Drive down at Hallett Cove and it is very cool (especially for dino lovers) 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. A playground includes: Diprotodon sculpture climb Diprotodon...
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Find it at: Corner Old Belair Road and Norman Walk, Mitcham This ripper was upgraded in December 2018 and we absolutely love it! The new playground updates are a credit to Nature Play Design and the City of Mitcham with a great mix of the nature play elements alongside more traditional equipment. On the larger side of the park (the Northern side) there is the highlight of the new upgrade to Mitcham Reserve with a double story ‘elf...
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Find it at: Heron Way, Hallett Cove This is a great playground with amazing views over the ocean. The reserve includes a 5-way swing, tunnel slide, water and sand play, nature play, fitness equipment, shade sales, toilet, seating, shelter and BBQ facilities. The playground is unfenced, and there is a drop down to the rocky beach that parents with fast moving smaller children will need to be mindful of. There is parking close to the playground,...
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Find it at: Esplanade Largs Bay The Largs Bay foreshore play space redevelopment in 2024 brought to life an amazing concept which feels like came straight from the imagination of us as kids! This one is a very popular site with local and visiting families and the ice cream themed playground is sure to make it even more popular. We love when councils and designers think outside the box to create imaginative play areas for the kids. This one is...
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The awesome Point Malcolm Reserve playground is on Military Road, Semaphore.This one million dollar project was funded by State Government and City of Charles Sturt Council (who are continuing to impress with their amazing open space developments). It’s located in one of the most popular destinations of Adelaide – Sensational Semaphore! Perfect for summer, with the beach a stones throw away, it’s a double date of fun for the...
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Find it at: Esplanade, Semaphore South (Opposite Arthur Street) In 2023, Port Adelaide Enfield Council have opened this fabulous $400,000 playground at Semaphore South foreshore. The beauty of this one is the consultation phase invited local kids to draw what they wanted to see in the new playground, with some of the entries inspiring the boat themed elements! How great is that. Don’t forget to check out the fabulous Shelly’s Kiosk...
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Find it at: Watahuna Avenue, Hawthorndene This park is a beautiful leafy, shady spot and great for kids of all ages really. Heaps of space to spread out, play ball games and run around AND it’s fully fenced! Yahoo! The playground features areas for the little people, and the bigger kids with swings, slides, firemans pole, monkey bars, flying fox, see saw and a cute little pretend ‘shop’ area where the kids made pretend...
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Find it at: Aldridge Avenue, Plympton Park Located in Plympton Park Aldridge Ave Reserve is a great little local playground and suitable for the nearby community or if you happen to be in the area. The playground suits toddler and early school age kids but also has 2 sports courts to cater for the older ones. The curly slippery dip was certainly our favourite and was definitely the reason our stay was extended just that little bit longer with a...
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Find it at: Kapinka Parade, Riverlea Opened in April 2024 in the heart of the enormous Riverlea development in Adelaide’s north, this fantastic playground offers something for all ages. It doesn’t have toilets and isn’t fully fenced, however is tucked in the suburbia so that might not be an issue for everyone. A lack of decent coffee nearby was something we noticed, but as the development grows we expect this will change....
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Find it at: 325 Strathalbyn Rd, Mylor Located near the Mylor Oval, Sherry Park boasts an exciting interactive playground with slides, climbing sections and swings, a ninja obstacle course, and a bike track! We particularly love the stopwatch ninja course with it’s very own slanted steps, rope climb and even a mini sized warped wall!There’s loads of energy to be burnt off here! It’s located right near Mylor Oval with plenty of...
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Find it at: Protea Cres, Crafers One of our favourite little Adelaide Hills playgrounds has had an upgrade! The Protea Reserve Playground is hidden away at the end of Lesley Crescent in Crafers. It’s by no means the biggest park in Adelaide BUT it’s in such a gorgeous quiet location that it’s well worth a visit. ESPECIALLY in Autumn to see all the gorgeous trees in all their different colours. New equipment includes a new...
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Find it at: Julian Terrace, Gawler The $190k Inclusive playspace at Gawler opened to the public in May 2024, is a fantastic addition to the popular Gawler family hotspot. Chosen by the community, the playspace design derives from the three Rivers that run through Gawler, reflecting upon the importance of water to the area, both past and present. The new accessible walkway represents Para River, connecting the existing two main entrances to four...
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Find it at: 58 Railway Tce North, Lameroo (but you really can’t miss it!) If you are on a road trip through the Mallee region, a stop to stretch the legs and have a play at the Lameroo Town Centre Playground (and Dog Park if you have a pooch with you!) is a must. Our eight and five year old LOVED this playground and definitely wanted to stay longer! You’ll find some fantastic playground equipment, shade sails, a pump track next door plus...
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Find it at: Ballara St, Mile End Mile End Common is just off Victoria Ave and Bagshaw Way, Mile End. Tucked away just off Sir Donald Bradman Drive, it’s a lovely green space with great play equipment for youngsters. With equipment aimed mainly at the over 5s, you will find a large climbing tower with tube side, swings, climbing rope pyramid and in-ground trampolines. There are also plenty of trees and open space to play around on in the...
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One of the Hill’s best family playgrounds, Keith Stephenson Park has had a huge makeover and is packed with things for kids to explore. The Creatures of the Creek theme brings giant turtles, frogs and a rakali to life, alongside climbing, swings, slides, sand and water play. It’s fully fenced, beautifully designed for kids of different ages and abilities, and surrounded by plenty of green space for a full morning out. Find it at:...
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