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.
Find it at: Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend 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...
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Find it at: Brighton Road, Brighton (Highet Avenue is a side street nearby) Fully Fenced Playground! That is usually music to the the ears of a lot of people, because knowing your little tacker can run around and not actually escape is just bliss. Thankfully the newly developed Gladys Mathwin playground at the Brighton Oval sports complex is fully fenced and with a load of other must haves for parents (except toilets which weren’t readily...
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Find it at: Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) Disability advocate, writer and actor Quentin Kenihan has been memorialised with a new inclusive playground built in Rymill Park. The $1m playspace, promised by the Premier Steven Marshall to be “the very best inclusive playground in the country,” includes sensory elements, waterplay and features that encourage shared play and will be suitable for children and parents with...
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Find it at: Alpine Road, Seacombe Heights Opening for business (kid business that is) from the start of November 2020, this fantastic new park is tucked away in the quiet back streets of Seacombe Heights. It really has it all this one, with a junior playground and flying fox, as well as a really fun ninja course for the older kids. Don’t forget to pack the bikes, scooters and balls to use on the scooter/pump track and basketball court! We...
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Find it at: Mitchell Street, Millswood Wow what a fabulous toddler playground this spot is. It is fully fenced, with sensational shade from both the shade sails and the beautiful big trees (probably gum trees…all big trees are gum trees right?). With lots of lovely toddler orientated equipment, a little bike/scooter track around the perimeter and lots of seating, I can’t remember feeling so relaxed at a playground! It really was...
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Find it at: Tiranna Way, West Lakes. Talk about location, location, location! We often forget we have an incredible lake over at West Lakes which provides some of the most beautiful scenery in town. This is a spectacular spot which if you visit on a nice day like we did, will make you feel like you are on holiday at some sort of fancy resort. There were a lot of things we loved about this one. The view of course. Obviously! But we loved the...
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Find it at: Wilkinson Road, Para Hills The City of Salisbury has spruced up the (FULLY FENCED) play space at Prettejohn Gully Reserve in Para Hills, with new play equipment including a multi play unit, activity box, monkey bars, musical equipment, talking tubes, carousel, two-person springer, sandpit and swings. While the kids play under the recently constructed shade structure, you can relax under the new shelter which features a picnic...
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Find it at: James Ave, Renmark We love a cracking regional playground and this one is a beauty. Located on the corner of Eighteenth Street and Renmark Ave, this multi-purpose play space has plenty of parking, is close to large undercover BBQ facilities which overlooks the playground, (and is also undercover) which is suitable for toddlers to teens! The playground has swings, slides, lot of climbing equipment for the avid ninjas in your crew and...
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Find it at: Gawler Street, Seaview Downs Not a bad little backstreet playground for the locals to spend some time at, but some upgrades (Toilets!) would certainly be handy. Shade is great and there is plenty of grassed area to run around/fly a kite/lay on the grass and stare at the clouds. Couple of slides, swings and some climbing equipment which suits the 3 years + crowd. No BBQs but a little bit of seating for the adults was much nicer than...
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Find it at: Ash Avenue, Unley What an absolute beauty this place is! Talk about a hidden gem that I am sure the locals would want to keep that way. A beautiful, fully fenced play space featuring a lovely playground, sandpits, swings and a heap of smaller play equipment scattered around the park. One thing I found amazing was all the toys left lying around, which are free for everyone to use and return once they are finished. How fantastic! Sand...
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Find it at: George Street, Parkside A nice little set up, with a heap of Pros but a few Cons too. Parking was a nightmare, a little side street not far from Greenhill Road was a tough parking challenge, but once you stop it is quite nice what they have done with the space. Fully fenced which is fab! The area has been fenced off into a large playground space and an open grassed section for sports, dogs etc. The playground is also fully shaded...
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Find it at: Rodgers Terrace, Maitland On the corner of Rogers Terrace and Robert St in Maitland there is a great combination playground. It boasts both the typical metal/plastic style playground with a large wooden climbing section. There is a spinning ride (although beware after rain as it fills with water), swings, a big slide, a digger and climbing equipment. It is surrounded by fence for most of the playground with just a small gap for...
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Find it at: Pederick Road, Lewiston It’s a beautiful playground in such a quiet area. There is little traffic passing by and its enclosed. The playground is in good repair, clean and lots of fun for a range of ages. There is a bbq area with plenty of undercover seating, rubbish bins and a public toilet. The carpark is off the road and has plenty of space and there’s even a wetlands walking track. Whilst there we noticed that...
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Find it at: Heritage Street, Keith If you are heading to the states South East or on a road trip to Melbourne or any where along Dukes Highway, Keith Playground (around 2.5 hours from Adelaide) is an iconic MUST stop. Their famous ‘train’ could well be the last of the states REAL fun old school play equipment and I guarantee your kids will run and run and play and burn energy ready to get back in the car. The park also offers a...
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Find it at: Riverside Drive, Felixtow Tucked away in the backstreets of Felixstow, away from the busy main roads, this fantastic playground with modern and updated equipment is not only great for those in the area but just about worth a drive to visit. This playground is massive. With huge shade sails covering the majority of the fenced (yep entirely fenced!) new play equipment with a mix of rubber and bark flooring, not only will you and your...
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Find it at: Burbridge Road, Westbeach Complementing the playground, Stage 1 of the upgraded area at Apex Park caters for a wide variety of ages and is great for catch ups, parties, a general play or hit of tennis. The fully fenced playground features lots of equipment over a quite large area. It is a bark chip surface, so with considering if unsteady on your feet, and there is unfortunately no accessible play here. If that doesn’t rule...
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Find it at: Esplanade, Brighton The Holdfast Bay Council has really spoilt the Adelaide community with some great upgrades to the local parks and here is another one we just love. Bindarra Reserve was already a great playground and is always busy and with a fabulous new upgrade will now be even busier. With a lovely seaside theme this new play space has come at a perfect time with summer school holidays as it directly opposite Brighton...
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Find it at: Esplanade, Seacliff Although the playground is scheduled for an “official” opening on September 9th, the fences came down today for all the little ones to enjoy the newly completed playground in Seacliff. Shadesails and more plants will be added in September. The playground is in the same location as previously, although it includes part of the hillside now, spreading further than before. Yippee Angus Neil Reserve 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: Peachey Rd, 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 card with 4 separate water play...
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Find it at: Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, Adelaide 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. Located just inside the Zoo entrance and...
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