Most of us oldies will remember Monash Playground from when we were kids. Back in the 80s and 90s it looked a bit like this.. It was EPIC! (and also terrifying)
It isn’t as terrifying anymore but it’s still one of S.A’s best playgrounds and definitely worth a visit if you’re staying in the Riverland or passing through. It’s about 3 hours drive from Adelaide between Barmera and Renmark.
There’s something for all ages at this park. Toddlers will love the and older kids will go crazy for the adventure equipment including big leaning towers, rope bridge, wave bridge, flying fox, see saws, slides, mega swings and even a maze! There’s also some accessible equipment including a liberty swing.
And if that’s not enough, in late 2019 they went and added even more equipment including a new Tree House, inclusive Swing Set and get giddy on the Merry-Go-Round!
The grounds are beautifully well maintained (well done Berri/Barmera council) and there are onsite toilets, free BBQs, picnic areas and plenty of nice grassy spots for a picnic. It’s one of those places you can easily spend a day. Please note: there is also a creek that runs through the park so watch your little ones around that area.
Renmark is the largest (and possibly prettiest?) town in South Australia's Riverland and it is a great base for exploring the Riverland with kids. Renmark makes a beautiful family weekend or regional SA holiday break, with so much for the whole family to see and do, a visit with the kids is a must for your bucket list! We did the trip in around three hours from Adelaide. We recently spent some time enjoying the FREE waterplay in the town centre, on the riverfront. Add a visit to your Riverland with Kids itinerary! You'll also find an excellent visitor information centre here, along with picture perfect lawns and gardens, a paddle steamer to explore, bike hire and probably our favourite free Riverland activity - the driverless hop on hop off bus that loops the town of Renmark! We LOVED the free water play feature captured in our images below. The meals at the Renmark Club were great too (and trust me not all Riverland clubs are created equal when it comes to food quality, we tried a few).
Everytime we head out to the Riverland we find something new to see and do with kids in this region. There really is something for everyone. We really recommend that you leave time to explore more than just one town as they all offer something different and exciting for families. It really is a place that's got it all. It’s a wine region, has beautiful scenery, great accommodation options & plenty of Riverland fun fun for the whole family! Below we've highlighted our "must do and see" for your next trip to the Riverland with Kids. If you'd like accommodation recommendations and more of our top picks for family friendly eats visit our full Riverland with Kids feature here For more information about where to stay, what to see and what to do in the Riverland with kids visit our full feature here.
Find it at: Leonard Norman Drive, Waikerie Opened in December 2018 the Waikerie Water and Nature Play Park was the idea of local couple Clive and Donna Mathews who received a $150,000 Fund My Neighbourhood grant from the SA Government and also raised a further $100,000+ from the local Rotary Club, Council and Go Fund me campaign. (how good is that!). The playground also now includes an accessible roundabout for wheelchairs and an accessible swing. The park is in a beautiful location right on the riverfront. There's plenty of natural shade from the big trees surrounding the area and lots of space to run around, kick a ball or set up a picnic spot for the day. One of the most popular area of the park is the water play area which is great on a hot day, but remember to bring a change of clothes! The other equipment blends in beautifully with the surroundings and includes big rocks and wooden planks to balance on, a big wooden climbing tower, tunnels to hide in, sensory play zones, a variety of swings, slides, climbing nets, and a flying fox! Kids will also love climbing in and on the old beautifully painted…
I'm a Mum of 2 girls and also one 4 legged ratbag of a dog called Rudy. I work from home and family balance out the work/school hours with lots of beach time, walks, bike rides skates, scooters and surfs. We like being outside. Our favourite places in Adelaide are the Adelaide Hills and Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park