Nature Play is here to stay! For the curious minds and kids who love a bit of variety in their play, Nature Play is challenging the traditional playground equipment for a diverse playground experience. At times we do not have the extra time to take a road trip out of the city to a national park or a recreation reserve, so a Nature Play Playground can be the next best thing to keep active and in touch with nature.
Nature Play Playgrounds can feature running water, sand, logs, natural landscapes and may even feature a creek.
Here’s the list of what we think are THE BEST nature playgrounds you’ll find in Adelaide (in no particular order) To find out more about the playgrounds you’ll find them in scroll down.
- Morialta Adventure Playground
- Glenthorne Adventure Playground
- Wittunga Botanical Gardens
- Mitcham Reserve
- Bonython Park
- Wilfred Taylor Reserve
- Burnside Adventure Playground
- Kites and Kestrels Playground Cobbler Creek
- Heywood Park
- Hazelwood Park
- Bridgewater Mill
- Marshmallow Park
- The Glebe Littlehampton
Morialta Conservation Park
5 themed areas, a 7 metre tall eagles nest, a beautiful creek to explore, an Aboriginal fire pit, structures created from sustainable materials… Morialta is all things Nature and a perfect place to lose yourself amongst the kalediscope of adventure.
Kites and Kestrels Playground Cobbler Creek
With 17km of BMX tracks and trails to compliment the fabulous Kites and Kestrels Playground, Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is a fantastic day trip idea for the nature lovers. Mark this one on your SA bucket list.
The Glebe Littlehampton
This 2024 build nature play space in the developments at Littlehampton allow place amongst the spacious fields, with huge gum trees perfect for climbing retained. A really lovely spot that is a new fave with the locals.
Bridgewater Mill Playground
Stunning all year round, whether it be in winter with the flowing creek or summer where it slows to a trickle, allowing kids to walk across the rock bridge. In the heart of the Adelaide Hills this is an ever poplar spot.
Hazelwood Park
Set in our leafy Easern suburbs, this one is set amongst the shady parklands and was one of the OG nature playgrounds in Adelaide after its 2010 build (with a 2024 upgrade).
Wittunga Botanic Park
Set amongst the gorgeous Wittunga Botanic Gardens up at Eden Hills, the nature playground within sits comfortably with the surroundings and provides a great way to finish up a walk around the grounds.
Heron Way Reserve, Hallett Cove
This inspired nature playground sets the scene with a beautiful nature outlook with amazing views over the ocean!
We love this playground because nearby is the Marino-Hallet Cove Coastal Trail, which goes all the way to Marino, before joining the path to Kingston Park, Brighton and further along the Esplanade. There is also the Hallett Cove Conservation Park right next door to explore and enjoy. There are high climbing rock steps, balancing logs, sand, water play, all in the nature category, and some pretty awesome playground equipment too- including a 5 person swing!
Nature’s Playground, Adelaide Zoo
This one is not a free one however don’t think the Zoo is just for animals it has an amazing playground too! The name “Nature’s Playground” says it all with a wonderful space built on nature’s principals – a natural creek to catch some tadpoles, climbing structures, water play features, bridges, rope ladders, a fort for imaginary play and great traditional playground equipment too featuring sensory swings, slides and ariel walkways.
Mitcham Reserve
The beautiful Mitcham Reserve comes to life in winter when the adjacent creek is flowing, allowing the kids to get their exploring spirt on. The playground is nature themed of course with a striking design. Set quite a way back from the roads in the park, shaded by the large mature trees. What a stunning spot this is.
Glenthorne Adventure Park
The huge nature playground opened in 2023 to great acclaim and it is easy to see why. With so much to explore, this is easily one of the state’s premier playgrounds and being nature themed, it fits in well within our newest national park. Build, explore and play for hours here.
Freedom Park Two Wells
The multi million $$ playground out north takes inspo from its farm land beginnings, with a fantastic nature themed playground which is a massive hit with the locals. With equipment and facilities for all ages, next time you are heading to the mid north, keep this one in mind for a road trip pit stop.
Wittunga Botanic Garden
Part of the Wittunga Botanic Garden precinct, the playground is the perfect accompaniment to a nice stroll through this facility up near Blackwood. With some unique equipment and plenty of homage paid to the flora and fauna in the area, this is a brilliant nature play space.
Bowman Park Crystal Brook
Beautifully constructed in the state’s mid north, this nature playground is a great stopping point on your road trip, allowing the kids to stretch their legs and feel all the nature. Designed by the fabulous Climbing Tree playground builders, this is definitely one to remember for your next trip.
Heywood Park
The nature themed ninja course is the highlight here, which is challenging enough but all ages should be capable of completing. This is in addition to other playground areas set amongst the gorgeous greater parklands area, making this the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Jervois Street Reserve Playground South Plympton
We love this playground for so many reasons – it’s fenced, it has a huge oval, suitable for kids and teens and a huge nature feature! Designed by Nature Play Design there are a variety of materials underfoot – grass, softfall rubber, rocks, barkchips, sand and mosaic tiles for instance. The sun shade over the large sandpit is constructed to look like a butterfly, the climbing equipment is mostly made from beautiful wood and ropes rather than plastic. The water play feature is an inviting natural environment that encourages children to get involved (& get wet and dirty – so bring some gum boots and maybe a change of clothes).
Hendrie Street Reserve Inclusive Playspace, Park Holme
Livvi’s Place has been specially designed in close consultation with the community to ensure no-one is left out, including those with disabilities, and is located at Hendrie Street Reserve, behind the Marion Outdoor Pool. Built on a beautiful tree-lined reserve, we love everything about this playground especially the nature touches which include sand and water play areas, a nature play creek, rock climbing and more!
Naracoorte Caves Fossil Hunters Playground
Part of the world famous Naracoorte Caves, the playground features a maze of tunnels and dig pits. There’s a slide big enough for three people, a basket swing, cubby frames, balance logs and limestone boulders. Older kids will love the log scramble and rope net and we love the learning circle and story-telling chair which will be a special space for sharing knowledge and history of the area.
Marshmallow Park Adelaide
Fully fenced and with fantastic water and sand play, Marshmallow Park is a must-stop when visiting the city. Plenty of equipment for all ages of course, but the beauty here is to settle under the massive Morton Bay Fig and have a lunch or just soak in the serenity.
Bonython Park Adelaide
Set adjacent the linear park and river Torrens, the playground is a fantastic stop when popping into an event at the Entertainment Centre or one of the many pop up events held in Bonython Park. With the Bonython Cafe a hit, this is a really beautiful playspace right next to the city.
Wilfred Taylor Reserve Morphett Vale
An amazing community space for generations down south, Wilfred Taylor had a brilliant upgrade to include a huge nature playground. Right next to the mini railway station, this is a very popular spot for the locals and is a super popular party park….especially when the trains are running.
Burnside Adventure Playground
Set amongst spacious grounds at Burnside, head into what seems like a suburban forest to explore the playground nestled amongst the large trees. With a creek running nearby, this is relaxation central. Make sure you race the kids on the double flying fox!
Joe Wells Reserve Unley
A lovely little backstreet playground, this nature themed spot has plenty of logs and equipment to explore and climb on. It is small but packs a lot of punch we feel and is a great local spot.
For more nature playgrounds in South Australia visit
kidsinadelaide.com.au/play/playgrounds/nature-play
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