Top 20! Best Playgrounds on Sydney’s North Shore

Looking for some amazing local playgrounds to take your kids to explore? If you’re bored of pushing your kids of the same swings, try somewhere new! We’ve rounded up the best playgrounds on the North Shore. From epic climbing nets to amazing slides, your kids will have a blast and be entertained for hours.

Kids love being able to run free in the fresh air, and for parents there’s nothing better than being able to settle back and watch them. Use the quicklinks below to find the best playgrounds on the North Shore. We’ve sorted them by LGA (Local Government Area) to make it easy to find the best playgrounds near you.

North Sydney LGA

• St Leonards Park, North Sydney
• Grasmere Children’s Park, Cremorne
• Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft

Mosman LGA

• Balmoral Beach Playground, Balmoral

Willoughby LGA

• Willoughby Park, Willoughby
• Hallstrom Park, Willoughby
• Gore Hill Park, St Leonards
• Beauchamp Park, Chatswood

Lane Cove LGA

• Wadanggari Park, St Leonards
• The Canopy, Lane Cove
• Mindarie Park, Lane Cove

Ku-ring-gai LGA

• St Ives Showground Playground, St Ives
• St Ives Village Green Playground, St Ives
• Bicentennial Park, West Pymble
• Wahroonga Park, Wahroonga

Hornsby Shire LGA

• Bobbin Head Nature Playground, Bobbin Head
• Waitara Park, Waitara
• Storey Park, Asquith
• Ruddock Park, Westleigh
• Fagan Park, Galston

Best Playgrounds in North Sydney LGA

1. St Leonards Park, North Sydney

The playground at St Leonards Park opened after a major renovation in March 2023, and now provides a huge range of play equipment for kids of all ages… even the older tweens & teens!

The older kid’s playground (suited for kids 12+ years) caters to the more thrill-seeking children, where you will find a giant 360-degree swing, climbing structure with monkey bars, eagles nest climbing and hiding structure, sky-surfer swinging and balancing equipment, track ride allowing kids to glide from one end of the track to the other, a climbing boulder and balance beam.

The existing junior playground also underwent a revamp, with all equipment being refurbished with some new elements added, including a quadruple swing set, spinner with a new ground level accessible platform, sandpit activities with new interactive water and sand play equipment, ‘Snakes and ladders’ activity on the surface of the new footpath, plus a refurbishment of the existing combination play unit and climbing structure.

Check out our review here.

• Address: Miller St, North Sydney
• Parking: Metered street parking on Ridge Street or Miller Street | Ridge Street Car Park (first hour is $8.40, then $6.40 per half hour after that)
• Facilities: Picnic tables, water fountain, toilets

2. Grasmere Children’s Park, Cremorne

Grasmere Children’s Park, Cremorne

This playground is great for younger kids, with colourful stepping stone pathways, low level bridges, quiet sitting areas dotted with giant rubber toadstools, and a whole range of activities. In the main play area there is a deck where you can sit with your coffee, and a cubby area for the kids. There are small sculptures throughout the park for little ones to explore. You can read our review for Grasmere Children’s Park here.

• Address: Young Street, Cremorne
• Parking: Street parking available
• Facilities: many accessible features, playground (fully fenced), dogs permitted – with restrictions, seats and/or Picnic Tables, Water fountain

3. Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft

Berry Island Reserve, Wollstonecraft

Set on the water, Berry Island Reserve has a fabulous climbing, plus there are swings and other fun things to play on. There’s also a great bushwalk to do. You can even spend your day on the sand, watching the boats and splashing in the water. There is so much to do, you could lose yourselves for hours in this spot. You can read our review for Berry Island Reserve here.

• Address: Shirley Rd (southern end), Wollstonecraft
• Parking: Limited on-street parking on Shirley Road, or a 10-minute trip from the station.
• Facilities: BBQ area and picnic tables, seating areas, water fountains, fully fenced playground, accessible toilets

Best Playgrounds in Mosman LGA

4. Balmoral Beach Playground

If the location of a playground is the deciding factor for your next playground outing, it doesn’t get much better than the playground at Balmoral Beach! It’s overlooks the beautiful harbour beach, and is close to cafes & a fabulous Fish & Chip shop. The playground features a nest swing, huge climbing frame, see saw, slides and more.

• Address: The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach
• Parking: Timed street parking. $5-9 per hour and up to $40/day (depends on the season & day)

Best Playgrounds in Willoughby LGA

5. Willoughby Park, Willoughby

Willoughby Park

This has to be one of the best playgrounds on the Lower North Shore for little kids! It has an amazing bike path for kids to zoom their ways around on. They will also enjoy the tunnel, slides, balance beam and musical instruments. If you got beyond the fenced area there is even more for the bigger kids, including a giant spider web climbing frame and swings. See our detailed review of Willoughby Park here.

• Address: McClelland St, Willoughby East
• Parking: Street parking available
• Facilities: Picnic tables & benches, gazebo for shade, children’s bike track (complete with traffic signs), public toilets

6. Hallstrom Park, Willoughby

Hallstrom Park, Willoughby

This is a gem of a park that is perfect for the whole family, no matter their age. It is designed to be a mini version of Taronga Zoo, with an oversized turtle with cutouts in his shell and sandstone statues of elephants, gorillas, geckos and more. Each one is sensor activated with sound. You can read our review of Hallstrom Park here.

• Where: Small St, Willoughby
• Parking: There is off street parking next to the Willoughby Leisure Centre and netball courts (entrance from Small Street). There is on-street parking adjacent to the playground and outside the Leisure Centre. Two car spaces reserved for people with disabilities on Small Street, next to the playground.
• Facilities: Picnic tables, benches, level lawn areas and trees, gazebo for shade, children’s bike track (complete with traffic signs), public toilets located next to the playground (including disabled toilet)

7. Gore Hill Park, St Leonards

Gore Hill Park

There’s a huge range of equipment for different ages and interests, including classic swings and the more modern options for water play, sound and interactive features, plus a mini merry go round and multiple slides. There’s also a quad swing, plastic slides, play towers with rope bridges, climbing nets and metal slides, a spinning carousel, a basket swing, sensory stepping stones, musical instrument corner and a breaching whale log sculpture. You can read our review of Gore Hill Park here.

• Address: Corner of Pacific Highway and Reserve Road, St Leonards
• Parking: If you’re coming from the Upper North Shore you take a sharp left just before Reserve Road and you’ll find plenty of two-hour parking. If you are coming from North Sydney, take a right onto Reserve Road and park in the multiple spaces leading up to the Royal North Shore Public Hospital
• Facilities: Half basketball court, 3 handball courts with lighting, Two outdoor gym stations, Perimeter walking track of just under half a km in length with pedestrian lighting, Two sets of bike racks,  central picnic area with wheelchair accessible tables, BBQs and bubblers

8. Hammond Playground at Beauchamp Park, Chatswood

Big climbing structure for kids to enjoy

Hammond Playground is set in the leafy grounds of Beauchamp Park. The playground offers plenty of fun equipment for kids of all ages, including a flying fox, swings, embankment slide, spinners and climbing equipment. Read our review of Hammond playground.

• Address: Nicholson St, Chatswood
• Parking: The carpark at the upper section of Beauchamp Park is accessed from Nicholson Street. It is linked to the playground and picnic area by a long continuous path. There is on street parking in Darling Street and Rose Street.
• Facilities: No accessible toilets, Free street parking, Picnic areas, Seating, tables, benches

Best Playgrounds in Lane Cove LGA

9. Wadanggari Park, St Leonards

Wadanggari Park in St Leonards is Australia’s first park and adventure playground to be built on a bridge over a rail line! With its big lawn, plaza, and adventure-style playground, this park is a breath of fresh air in an urban setting. Read our review.

• Where: 568 Pacific Highway, St Leonards
• Parking: Up to two hours of free parking in the public car park
• Facilities: Toilets, benches, picnic tables, grass

10. The Canopy, Lane Cove

After some major building works, The Canopy in Lane Cove opened its doors in June 2020, and you’ll find fine dining, food, beverages, shops, and a fabulous playground for kids of all ages to enjoy. There are two areas for kids to enjoy with climbing equipment, nets, trampolines, twisty slides, a giant sandpit, and the most fun of all, water play! There’s always lots happening at The Canopy, including concerts, so be sure to check Lane Cove Council website to see what’s on.

• Address: 2 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove
• Parking: There is plenty of parking that you access the roundabout at the intersection of Finlayson Street and Rosenthal Avenue.
• Facilities: Coffee & shops nearby, Sunshade, Benches, Toilets

11. Mindarie Park, Lane Cove

This park is great for everyone, built on a flat ground covered with softfall. There’s traditional swings as well as a carriage-style swing setup. There are plenty of other great features too, including a sway fun boat experience, enclosed tunnel slides and open slides, plenty of music makers and more. You can read our review of Mindarie Park here.

• Address: 18a Mindarie Street Lane Cove (Corner of Kullah Parade)
• Parking: Disabled parking area directly out front (limited space)
• Facilities: Fully fenced and enclosed, Water fountains, BBQ area and picnic tables, Seating areas and undercover areas, Unisex accessible toilets (outside fenceline down a short path) with baby changing table

Best Playgrounds in Ku-ring-gai

12. St Ives Showground

The playground at St Ives Showground Playground opened in December 2020, and it’s be biggest (and best!) in the Ku-ring-gai LGA. If you’ve got friends living on the Northern Beaches, it’s a great ‘half way’ point to meet. Read our review for all the details.

The playground is truly is for everyone – of all ages, and of all abilities. It was specifically designed to be inclusive, and has a range of play equipment and nature play experiences. The playground has distinct areas for very young children through to those aged 11-12 years. Some of the equipment features windmills and timber animal sculptures to reflect the showground’s agricultural history. The nature play areas have timber, rocks and other natural materials intermingled with plants. The idea behind these spaces is that children can explore beyond play equipment and use their imaginations in play with other children.

• Address: St Ives Showgrounds, 450 Mona Vale Road, St Ives
• Parking: Plenty of free parking
• Facilities: Picnic tables and shelters, toilets (with a ‘Changing Places’ cubicle which is fully accessible for people with complex care needs), a bubbler and tap, bins, bike racks

13. St Ives Village Green Playground

One of the biggest perks of this park is location, location, location. It’s right next to the St Ives Shopping Village, so you can duck in for a few groceries before heading across the road to play. The main attraction of the playground is the giant climbing tower and huge spiral tube slide, but there’s also lots for younger kids too. Find out more.

• Address: St Ives Village Green (opposite St Ives Shopping Village)
• Parking: Plenty of free parking in the shopping centre

14. Bicentennial Park, West Pymble

The playground at Bicentennial Park is hidden gem, and is right next to the Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre and West Pymble Bicentennial Club (read our review). It’s a giant enclosed playground with everything kids could want to keep them entertained for hours. There’s a sandpit, water play, swings, slides, climbing frames a spin top and more.

• Address: Prince of Wales Drive (off Lofberg Rd), West Pymble
• Parking: Plenty of parking right next to the playground
• Facilities: Fully fenced playground, Sheltered picnic area, Bbq facilities, Bike and walking tracks, Toilets, Parking, Bubbler

15. Wahroonga Park, Wahroonga

You’ve hit the playground jackpot with this North Shore park! There are manicured gardens, a divine cafe across the road, and the fun begins with those great swings before you’ve even entered the playground – which has something for every child of every age. This train park also has the perfect area for little kids. You can even branch out into the rest of the park and enjoy a nice picnic lunch. The rotunda is also the perfect spot to host a birthday party. You can read our review here.

• Address: Coonanbarra Road, Wahroonga
• Parking: Plenty of street parking surrounding the entire park.
• Facilities: Fully fenced inclusive play environment, Plenty of shade and seating, Lots of grassed area for picnics, Toilet facilities nearby, Cafe across the road

Best Playgrounds in Hornsby Shire

16. Bobbin Head Nature Playground

The new nature playground at Bobbin Head opened in September 2021, and is ready to be explored. There’s something for all ages, with plenty around for you to make a fun-filled day. Read our review. Just note, it can get nice and hot in the summer months on the sand, so definitely pop the kids in closed-in shoes.

• Address: Bobbin Head, Ku-ring-gai National Park. Entry via North Turramurra or Mount Colah
• Parking: $12 per day, or buy an annual National Parks pass.
• Facilities: A fence the whole way around, Shade sails, Picnic shelters, seating & BBQs, Nearby accessible toilets, nearby paths for scooting and riding bikes, two cafes

17. Waitara Park, Waitara

Waitara Park

The playground in Waitara has it all. It’s located just down from the PCYC, with plenty of parking and coffee! Kids can enjoy an Amazon Tower with huge slide, inclusive swings, roundabout, spinner, musical spinner, toddler play area, swings, trampolines and more. Kids can also burn energy at the nearby oval, or go for a ride around it. You can read our review of Waitara Park here. There’s ample free street parking on the surrounding streets.

• Address: 22 Waitara Avenue, Waitara
• Parking: Street parking, or there is an underground car park at the PCYC with 87 parking spaces
• Facilities: A fence the whole way around, Shade sails, Picnic shelters, seating & BBQs, Nearby accessible toilets, nearby paths for scooting and riding bikes, nearby coffee

18. Storey Park, Asquith

Great play space for the younger kids

This recently opened park (January 2020) is already a hot favourite for the simple fact it has everything! There is the biggest slide for the thrill-seeking kids, plenty of nets to climb on, trampolines, a smaller kids’ playground, swings, and even a bike track. Kids of all ages will love it. Read our Storey Park review.

• Address: 10 Old Berowra Road, Asquith
• Parking: There is a small carpark right next to the park, as well as free street parking.
• Facility Info: Fully fenced inclusive play environment, Plenty of shade and seating, Bike & scooter paths, BBQ and picnic area (tables & benches), Accessible toilet and baby change room, Drinking water station, Onsite parking

19. Ruddock Park, Westleigh

Ruddock Park, Westleigh

Ruddock Park is tucked away in the quiet leafy suburb of Westleigh, and is a hidden gem! It has everything you might be looking for in a local park – a fantastic pirate-themed playground, extensive bike and scooter paths, picnic tables, BBQs, mini basketball halfcourt, tennis courts, oval, toilets and nearby shops & cafes.

• Address: Quarter Sessions Road, Westleigh
• Parking: Plenty of free untimed street parking and a small carpark behind the tennis courts

20. Fagan Park

Fagan Park

Fagan Park has been described as “the crown jewel of Hornsby Shire’s parks” – and it’s easy to see why. Covering 55 hectares of land, whether you’re walking, pushing or rolling, there’s plenty to cover. The park was once home to the Fagan family and you can even visit their original homestead at Netherby Cottage. 

It’s a beautiful spot for a picnic or BBQ, with rolling grass, a lake and plenty of beautiful themed gardens to explore. There are two decent playgrounds (the one at the top is bigger) too. Read our full review.

• Address: Fagan Park, entry via Arcadia Road or Carrs Road
• Parking: $6 per vehicle in the carpark.
• Facilities: Plenty of shade and seating, bike & scooter paths, BBQ and picnic area, Accessible toilet and baby change room, Drinking water station, Cafe (open weekends & school holidays)

Discover more North Shore playgrounds:

• Playground Review: Boyds Orchard Park, Turramurra
• Livvi’s Place, Ryde: The ULTIMATE playground
• North Shore parks and playgrounds near a cafe. Two minutes to coffee!
• New Playground! Gordon Recreation Ground
• Playground Review: Balmaringa Reserve, South Turramurra