Ku-ring-gai biggest and best playground is getting a very welcome addition… it’s the one thing that’s been missing from this family-friendly destination. We’re delighted to hear that a cafe is opening at St Ives Showground, so there will be easy access to coffee, snacks and a quick meal!
The former kiosk has been completely refurbished with a new roof, commercial kitchen and outdoor seating among the improvements. The new cafe is located next to the main arena, and close to the new playground and the Tree Tops high ropes course.
The cafe at St Ives Showground will open next Saturday 8 October, and be open 6 days a week (Tuesday to Sunday) between 8am and 4pm, serving light meals for breakfast and lunch. The café will also be open for extended hours during major events.
The cafe opens Saturday 8 October
Mayor Jeff Pettett said the opening of the café was a welcome addition to the Showground.
“In the last two years the Showground’s popularity has soared, with new attractions such as the regional playground and the high ropes course. We are very thankful for the government grants allowing us to make significant upgrades to the Showground so we can host popular events such as the weekly fresh produce market.” – Mayor Jeff Pettett
The new café was upgraded as a result of NSW Government funding awarded to the Council during the pandemic.
St Ives Showground obtained over $2 million worth of grants for a range of improvements, including new access roads and upgrades to buildings including the former kiosk.
Why visit St Ives Showground?
This area has seen lots of development over the last few years, including the addition of Ku-ring-gai’s largest playground, the opening of a Treetops High Ropes Adventure and new weekly organic food markets every Saturday.
St Ives Showground Playground
St Ives Showground Playground
The St Ives Showground Playground is the largest ever built in the Ku-ring-gai area, and it’s great for kids of all ages! 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.
Parents and carers aren’t forgotten with comfortable new seats installed, picnic tables and shelters, toilets, a bubbler and tap, bins, bike racks and information signs. The new amenities block contains Ku-ring-gai’s first ‘Changing Places’ cubicle which is fully accessible for people with complex care needs.
Read the St Ives Showground Playground review.
Tree Tops: High Ropes Adventure
Treetops Adventure opened a high ropes course in November 2021.
The new adventure park features eight different high rope courses offering fun-filled and exhilarating challenges for kids ages from three years to adventure-seeking adults. Over one kilometre of cables spans the designed area hosting more than 95 aerial obstacles, including zip-lines, wobbly wooden obstacles, tight ropes and nets – all suspended between each platform to create a maze of activities for a unique outdoor experience.
Visitors can book a 2.5-hour session where they can choose from the eight different courses, starting from a two-metre height and soaring all the way up to a 15-metre high challenge.
Organic Food Market: Every Saturday
The Organic Food Market at St Ives Showground is on every Saturday from 8am-2pm.
At these weekly markets, you’ll find certified organic food and artisan gourmet produce, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread and patisserie goods, seasonal produce from farmers, salami, cheeses, smoked salmon and other hard-to-find delicacies such as Australian truffles. It also offers a choice of fashion, homewares, plants and sustainable and healthy products, including those from fair trade suppliers.
There’s easy and free parking nearby!
Essential Details: Cafe at St Ives Showground
- Address: St Ives Showgrounds, 450 Mona Vale Road, St Ives
- Cafe Opening hours: 8am – 4pm, Tuesday – Sunday
- Serves: Light meals, breakfast, lunch
