Want to take your kids to an amazing playground? Bobbin Head Nature Playground in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a huge playground with lots of equipment for kids to enjoy. Plus, it’s surrounded by water, boats, walks, a cafe, lots of grass and picnic tables & benches.
The playground at Bobbin Head was overhauled in 2021, and is definitely worth the drive down into the stunning Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to enjoy. I took my three kids, Cassie (6), Vivi (4) and Elliot (2) for a drive from Wahroonga to check it out. Here’s what we found at the Bobbin Head nature playground.
Getting to Bobbin Head nature playground
Getting to Bobbin Head from Wahroonga was nice and easy. We turned down Bobbin Head Road and simply followed it to the end! The normal place you pay (at the top) is currently closed, so simply drive on through and wind your way down to the river at the bottom. You want to turn left and head over the bridge, then take another left straight away to find the playground. There’s plenty of parking right out the front! Simply find a machine, pay your $12 and pop the ticket in your car and you’re set for a day of fun.
If you’re coming from the west (via Mount Colah entry), you can simply follow Ku-ring-gai Chase Road and enter from that way.
Nature-based play
The first thing you’ll want to do when you arrive is kick off those shoes and dig your toes into the sand (parents too!). It didn’t take long for my tribe to lose their shoes… just make sure you check the sand isn’t too hot for them (most of the playground is in direct sunlight).
Bobbin Head Nature Playground
The idea of the playground is to encourage unstructured outdoor play and to foster a child’s connection to the environment. If you take a look from one end of the playground to the other, you’re met with lots of opportunities for open-ended play. From wooden balance mazes to tunnels to hide under, here’s what we found.
Play area for toddlers
I would say the left side of the park is definitely most suited to younger kids. On the far end you’ll find twin slides that my kids loved racing down. There are so many ways for them to get up too! It’s not just your standard climbing frame: there’s stairs behind, rock climbing rocks on the side, and kids even escaped through the bushes. This is one section of the park that has a big shade cloth over the top, so us parents hung out here for most of the morning (it was a hot day).
Twin slides
In front of this, there’s a toddler swing set (although one of the swings was out of action during our visit).
Toddler swing set
In front again, you’ll find wooden poles with little ledges for kids to climb on. My older girls loved climbing there, while Elliot made his way in and out of the poles like a maze!
Cassie climbing the poles
Just in front are these tunnels kids can made their way through. Elliot had a great time in here. The girls then escaped inside (when they got a bit hot) and used it as a hiding place for their game with another boy they met in the park that day – have to love how easily kids make friends!
Elliot in the tunnel
A second net tunnel for kids to climb in
Off to the side there’s a gorgeous hut with seats, where we sat down for a morning snack. I won’t lie, it would have been nice to have a bit more shade over this area.
Wood cabana
Play area for older kids
If you keep following the path, there’s even more to keep the big kids entertained.
Off to explore!
There’s a maze of wooden logs that kids can balance their way around, hide in, or even sit on!
Wood log maze
You’ll find a giant platypus in the sand. All three of my kids loved climbing on top of him and jumping off.
The platypus was a highlight for all three kids
There’s another swingset for the older kids (and those with disabilities), with two swings.
Viv on the swing
At the end is a giant climbing frame (Cassie’s favourite).
Cassie climbing
What’s around Bobbin Head?
Bobbin Head
Lots! You can make a whole day of it. Firstly, there’s coffee, snacks and food options!
- Waterside Bistro – Wander across the bridge to grab a drink, ice cream or meal from Waterside Bistro at Empire Marina. While waiting, you can admire the incredible boats at the marina and watch the fish swimming in the water below you from the wharf.
- Bobbin Inn Cafe – Closed. Owners have retired.
Here’s what else you can enjoy:
- Water activities: you can hire paddle boats and kayaks and explore Cowan Creek and Apple Tree Creek.
- Picnic: there are plenty of picnic areas for you to pull up a rug and make use of the facilities. Two large picnic shelters (The Pavilion and The Station) are available for hire for large gatherings.
- Hike: There’s a number of short hikes in the area that kids can manage as well. There’s the Mangrove Boardwalk, Rainforest Track, Gibberagong Track and the Bobbin Head, Sphinx and Loop Track. This last one is 10km circuit!
Essential Details: Bobbin Head Nature Playground
- Where: 1002 Bobbin Head Rd, North Turramurra NSW 2074
- Parking: $12 Day Entry (pay at toll booth by entry OR parking machines
- Toilets: Yes
- Sunshade: There are a couple of sunshades in parts of the playground. Natural shade nearby
- Enclosed: Fully fenced
- Seats: Benches outside the fenced area
- Nearby Refreshments: Waterside Bistro – or pack a picnic!
