Where do kids get that endless energy from (and how do we get some)? When the youths are bouncing off the walls, antagonising their siblings, and giving themselves artful Texta tattoos, it’s time to take them outside!
We’ve listed 12 of the best playgrounds south from Hobart (in no particular order). As well as being family-friendly, many parks are also dog-friendly.
1. Heritage Park, Geeveston
Heritage Park at Geeveston has a fantastic range of play equipment, as well as lots of green grass for the kids to run around on. There is also a skate park and a bike track for the daredevils. Doggo can also come along and run free in the enclosed dog exercise area. Take the kids along the adjacent Geeveston Playpus Walk and see if you can spot a platypus in the river! There’s lots of fun to be had, so make a day of it and make use of the BBQ and picnic shelters.
2. Dru Point Reserve, Margate
The Dru Point Reserve is located by the water at Margate and boasts an impressive range of things to do with kids! Make use of the large access-for-all playground, BBQ and picnic areas, tennis courts, and connected cycleways and walkways (including a children’s bike track). There is also a fenced off-lead dog exercise area, featuring some tyre structures to play on.
3. Rotary Centennial Park, Kingston
Rotary Centennial Park is located next to Browns River at Kingston Beach, just a 15-minute drive south from Hobart. After burning off some energy on the play equipment, head down the road for a walk along the beach (tip: find the beach swings). The whole beach area north of Browns River is a 24/7 off-lead dog exercise area.
4. Blackmans Bay Foreshore
The Blackmans Bay Foreshore boasts play equipment right on the edge of the beach, including swings, slide, spring toy, and pommel swing. Families can make good use of the sheltered BBQ and picnic area for a fun day out at the beach. There is also a skate park across the road.
5. Huonville Foreshore
The Huonville Foreshore Playground is located on the banks of the scenic Huon River. Kids can run around on a good range of play equipment, including some shaded areas. There is also a sheltered BBQ and picnic area.
6. Burton’s Reserve, Cygnet
Burton’s Reserve, in the creative town of Cygnet, has a range of play equipment for energetic kids as well as a BBQ area. The reserve is adjacent to the Port Cygnet Wildlife Sanctuary and is popular with birdwatchers, so bring your children’s binoculars and get them into twitching.
7. Shipwrights Point Playground
The Shipwrights Point Playground is located by the water near the Huon Yacht Club at Port Huon. As well as play equipment, the area has picnic shelters, a camping ground, regatta ground, and two public jetties.
8. Franklin Foreshore
The Franklin Foreshore Park is in a beautiful spot by the Huon River, in the charming town of Franklin. Discover a variety of play equipment, as well as BBQ and picnic shelters. Don’t forget to say hello to the ducks!
9. Calvert Park, Judbury
This nifty little park amongst the hills at Judbury features an enchanting tree house cubby crafted with old trees. As well as a small playground, there is an oval nearby for ball games, a BBQ/picnic spot, and a riverside walk.
10. Tinderbox Foreshore Reserve
The Tinderbox Foreshore is a nice little reserve next to sheltered Tinderbox Beach (the Tinderbox Marine Reserve is popular for snorkelling and diving). Make use of the BBQ/picnic area, watch the kids have fun on the play equipment, and go beachcombing.
11. Glen Huon Park
The Glen Huon Park has a big playground, large sheltered BBQ area, and open area for ball games. There is also a nice garden and grassy area to pop down a picnic blanket on.
12. Dover Foreshore Playground
The Dover Foreshore Playground is located by Kent Beach in Tasmania’s Far South. Let the kids burn off some steam in the playground (which includes swings and fun wooden boat-themed equipment), make use of the BBQ/picnic shelter, and enjoy a day at the beach.
More info:
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HEADER IMAGE:
Heritage Park, Geeveston
WORDS:
Isabel Galloway
