There's a reason
New Farm Park is one of Brisbane's most popular weekend spots. With extensive flower gardens, tennis courts, soccer oval, barbeques and playgounds stretching out over a 37 acre site, it's easy to see why the park receives over 17 000 visitors a week. Of course, that will mean absolutely nothing to your children, who will love this park for one reason - the forest playground.
The famous New Farm Park children's playground consists of a tree house walk (complete with wobbly bridges for extra fun) that winds through the roots of a group of massive, mature fig trees. The playground has been desgined to incorporate the trees in to childrens play, with thick trunks and low hanging branches providing hours of climbing fun. There's also a huge climbing net that offers city views from its summit. The ground is thickly mulched to provide protection against falls.
The park also houses a local council library. The New Farm Library (45 Sydney Street) offers childrens storytelling hour every Friday, as well as free book lending and internet usage for members. The library is wheelchair accessible.
Parents can enjoy a riverside walk, a game of tennis or a stroll through the rose garden while their children play - or you can coincide your visit with the Jan Powers Famers Market, open on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. The Farmers Markets offer a fresher alternative to supermarket shopping; in fact, the markets recently
ranked 22 in an assessment of Australian gourmet experiences, topping many respected gourmet restaurants in the country.
There are a
couple of restaurants in New Farm Park but they aren't exactly children friendly (unless your child has a taste for fine dining.) But with plenty of barbeques and open spaces on offer, why not bring your own food and enjoy a cheaper alfresco dining experience?
New Farm Park makes a great weekend destination, with plenty on offer for young and old.
