Tuggeranong is an area in southern Canberra, 22kms south of the CBD. Each weekend and school holidays, just like families everywhere, Tuggeranong kids and parents are on the hunt for a playground to entertain and delight all age groups.
Following is a list of playgrounds in Tuggeranong that our family have discovered and rate highly for different reasons. Our four year old daughter enjoys extra-long slides and we look for a playground with picnic facilities, toilets and bike paths. If you have a favourite playground in Tuggeranong that I have missed, please add a comment to this article and share your discovery!
POINT HUT PLAYGROUND, GORDON
Our family has only just rediscovered this playground and were excited to see that changes had been made. Work is underway to beautify the park with landscaping in progress and new soft fall bark has been added under modern play equipment. The government asked the local community for ways to improve the playground in mid 2015 and it appears that these changes are being put into action. A new BBQ area has been built and our daughter squealed with delight when she saw the size of the slide.
An impressive long slide
New modern spinning equipment, climbing frame, large swings and new BBQ's behind.
For older children there is a large fort to climb up and a metal cord rope bridge to walk along, which needs longer legs and arms to manourvre. This playground has a large grassy area to run around, a basketball court, BBQ's and ducks to feed by the water. There is a lot of work still to be done on this playground, with a flying fox still closed for repair and a rundown toddler park, however it appears that progress is being made in the new areas. Access to the newer side of the park is via Charles Place in Gordon.
Fort and bridge to climb, suitable for older children.
KAMBAH ADVENTURE PARKKambah Adventure Park is located in the suburb of Kambah, one of the most northern suburbs of Tuggeranong. Most families in Tuggeranong have Kambah Adventure Park on their radar for its shear size and popularity.
Flying fox fun!
Kambah District Park itself is huge (22 hectares) so there is plenty of space for picnics, BBQ's and bike riding on the many flat bike paths. The Adventure Park is spread out in a few areas so some walking is required. There is an impressive long metal slide, two flying foxes and a climbing frame down one end, and two areas closer to the carpark suitable for toddlers and younger children. See
here for an extended article on Kambah Adventure Playground.
Large slide - a highlight of this extensive playground
Our family enjoys the peaceful nature of Tuggeranong Town Park. The 10 hectare park is shady, has plenty of bike paths running through it, a great playground and plenty of ducks to feed at Lake Tuggeranong. The park also has an impressive skate bowl for teenagers and new BBQ's, so it easy to spend half a day at this park and playground. The playground itself has little diggers in the sandpit, swings, toddler play area and a large fort that the kids love to climb. Situated on Anketell street, it is only minutes from the Town Centre to visit afterwards. See
here for an extended article on Tuggeranong Town Park.
Tuggeranong Town Park climbing forts
There are two playgrounds on Lake Tuggeranong, on the other side of the lake from the Town Park, above. Although these playgrounds aren't large, they are situated within riding distance from each other - or a pleasant walk in the stroller with younger children. The two parks are Lake Tuggeranong District Park and Greenway Park. The second playground on De Little Circuit is new and is the preferred favourite of the two, however both are enjoyed. There are free BBQ's scattered along the lake and take some bread to feed the ducks on a rest stop. For a more detailed article on these two playgrounds, see
here.
Playground on De Little Circuit, Greenway
Other popular playgrounds include:
FADDEN PINES
This playground is located in the suburb of Fadden, in a pine forest which makes for a shady picnic area and play area for kids. There are free BBQ's and plenty of space to run around in this 41 hectare park. It has a skateboard ramp, huge climbing frame and toddler playground to explore. See
here for details.
MACARTHUR PLAYGROUND
This modern playground is tucked away in the suburb of Macarthur and has a large net swing, shady picnic areas, skateboard bowl, basketball court and is a good playground for toddlers. See
here for an article on this playground.
TREVOR KAIN COMMUNITY PARK,BONYTHON
This modern playground is in the suburb of Bonython. It has a bright red fire engine that the kids can climb over, a large climbing frame, swings, toddler slide area and undercover picnic area. Minutes from Tuggeranong Town Centre it is a handy playground before or after a visit to the shopping centre. See
here for an article on this playground.
WINTER PLAYGROUNDS
In the cold of winter and the heat of Summer, it can be helpful to have a few indoor playgrounds to consider for when the kids are getting stir crazy inside. For these occasions we have discovered the popular Bunnings playground in Tuggeranong and the new Macdonalds at Erindale. At both locations you can buy a coffee and watch the kids enjoy themselves out of the elements.
Erindale McDonalds floor to ceiling series of ramps and slide.
Tuggeranong has many playgrounds tucked away in it's suburbs to discover. Other ones include
Fadden Hills Playground,
Pine Island reserve Playground,
Monash Playground and
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Playground, west of Tuggeranong.
Local clubs also have playgrounds for kids, with Erindale Vikings, Tuggeranong Southern Cross Club and the Calwell Club all with childrens play areas.
Erindale Vikings restuarant playground
So why not load up the bikes, pack a picnic and spend the morning at a Tuggeranong playground for some free family fun this weekend. With so many options to choose from all within minutes of each other, it would be easy to take in a few and spend the whole day out in this scenic region.
Point Hut Playground with views out to the Brindabella ranges.
