Bob Gamble Park at Riverheart Parklands

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If you come and visit Bob Gamble Park, you might have a bit of a problem. The kids will not want to leave. There are so many things to do and discover here, they'll want to stay forever. Then again, it might not be such a problem. The delicious views and leafy surroundings make a visit to this park so soothing you wont want to leave either.



The kids will have an absolute blast here. One of the main attractions is the water play area. Large manual pumps, which your kids operate, feed water into a series of streams and channels. There are locks which control the flow of the water, allowing it to build up or run away depending on what is opened and what is closed. I saw a very enthusiastic group of children running around trying to work out which lock was incorrectly opened, thwarting their plans for a flood. The water area also has a series of fountains that turn on and off, speed up and slow down randomly. If your kids aren't Olympic swimmers, don't panic. The water area is all zero-depth.



The play equipment here is far from ordinary. For the courageous and the agile, there is giant ropey-climbey monstrosity to navigate. The journey may be perilous, but the rewards are great--it will lead you to the most gigantic slippery slide I have ever seen at a park. It looked so fun, I wanted to have a go! If you've got a truck mad boy on your hands, there is a sandpit with two diggers that you operate yourself. The sandpit is very clean, and looked like it had been raked that very morning. For those after something a little more conventional, there are plenty of swings and a flying fox.



But don't go home yet, there is still so much to do! The large green space is perfect for kicking a ball around. Over at the boat, you can explain who all the wooden figures are and give the kids a history lesson. Captain Cook, some soldiers and some convicts are all alighting from a boat (yes, not strictly speaking accurate, but you can provide the details).

And now comes the really fun part: the discovery forest. Hidden among the trees (which have been preserved from the original forest that stood here) are two forts, just waiting for your children to come and imagine in. The limits to what these forts could be lie completely with your child's fancy. There are also tarzan-style ropes between the trees, and a balancing maze to traverse.



Practically speaking, Bob Gamble Park also ticks a lot of boxes. There are several sheltered areas, with tables and chairs and electric barbecues. While there are some shade sails over the play equipment, it is still quite sunny, so a hat and sunscreen are in order. There is also an amenities block, with baby change facilities, toilets and an ambulant toilet. Some vending machines, selling snacks and drinks are also housed here. While there are no café facilities on site, a mobile coffee van frequents the park most weekends. Free parking is available either on the street, or in the car park on King Edward Parade.

The reason you wont want to leave is the views. Perched on the banks of the Bremer River, Bob Gamble Park offers plenty to look at. Whether you prefer city views or natural surroundings, you will find something here which pleases your eye. The water play area operates until 6.30pm, so why not stay late? After dark, enjoy the light projection show on the river.

For more information about Bob Gamble Park, visit the [LINK=http://www.discoveripswich.com.au/accom_result1/river-heart-parklands/]Discover Ipswich website.
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