Dutchmans Beach Reserve is
located in the scenic Port Stephens region, between
Nelson Bay and
Bagnalls Beach. The reserve is popular with locals and tourists alike for BBQs by the water, swimming, snorkelling, picnics, bike riding and also playing at the colourful playground. The large playground can be found at the western end of the beach, accessed from
Burbong Street, which has a small car park with several car spaces. Be aware, however, that the road to the car park narrows to a single lane in the middle - so be prepared to pull over if you meet a car coming in the opposite direction.
My daughter has
road-tested many of the playgrounds in the Nelson Bay region and enjoys this one for its "mini flying fox" and spinning apparatus. It's hard to get her to leave!
Take a picnic, or some snags for the barbie!
If you park your car at the end of Burbong Street, there is a small BBQ and picnic area just near the car park. From this end of the playground, the kids can walk on balance beams, ride on the mini flying fox, crawl through tunnels, whizz down the slides and get dizzy on the spinning apparatus. It is a cute playground, with plenty of options for the littlies.
Step on the balance beams...
Ride the small flying fox...
Crawl through tunnels and whizz down the slides...
...then spin on the spinning platform!
There is also a small little table for the kids to sit at, a set of swings and a fitness station to climb on. Also next to the playground there is a bike path (called the Bartlett Cycleway), which connects
Nelson Bay and Bagnalls Beach. If your kids love to ride their bikes or scooters, ensure you pack them in the car too!
A little picnic spot for kids...
...as well as a fitness station to climb on
When the kids have finished having a play in the playground, there is plenty of grass in the reserve for a game of soccer or a family game of cricket. Dutchmans Beach itself is also a scenic beach to walk along at low tide with clear blue water and bright white, fine sand. The beach near the playground has an expanse of sand to play on at low tide - however at high tide the sand is completely underwater. If you happen to visit at
high tide, just walk along the reserve, behind the beach, to the other end of the Dutchmans Beach and play in the sand.
Dutchmans Beach Playground is so much more than a playground - it is a full morning of fun and exploration. Why don't you pack up the car and check it out this weekend?
Walking down to Dutchmans Beach - low tide versus high tide
The scenic and beautiful, Dutchmans Beach (with plenty of sand to play on, at the other end of the beach)
