Sydney's Best Playgrounds – Parramatta Park {Updated}

Update:  the playground at Parramatta Park has been upgraded. See some video here. I will get over there to get some new photos sonner or later.  If you’ve been and have some photos, I would love to feature them. Do get in touch using the Contact page.

Have you been for a visit to Parramatta Park?  Whaaat!??  Well, come on, start packing the picnic stuff, get the stroller folded up and get over there.  The Park is a beautiful spot and very significant in the history of Sydney.

And there are two playgrounds to visit.  OK, so neither of them would absolutely drive you wild with excitement, but they are both in good spots, the equipment is not bad at all, and they both make a great spot for families to visit as part of a visit to the Park.

See you there!

NB The first three photos in this post are from the Domain Creek playground.

Parramatta Park Playgrounds

O’Connell Street, Parramatta 2150

Website: www.ppt.nsw.gov.au

There are two playgrounds in Parramatta Park. The smaller one is at Pavilion Flat which is near the Tudor Gatehouse on the eastern side of the park.

The larger one is at Domain Creek on the western Westmead side, near the Park Avenue Gate.

The Pavilion Flat playground is not huge, but has a good variety of play equipment with swings, spring rockers, a rope climbing web, playhouse, slides and more. A large wooden boat-shaped area is great for creative play.

The lush grassy slopes by the playground make a great picnic spot. Large shaded picnic huts are also within sight and walking distance of the playground.

The other playground is more spread out, set amongst trees so it is nice and shady.  There are picnic tables and BBQs, and a pretty pond with weeping willows; lovely but unfenced.

Lots of the play equipment is wooden, there are lots of monkey bars, play structures, slides, swings, chain bridges etc.

Nearest takeaway coffee: There are two cafes within the Park.  Read an excellent review of the Parramatta Park Cafe over on Little Munch.

You can enjoy a lovely high tea at the Gatehouse Tea Rooms at the entrance to Parramatta Park, check out the website here. And here’s a photo from that website, isn’t the building lovely?

Toilets: Toilets at the Tudor Gatehouse, toilets by Park Avenue Gate.

Shade: Yes Enclosed: No

Mum’s report: The picturesque setting by the river and the screeching of cockatoos are an added attraction. Both playgrounds are good places to have a rest after visiting or walking in the park.

Extra: Parramatta Swimming Centre is very close , Old Government House is interesting and the other delights of the park, see website here.

Map reference: Gregory’s 308 A2, Sydway 80 M14, UBD 24 E6  Click here for a map of the park.

Parking: Parking spaces by the playground, two-hour time limit Monday to Friday, three hours at the weekend. If driving in from Macquarie Street drive right around the park to get to these parking bays. There is a pay carpark just inside the park near the Macquarie Street entrance but using it means having to push the stroller along the road for some distance.

Nearest station: Parramatta is a 20–25 minute walk away

Nearest ferry: Parramatta Wharf is a 20–25 minute walk away

Bus stop nearby: Yes

These next photos are from the Pavilion Flat playground.

Have you visited Parramatta Park lately?

Do you have any better photos you could add to this review? 

Happy travelling