With its abundance of parks, playgrounds, and wildlife reserves, Canberra provides endless opportunities for outdoor fun. Climb through giant acorns, see miniature buildings from around the globe, or spot furry friends at reserves just 45 minutes from the city.
PARKS
The National Arboretum Canberra
With over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site, the Arboretum is a place of beauty, conservation, scientific research, education, and recreation. Take a wander through the nearby Bonsai Collection which hosts a world-class display of some of the finest miniature trees and forests in the world. The children will spend hours at the popular POD Playground.
Cockington Green Gardens
Take the steam train around the well-kept gardens to see the model villages and miniature iconic buildings from around the globe. See if you can spot miniature cricket grounds or fairy-tale castles. There is so much to explore in Gold Creek Village where the Gardens are located. In walking distance, you’ll find the Canberra Walk-In Aviary, Canberra Reptile Zoo, and the National Dinosaur Museum.
Wildbark @ Mulligans Flat
Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, located just a short 25-minute drive from the city centre, offers the perfect opportunity to spot adorable echidnas, small bettongs, and rare eastern quolls. The Sanctuary is also Australia’s largest single box-gum Grassy-woodland area managed for conservation. Wildbark is the gateway to the Sanctuary and offers nature play, guided tours, and engaging school holiday programs.
PLAYGROUNDS
Boundless Playground – Kings Park, Parkes
Boundless is Canberra’s first all-abilities playground. The fully secured playground has a massive fort, a glider, a maze, giant swings and even water cannons. Ramp access, low swings and loads of sensory features are throughout the playground making it inclusive for all ages and abilities.
Commonwealth Park and Tunnel Playground – Albert St, Parkes
This park is home to interesting sculptures, hidden walks and ponds as well as lots of perfect picnic spots with BBQ facilities available. It’s also the home of Floriade in Spring. Kids can crawl through stone tunnels, feeling the excitement of exploring hidden passageways.
The Pod Playground – Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley
One of Australia’s best playgrounds, the award-winning POD playground at the National Arboretum Canberra will have kids climbing structures and testing out slides, swings, giant acorn cubbies, and music-making instruments.
Weston Park – Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla
Located along the water, Weston Park boasts a beach, cycle tracks, picnic shelters, BBQs, toilets, and a miniature railway. The play equipment is spread out with plenty of great picnic spots. The kids will love playing with the mechanical sand diggers, climbing on the rope tower and yelling through the speaker phones.
Glebe Park – Coranderrk St, Civic
Glebe Park is a scenic urban park in Canberra’s city centre. Located near Canberra Centre, the park contains loads of green space to run around, a rotunda and playground with swings, slippery slides, a fort and plenty of climbing frames.
