10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong, Shellharbour & Illawarra areas

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra

The Illawarra and Shellharbour areas have an enormous variety of great playgrounds to explore. They are all either set along the beautiful coastline or surrounded by peaceful bush areas. We’ve chosen a select few of our favourites here as our top playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra, and hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

If you love our guide below, you will also love Best Things to do with Kids in Wollongong & Illawarra What to do in Wollongong with Toddlers – Illawarra’s Best Kids Activities + all the info about our Best Fenced and Gated Playgrounds in the Illawarra and Wollongong Guide and Best Toddler-friendly Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra article also!

Plus never get stuck for School Holidays in Wollongong again! Here is our Ultimate Illawarra What’s on for School Holidays Guide.

1. Boongaree – Rotary Nature Play Park, Berry

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park, Berry

While this playground is a bit of a drive from the Illawarra (Berry is located in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region), it is a drive well worth taking. It’s easy to spend the day here, with a wide range of activities for all age groups. The skate park area is amazing for all abilities, and the playground has a range of slides, zip lines, and sandpits. It also has an enclosed area with water play. There are toilets and water refill stations, picnic tables, and shade. It is close to the town centre, but far enough to be peaceful and relaxed, you won’t regret making it a day trip and visiting this awesome addition to the Berry area.

Located at: 151 North Street, Berry, NSW, 2535.

2. Reddall Reserve, Warilla

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Reddall Reserve Playground, Warilla

With a ninja course, high slides, and plenty of swings, Reddall Reserve playground does not disappoint. The view is beautiful with the beach next to the park, and pelicans flying around searching for fish. There is room to sit and have a picnic under trees on the grass. It even has a take-away shop for chips or coffee a short walk away. There are toilets close by and plenty of parking. This playground ticks all the boxes and suits children of all age groups.

Located at: Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra, NSW, 2528.

3. Charles Harper Park Playground, Helensburgh

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Charles Harper Park Playground, Helensburgh

A playground for under ten-year-olds, there are lots of grass areas under the trees to play with a frisbee or soccer ball. This park has natural play at the centre of its theme, with a dry creek bed, artwork by local children, and water pumps. In the centre of town and cafes nearby, it also has a public toilet. The free public pools are also next door to the park. It is right next to the town centre, so close by for a cafe visit. There are also BBQ facilities near the playground.

Located at: Waratah Street, Helensburgh, 2508

4. Stuart Park Playground, Wollongong

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Stuart Park Playground, Wollongong

This is a great all-ages playground. It is right next to the Lagoon restaurant, which is great for take-away ice-creams, coffee or lunch. Bring swimmers for a play in the Lagoon, or at the beach. There is plenty of seating, grass areas for picnics, and shade. If you want to go for a bush walk, Puckey’s Estate walk is right next to the park, with historic information plaques along the walk. This playground has slides, swings, zip lines, and a scooter area.

Located at: Cliff Road, Wollongong, NSW, 2500

5. Nicholson Park Playground, Woonona

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Nicholson Park Playground, Woonona

Close to Woonona Beach and the soccer fields, this playground is great for under twelve-year-olds. It has a large climbing frame for the older children, and it has plenty of room to run and play. This playground doesn’t have much shade, but it does have plenty of seating areas. It has a water play zone, zip lines, and swings. There is also a cafe across the road that serves takeaway ice creams, coffees, and smoothies. There are toilets onsite and plenty of parking.

Located at: Corner of Kulgoa Road & Park Road, Woonona, NSW, 2517.

6. Wollongong Botanic Gardens Playground

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Wollongong Botanic Gardens Playground

As a part of our incredible Wollongong Botanic Gardens, we have an all-abilities playground. It is fully enclosed and safe for children of all ages. There are two sandpits here, a maze and swings. The park is suited for under twelve-year-olds, but older children have a great time wandering the gardens. A short walk from the playground is a duck pond filled with ducks, eels and water dragons hanging out there. Take some frozen peas or vegetables to feed them (but no bread, which makes them sick). Outside the playground, there is a coffee van and a free book library. There are also toilets nearby to the playground and BBQ areas.

Located at: Wollongong Botanic Gardens, Murphy’s Avenue, Keiraville, NSW, 2500

7. Thirroul Beach Reserve Playground

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Thirroul Beach Reserve Playground

Opposite the free public pool and the beach, this playground is great for all age groups, but most suited for under twelve-year-olds. It has a zip line, swings, and climbing frames. It also has a small track for bikes or scooters. It would be easy to spend the day here close to the toilets, cafe and beach. There are also lots of areas to sit and picnic under the trees.

Located at: Cliff Parade, Thirroul, NSW, 2515.

8. Integral Energy Park, Kembla Grange

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Integral Energy Park, Kembla Grange

A beautiful, spacious park, with BBQs and plenty of undercover seating. This is a beautiful space to relax while the children play. Surrounded by bush, and pet-friendly, there is room to spread out and explore or play games here. It is peaceful and beautiful. There are toilets onsite, but you will need to bring your own food and drinks. There is a tap for refilling drink bottles though.

Located at: 88 Darkes Road, Kembla Grange, NSW 2526.

9. Stanwell Park Playground

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Stanwell Park Playground

This is a great playground, beside a small bush walk, and a great creek to play in. There is a cafe and toilets. The playground is suited for under ten-year-olds, but there is plenty of trees to climb and space to kick a ball for any children. There are BBQs and picnic areas, as well as a patrolled beach a short walk away. While you are here, why not take a short drive to Stanwell Tops for ice cream and to watch the parachuters at Bald Hill?

Located at: Station Street, Stanwell Park, NSW,

10. Bulli Beach Reserve Playground

10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra – Bulli Beach Reserve Playground

Located in between two great cafes, and with the beach and pool within walking distance, sits this great playground. It has recently been refreshed and has heaps for children to play on. It has a scooter or bike track, slides, and swings. There is a water fountain close by, and lots of space to play on the grass or have a picnic. It doesn’t have shade over the playground and can be windy, but it has covered picnic tables and plenty of grassed areas under the trees to picnic or relax. There are toilets close by.

Located at: Trinity Row, Bulli, NSW, 2516.

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About the Author: Lisa Hagan
Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. A student to life, Lisa loves learning and searching for the most fun things to do with her kids. She loves exploring the Illawarra and surrounds. Searching for fun and educational activities are her favourites for her kids whom she homeschools.