Splash Parks in Sydney and the Eastern Suburbs
It is officially heating up in Sydney, and splash parks are a huge hit in our household. We love all water play in parks - even the parks where it doesn’t require bathers and the water play is small but still enough to cool down!
Public Splash Parks
Ian Potter Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park
Address: Off Grand Drive, Centennial Park (Past Centennial Homestead, in-between Loch Ave and Robinson Dr)
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily
Parking: Free parking inside Centennial Park (max 3 hours on the weekends)
The most popular splash park in the East (I’m calling it) really is part of the perfect day out! Nestled in Centennial Park, Ian Potter is an amazing nature play playground. You won’t find the typical playground equipment here (although there is a big slide) but you’re little ones have plenty to do and it’s nice as parents to walk around through the bamboo “forest” or along the path.
The splash park is located to the left when you enter the playground and features an oasis of fountains and some water deep enough to sit in. There is a ‘waterfall’ feature down stone stairs and a large fountain at the top of the stairs. My advice is do a lap of the wild play garden first and then head to the splash park.
The closest coffee shop is Centennial Homestead - they have a takeaway kiosk around the back of the restaurant. There is also an ice-cream van between Ian Potter and Centennial Homestead that sells coffee (and soft-serve - bonus!!)
If you haven’t been before, it can be hard to spot the playground from the road. It’s about one minute’s drive past Centennial Homestead, before you get to the exit for the York Road gates.
Tumbalong Park, Darling Square
Address: Darling Square, Darling Harbour
Opening Hours: Playground is open 24/7, water play areas are active from around 9am to 9pm (subject to change depending on weather/maintenance requirements)
Parking: Free parking is difficult. Some street parking is available on Pyrmont Street. Paid parking is available via First Parking or Wilson Parking. Find information on travelling by public transport here
Website: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/playgrounds/tumbalong-park-playground
Tumbalong Park is located in Darling Square. It features an awesome man-made creek with lots of water features that includes pumps and spirals - lots of rotating and turning wheels. The ‘creek’ also has cool gates that shut where you can direct the water flow and shutters that you can lift up and down - all kid friendly (my toddler who is 3 can confidently use it).
At the bottom of the creek feature, there is a more classic splash park area with fountains. This is such a fun splash park and is my favourite in Sydney. The only downside is it gets so, so busy. I would recommend going early to avoid the crowd and before the midday sun.
There are two more water play features in Darling Harbour - one outside the Chinese Friendship Gardens and another backing onto Tumbalong Park. Both are worth checking out while you are visiting.
Parking is always tricky in the city so I would recommend travelling by public transport. Or if you are leaving early, you can find street parking near Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre (4 hour parking on Pyrmont Street). You can walk down Dancer’s Alley to Tumbalong Park.
Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland
Address: 8 Tilford St & Joynton Ave, Zetland
Opening Hours: Water fountains operate from 9am until around 5pm or 6pm every day EXCEPT Tuesday. Playground open 24/7
Parking: There is free timed street parking (2P) on surrounding streets, as well as a couple of unlimited spots. Finding a spot can be difficult as the park is opposite Gunyama Aquatic centre.
You might drive past this little park without giving it a second glance (in fact, we did just that for months). However, this petite park features a regular playground, picnic and bbq facilities, grass to run around and a small splash area. It features 5 to 6 fountains that lasts 1 to 2 minutes and is restarted by holding your finger on top of the sensor light inside the metal circle on the edge of the splash area.
There are a couple of cafes within walking distance. Our personal favourite is Baku Eatery Cafe which has a grassy area nearby and is next to a small playground (Matron Ruby Grant Park Playground).
The grey tiles around the water area can get very slippery, so be careful.
Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
Address: Pirrama Road, Pyrmont 2009
Opening Hours: Water play from 8/9am to 6pm daily (EXCEPT Tuesdays)
Parking: Paid
Pirrama Park is a stunning harbourside spot in Sydney, perfect for families with kids of all ages. With beautiful water views and a scenic walking path, it’s a great place to relax or explore.
The playground caters to babies, preschoolers, and primary-aged kids, offering shade, grassy areas, sandpits, climbing frames, and a highlight: the water play area. The water play is simple yet fun, with a 10-meter stretch of large and small jets. It’s ideal for kids who enjoy splashing around without the intensity of full water immersion, making it perfect for those still warming up to water play.
There’s a café conveniently located near the playground, offering coffee, food, and babycinos. The park also features plenty of shaded spots to sit and enjoy a snack. The wide, pram-friendly paths make it easy to stroll through the area, and public toilets are located right next to the café, adding to the park’s convenience.
While Pirrama Park has many positives, there are a few things to consider before visiting. Parking is limited to paid street spots, which can be busy, especially on weekends. Additionally, the playground is not gated and is close to the harbour, so extra supervision may be needed for little ones who like to wander.
Paid Splash Parks
Gunyama Park Aquatic and Centre, Zetland
Address: 17 Zetland Avenue, Zetland 2017
Opening Hours: The indoor aqua play pool is open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Sunday (9am to 7pm on public holidays, closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Parking: Difficult. Limited paid parking on Zetland Ave and Joynton Ave.
Cost: $8.80 per adult, $5.60 for children between 3-16, and children under 3 are free. Family and concession prices available.
Website: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/pools/gunyama-park-aquatic-recreation-centre
This one is a favourite in the East! So handy for parents to take their kids and escape the heat. The inside pool features a large indoor splash playground. It is massive and has large slides, fountains and a range of interactive toys, including water spraying devices and a tipping bucket. There is a slide for the smaller kids on a different, less full-on structure and small water play features for them to run through. My three year old loves the flowers that spurt water. Beware of the water ‘guns’ that can be turned to squirt an unsuspecting victim! That has gotten me a few times.
The inside pool can be an overstimulation overload so my 5 year old daughter prefers the kid-friendly outdoor pool. While there may be no water play playground there is shade cloth and the pool starts as a beach would, with very shallow water gradually going to 0.9m depth. There are shade cloths for half of this pool.
Of course there is the standard 50m lap pool outdoors and one 25 m heated indoors (two separate pools) where this is a fun lane for older kids to jump into. The indoor lap pool features a ramp instead of stairs which my 3 year old daughter likes going on.
Gunyama is fantastic but parking is very painful. You can score paid street parking for two hours maximum close by OR there is one street Hansard St where you can score 2 hours for free. It is a longer walk to get there.
There is a cafe inside the pool for coffee and other goodies or you can stop at Buku Eatery which is next to Matron Ruby playground.
Des Renford Leisure Centre, Maroubra
Address: Jersey Rd & Robey Street, Maroubra NSW 2035
Opening Hours: 7am to 6pm on weekends, 6am to 9pm Mon-Thurs, 6am to 8pm on Fridays
Parking: Free parking in the carpark or on nearby streets
Cost: $8.30 per adult, $6.00 per child. Family and concession prices available.
Website: https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/drlc/facilities/aquatic
Des Renford is a classic spot to visit in the East. When I chat to people who have lived in Sydney their whole life, they often talk about doing their swimming lessons as kids at Des Renford.
The perks about this centre is the parking!! We will usually choose this pool because it is free parking and you are guaranteed to get one in the car park or on a neighboring street close by.
The splash park officially opened in October 2023, so it is new and refurbished. It is outside and can be quite cold on colder days. But it’s absolutely perfect for summer!
Cook + Phillip Park Pool, Sydney
Address: 4 College Street, Sydney
Opening Hours: 6am to 8pm Monday to Sunday (Closed Good Friday)
Parking: Paid parking available in St Mary’s Cathedral car park or the Domain car park. Information on travelling by public transport here
Cost: $8.80 per adult, $5.60 for children between 3-16, and children under 3 are free. Family and concession prices available.
Website: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/gyms/cook-phillip-park-pool-fitness-centre
The pool features a slide, bubbling beach, fountains and a small rapid ‘river’. On the weekends there is a wave pool also. There are large, colourful mosaic sculptures to play around. Outside in the courtyard area, there is also a very small ‘splash park’ type play with water fountains shooting up.
The best parking is underneath St Mary’s Cathedral or the Domain Wilson car park close by. On the weekends it ranges from $10 to $15 for the whole day. Weekdays are more expensive and if you can’t score street parking, I would recommend taking public transport.
The pool is so close to the Australian Museum and to Hyde Park, so plenty of ways to keep the fun going.
Playgrounds with Smaller Water Play Areas
Waverley Park Playground, Bondi Junction
Address: Paul St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Opening Hours: 24/7
Parking: Free two hour street parking available, including the car park on St Mary’s Avenue and off Paul Street
Website: https://www.mumsphere.com.au/waverley-playgrounds/#waverley-park-playground
This is a large, fenced playground with multiple play areas for different ages and abilities. There’s a small water play area for toddlers featuring a water pump and a small channel the water flows down, including a gate that can be open or closed to stop the flow of water.
The rocket ship climbing structure also sprays water vapour on warm days, activated by a launch button on the nearby control panel.
The park in general includes six swings (including a carer swing and an accessible swing) next to a large hamster wheel and see-saw. The toddler zone includes spring toys, and a small jungle gym with ramps and slides.
There are a number of different musical instruments, including a xylophone. A nature play area features balancing logs and a small water play zone with a hand pump. A wide slide is set in a soft-fall slope with climbing mounds for younger children.
The centrepiece of the park is the large rocket and multi-story jungle gym with a large spiral slide. The rocket has multiple levels that can be climbed between, with talk tubes connecting each.
There is a kiosk a short walk away from the playground, open 7am to 3pm every day. There are also toilets available near the kiosk.
There is a small car park on St Mary’s Avenue with two hour parking, and another small car park off Paul Street (also with two hour parking). There is also timed parking on surrounding streets.
A couple of notes of caution - the main gates to the playground are low enough that toddlers can open the latches, and there is only natural shade provided on the edges of the park. So come prepared for full sun during most of the day.
Centennial Homestead Playground, Centennial Park
Address: Centennial Park 2021
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily
Parking: Free parking in Centennial Park
The playground at Centennial Park features a small water play area that’s easy to miss on your first visit but is definitely worth a mention. The feature includes a tap that kids can turn on, trickling water down a rocky "stream" that slowly drains out.
Located next to a sandpit, it’s perfect for kids to combine water and sand play.
The design allows little ones to splash around barefoot without soaking their clothes, making it a hassle-free option for parents.
Conveniently situated behind the Homestead restaurant in Centennial Park, this playground is a great spot to catch up with friends. You can choose to dine in at the restaurant and head to the playground after, or grab something quick from the takeaway kiosk at the back of the restaurant and head straight to the play area.
While the playground itself isn’t particularly standout, its location and ease make it a favourite for parents. It includes swings, a small climbing structure, balancing logs, spinning equipment, a sandpit, and a fun musical feature next to the sandpit that kids can step on. Behind the playground, there’s also a large tree that’s perfect for climbing, adding a touch of adventure to the visit.
Lyne Park Playground, Rose Bay
Address: 9 Vickery Ave, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Opening Hours: 24/7
Parking: Free parking available in the nearby carpark
Website: https://www.mumsphere.com.au/woollahra-playgrounds/#lyne-park
This newly refurbished playground (opened in 2024) includes a small water play area with a water pump and a series of shallow steps with a channel for the water to flow down.
Situated just metres from the harbour, the park is fully fenced allowing you to enjoy the sunshine and views without worrying about one of your kids deciding to go for a swim. The play equipment is reasonably distributed between stuff that toddlers, younger kids and older kids will enjoy.
There’s a double flying fox, drum and standing xylophone, several nature play areas, a bank of six swings (including two bucket swings and two accessible swings), a rodeo spring toy game (for two kids, or even a kid and an adult), see-saw, and a toddler area with a pirate ship and slide, sand pit and another bucket swing.
There’s a fair amount of seating inside the park, with a mix of natural shade and shade cloths giving coverage to about half of the play equipment.
There are public toilets (open during daylight hours) within walking distance, across the park from the playground. There is also a public car park, with more toilets available for customers in the Sugar & Spoon cafe next to the carpark.
The playground is next to the Rose Bay Seaplane Terminal, and there are plenty of boats moored nearby. Great watching for any little boat and plane enthusiasts.
Sir Joseph Banks Park, Botany
Address: Tupia Street, Botany 2019
Opening hours: 24/7, but carpark closes overnight
Parking: Free parking in the carpark
Sir Joseph Banks Park is an all-rounder playground with multiple spaces designed for kids of all ages. It’s a fantastic spot to let children explore, play, and enjoy different activities.
The first playground, located close to the parking area, features a small but engaging water play area. The water play consists of a pump that flows into various funnels, allowing multiple kids to join in the fun. Set within a sandpit, it offers a creative opportunity for kids to combine sand and water play, keeping them entertained for long stretches.
This nature-inspired playground also includes wooden bridges, a sandpit, swings, climbing frames for older kids, and toddler-friendly equipment. A bike path with speed bumps runs nearby, making it easy to supervise bike-riding kids while relaxing at the playground.
The second playground is located uphill and is perfect for toddlers, featuring low slides, easy-to-climb surfaces, trampolines, pretend play areas, rock walls, and smaller climbing frames. While there’s a larger play structure nearby, its steep drops make it better suited for older kids, requiring close supervision for little ones. Between the two playgrounds, a flying fox is a crowd favorite and adds extra fun for adventurous kids.
As a bonus, near the entrance, there’s a mini "zoo" honoring Sydney’s first zoo in Botany. The area includes climbable animal statues, which are always a hit with toddlers and make for great photo opportunities.
Parking includes around 40 spaces plus street parking, which has never been an issue on weekdays. However, weekends tend to be busier. Arriving early is recommended—by 8:30 AM, you’ll have no trouble finding a spot, but by 10:00 AM, the lot may be full.
