Choosing a venue for a kids’ birthday party is no easy task. While many parents prefer the controlled environment of a home or a dedicated party center, don’t overlook the beauty of hosting at a local park. Across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter, and Port Stephens, there are some incredible parks perfect for a celebration.
Whether you’re hosting a 1st birthday for a mix of kids and adults or a high-energy bash just for the little ones, there’s a park or playground that fits the bill. You don’t have to worry about a mess in your house or running out of room.
Hosting your party at a local park or playground means there are no limits to how many people you can invite (especially if family and friends are invited too). Plus, with play equipment and wide-open areas, there’s plenty of room for kids to run around and play.
Newcastle Area
Blackbutt Reserve – Carnley Avenue
The Carnley Avenue section of Blackbutt Reserve is popular with families due to the Bowerbird Playground and animal exhibits. It’s a busy place for parties on weekends so consider reserving a picnic shelter in advance to guarantee a spot. For something fun, arrange your own Critter Encounter for party guests. Durk’s Cafe is conveniently located here also. Full review
Blackbutt Reserve – Richley Reserve
With an incredible adventure park, the Richley Reserve section of Blackbutt Reserve is a great spot to host a party. You can either turn up early and hope you can get a picnic shelter or reserve one through the City of Newcastle. There’s a clear line of sight to the playground from the picnic shelters so it’s great for keeping an eye on kids.
The playground is divided into two areas, one for younger kids and one for older kids. There’s also free electric barbecues if you’re planning on barbecuing. Full review
Blue Gum Hills Regional Park
Upgraded in 2024, this large bushland park at Minmi/Fletcher is a fantastic location for a large gathering. It features a fun, accessible playground with swings, plus plenty of covered picnic tables and barbecues. There is heaps of room to spread out a picnic rug or kick a ball around, along with the convenience of nearby amenities and a large car park. Just a heads-up: because of the beautiful bush setting, be sure to pack the mozzie spray! Full review
Centennial Park
Located in the heart of Cooks Hill, Centennial Park is a beautiful spot for a celebration. You’ll find expansive grassy areas shaded by mature trees, plus a modern playground and a charming rotunda. While there are picnic tables available, it’s a good idea to bring extra chairs or picnic blankets for larger groups. Plus, you’re right next door to Lowlands Bowling Club if you’re looking for easy food and drinks! Full review
Dixon Park
Covered picnic shelters, a fenced playground and beach views make Dixon Park an ideal location for a beach lover’s birthday party. There’s barbecues, and you’re a short walk from the playground and toilets. There’s also a picnic shelter by the playground that you can nab if you get there early enough. Plus you can go for a swim after the party, weather permitting. Full review
Foreshore Park
Need a weather-proof plan? The Tramsheds at Newcastle Foreshore Park have you covered, literally. They provide excellent shelter from rain and, on hot days, the harsh sun. Just keep in mind that the current playground is closed for refurbishment (reset to open as a huge Livvi’s Place playground in late 2026), so it’s a good idea to bring along chalk, bubbles, or games to make the most of this massive sheltered space. From February 2026 the nearby Sunnyboy Park Kiosk and new toilet facilities will be open and operational. Full review
Gregson Park
Since its revitalisation in late 2024, the playground at Gregson Park in Hamilton has become a popular party spot. The layout is cleverly designed; while the play equipment is divided into different zones, parents and carers still have a clear line of sight across the entire area. There’s a fantastic new covered picnic space with two barbecues right next to the amenities block, plus plenty of open grass if you prefer to bring your own tables and chairs. Full review
Islington Park
With so much to keep the kids busy, Islington Park is a local favorite for birthdays. We’ve been to several parties here and the variety of play equipment is awesome. Two things to note for your party planning: the playground is near a creek, so active supervision of little ones is a must. Also, keep in mind that the nearest toilets are a bit of a walk away, located in Islington Park at 49 Phoebe Street. Full review
Jesmond Park
Jesmond Park features two separate play areas, but the ‘back’ playground is often the better choice for a party. It’s typically much quieter and offers a wider range of activities, including a basketball court alongside the play equipment. You’ll also find covered picnic areas and barbecues nearby. Just a quick tip: bring some mozzie spray, as the trees and nearby bushland mean they can be a bit of a nuisance! Full review
King Edward Park
An inner-city favourite, this park regularly hosts birthday parties and weddings. The rotunda is a popular choice but there’s picnic tables and seating scattered around the grassy area.
There is a kids play area but it’s across the road so you will need some parental supervision. Full review
Lambton Park
Centrally located, with heaps of space, Lambton Park is a top-tier party spot. Between the huge grassed areas for running around and the nearby playground, the kids will be well-occupied. Pro tip: Arrive early to snag one of the free barbecues for a classic birthday sausage sizzle! Full review
Nesca Park
Nearby Nesca Park is also great for hosting a party. There’s covered picnic shelters, barbecue facilities and a fun playground for kids. Nesca Park is a large park with lots of green space and palm trees, perfect for ball games and games of hide and seek. Full review
Stockton Active Hub
With stunning harbour views and a combined playground and skate park, Stockton Active Hub is an ideal celebration spot, especially for older kids who love to scoot or skate. The covered picnic shelters are centrally located in the heart of the Hub, making it easy for parents to keep an eye on the action at both the playground and the skate park simultaneously. Plus, you have Whispers on the Wharf cafe right at the playground for easy coffee runs and treats. Full review
Wallsend Active Hub
Wallsend Active Hub includes a playspace featuring equipment for a variety of ages, a pump track for bikes, scooters and skateboards and a multi-sports courts allowing for basketball and futsal, rebound wall, climbing wall and fitness stations. As well as seating around the space, there are also undercover tables. Amenities are now open as part of Phase 2 of the plan for the Wallsend Active Hub, which also includes a barbecue area. Full review
Lake Macquarie Area
Kilaben Bay Reserve Playground
For a birthday party with lake views, it’s hard to go past Kilaben Bay Reserve with its medium-sized playground with swings and monkey bars, covered BBQ shelter, picnic tables and beautiful gardens. Although the playground is unfenced, it’s set back from the water’s edge. There are two toilets, including one disabled toilet, at the top of the park. Full review
Lake Macquarie Variety Playground at Speers Point Park
As the largest and most iconic playground in the region, Speers Point Park is a go-to for parties. While its sheer size and popularity mean it can feel a little overwhelming during peak times, the facilities are second to none. The huge, fully-fenced playground is packed with picnic shelters, barbecues, and an endless variety of play equipment. If you’re hosting a party here, it helps to have a few extra parents on hand to help supervise, as it’s easy for little ones to wander out of sight in such a huge area. Full review
Pasterfield Sports Complex
If you’re looking for a large park that combines sports and play, head to Pasterfield Sports Complex in Cameron Park. It’s a great spot for an active kids party. This huge community area combines a playground, fitness area, netball courts, skate park and an AFL and cricket field. Between the climbing area and playground are toilets, shelters and barbecue facilities. Full review
Reay Park
If you’re looking for a quiter spot for a birthday party consider Reay Park at Dudley. The toddler/preschool playground is fenced to the road on three sides, the undercover barbecue area has three picnic tables and two free barbecues and there are clean amenities, including disabled amenities. Older kids will appreciate the multicourt with a half basketball court, half tennis court and rebound wall plus a large, adjoining field for kids to run around on and play. Full review
Thomas H Halton Park
Located in a beautiful lakeside setting at Croudace Bay, this huge, fully fenced, all-abilities playground is a fantastic birthday party spot. Kids will love exploring the giant pirate ship, cooling off in the water play area, and discovering the various natural play zones. Thomas H Halton Park is well-equipped for celebrations with accessible toilets and two covered picnic areas, each featuring a barbecue and picnic tables. Full review
Warner Park
If a fully-fenced playground is your top priority, Warner Park on the Warners Bay Foreshore is a great choice. The playground features slides, climbing structures, and nets to keep little ones busy. With covered picnic shelters and an amenities block nearby, it’s an ideal, stress-free spot for hosting parties for younger kids. Full review
Hunter Area
Bridges Hill Park
Bridges Hill Park at Cessnock has plenty of undercover barbecues and picnic tables located close to the carpark which makes it convenient for unpacking and carrying party supplies from the car to the party area. There’s also a large, clean amenities block and heaps of equipment for kids to play on, although it’s not all visible from the picnic table areas so you’ll need to keep an eye on smaller kids. Full Review
Harold Gregson Park
Although there are no picnic tables, Harold Gregson Park is a lovely space to throw out a picnic blanket, with plenty of grassed area. There are electric barbecues, amenities block and large carpark with disabled car parking spaces. Harold Gregson Reserve has no fences, but it is hugged by a wide path for prams, scooters, or wheelchairs. There’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained, with a skate park, full-size basketball court and large kids playground. Full review
Huntlee District Park One
There’s heaps of play equipment at this Huntlee park to keep kids of all ages entertained. Whether you are celebrating a baby, preschooler or teenager’s birthday, a party here will be a hit. There is one large, undercover picnic table area and two smaller ones, but if the weather is fine there is plenty of uncovered tables and grassed area to spread out some picnic rugs. The onsite cafe means that the adult guests can grab a hot coffee and the car park is close so you won’t have to walk far to load and unload the car. Full review
John Tucker Park Playground
Located within the spacious and picturesque John Tucker Park at Paterson is a great, fully-fenced kids playground. Featuring slides, climbing equipment, a seesaw and more, the playground is also completely shaded by a large shade sail. There are also undercover picnic tables, bbqs and modern amenities, making John Tucker Park the perfect spot for an outdoor party. Full review
Katherine’s Landing District Park Playground – Huntlee
With a large, grassed area ideal for picnics, gas barbecues, four undercover picnic tables and amenities, Katherine’s Landing District Park Playground is an ideal spot for a birthday party or other celebration. With a large, inclusive playground, pump track, exercise equipment and wide concrete paths to ride and scooter around, the kids won’t get bored! Full review
Maitland Park
Fully-fenced, Maitland Park Playground allows kids to play while parents can keep an eye on them from the picnic tables located outside the playground. With plenty of parking, and its central location, this park is popular with Maitland families. A council-endorsed Master Plan means that Maitland Park Playground will triple in size in the future. A new car park at the heart of the park is already open, and another expansion (adding 55 spaces) is underway near the netball courts, expected to be ready by April 2026. Full review
Maybury Peace Park
An inclusive, shaded playground, accessible amenities block, and large carpark make Maybury Peace Park at Weston a wonderful, peaceful spot for a birthday party. There’s plenty of undercover BBQ area to choose from. Just ensure you take bottled water as there is no water tap or water fountain on site. Full review
Raworth Park
There’s only one undercover table, with a barbecue, at Raworth Park. But, if you are lucky enough to get to it first, Raworth Park is an ideal spot for a birthday party. With play equipment suitable for kids of all ages, it’s fully-fenced and there’s plenty of car parking space located close to the park. Full Review
Rose Point Park
With undercover barbecue/picnic areas located a short walk from the carpark and a clean amenities block, the fully-fenced Rose Point Park Playground has so much equipment for kids of all ages to play on (including some all-abilities equipment), making it an ideal spot for your next kids birthday party if you are located in or near the Singleton area. Full Review
Port Stephens Area
Boat Harbour North Headland
Best suited to older kids, the playground located at Boat Harbour North Headland is right on beautiful, calm Boat Harbour Beach. It’s an ideal spot if you are looking for a beachside location, however, being so close to the water kids will need to be supervised. The amenities are conveniently located right next to the playground and there are three undercover picnic tables to choose from as well as a barbecue. The playground itself is timber in structure, surrounded by sandstone block seating.
Caswell Reserve
Located on the foreshore of Mallabula, Caswell Park has a large covered picnic shelter with gas barbecues, a clean amenities block and a great little playground with swings, climbing equipment, balance beams, a roundabout and concrete paths to ride scooters round and round. The carpark is located right next to the park for convenience. Once the birthday celebrations are finished, everyone can take a walk through beautiful Tilligerry Habitat. Full Review
Fern Bay Reserve
This fenced playground is the ideal place for a kids party. With an undercover picnic table and bbq, plus other picnic tables in the reserve, access to the Fern Bay Hall toilets from the outside and access to the half-sized basketball court, there’s something to keep kids of all ages entertained. Full Review
Finnan Park
Finnan Park, located between Medowie and Raymond Terrace, near Grahamstown Dam, is a large, gated park with plenty of undercover picnic tables to choose from. With lots of large, open space for kids to run, gravel tracks around the park to ride bikes, a kids playground and toilets, it’s a popular spot in the Port Stephens area for parties.
Robinson Reserve
If you’re looking for a top spot to suit a birthday party for older kids, Robinson Reserve in Anna Bay is a winner. As well as climbing play equipment, swings, vertical balancing logs and a group swing, it’s also next door to Anna Bay Skate Park.
There are picnic tables and barbecues here as well as amenities conveniently located. If you feel like a beach walk, Birubi Beach is nearby.
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