Take a trip out to Blue Gum Hills Regional Park, a large bushland park at Minmi / Fletcher. The playground was upgraded at Blue Gum Hills Regional Park in May 2024 and makes a fun destination for families.
For those thinking that Blue Gum HIlls Regional Park already had a new play equipment, you’re right. There was a $130,000 rerfubishment in August 2023 which introduced accessible play equipment and a musical space. That’s still there.
The playground (which best suits kids aged 7 and under) now includes a baby swing, regular swing and a group swing.
These are located near to the covered picnic tables.
There’s balancing equipment galore here. It’s low to the ground with soft fall ground covering
As well as wooden beams for kids (and adults) to test their balance, there’s also suspension bridges. It’s a cute area which nicely incorporates timber beams to fit in with the surrounding trees.
The addition of vertical logs with foot ledges for kids to move from one log to another is great for testing kids ability.
Your kids can follow the footprints through the tunnel and spot the wombats on the other side.
There’s stairs that go around and over the tunnel for parents and grandparents who don’t want to squeeze through the tunnel.
The new play equipment fits in perfectly with the existing play components. The colourful musical play space is still there. Kids can enjoy hunting for sticks to play the drums and pipes.
Your kids can practice their balancing skills over the wooden stumps.
The sand and rock play area is always popular with kids and is a reminder of the area’s coal mining history.
The area was an open cut mining site beginning in the 1840s. The operation ran until the late 1980s and then the area was restored as a community park. Read the signs about the Blue Gum Hills Regional Landcare Group efforts to remove weeds and regenerate the native bush.
There’s also a maze with an overlooking observation deck so you can watch your kids run around and get lost!
This regional park is ideal for those looking for nature and space.
There is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy picnic or ball games. You’ll find picnic tables and barbecues scattered around the park.
If you feel like walking, there are walking tracks throughout the park including the easy 2.5km Heritage Walking Track which takes you past coal mining infrastructure.
Along the way, you’ll spot the large 1870s brick tower of an original ventilation shaft from the old mine.
It’s a fun nature walk for kids as it’s mostly flat. This peaceful walk wanders through bushes and trees and you can hear birds chirping away.
You can also bring your bikes and explore the trails. We saw a few families on bikes tackling the Loop Trail.
Please note that that walkers and cyclists should remain on recognised tracks and trails as there are areas in the park that are subject to mine subsidence.
With loads of free BBQs, picnic shelters, walking tracks and tons of grass, it’s perfect for a family outing or gathering such as birthday party. Just be sure to take mosquito spray in summer as the mosquitoes can be bad.
Within the park is the Tree Top Adventure Park, an adventure experience for kids and adults in which participants use a network of rope bridges and flying foxes to move from one tree to another. (Advance bookings required).
Please note: There is roadwork and construction in preparation for the new housing estate in Minmi. As a result, the speed limit is 40 along Minmi Road and it’s hard to see the turnoff for Blue Gum Hills Regional Park. There’s a handwritten sign on Minmi Road which says Blue Gum that indicates the turnoff from the park as you come from Fletcher.
Good to Know
Address: Minmi Road, Minmi, NSW
Opening Hours: Blue Gum Hills Regional Park is open 7.30am to 8pm during daylight savings (7.30am to 5pm at other times)
Ideal Age: All ages. Playground suits kids under 7
Public Toilets: Yes at car parking area
Water Fountain: Yes at playground
Picnic Facilities: Covered picnic shelters. Note that there are no rubbish bins at Blue Gum Hills so you will need to take your rubbish home with you
BBQ: Yes. Many in park
Nearby Café: No
Dogs: On-leash dogs permitted away from picnic areas and children’s play areas
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