Finding a fenced playground makes a real difference when you’re wrangling toddlers, managing multiple kids, or simply want to relax without chasing a little runner toward the road.
We’ve pulled together every fenced playground we know of across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens — including both fully fenced and partially fenced options. Whether you’re heading out locally or planning a day trip, this guide will help you find the right playground for your family. If we’ve missed a playground, give us details and we’ll add it to the list.
Jump to a region: Newcastle & Surrounds | Lake Macquarie | Maitland & Hunter Valley | Port Stephens | FAQs
Newcastle
Coolamin Road Reserve Playground, Waratah
This small playground, on the corner of Coolamin Road and Lambton Road, Waratah is mostly suited to toddlers/preschoolers and is one of the few playgrounds in the Newcastle LGA that is fully-fenced. It has a baby/toddler swing, regular swing, a bouncy, activity boards and a play tower with a small slide. There is also a park bench and a tap inside the fenced area. Parking is on-street.
Dixon Park Playground, Merewether
Located midway between Bar Beach and Merewether, Dixon Park Playground is a fully-fenced playground with swings (including a baby/toddler swing), a slide, climbing and balancing structures and more. There is a shaded picnic table inside the fenced area. Read more about Dixon Park Playground.
Johnson Park Playground, Lambton
Enjoy a fully-fenced playground in the Newcastle LGA at Johnson Park Playground in Lambton. Perfectly suited for toddlers and early primary-aged kids, this butterfly-themed space offers peace of mind for parents and carers of little runners. Read more about Johnson Park.
Kids Home Playground at Home Co. Kotara
There is a fully-fenced kids playground located outdoors between Domayne and The Golden Goat Cafe at Home Co. Kotara. The playground gates are open between 8.30-5pm daily. The playground is shaded with a shade sail and is recommended for kids between the age of 3 and 8.
Laneway Park, Adamstown
This cute little neighborhood park has play equipment and a covered picnic shelter and is perfect for those with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Read more about Laneway Park.
Lake Macquarie
Belmont Lions Park Playground, Belmont
This fully-fenced lakeside playground, located at 40 Macquarie Street, Belmont features swings, a net swing, slides, tunnels, climbing equipment, a bouncy and a toddler board with motor skill activities. There is a small car park located on the foreshore, or you can park at the nearby Coles complex. If it’s a hot day, pack swimmers and go for a splash in nearby Belmont Baths.
Bernie Goodwin Memorial Park Playground, Morisset
This inclusive, colourful playground spans across two separate areas, an upper playground area catering to younger kids and a lower playground area for older kids. Both are fenced. There’s also plenty of shaded areas, toilets and fitness equipment for adults. Read more about Bernie Goodwin Memorial Park Playground.
Cameron Park Community Centre Playground, Cameron Park
Pair your weekly shop with some outdoor fun by taking your kids for a play at the Cameron Park Community Centre Playground, just a short stroll from Cameron Park Plaza. It features a climbing tower with a slide, a spinner, and a seesaw, plus essential amenities like a shaded picnic table and accessible parking, with toilets available at the Community Centre. There’s also a smaller playground located inside Cameron Park Plaza itself. Being inside the plaza means you are steps away from the parent rooms, toilets, and cafes.
Coldstream Crescent Reserve, Rankin Park – PARTIALLY FENCED
Located in the Coldstream Crescent Reserve on McCaffrey Drive, this timber playground is fenced to the road and features heaps to keep toddlers and preschoolers busy. The climbing structure has a low rock-climbing wall, bridge, dual slide and more, plus there is a regular swing, baby swing and balancing logs. There’s lots of surrounding green space to run around and an undercover picnic area. Read more about Coldstream Crescent Reserve.
Cooranbong Reserve Playground – PARTIALLY FENCED
Located on the western side at the southern end of Lake Macquarie, Cooranbong Reserve is a peaceful space featuring a large playground which is fenced on three sides, providing a barrier from the nearby road and pond. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained here including a scooter track, water play area, six metre climbing pyramid and more. Read more about Cooranbong Reserve Playground.
Harold Wesley Knight Park (Whitebridge Park), Whitebridge
With heaps of equipment, due to an upgrade in recent years, the fully-fenced Harold Wesley Knight Park, also known as Whitebridge Park, is a great one to visit with youngsters. There’s equipment for both older and younger kids, lots of green space, toilet facilities and picnic tables. Read more about Whitebridge Park.
Lake Macquarie Variety Park, Speers Point
One of our favourite parks/playgrounds, Lake Macquarie Variety Park (Speers Point Park) has something for all ages and is fully-fenced. You’ll still need to keep a close eye on little ones as it is a large playground with multiple gates and can get very busy on weekends and school holidays. Pack bikes, balance bikes and scooters as little ones will also love the scooter track at this playground with its road markings, road signs, roundabouts, obstacles and garage/parking area. Read more about Lake Macquarie Variety Park.
My Funland Playground at Stockland, Glendale
The ‘My Funland’ fully-fenced play area at Stockland, Glendale is recommended for kids aged 3-12. Located next to Pitastar (near Kmart), it’s the perfect place to relax with a drik or a bite to eat while you watch the kids play. There are plenty of outdoor tables overlooking the play area.
Pelican Foreshore Park, Pelican
Pelican Foreshore Park is another fenced park and features play equipment for the younger set. There’s a wobbly, small slide and climbing wall for young kids as well as a toddler swing. There’s also lovely views of Lake Macquarie from the park. If kids need a break from the playground, walk down to the beach and watch the numerous pelicans who call this place home. You can also swim at the beach when the weather is warm. Read more about Pelican Foreshore Park.
Reay Park, Dudley – PARTIALLY FENCED
Reay Park, located on Ocean Street, Dudley is a neat little park to visit with toddlers and preschooler. The playground is small, but it’s fenced to the road on three sides.In its bushland setting, surrounded by trees and birdlife, it feels like a hidden oasis, not far from the bustling Charlestown CBD. Read more about Reay Park.
Tallowood Circuit Park Playground, Charlestown
Nestled on the leafy corner of Tallowood Circuit and Timbercrest Chase in Charlestown, this fully fenced playground with a slide, bouncy, swings, climbing wall and climbing equipment, provides a sunny, secure space where parents can relax while their little ones explore in safety. Beyond the main street frontage, there’s another entrance via Jergi Close, making it an incredibly accessible and stress-free spot for a morning play date or an energetic afternoon burn-off.
Thomas H Halton Park, Croudace Bay
This huge, fully-fenced, all-abilities playground in a beautiful lakeside location at Croudace Bay is a great spot. The kids will have a great time playing on the huge pirate ship, in the water play area and in the many different, natural ‘play zones’. There are accessible toilets as well as two covered picnic areas, each with a bbq and picnic table. Read more about Thomas H Halton Park.
Toronto Foreshore Playground, Toronto
Located on the Toronto Foreshore, this fully-fenced playground has amazing views of Lake Macquarie as well as a range of play equipment suited to a wide range of ages which is ideal if you have kids of different ages. Younger kids will enjoy playing in the cute replica boat. Read more about Toronto Foreshore Playground.
Warner Park, Warners Bay
Warner Park is a popular, fully-fenced park located close to the shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie. For younger tots there’s a dedicated toddler area with softfall flooring and lots of age-appropriate equipment. The playground also features a sheltered picnic area and an upgraded amenities block so it’s ideal for group catch-ups. Read more about Warner Park.
Maitland & Hunter Valley
Maitland Park All-Abilities Playground, Maitland
It’s well worth the drive to Maitland to visit this great playground. Besides being fully fenced, there’s lots of shade, accessible toilets and plenty of equipment to keep little ones entertained including swings, a flying fox, a great sensory area and more. There’s also a great scooter track at this playground but it is located outside the fenced area. With plenty of huge, old trees, Maitland Park is a great spot for a picnic and the shaded car park means that you can stay and play for hours in summer and your car won’t get hot. Read more about Maitland Park.
McCauley Park, Tarro – PARTIALLY FENCED
McCauley Park features fun play equipment including a ninja-style climbing gym and slides as well as equipment to bounce, slide, spin and balance on. McCauley Park is a great park to take your under 10s. Although the park is located on a main road, it is set well back from the road and fenced on the other three sides. Read more about McCauley Park.
Metford Recreation Reserve
Located within a fenced sporting ground, this playground suits families looking for a playspace where kids can’t escape easily.
Raworth Park, Raworth
There’s a fantastic fenced playground located at Raworth, near East Maitland, and you can even bring your fur-babies as there’s a fenced area for them right net door. Littlies will love the pretend playhouse with climb-through tunnel.
The well-shaded toddler playground boasts two small slides, stairs and lots of rope structures to climb on. A large concrete path, located inside the fenced area, winds its way around the playground, perfect for little ones on scooters, balance bikes or small bikes. There’s lots of parking, public amenities and an undercover BBQ and picnic table outside the fenced area. Read more about Raworth Park.
Rose Point Park, Singleton
If you’re looking for a great spot for a day trip or driving past on the New England Highway or Golden Highway, stop at Rose Point Park, Singleton for a break. This regional playground is packed with play equipment for kids of all ages and abilities, is fully-fenced and has lots of shade provided by mature trees. Read more about Rose Point Park.
John Tucker Park Playground, Paterson
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 small flying fox, 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 destination for a day out with the family. Read more about John Tucker Park.
Singleton & Muswellbrook
In Singleton area, Riverside Park and Townhead Park are fenced. In Muswellbrook, Highbrook Park is fenced.
Port Stephens
Bernie Thompson Park Playground, Shoal Bay
Take a drive up to the Bay with little ones and enjoy the fully-fenced adventure playground at Bernie Thompson Park, Shoal Bay. With a natural wood aesthetic as well as established trees for shade, nearby public amenities and equipment for all ages and abilities, including an accessible basket swing, you’ll find this playground at 101-122 Government Road, Shoal Bay. Read more about Bernie Thompson Park Playground.
Fern Bay Reserve Playground, Fern Bay
Less than a five minute drive from the northern side of Stockton Bridge is Fern Bay Reserve Playground. It’s a great little playground with clean amenities, a water fountain, shade and lots of different equipment. Also located inside the fence is a concrete path circling the playground so little ones can ride their scooter or balance bikes round and round. If you have older kids with you they’ll appreciate the fully-fenced, half-size basketball court which incorporates soccer goals and a tennis/handball wall. Read more about Fern Bay Reserve Playground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fenced Playgrounds
There are very few fully-fenced playgrounds in the City of Newcastle LGA. City of Newcastle has historically chosen not to fence playgrounds, citing maintenance costs and a preference for open design. Dixon Park (Merewether), Coolamin Road Reserve (Waratah), and Johnson Park (Lambton) are among the rare exceptions. For the best selection of fenced playgrounds, head to Lake Macquarie or the Hunter.
A fully-fenced playground has a secure perimeter with gates on all entry points. A partially fenced playground may have fencing on some sides — often the road-facing side — but remains open in other areas. Both offer more security than an unfenced playground, but fully-fenced is the safest option for toddlers and runners.
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