If you’re looking for a different and interesting destination to take a day trip with family or friends, Maybury Peace Park at Weston near Cessnock is worth considering.
Named after the United Nations International Year of Peace, Maybury Peace Park certainly lives up to its name. It’s an expansive, peaceful park with walking trails, a duck pond, a large playground, great amenities and more. With so much for all ages, it’s well worth the 45-minute drive from Newcastle.
The playground features a fantastic range of inclusive play equipment, natural play elements and landscaping. Most of the playground area is shaded by large, colourful shade sails and has softfall underfoot.
Babies, toddlers and younger kids can let their imaginations run wild playing on, in and around the pretend pirate ship. It is wheelchair-accessible from both above and below.
For kids old enough to climb, the play tower has a ladder, climbing nets and a small slide. The play tower can also be accessed by wheelchair.
There are three swings in the shaded area including a child’s swing, a toddler swing and another smaller swing. The inclusive play equipment in this area also includes a flush-to-the-ground merry-go-round and three in-ground mini trampolines.
There’s also a large sandpit that can accommodate heaps of kids. Packing sand toys would be a good idea but, if you forget, there’s a sit-on digger as well as a sand-play tower.
Older kids will enjoy the flying fox and large rope climbing structure.
Kids of all ages will love the 360 degree hanging swing.
Maybury Peace Park is located on Cessnock Road. There are two large carparks, one located right near the playground and the other across the road at Chinaman’s Hollow. There is an accessible amenities block located near both car parks, both are locked between 6pm and 6am. We’ve always found them to be clean and well-maintained.
Wide, flat concrete paths wind through Maybury Peace Park, all the way around a peaceful duck pond, the playground and under and across the road to and around Chinaman’s Hollow. These paths are perfect for wheelchairs and kids on balance bikes, small bikes or scooters.
The wild ducks on the duck pond are friendly and it’s relaxing to watch them swim and play. If you’d like to take some food to feed them there’s a sign recommending grated carrot, chopped lettuce, chopped tomatoes or diced watermelon.
There are four stages of walks around Maybury Peace Park and Chinaman’s Hollow that you can choose from. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are approximately 500m in length and easy grade with wheelchair access. Stage 3 and Stage 4 are approximately 250m. If you feel like getting your heart rate up, the total distance of all four walks is approximately 1,570 metres and takes around 15-20 minutes. Dogs are allowed at Maybury Peace Park and Chinaman’s Hollow but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Bring a picnic or BBQ lunch. There are a number of undercover picnic areas and gas BBQs situated on both sides of the road.
Maybury Peace Park is one of our family’s favourite parks and I’d recommend it for an outing or day trip. It’s a picturesque, easy drive from Newcastle and a nice place to stop on a trip to or from the Hunter Valley. It’s also the perfect place for an outdoor birthday party.
Good to Know
Maybury Peace Park is suitable for children of all ages.
The park is located at 122 Cessnock Road, Weston, NSW. It is part of a larger recreational area that includes Chinaman’s Hollow, connected by wide, flat walking paths.
Yes. There are two large, free car parks available. One is located directly next to the playground on the Maybury Peace Park side, and the other is just across the road at Chinaman’s Hollow.
Yes. There is a clean, accessible amenities block located near the car parks. Please note these are generally locked between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
No, there is no formal drinking fountain inside the park area, so it is recommended to bring bottled water with you.
Yes. The park has several undercover picnic tables and benches situated around the playground and the scenic duck pond.
Yes. Multiple free gas BBQ facilities are available under shaded shelters.
Yes. While there isn’t a café inside the park itself, the Soulful Cafe is a short walk (about 800m) away on Station Street. You are also only a 2-minute drive from the main street of Kurri Kurri, where local mums recommend Cafe 126 for homemade treats or The Coffee Shot for a quick caffeine fix.
Find on map
Want more things to do around the Cessnock area? Here’s some inspiration: