If you’re looking for a park or playground in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter with plenty of shade on a hot, sunny day check out our list. Some have extra tree coverage, others have shade provided by shade sails and some have both. Is there any we’ve missed? Let us know so that we can add them.
Jump to Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in: Newcastle | Lake Macquarie | Hunter Valley | Port Stephens
Playgrounds with Shade in Newcastle
Centennial Park, Cooks Hill
The beautiful large Norfolk Pines and Fig Trees in Centennial Park provide the playground area with plenty of shade. It’s also a lovely spot to throw out a picnic rug, either on the grass or under the rotunda.
Read our full Centennial Park guide
Gregson Park, Hamilton
Located in Hamilton, Gregson Park receives plenty of shade from the large Fig Trees and Palm Trees. The trees also provide some shade to the large playground area.
Read our full Gregson Park guide
Gross Street Reserve Playground, Tighes Hill
Gross Street Reserve Playground, in Tighes Hill, is a hidden gem. With lots of play equipment to keep kids busy as well as a toddler area, undercover picnic tables and plenty of shade, this serene playground is well worth a visit and is a perfect spot to catch up with other parents and carers.
Read our full Gross Street Reserve Playground guide
Honeysuckle Park, Newcastle
The fun pirate-themed playground at Honeysuckle Park is shaded by three large shade sails. There’s also a large undercover BBQ area with picnic tables. It’s a nice shady spot to stop, rest and let the kids play during a stroll along the foreshore.
Read our full Honeysuckle Park guide
Jesmond Park, Jesmond
The two playgrounds at Jesmond Park are set amongst many tall, large trees creating a shady and peaceful bushland setting. You’ll also find a half-basketball court, a disc (frisbee) golf course and plenty of walking tracks and paths.
Read our full Jesmond Park guide
King Edward Park, The Hill
While the playground itself at King Edward Park doesn’t have shade sails, it does receive a small amount of shade from the trees in the park. The park area receives plenty of shade from the big, old trees surrounding it and is the perfect spot for a picnic or a playdate.
Read our full King Edward Park guide
Lambton Park, Lambton
There are plenty of trees at Lambton Park, including some large Fig Trees which shade the park beautifully. The trees also provide a good amount of shade to the toddler/preschool play area.
Please note: Upgrade underway — Work is starting April 2026 on a major upgrade, including a refreshed play space designed for younger kids. The playground is partially closed while works are happening.
Read our full Lambton Park Guide
Richley Reserve (Blackbutt Reserve), New Lambton
The adventure playground located at Richley Reserve at Blackbutt Reserve has large shade sails over some of the play equipment and also receives shade from the surrounding trees. There are also undercover BBQ areas and picnic tables.
Read our full Richley Reserve guide
Playgrounds with Shade in Lake Macquarie
Baxter Park Playground, Nords Wharf
Located at Nords Wharf, on the shores of Lake Macquarie, the playground at Baxter Park is well shaded by the many large trees surrounding it. There are also BBQ’s, picnic tables and amenities nearby.
Bennett Park Playground, Valentine
There’s lots of trees at Bennett Park. Located lakeside in Valentine, there’s also plenty of fun play equipment in this playground.
Chapman Oval Playground, Swansea
The large trees surrounding the Chapman Oval playground, located next to Chapman Oval and near the Swansea Channel, make it one of the more shaded playgrounds in the Lake Macquarie area. The equipment is best suited to kids 5+.
Read our full Chapman Oval Playground guide
Cooranbong Reserve Playground, Cooranbong
Tall, mature trees provide shade to the large playground area at Cooranbong Reserve. With a play tower, accessible roundabout, water play area, scooter track, barbecues, nearby basketball court and more, families with kids of all ages could easily spend a couple of hours here.
Read our full Cooranbong Reserve guide
Forest Hill Reserve Playground, Garden Suburb
With equipment suited to toddlers/preschoolers and an undercover picnic table, this small playground in Garden Suburb is beautifully shaded by the surrounding trees and is a nice, quiet place for a picnic.
Jewells Parade Reserve Playground, Jewells
Located in a shaded reserve, this small playground includes swings, a park bench and shaded grassed areas to throw out a picnic rug.
Karakai Park Playground, Murrays Beach
Surrounded by trees, Karakai Park Playground in Murrays Beach has shaded areas. This playground has plenty to appeal to kids of different ages as it has a playground, double-sided hit wall and a half-court basketball court. Nestled in peaceful bushland, it has a natural theme that is reflected in the wooden play equipment, sandstone seating and landscaping.
Read our full Karakai Park Playground guide
Neegulbah Park, Macquarie Hills
There are plenty of mature trees surrounding Neegulbah Park at Macquarie Hills, providing shade to the playground area. There’s only one picnic table though, so pack a picnic rug to spread out on the ground under the shade of the trees.
Read our full Neegulbah Park guide
St John’s Memorial Park Tingirah Heights
Have some fun at the playground at St John’s Memorial Park, next door to Tingira Heights Fire Station. Spot the fire trucks as your kids play! St John’s Memorial Park is a small playground but has everything your kids need for a fun time at the park.
Read our full St John’s Memorial Park guide
Taylor Park Complex Playground, Barnsley
With equipment to suit all ages, this playground is well-shaded by the many tall trees surrounding it.
Playgrounds with Shade in the Hunter Valley
Bridges Hill Park Playground, Cessnock
This large playground located at Bridges Hill Park Playground in Cessnock is set amongst a forest of trees, creating plenty of shaded areas. Many parts of the playground area are shaded by shade sails as well and there’s also covered picnic areas.
Read our full Bridges Hill Park Playground guide
Huntlee District Park One, North Rothbury
With large shade sails over the toddler area, swings and climbing cube, plus undercover picnic tables and trees, Huntlee District Park One is a great option if you are looking for a place for a playdate where kids can play, yet escape the sun.
Read our full Hunter District Park One guide
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 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 destination for a day out with the family.
Read our full John Tucker Park guide
Maitland Park All Abilities Playground, Maitland
The big, old, beautiful trees are one of the many great features of Maitland Park. The fenced, all abilities playground is dotted with trees and the toddler section has a large shade sail overhead. Outside the playground there are plenty of shady spots to eat, either in the shade of one of the many trees or at one of the undercover picnic tables. Even the car park is shaded, so you won’t have to climb back in to a hot car on summer’s day.
Read our full Maitland Park guide
Raworth Park, Raworth
Raworth Park is a large, fenced playground and the toddler/preschool climbing equipment is positioned under a huge shade sail. There is also an undercover picnic table and BBQ area.
Read our full Raworth Park guide
Rose Point Park, Singleton
Rose Point Park has lots of big trees scattered throughout, providing shade to many parts of the playground. There are also shaded benches plus undercover BBQ’s and picnic tables.
Read our full Rose Point Park guide
Roy Jordan Oval Playground, Gillieston Heights
Part of the Roy Jordan Oval Playground at Gillieston Heights has a large shade sail providing shade. Covering the swings, roundabout, and inground trampoline. Unfortunately the climbing equipment and skate park aren’t shaded, but there are shaded seating areas and the young trees surrounding the space will soon provide much-needed extra shade on sunny days.
Read our full Roy Jordan Oval Playground guide
Victor Warby Reserve Playground, Gillieston Heights
The toddler/preschooler area of the Playground at Victor Warby Reserve, Gillieston Heights is shaded by a large shade sail. There’s a small climbing tower with a slide, a low rock climbing wall, a bouncy, a seesaw and a pretend car that little ones can sit in and “drive”. Although other elements of the playground are unshaded, there are plenty of covered picnic tables and large trees.
Read our full Victor Warby Reserve guide
Playgrounds with Shade in Port Stephens
Bower Reserve Playground, Medowie
This large playground located in the Bower Reserve at Medowie has plenty of shade provided by the tall gum trees dotted throughout. There’s also a half basketball court, fitness area and four large, undercover picnic areas.
Read our full Bower Reserve Playground guide
Fern Bay Reserve Playground, Fern Bay
The fenced Fern Bay Reserve includes something for all ages and is well shaded by large shade sails. There is also an undercover picnic table and BBQ.
Read our full Fern Bay Reserve guide
Finnan Park, Raymond Terrace
While the small playground itself isn’t shaded, there are plenty of shady spots in Finnan Park to sit and have a picnic. Either throw out a picnic rug under the shade of one of the many big, old trees or eat at one of the undercover picnic areas.
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