A freshly brewed coffee and a cafe menu to select from can turn a simple trip to the playground with kids into something special. Whether you need a caffeine hit while the kids play or you’re meeting a friend for a playdate, here’s a list of playgrounds located close to cafes and coffee shops across the region. Have we missed one? Let us know so we can add it to the list.
Playgrounds with Nearby Cafes in Newcastle
Adamstown Park Playground, Adamstown
Perfect for little ones, Adamstown Park Playground is located on Glebe Road, right beside Adamstown Bowling Club. While there’s equipment for various ages, it’s ideal for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger primary school children. For a post-play coffee, head to The Bondwood Cafe next door or Local Customs across the street.
Read our full Adamstown Park Playground guide
Bowerbird Playground, Blackbutt Reserve (Carnley Reserve), New Lambton
There’s a cafe right next to the Bower Bird playground at Blackbutt Reserve. Blackbutt Cafe by Durks has undercover dining, and its menu covers coffee, breakfast and lunch – including kids meals. The Bower Bird playground is designed for children aged 2 to 10 and features a large climbing structure, roundabout, see saw, a group swing, two slides and musical instruments.
Read our full Blackbutt Reserve Guide
Campbell Park Playground, Merewether
Campbell Park is a neat little playground tucked away on Caldwell Street at Merewether, right behind KU Merewether Preschool. Not far away, Arlo’s Coffee Caravan is currently trading at Club Merewether, Mondays and Tuesdays 6.30am – 1.30pm, and Wednesday to Sunday 6.30am – 12pm.
Centennial Park Playground, Cooks Hill
Centennial Park is a lovely park with open grassed areas, a Victorian rotunda and plenty of playground equipment to suit kids of all ages. Lowlands Bowling Club is right next door, or walk down to Darby Street for some of Newcastle’s finest cafes including Goldbergs Coffee House, Three Monkeys Cafe and The Autumn Rooms Cafe.
Read our full Centennial Park Playground guide
Connolly Park Playground, Carrington
Connolly Park Playground is a quiet harbourside playground tucked behind the tennis courts on the corner of Tully Street and Thornton Street in Carrington. It’s best suited to younger kids, with swings, a seesaw, wobblies, a spinner and a cubby house with slide. Right next door, Carrington Bowlo’s Cowper Street Diner serves breakfast on weekends and lunch and dinner through the week. A few cafes can also be found along Young Street, a short walk away.
Read our full Connolly Park Playground guide
Dixon Park Beach Playground, Merewether
Dixon Park Beach Playground is a fully fenced beachside playground midway between Bar Beach and Merewether. Grab your coffee from Sunnyboy Kiosk at 15 Ocean Street. They also do food and are popular with the family and dog-walking crowd.
Read our full Dixon Park Beach Playground guide
Empire Park, Bar Beach
The Empire Park playground suits younger kids, with swings and a small slide. Pick up a coffee from Swell Kiosk Bar Beach or from The Globetrotter, a mobile coffee bar set up in the car park at Bar Beach Bowling Club on Monday to Friday 6.30am – 12pm and Saturdays & Sundays 7.30am – 12pm.
Read our full Empire Park Playground guide
Gregson Park Playground, Hamilton
There’s heaps to do at Gregson Park Playground, with equipment for a range of ages alongside nature play, water play and even a marble run. Spur is right across the road on Samdon Street. It’s a popular neighbourhood cafe known for great coffee, bagels and baked goods. Alternatively, head around the corner to one of the cafes on Beaumont Street.
Read our full Gregson Park Playground guide
Honeysuckle Park Playground, Honeysuckle
The marine-themed playground at Honeysuckle Park centres around a large pirate ship that kids love. Undercover picnic tables make it a great spot to enjoy a coffee while they play. Pick up a coffee from nearby The Beehive Cafe, open every day except Wednesday and Public Holidays.
Read our full Honeysuckle Park Playground guide
Kids Home Playground at HomeCo, Kotara
There’s a fully fenced outdoor playground between Harvey Norman and Gamble & Brown at HomeCo. Kotara. Open daily 8.30am – 5pm, it has a shade-sail and is suited to kids aged 3-8.
Lambton Park Playground, Lambton
Lambton Park has big shady trees and a playground with equipment for all ages. Please note: a major upgrade is currently underway, including a refreshed play space designed for younger kids. The playground is partially closed while works are in progress.
First Light is in the restored 1940s building right next to the playground. Run by the team behind Mister Sister and The Kiosk Newcastle, it serves a seasonal menu with local produce. The rear deck overlooks the playground, ideal for keeping an eye on the kids while you eat. You’ll also find 3A Cafe opposite on the corner of Elder Street and Morehead Street (open until 1pm seven days).
Read our full Lambton Park guide
Nesca Park Playground, Cooks Hill
Nesca Park is a short walk from the Darby Street strip, where you can take your pick from some of Newcastle’s best cafes including Goldbergs Coffee House, Three Monkeys Cafe and The Autumn Rooms Cafe. The park has plenty of open grassed areas and a playground to keep kids of all ages busy.
Read our full Nesca Park Playground guide
Rawson Park Playground, Stockton
Park at the Stockton Surf Club car park and grab a coffee from Lexie’s on the Beach before walking over to this small playground between the Surf Club and Bowling Club. There are covered picnic tables and benches to sit and enjoy your drink while the kids play on the slide, swings and monkey bars.
Read our full Rawson Park Playground guide
Smith Park Playground, Hamilton North
The ninja warrior-style playground at Smith Park is a great spot for active kids. With swings, slides and covered seating, it’s also a handy meeting point for a playdate. Pick up a coffee at Hamilton North Bowling Club located right next door.
Read our full Smith Park Playground guide
Stockton Active Hub, Stockton
Catch the ferry or drive to the Stockton Active Hub at Griffith Park – a playground and skate park combined, with something for all ages including three slides and two flying foxes. Right next to the hub is Whispers on the Wharf, a grab-and-go cafe serving hot and cold drinks, cakes and takeaway food. A short walk up Mitchell Street, The Gladdy is a relaxed family-friendly cafe and pub with a kids corner and garden.
Read our full Stockton Active Hub guide
Waratah Park Playground, Waratah
Waratah Park is a shady neighbourhood park tucked behind Callaghan College near the Hunter Multicultural Communities and Community Garden. A great spot to relax while the kids play. Godfather Espresso on Platt Street is a short walk away for a takeaway coffee.
Read our full Waratah Park Playground guide
Whitebridge Park Playground, Whitebridge
Whitebridge Park (also known as Harold Wesley Knight Park) has a fantastic playground with equipment for all ages — slides, rope climbs, a fireman’s pole and a musical pipe feature. Within walking distance, there’s Morning Market Coffee, PEGS Cafe and The Whitecottage 163.
Read our full Whitebridge Park Playground guide
Playgrounds with Nearby Cafes in Lake Macquarie
Kahibah Park Playground, Kahibah
Located on Hexham Street, Kahibah Park Playground is a large but quiet playground with something for kids of all ages including baby/toddler swings, a spiderweb swing, two slides, rope climb, short flying fox and more. Sherwood Coffee Bar is right across the road on the corner of Hexham and Glebe Streets.
Lions Park Playground, Belmont
Grab a coffee from Good One Cafe on Brooks Parade at Belmont and walk across the road to the fully fenced Lions Park playground. There’s swings (including a toddler swing and spiderweb swing), a slide and climbing equipment, all with beautiful lake views.
Speers Point Park, Speers Point
You could easily spend hours at Speers Point Park (Lake Macquarie Variety Park). This two-hectare playground sits on the shore of the lake with something for children of all ages. On-site cafe Table 1 Espresso serves breakfast and lunch, ice cream, coffee and milkshakes. It’s a great spot for mothers’ groups or family catch-ups.
Read our full Speers Point Park guide
Toronto Foreshore Playground, Toronto
Toronto Foreshore Playground is a fully fenced playground with lake views, suited to a wide range of ages. Tinto Espresso Bar & Infuzion Cafe is nearby on the foreshore. It’s an alfresco lakeside cafe serving hand-roasted coffee and a full cafe menu.
Read our full Toronto Foreshore Playground guide
Wangi Workers Club Playground, Wangi Wangi
The Market Street Cafe at Wangi District Workers Club serves coffee and a great range of cakes and slices. The deck overlooks a shady playground with swings, slides and climbing structures and stunning views of Lake Macquarie.
Warner Park Playground, Warners Bay
Take your kids to Warner Park on Warners Bay Foreshore! This fully-fenced playground includes slides, climbing structure and nets. A short stroll along The Esplanade brings you to several cafe options including Lena’s Cafe and Table 1 Espresso.
Read our full Warner Park guide
Webb Park Playground, Redhead
The beach-themed playground at Webb Park is popular with families and in a great beachside location. Older kids love the large wave climbing structure and flying fox. Pick up a coffee from The Villa Cafe or Cargo Espresso Bar, both on Beach Road. Afterwards, enjoy a walk along the Ken and Audrey Owens Walk or stroll down to Redhead Beach.
Read our full Webb Park Playground guide
Playgrounds with Nearby Cafes in the Hunter Valley
Huntlee District Park One, North Rothbury
Well worth the drive from Newcastle (around 45 minutes), Huntlee District Park One is a superb playground with enough equipment to keep kids of all ages busy all day including enclosed slides, flying fox, half basketball court and a fenced dog off-leash area. On-site cafe Whisk & Sip serves quality coffee, wraps, toasties, homemade cakes and milkshakes right next to the playground, with both indoor and outdoor seating including a verandah overlooking the park.
Read our full Huntlee District Park One guide
Victor Warby Reserve Playground, Gillieston Heights
Pick up a Glitch coffee from Lovey’s Grocers IGA on Redwood Drive before wandering down to this shaded playground. The park has equipment for toddlers and preschoolers, a half basketball court and netball hoop for older kids, and plenty of benches to sit and watch the kids play.
Read our full Victor Warby Reserve Playground guide
Playgrounds with Nearby Cafes in Port Stephens
Fingal Bay Foreshore Reserve Playground, Fingal Bay
Located on scenic Marine Drive, the Fingal Bay Foreshore Reserve playground has plenty of equipment for kids of all ages including a spiderweb swing, spinner, slides and climbing equipment, plus undercover picnic tables. Longboat Cafe is conveniently located right next to the park. It’s only a short walk to Fingal Beach from here too.
Henderson Park Playground, Lemon Tree Passage
This large, shaded playground on the Lemon Tree Passage foreshore has playground equipment, a netted tidal pool, picnic amenities, public toilets and showers. Kids who like fishing can cast a line from the nearby public wharf. Lemon Tree’s Kitchen is right across the road for a barista-made coffee and lunch.
Read our full Lemon Tree Passage guide
You might also like:
- Parks & Playgrounds in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
- Playgrounds with Nearby Pubs in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
- Kid-Friendly Restaurants & Dining in Newcastle
Want more playground inspiration? Visit the Parks and Playgrounds section of Newy with Kids.