Nothing beats a good meal of pub grub! Head to a local pub or club for lunch and then let the kids exert some energy at a nearby playground. Or spend the afternoon at a local playground before heading to a nearby pub or club for dinner. Here is our list of playgrounds located a short walk to a pub or club in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter. Have we forgotten one? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.
Playgrounds with Nearby Pubs in Newcastle
Adamstown Park, Adamstown
Perfect for little ones, Adamstown Park’s 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 bite, head next door to The Rinks Bistro at Adamstown Bowling Club. This family-friendly spot is open seven days for lunch and dinner, with lunch specials from Monday to Friday from 12 – 2pm. A pizza bar also operates on Friday and Saturday.
Read our full Adamstown Park guide
Alder Park Playground, New Lambton
The small playground at Alder Park features a slide, swings, and a fort with a cute play shop underneath.
Situated right next door is Alder Park Sports Club. The Black Horse Bistro, at the club, is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. It’s a well-known, family-friendly spot with a dedicated kids’ menu.
Centennial Park, Cooks Hill
Centennial Park is an urban oasis in the heart of Cooks Hill. It has heaps of modern equipment to suit kids of all ages, including balancing and climbing equipment, slides, swings, spinners and more. The Norfolk Pines and Fig Trees provide plenty of shade and the large, flat, grassy area is a top spot to kick a ball or run around.
Right next door to Centennial Park you’ll find Lowlands Bowling Club. Their Little Castro Bistro serves up burgers, Cuban food and a range of other meals. Little Castro are open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
Read our full Centennial Park guide
Connolly Park, Carrington
Connolly Park, in the harbourside suburb of Carrington, is home to a great little playground, perfect for kids aged 5 and under. There’s swings (including baby swings), a seesaw, wobblies, and a spinner as well as a cubby house with slide. The playground is tucked away behind the tennis courts on the corner of Tully Street and and Thornton Street, Carrington.
Right next door to Connolly Park is Carrington Bowlo, an unpretentious, old-fashioned Club with a strong community feel. Their Cowper Street Diner serves up a delicious, vast lunch and dinner menu including pizzas and kid-sized pizzas. The Cowper Street Diner is also open for breakfast on weekends and public holidays.
Read our full Connolly Park guide
Dixon Park Beach Playground, Merewether
Beachside Dixon Park Beach Playground, a fully-fenced playground located midway between Bar Beach and Merewether, is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the ocean views while your child plays.
When you’re ready for a feed, head to nearby Merewether Surf House or The Beach Hotel, they’re both an easy 5-minute walk away. At The Beach Hotel, choose from pub dining, restaurant dining at Peregrin, or old-school takeaway from Larrie’s.
Read our full Dixon Park Beach Playground guide
Honeysuckle Park, Newcastle
Harbourfront Honeysuckle Park is home to a large pirate ship play structure that kids will love. With shade, seated areas, water stations and a softfall base, this is one of our favourite playgrounds. It’s most suited to kids up to around the age 8.
Popular Honeysuckle Hotel is just a short walk away from Honeysuckle Park. Enjoy your lunch or dinner in their restaurant area, upstairs on The Mezzanine or outdoors on The Pier or Harbourside Deck.
Read our full Honeysuckle Park guide
Lambton Park, Lambton
It’s not hard to see why Lambton Park is a Newcastle favourite. With large, shady trees and a playground with equipment to suit all ages, it’s a top spot to take your kids for a play or meet up with other families.
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.
Just a short walk from Lambton Park playground you’ll find Lambton Park Hotel. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, their menu includes burgers and a kids menu. They also have a great cocktail list.
Read our full Lambton Park guide
Novocastrian Park, New Lambton
The small, timber playground at Novocastrian Park, New Lambton is great for younger kids. It features three slides, a swing set and lots of climbing equipment plus a small roundabout and seesaw.
After the kids have exerted some energy at Novocastrian Park, take a stroll to the Blackbutt Hotel for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s a family-friendly pub with a kids playground inside. Open seven days per week, their kid’s (under 12) menu features nuggets, fish and chips, cheeseburger and chips, pizza or bolognese, and they all include ice cream with topping and sprinkles.
Read our full Novocastrian Park guide
Rawson Park, Stockton
Rawson Park is a fun kids park located behind Stockton Bowling Club. The playground is partially fenced on two sides and adjacent to a large car park. It’s also right opposite Stockton Beach and has great views of Nobbys Headland.
Stockton Bowling Club, affectionately known as The Bowlo Stockton, is a friendly and relaxed bowling club with lovely ocean views from the upstairs dining area. Their bistro is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday.
Smith Park Playground, Hamilton North
Smith Park Playground is a Ninja Warrior-style playground that older kids will love. There’s also swings and bouncies for little ones.
Located right next door to the playground is Hamilton North Bowling Club. Their bistro is open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch, and Monday to Saturday for dinner, with weekly lunch and dinner specials and kids’ options.
Read our full Smith Park Playground guide
Stockton Active Hub, Stockton
Located right near the ferry wharf, at the end of Mitchell Street, this popular playground with adjoining skate park has something for all ages. With heaps of play equipment to keep all ages entertained, including three slides and two flying foxes, the kids can easily spend a couple of hours here. Pack the skateboards and scooters as, chances are, they’ll want to ride in the adjoining street-style skate plaza.
Located just across the road from the Stockton Active Hub, the General Washington Hotel (or Washtub, to locals) is a nice place to sit and have a bite to eat while watching the ships enter and leave the harbour. Please note: General Washington Hotel bistro is currently closed for renovation.
Just a short walk along Mitchell Street, The Gladdy is a family-friendly pub where everyone from toddlers to grandparents to the family dog is welcome. Think coastal vibes, quality coffee, Chef Simona’s gorgeous seasonal menu classics, and a kids corner and garden where kids can actually play while you enjoy your coffee or a proper meal.
Read our full Stockton Active Hub guide
Playgrounds with Nearby Pubs in Lake Macquarie
Pelican Foreshore Playground, Pelican
Situated on on the shores of Lake Macquarie, Pelican Foreshore Playground is a lovely spot for a relaxed family outing. The fully fenced playground has climbing equipment and slides for a range of ages, plus a shaded covered seating area inside the fence and lake views throughout. Combine it with a swim at the sandy foreshore beach, and you’ve got a solid half-day sorted.
Pelican RSL is just a short walk from the playground. The club has multiple dining options under one roof – the Pelican Diner & Grill for classic bistro meals and Jeff Law’s Family Chinese Restaurant for something different. There’s also a children’s playroom on site, which makes it one of the more family-friendly options in the area.
Read our full Pelican Foreshore Playground guide
Warner Park, Warners Bay
Warner Park is a well-loved lakeside playground. Fully-fenced, it has two separate playground areas – a toddler zone with a boat-themed structure and roundabout, and a larger area for older kids with climbing nets, slides and swings including a group nest swing.
A short walk away, in the Warners Bay CBD, the Warners Bay Hotel Bayside Brasserie is open seven days for lunch and dinner, with a menu of pub classics.
Read our full Warner Park guide
Webb Park, Redhead
Kids of all ages will love surf-themed Webb Park. With a large wave climbing structure, flying fox, swings, slides and more, Webb Park is a lovely spot to relax with kids in a beachside location.
Approximately five minutes walk away from Webb Park, Testa Rossa Restaurant at Club Redhead is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. They serve up traditional Italian and classic club meals, and also have a kids menu.
Playgrounds with Nearby Pubs in the Hunter Valley
Lorn Park Playground, Lorn
Lorn Park is a well-maintained community oval in the quiet village of Lorn, just across the river from Maitland. The obstacle course-style playground is suited to older kids. Established trees provide shade, and there’s open grassy areas for a kicking a ball or spreading out a picnic rug.
Right next door, on Melrose Street, is the Lorn Park Bowls Sports & Recreation Club. Their Wok Star Chinese Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday and includes indoor and outdoor dining and takeaway options.
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