Port Stephens is one of the Hunter’s favourite family destinations and it’s not just because of the beautiful beaches. Across the region, you’ll find fantastic playgrounds where kids can climb, swing, explore and burn off energy between swims, walks and café stops.
Whether you’re staying at Nelson Bay, exploring the dunes at Anna Bay or taking a day trip to Fingal Bay, this guide rounds up the best playgrounds in Port Stephens for families.
Boat Harbour Playground, Boat Harbour
Head to Boat Harbour for a swim and a play at one of Port Stephens’ most fun beachside playgrounds — it’s essentially a beachside obstacle course.
Kids can jump or run across logs, hurtle along monkey bars, balance on a rope course, climb across a spiderweb climbing net and then head to the top fort before sliding down.
When they’ve had enough, you can head to the beach. Facing east and called Boat Harbour as it’s where locals launch their boats, this beach is is 200m long so plenty of room for everyone. Toilet facilities are conveniently located next to the playground too.
Best for: Primary school age and up
Highlights: Timber obstacle course, monkey bars, spiderweb climbing net, Boat Harbour Beach next door
Caswell Reserve, Mallabulla
Located on the foreshore of Mallabula, Caswell Park has a great kid’s park with swings, a slide, a roundabout, monkey bars and lots of stepping and climbing structures. There’s also concrete paths to ride scooters round and round.
In addition, there’s a large covered picnic shelter with gas barbecues and a clean amenities block. The carpark is located right next to the park for convenience. Once the kids have finished playing, everyone can take a walk through beautiful Tilligerry Habitat and see if you can spot koalas.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Scooter paths, covered BBQ shelter, Tilligerry Habitat koala spotting nearby
Corlette Point Park, Corlette
For another playground with bay views, head to Corlette Point Park. Located on the foreshore, this timber playground features a group swing, slide and climbing equipment.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Bay views, group swing, foreshore location
Fingal Beach Foreshore Reserve Playground, Fingal Bay
Have a play at Fingal Bay Foreshore Reserve Playground. Located on scenic Marine Drive, this playground has plenty of equipment to suit kids of all ages including a spiderweb swing, spinner, slides, flying fox and climbing equipment.
For those with younger kids, this playground has a toddler swing as well as toddler play equipment.
Port Stephens Council has recently installed a series of shade sails covering most of the playground. There are also undercover picnic tables and it’s only a short walk to Fingal Beach.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Flying fox, spiderweb swing, shade sails, Fingal Beach nearby, Longboat Cafe next door
Little Beach, Nelson Bay
Little Beach is just around from the tourist hub of Nelson Bay and has a fantastic playground for little ones. There’s a group swing so you can jump in and swing with your kids while you enjoy the views across the bay.
Or spin around on the merry-go-round. (There’s also an exercise equipment area at the top of the playground if you want to work out while your kids play).
There’s also musical equipment and the popular play house in which they can play make-believe.
A popular feature at this playground is the sand and water area. Kids can use a digger to pick up and dump sand.
Above this is the water play area, where they can splash around and watch the water cascading through the play space.
Once your kids have finished playing, you can head to the peaceful bay beach. It’s perfect for littlies who will love playing in the sand or splashing in the calm water.
Best for: Toddlers and younger kids
Highlights: Sand and water play, group swing, merry-go-round, nearby beach
Nelson Bay Playground, Nelson Bay
Centrally located in Nelson Bay with water views, this playground is a busy and popular spot for good reason. There’s a double slide, a twirly slide, a rock climbing wall and plenty of climbing equipment to keep kids of different ages busy.
The playground faces directly onto the water and there’s often families having a dip in the shallow water. Supervise your kids as there’s no fencing.
FYI, this playground is on our Nelson Bay scavenger hunt! We teamed up with Port Stephens Council to develop a fun Scavenger Hunt for kids, around Nelson Bay! The Scavenger Hunt will take you throughout Nelson Bay, exploring the area marked on the map to find the answer to the questions, and solving a mystery phrase! The scavenger hunts is a fun and free family activity to do if you’re up at the Bay. You can pick up a copy at the Visitor Information Centre or download a copy here.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Water views, double and twirly slides, rock climbing wall, Nelson Bay Scavenger Hunt
Tip: No fencing — supervise little ones carefully near the water.
Birubi Point Playground, Anna Bay
Set above Birubi Beach with views over the Stockton Sand Dunes, this playground is a must-visit. The playground includes swings, slides and climbing equipment. After a play, walk down to the beach to watch camels, surfers or the stunning sunset.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Sand dune views, Birubi Beach, sunset views, camel watching
Robinson Reserve, Anna Bay
A top spot for older kids is Robinson Reserve in Anna Bay. As well as climbing play equipment, swings, vertical balancing logs and a group swing, it’s also next door to Anna Bay Skate Park.
There are picnic tables and barbecues here as well as amenities conveniently located. If you feel like a beach walk, Birubi Beach is nearby.
Best for: Primary school age and up
Highlights: Vertical balancing logs, group swing, Anna Bay Skate Park next door, BBQ, Birubi Beach nearby
Finnan Park, Medowie
Finnan Park, located between Medowie and Raymond Terrace near Grahamstown Dam, is a large gated park that’s popular with families in the Port Stephens area. There are plenty of undercover picnic tables to choose from, lots of large open space for kids to run, gravel tracks around the park for bikes, a kids playground and toilets. It’s particularly well set up for family gatherings and birthday parties.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Large gated space, bike tracks, undercover picnic tables, party-frien
Bower Reserve Playground, Medowie
Bower Reserve in the Bower Estate at Medowie is every kid’s dream playground — and one of the best family parks in the Port Stephens area. The large main playground features a double slide, a rock climbing wall, a spiderweb swing, a baby and child swing, a cubby kids can climb into with a play shop underneath, a spiral fireman’s pole, a suspension bridge, monkey bars and a balance beam with log stepping stones. There’s also a second smaller playground for younger kids and an exercise area for adults. All three areas are connected by a wide meandering concrete path perfect for scooters, balance bikes and ride-ons — bring the wheels. A half-sized netball/basketball court sits alongside and public art featuring oversized native animals and a giant metal paper plane is dotted throughout the natural, tree-lined setting. Four large undercover picnic tables and toilets are on site. No BBQ or cafe on site so bring a picnic.
Best for: All ages
Highlights: Large rope climbing structure, spiderweb swing, suspension bridge, scooter paths, basketball court, public art
Tip: Combine with a visit to Medowie Macadamias nearby for breakfast or morning tea.
Read our full Bower Reserve guide →
More Family Guides for Port Stephens
Planning a trip to Port Stephens? These guides will help you make the most of it.
20 Amazing Things to Do in Port Stephens with Kids
Explore Nelson Bay with a Newy with Kids Scavenger Hunt!
Tomaree Coastal Walk – A Short Walk from Boat Harbour to Slot Canyon
Tomaree Coastal Walk – A Short Walk from Anna Bay to Little Kingsley Beach
Koala Spotting at Tilligerry Habitat in Port Stephens
Bike at The Bay: Family Bike Rides in Port Stephens