Toboggan Hill Park: Retro Family Fun in Nelson Bay

Toboggan Hill Park is a popular family attractions in Port Stephens, and it’s easy to see why. Built into the hillside above Nelson Bay, the park is centred around a 1km toboggan track that winds through native bushland, with enough extra activities (mini golf, rock climbing, a maze, roller skating and more) to fill most of a day. If you’re looking for retro family fun, this is your place.

It works well as a stand-alone outing or as part of a longer Port Stephens trip, and it’s flexible enough to suit toddlers through to teenagers, which isn’t easy to find in one venue.

The Toboggan Track

Toboggan Hill Park View

We started the day on the toboggan ride, which is the main attraction. Kids under 8 ride on a toboggan with an adult while kids over 8 can ride by themselves. There’s no minimum age for the toboggan.

Toboggan Hill Park

Giant Maze

Walk up through the park to the giant maze, with a chance of spotting local wildlife like goannas or wallabies along the way.

Toboggan Hill Park Giant Maze

The maze itself takes a while to work through properly as it’s quite large, families should budget around 20 minutes for this alone.

Toboggan Hill Park Maze

Outdoor Mini Golf

For a slower-paced activity, the 18-hole mini golf course set among the bushland is a good option for families with a mix of ages.

Toboggan Hill Park Mini Golf

Indoor Activities

If the weather turns, Toboggan Hill Park has enough indoor options to make it a genuine wet-weather choice, not just an outdoor attraction with a fallback plan.

Toboggan Hill Park Rock Climbing

There’s a rock climbing wall with variations for different skill levels, a roller skating rink, and jumping castle.

Toboggan Hill Park Jumping Castle

Rides and Other Activities

Younger kids tend to gravitate to the Kiddie Karz bumper cars, generally suited to ages 4 to 7. There are also coin-operated remote control cars and boats, which run at a small extra cost on top of general admission.

There’s a roller skating rink which replaced the synthetic ice rink that used to be at Toboggan Hill Park.

Toboggan Hill Park has been a Port Stephens fixture for decades, though the property was recently listed for sale. If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth checking the park’s current hours, pricing and activity list directly before you head out, in case anything has changed.

Address: Toboggan Hill Park is located behind the aquatic centre at 16 Aquatic Close (off Salamander Way), Nelson Bay. There is car parking available on-site.
Ideal Age: There is no minimum age and there are activities suitable for everyone.
Public Toilets: Available in the kiosk area.
Food: A kiosk on site sells food and drinks. There’s also a grassy area near the toboggan run if you’d rather bring a picnic.
BBQ: Available for hire.
Nearby Cafe: There is a kiosk at the park with some food and drink options.
Bring: Hats, sunscreen and insect repellent are worth packing, the bushland areas can get mozzies. Shorts or pants are more practical than skirts or dresses if you’re planning to ride the toboggan.
Pricing: There is a range of ticket and pricing options, and family activity passes are available. Kids under 3 years are free.

For more information, visit the Toboggan Hill Park website.


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Newy with Kids

Since 2012, Newy with Kids has helped families across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter discover the best things to do with kids. From local events and playgrounds to school holiday ideas and family-friendly dining, we share trusted local knowledge for parents and carers.