Take a day trip to Wirraway, Thornton, in the lower Hunter Valley and enjoy the playground at Wirraway Park, named in honour of the Wirraway aircraft and inspired by aviation and its significance to the lower Hunter region.
There’s heaps of aviation-themed equipment for kids to play on, including a bouncy seesaw and a toy plane, with a spinning propeller, that little kids can climb up into and ‘fly’. You’ll find an area at Wirraway Park to suit all ages, but the park is mostly suited to ages 6+.
The younger kids area of the playground has lots of seating as well as shade overhead and softfall underfoot.
Alongside the seesaw and toy plane, there’s a spinning circle as well as a suspension swing that kids will enjoy going backwards, forwards and around and around on.
They’ll also love the view over the park from the top of the two big slides. They can climb the stairs or scramble to the top over the sandstone blocks.
It’s a bumpy, but fun, ride to the bottom!
A flying fox is always a great addition to a playground. The flying fox at this park is easy for most kids aged 6+ to return and mount.
Little thrill seekers will love ‘flying’ through the air on, what my 6-8 year olds dubbed, ‘The Crazy Flying Seesaw’. It was a firm favourite, but I highly recommend close adult supervision at this one. If the flying kid happens to fall off decides to drop down, they have limited time to scurry out of the way before the handle comes flying around again and knocks them over. All part of the fun, of course!
When all the action gets too much, kids (or adults) can take a rest in the giant hammock swing.
Don’t leave home without packing skateboards, scooters and helmets. There are heaps of shared pathways around the park for kids to skate or scooter.
There’s even a small concrete bank they can practice tricks on.
The path towards the back of the park connects with a shared cycleway. Kids can ride this path down past the fenced paddock to see cattle grazing.
Balls are also a must-pack. Wirraway Park includes a half-sized basketball court and a rebound wall. There’s also four pieces of exercise equipment.
Wirraway is a Defense Housing Development, and Wirraway Park was built primarily for residents. Unfortunately, there were no toilets at this park before Christmas 2023. However, Maitland City Council has now installed a new toilet block.
There’s also no barbecues, so pack a picnic. There are plenty of shaded picnic tables and water fountains.
Wirraway Park is a great park to visit if you reside in the lower Hunter/Maitland area. It’s also perfect for a day trip from Newcastle, especially to get older kids out of the house.
Don’t forget to pack those scooters, skateboards and balls. If you’re after a nice place to eat, The Kitchen at Waterford is only 4km from Wirraway Park and welcomes kids.
Good to know:
Wirraway Park is suitable for children of all ages.
Wirraway Park is located on Wirraway Drive in Thornton, NSW.
Yes. Public toilets are available.
Yes. There are three water fountains.
Yes. There are five covered picnic tables and additional covered benches.
No. There are no BBQ facilities at this park.
Yes. There is a small grassed car park near the playground.
The park has wide paths throughout, but there are no accessible toilets or accessible play equipment.
No. There are no cafés nearby.
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Want more ideas for family fun in the lower Hunter? Visit Maitland Park, Heddon Greta Drive In or Maitland Gaol.
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