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One of the best things I have learned as a parent is that you quickly learn the value of a good playground when raising a child. Whether it’s a quick runaround after lunch or an entire morning spent outdoors, the right park can make all the difference – for both the kids and the grown-ups. We’ve lived in Maitland for a few years now, and during this time, we’ve slowly built a list of go-to play parks that tick all the boxes: accessible, safe, engaging, and somewhere you wouldn’t mind spending a few hours in. We don’t box ourselves to only Maitland as we do love going to town to check out all the best playgrounds and best parks Newcastle has to offer. I’m so grateful we have access to some of the best parks here – it’s not lost on me how much of a privilege that is.
If you’re a local or visiting family looking for the best play parks in Newcastle, I’ve put together this list based on our real-life experiences. Some are surrounded by cafes and harbour views, others sit in quiet neighbourhoods tucked away from the crowd. All of them offer something special – whether it’s a giant slide, a flying fox, climbing structures, beautiful shaded spaces, or the best spaces for a picnic. Here are the five parks we return to again and again.
Top 5 Play Parks We Love Around Newcastle and Maitland
1. Honeysuckle playground - Newcastle
This one is a winner for location alone. Right on the waterfront, this playground in Newcastle offers beautiful views of the harbour, plenty of open space, and a modern play area (a pirateship!) that caters to all ages. It’s not the biggest one on the list, but it’s enough to keep our toddler going for a few hours. There’s something so calming about watching the big boats go by while your child climbs, swings, and explores. Bonus: there’s good coffee nearby, and the flat path is perfect for scooters and prams. We usually like to take some food with us – like sandwiches from Arno Deli (best sandwiches in Newcastle!) or something from home.
📍16 Worth Pl, Newcastle NSW 2300
Toilets: yes
Water fountain: yes
Parking: Street parking
Picnic facilities: covered picnic tables
BBQ: Yes
Cafe nearby: Yes
Accessibility: Accessible toilets and wide paths surrounding the area
2. Thomas H Halton Park - Lake Macquarie
Set just off Warners Bay, this is one of the most scenic parks in Newcastle’s surrounds. There’s a bike track, a skate park, a huuuge pirateship/play area where children of all ages can play in, large open oval, a splash water area, a shaded playground, and lots of places to set up a picnic blanket. If you’re up for a picnic, there is a beautiful and delicious seafood takeaway that makes the most incredible prawn rolls and fish and chips. It’s called Swordfish Co. in Warner’s Bay.
Anyway, the park is a great all-rounder with water views, and we love it for weekend afternoons when we want to squeeze in both play and a walk by the lake.
📍Bareki Road, Eleebana 2282
Toilets: yes
Water fountain: yes
Parking: Plenty
Picnic facilities: Tables and plenty of open space
BBQ: Yes
Cafe nearby: No
Accessibility: Accessible toilets and wide paths surrounding the area
3. Wirraway Park – Thornton, Maitland
Located in the lower hunter region, This Maitland park park in Thornton has quickly become one of our favourites. It’s a playground, basketball court, and outdoor exercise area that feels thoughtfully designed for families, with separate areas for toddlers and older children. It has a flying fox, a climbing giant rock, slides, and table areas if you want to have a birthday celebration. It’s not overly crowded because it’s within a subdivision in Thornton.
📍Wirraway Drive, Thornton, NSW
Toilets: yes
Water fountain: yes
Parking: Yes
Picnic facilities: Covered tables
BBQ: No
Cafe nearby: No
Accessibility: Wide paths but no accessible toilets
4. Maitland Park – Maitland
A classic and a community favourite, this beautiful park is spacious and full of charm. It’s right next to the pool and includes wide open fields, courts, and an impressive and fully-fenced playground. If you’re looking for parks in Maitland with history and space to roam, this is a wonderful option. It’s popular for birthday parties, lazy afternoons, and plenty of impromptu visits after errands in town.
Maitland City Council is in the process of updating Maitland Park as well as the Maitland Park playspace to become more inclusive, accessible, sustainable and intergenerational.
Update from Maitland City Council Newsletter: Council has officially endorsed plans to build a new playspace at Maitland Park that’s triple the current size. Following community consultation, the Maitland Park Citywide Playspace Concept Plan has been updated to reflect community feedback including a greater focus on water play, improved accessibility such as footpaths and sensory items, supporting infrastructure like seating and picnic shelters and more shade. Whilecurrently unfunded, Council will continue to seek funding opportunities for the staged delivery of these projects, with timelines to be determined once funding is secured.
📍Walker Street, Maitland
Toilets: Yes
Water fountain: Yes
Parking: Yes
Picnic facilities: Covered tables and open spaces
BBQ: Yes
Cafe nearby: Yes
Accessibility: Wide paths and accessible toilets
5. Centennial Park Playground – Cooks Hill, Newcastle
Tucked away in Cooks Hill, this leafy spot is a gem. Shaded by trees and surrounded by tennis courts and playing fields, it’s one of those playgrounds in Newcastle that feels a bit more relaxed and residential. The playground has climbing structures, spinning rope climbers, a roped swing, slides and more. We love popping by here in the late afternoon – it’s peaceful, well-kept, and usually not too busy.
📍Dawson Street, Cooks Hill, NSW
Toilets: Yes
Water fountain: yes
Parking: Yes
Picnic facilities: Covered tables and open spaces
BBQ: Yes
Cafe nearby: Inside Lowlands Bowling club. Darby st., which is nearby, also has plenty of amazing cafes.
Accessibility: Wide paths
These are just five of our favourite parks, but there are so many more scattered across Newcastle and Maitland that are worth exploring. Each one has become a little backdrop to our family memories, and I hope this list helps you discover your own new favourite.
Have a park you love that I should add to the list? Let me know – I’d love to hear your suggestions.
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