We asked our Wide Bay Kids parents and friends committee leader, Kylie Minett, to write about her Favourite Parks to visit in Bundaberg with her kids. Here is her Bundaberg playground and parks review.

Written by Kylie Minett 19 February 2022.

This is an overview of my favourite parks and playgrounds to visit in Bundaberg.  I have 3 kids; 8, 6 and 4 years old. I often consider this list when thinking of what to do on the school holidays or the rare weekend without scheduled commitments.

This playground is fabulous for kids of all ages and is one of the best that the region has to offer. Placed in the middle of the quiet suburban area of Avenell Heights the playground underwent a major upgrade in 2021 and now features an 8m high adventure playground, large tube slide, inground trampoline, long drop double swing, zip line, pedal loop path and open space to kick a ball.

The zero-depth water play area is a real winner in my opinion and a great way for kids (particularly those not old enough to swim safely) to splash and cool down without parents needing to worry about deeper water.

The playground and open spaces can easily fill an hour, two or more if you stay to catch up with friends, enjoy a picnic or a family game of soccer. However, located in the middle of suburbia means there is little supporting facilities close to purchase snacks, coffee or major extension activities which encourage you to hang around.

If you haven’t visited this playground in a while it’s definitely worth a return trip!

Affectionately known as the ‘train playground’ to my kids due to the large sugar cane train included in the park structure facing the main road. This park is located on George Street in the centrally located suburb of East Bundaberg (5 minutes from town) and can either be used for a quick pop in after school drop off or pickup or to fill a few hours if you are happy to move within one of the many play zones including;

> Playground inc. sugar cane train, maze, climbing net, swings and slides
> Bike and Scooter tracks inc. bicycle safety course with road signs and traffic directions
> Lake Ellen (feed the ducks)
> Baldwin Swamp walk / scoot / bike ride 

One of the great points about this playground is that it features an extra large shaded BBQ area making this location perfect for group catch ups or kids parties.

You really can do as much or as little as you want when it comes to this playground. Stay a few minutes for a play or bring snacks, water and bike / scooter to make it an outing that lasts a few hours and leaves the kids exhausted from pumping their little legs on the bike tracks and hiking around Baldwin swamp bush paths.

Extension activities:
> Bush walk through one of the various paths Baldwin Swamp has to offer. Remember to keep an eye out for wildlife and water birds including; magpie geese, cormorants, swamp hens, moor hens and ducks.
> Take a bike / scooter / skates and utilise the various flat paths and bike course
> Feed the ducks

This is another one to add to the Bundaberg region's fabulous list of playgrounds. This nature themed playground underwent extensive renovations a few years back and is now a drawcard for families visiting the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.

You can’t miss this playground as it’s located at the main entrance to the gardens on Mt Perry Road. The playground incorporates a large tunnel slide (only accessible to the older kids capable of scaling between the two sloping elevated rock climbing walls), cubby house, tandem swing, water play and plenty of opportunities for the little ones to climb. 

Our family loves to visit the gardens, grab a coffee from Cafe 1928 along with a bag of duck / turtle food and meander around the central lagoon area via the rainforest walk. If you are lucky they’ll have the mist spray turned on which is a novelty for the little ones. Just be careful as you’ll have plenty of birds at your feet as soon as they realise you’ve got food!

The gardens has activity trails for the kids to complete and often has additional resources available over school holidays so it’s worth checking either on the gardens website or with the Cafe upon arrival.

Extension activities:
> Feed the turtles / ducks
> Ride the Australian Sugar Cane Railway
> Cafe 1928
> Hinkler Hall of Aviation
> Kids Activity Trail

Located on the waterfront at Burnett Heads, Bundaberg’s newest playground was opened in 2021. This park incorporates three (3) play areas for different age groups alongside plenty of space to kick a ball or fly a kite (rest assured it will be windy!), a skate park and walking track that connects Burnett Heads to Bargara via Mon Repo.

The play areas are split into 3 sections, but for the most part I’ve found my kids run between all 3 and will happily play without noticing how they have been designed;
> toddler play area with slide, train, swings and fort
> junior play area with spinner and orb
> older kids play area with 6m tower, tunnel slide and 2 x 4m drop swings

It’s hard not to notice the beauty of the Bundaberg coastline whilst visiting this park as it is set on a rocky outcrop with a view for miles out to sea. Although there is no direct beach access at the playground, Oaks Beach is a short drive from the playground and is a great little beach for kids stretching 200m between volcanic rock outcrops. 

Extension activities:
> Swim / paddle / play at Oaks Beach
> Skate park located close by 
>The playground forms part of the turtle trail walking track which connects Bargara to Burnett Heads via Mon Repo. Take your bike, scooter or skates and hit the pavement for an outdoor family adventure with a spectacular view that can’t be beaten.

When in Burnett Heads we also love to visit:
Kellys Coffee (By the Sea)
Turtle Trail

This is one of Bundaberg’s most popular playground facilities and it is not hard to see why as it sits proudly with a spectacular backdrop of the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park.

The brightly colour playground is located at the entrance to the park and incorporates equipment to suit all ages including a tiny cafe, slide and swings for the younger kids and low rope course, tunnel slide and suspension bridge for the bigger kids.

The park includes 5 x double shelters each with BBQ facilities. It is however worth noting that only 1 shelter is close enough to entertain whilst maintaining visibility of the kids on the playground. The others sit between the playground and The Basin swim area and overlook a lush grass field suitable for ball games, flying a kite or a round of cricket with the family.

Our family enjoys having a BBQ breakfast at the playground with friends whilst the kids play before heading down to The Basin for an early morning swim. The car remains easily accessible via the adequate car park so food and picnic goods can easily be exchanged for swimmers, buckets and inflatable flamingos as the day progresses. 

Extension activities can include:
> Walk, ride or scoot along the oceanfront pathway connecting Christensen Park to the main Bargara precinct (stop for coffee or ice cream) and north to Neilsen’s Beach.
> Swim / paddle / play at The Basin - this was built out of volcanic rocks and fills during high tide making it easy to find fish as the tide goes out.