If you’re looking for the best playgrounds in Melbourne South and Bayside suburbs then check out my list of the top 20 parks covering the council areas of Stonnington, Port Phillip, Bayside, Kingston and Frankston.
I’ve separated out the best playgrounds within Glen Eira, Monash, Greater Dandenong and Casey in my list of the best playgrounds in South East Melbourne.
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne South
While technically this area of South Yarra is covered by the City of Melbourne I’ve included it here because it is south of the river and the rest of South Yarra is within the City of Stonnington.
1. Royal Botanic Garden Children’s Garden, South Yarra
Set inside the Royal Botanic Gardens is the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. It is a fully fenced lush oasis with lots of shady spots and opportunities for nature play and water play.
Suitable for little kids and older kids as well, this is one of the best playgrounds for babies in Melbourne. You’ll need to supervise closely around water though, and there are lots of lovely hiding spots.
Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne South – Stonnington
The City of Stonnington is the inner city municipality covering South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor and all the way to Malvern. Here are some of our favourite parks in the area.
2. Princes Gardens, Prahran
Princes Gardens is a popular park in Prahran away from the bustle of Chapel Street. The gardens feature a skate park, tennis courts, playground, shaded areas and lawns, as well as being home to Chapel Off Chapel.
Princes Gardens are located next to the Prahran Aquatic Centre and Princes Close Childcare Centre.
3. Phoenix Park, Malvern East
Phoenix Park boasts a beautiful wooden playground surrounded by large trees. Most of the wooden fortress playground is fenced and inside you’ll find swings, slides, steering wheels and musical features.
Next to the Phoenix Park playground is a skate park, the Malvern Library, community centre, Phoenix Park cafe.
Phoenix Park, 22 Rob Roy Road, Malvern East
Best Playgrounds in Melbourne’s Bayside – City of Port Phillip
City of Port Phillip covers the bayside suburbs closest to Melbourne city and it boasts not just one, but two of Melbourne’s five staffed adventure playgrounds, plus plenty more great playgrounds.
4. Maritime Cove, Port Melbourne
Maritime Cove is a maritime-themed playground that has recycled maritime equipment used as striking features. There is also a new wooden climbing structure with a long slide travelling down from the top.
There are a couple of water play zones, and lots of scoops and funnels to play with the sand.
There are picnic facilities and toilets nearby, as well as a bank of exercise equipment next to the playground. Maritime Cove is definitely one of the best beach playgrounds in Melbourne.
Maritime Cove, Perc White Reserve, The Boulevard, Port Melbourne
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Maritime Cove, Port Melbourne
Related: Best beach playgrounds in Melbourne
5. Skinners Adventure Playground, South Melbourne
This South Melbourne adventure playground is an expansive junkyard playspace with multiple structures and opportunities for risky and imaginative play.
Skinners Adventure Playground is aimed at 5-12 year olds, but younger children will have lots of fun with a bit more supervision.
Skinners Playground is one of Melbourne’s five staffed adventure playgrounds so it’s best to call prior to visiting to confirm they’ll be open to the public.
Skinners Playground, Dorcas Street, South Melbourne
6. Plum Garland Playground, Albert Park
Plum Garland Memorial Playground is a fully fenced all-sand beach playground located on Beaconsfield Parade Albert Park.
Kids will have so much fun playing with the water, swings, climbing up the lookout and then heading to the beach.
Plum Garland Playground, Albert Park
Related: Best Melbourne beach playgrounds
7. St Kilda Adventure Playground, St Kilda
This St Kilda playground is one of the best kids parks in Melbourne. It is one of Melbourne’s five staffed adventure playgrounds, and is intended for use by local children who may be disadvantaged or not have a backyard. However, it is still open to the public at certain times.
It is a space full of different play structures, many created out of recycled products. There is something for every child to have fun with. Although St Kilda Adventure Playground is really intended for kids 5+, younger children will still have fun, they just require more supervision.
St Kilda Adventure Playground, Neptune Street, St Kilda
8. Alma Park East, St Kilda East
Alma Park East holds a sprawling playground shaded by a Moreton Bay Fig. There are multiple play structures with equipment to climb up and things to slide down, providing opportunities for multiple ages.
There are also swings, a flying fox and invitations for imaginative play. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues and toilets.
Alma Park East, Alma Road, St Kilda East
Best playgrounds in Melbourne – Bayside
Bayside City Council is made up of the suburbs of Brighton, Brighton East, Hampton, Hampton East, Highett, Black Rock, Sandringham, Beaumaris and Cheltenham. Here are the best playgrounds in the area.
9. Harleston Park, Elsternwick
A playground upgrade means that Harleston Park has play equipment for all ages. For older kids there’s a gigantic slide, basketball court and rock climbing wall while little kids will enjoy the sand play as well as a small slide and climbing structure.
Add free BBQ facilities, picnic tables and public toilet and you could make a day of it.
Harleston Park, Elsternwick
10. North Road Foreshore Playground, Brighton
A pirate ship has run aground at North Road Reserve, with this popular beachside playground offering water play, climbing structures, slides and more.
North Point Cafe has a kiosk and sit-down service when you’re in need of sustenance.
North Road Foreshore Playground, Brighton
Related: Melbourne water play parks
11. Thomas Street Reserve, Hampton
This huge wooden playground is a popular destination for Hampton locals. With so many places to play, barbecues and toilets, it’s a place to while away a day.
Thomas Street Reserve, Hampton
Best Playgrounds Melbourne South – Kingston
Kingston City Council continues further down Port Phillip Bay, covering suburbs such as Chelsea, Mordialloc and Clayton. The playgrounds here are particularly imaginative, with fun themes to spark creative play. Here are our favourite parks in the area.
12. Peter Scullin Reserve, Mordialloc
This Mordialloc Beach playground is a community park between the beach and the shopping strip. Which makes it one of the best playgrounds in Bayside Melbourne.
Peter Scullin Reserve appeals to a wide age range and has shelter over much of the ship themed equipment. There is also a popular pommel bouncer which two people can use at a time.
Peter Scullin Reserve, Beach Rd, Mordialloc
Related: Melbourne beach playgrounds
13. Bicentennial Park, Chelsea
Bicentennial Park is, without a doubt, one of the best kids park in Melbourne. It is large, with lots to do, making it worth a special trip.
Bicentennial Park has a large wooden climbing fort, high long slides, swings, sandpits and opportunities for imaginative play such as a train and ticket booth. There are picnic and barbecue shelters, toilets and drink taps.
Bicentennial Park Playground, Scotch Parade, Chelsea
Related: Australia’s best playgrounds
14. Victory Park, Chelsea
At Chelsea Beach you’ll find a fairy-tale themed sand-based playground called Victory Park. The play equipment doubles the fun for a day out at the beach – don’t forget to take your scooters and bikes along to enjoy the smooth paths!
Victory Park, The Strand, Chelsea
Related: Best playgrounds with scooter tracks and bike track
15. The Grange Reserve UFO Park, Clayton South
Little astronauts will love this space-themed playground, built on the location with an alleged UFO sighting!
Climb up inside the space ship, meet some friendly aliens and have a barbecue or picnic in the leafy surrounds.
The Grange Reserve, Clayton South
16. Heatherton Park, Clayton South
Known as the Monster Park or Troll Park, Heatherton Park has three large wooden troll sculptures that dominate the play space, and provide inspiration for imaginative play.
There are also two wooden climbing structures with equipment to suit different ages and abilities. There is also smaller equipment including three slides and swings. Heatherton Park has toilets, barbecue shelters and unshaded tables.
Heatherton Park, Ireland Road, Clayton South
17. Carrum Foreshore Playground, Carrum
This nautical-themed playground is right alongside one of Melbourne’s best beaches. It’s partially gated and fenced, and there are wooden deckchairs and picnic shelters dotted around the edges.
The play equipment at Carrum Beach Playground includes a giant sandpit with diggers and a central lighthouse with a telescope perfect for looking across the bay.
Carrum Foreshore Playground, Old Post Office Lane, Carrum
Best playgrounds in Melbourne South – Frankston
The City of Frankston borders the Mornington Peninsula and its playgrounds are large and fabulous.
18. Frankston Foreshore Playground, Frankston
The Frankston Beach foreshore playground has been upgraded with the demolition of existing aged equipment, refurbishment of the iconic ‘Pixie Hats’ (steel cone roofs) and installation of new junior and senior play spaces. The castles stand tall, tunnels capture the imagination and shaded sand pits provide hours of fun.
Frankston Foreshore Playground, Frankston
19. Ballam Park, Frankston
Ballam Park is one of the best adventure playgrounds in Melbourne. The eastern side of the playground is suited to babies and toddlers, whereas the western side has been upgraded with a skate park and adventure playground for older children.
The skate park includes a multi-use court, and Ballam Park has a barbecue, picnic and toilet facilities.
Ballam Park, Cranbourne Road, Frankston
20. Jubilee Park, Frankston
Jubilee Park Frankston is a 13-hectare site which is home to cricket, football and netball clubs and a swimming pool – and an awesome maritime-themed playground!
Jubilee Park playground’s design takes inspiration from Frankston’s beach and bushland location, with references to native animals and sea life in the playground equipment.
Jubilee Park, Hillcrest Road, Frankston
