Olinda Playspace is a Melbourne playground in the most beautiful, picturesque setting in the Dandenong Ranges.
Nestled amongst the existing trees of the former Olinda golf course, Olinda Playspace is fabulous, nature-based playground with picnic facilities and adjoining off-leash dog park.
It is an absolutely fantastic addition to the Olinda and Hilltop communities and already a popular gathering place for locals.
It’s not just the spectacular setting making Olinda Playspace worth a visit. The playground is so much fun, with plenty of equipment, activities, sculptures and carvings for the kids to explore.
A giant gecko is waiting to welcome everyone into the playspace. Miss 4 and Little Miss 3 find it impossible to resist a climb and cuddle!
The gecko borders a massive sandpit, split in two by large stepping stones. Each sandpit contains two water play tables that are extremely popular with Miss 4 and Little Miss 3.
According to other children we meet at the playground, a bucket and spade are essential.
There is also a water pump that trickles downhill, beneath the footbridge and out into another sandpit surrounding a massive frog, offering ample sand and water play opportunities.
Find Hotels and Airbnbs in Olinda, Dandenong
Be sure to check out the butterflies hiding beneath the bridge as you follow the water downhill, or scout out the colourful mosaics dotted throughout the park. There are so many bugs to name, Miss 4 and Little Miss 3 turned it into a scavenger hunt.
Wandering above the sandpits you’ll find three wombats, toadstools and fairy houses alongside the toddler cubbies…
…two echidnas by the spinner….
…and perched down by the flying foxes are three owl carvings with the best view of all, overlooking the stunning Yarra Valley and Silvan Dam.
Miss 4, Little Miss 3 and Master 1 think the triple trampolines are designed just for them!
Miss 4 and Little Miss 3 love all three slides….
…but Master 1 is particularly drawn to the yellow one, with a ramp leading up to both for easy access.
Thankfully, the existing trees provide plenty of shade over the slides and a rope course, but the soft fall still gets reasonably warm underfoot, so take care with crawlers.
In the centre of the playground there is a large shelter with four picnic tables with a great vantage point of the entire playground. One of the two swing sets (and drinking fountain) is located conveniently close to this shelter.
Both swing sets have a basket swing, a real favourite with Master 1.
The only BBQ’s, however, are under a separate shelter by the car park and toilet block. And whilst the carpark can be a muddy mess when wet, there is a reasonable amount of parking available.
The carpark is also conveniently home to ‘Oscar’ the Vintage Coffee Van most Thursdays to Sundays, although the Olinda village is less than 1km down the hill on days the coffee van is not attending.
[mv_video key=”kmdwi3vdngn6brahqygi” volume=”70″ aspectRatio=”true” title=”Olinda Playspace | Dandenong Ranges Playground | Review & Info” thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/kmdwi3vdngn6brahqygi.jpg” jsonLd=”true” doNotOptimizePlacement=”false” doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” sticky=”false”]Olinda Playspace is located next to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly National Rhododendron Garden), and 200m from the Olinda public swimming pool. It is only one of the stages of a three-stage project, with a new sports oval and netball court coming in 2020, and upgraded parking to support the growing needs of the Hilltop communities. The completed Olinda Precinct Project will be magnificent!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]Tips for Olinda Playspace:
- Suitable for toddlers;
- Suitable for older kids;
- Water play;
- Natural Shade;
- Picnic Shelter;
- Water fountain;
- Picnic tables and seats;
- Public toilets;
- Free 2 burner BBQ;
- free parking;
- From Thursday to Sunday you will usually find ‘Oscar’ the Vintage Coffee Van in the carpark, serving up delicious coffee, hot chocolates, chai lattes and snacks;
- Next to Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens and Olinda public swimming pool is about 200 metres away; and
- Olinda village is 1km down the hill.
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For more playgrounds in the Dandenongs visit Montrose Community Playground
More free water play in Melbourne and Victoria
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