Want to take your kids to cool off at a water playground? If you’re looking for Sydney’s best water playgrounds, then we have you sorted. Water playgrounds provide a fabulous alternative to the beach or local pool on those hot summer days! Expect to find lots of fun water play features, like fountains, wading pools, taps and more.
If you’re on the hunt for Sydney’s best water playgrounds then let us steer you in the right direction. Use the quicklinks below to find some of the best options to splash about during the warmer months. These free water playgrounds will keep the whole tribe entertained.
- Warrina Street Oval Playground, Berowra
- Taronga Zoo, Mosman
- Walter Gors Park, Dee Why
- Ian Potter Playground, Centennial Parklands
- Blaxland Riverside Park, Sydney Olympic Park
- Darling Harbour Playground, City
- Francis Park, Blacktown
- James Ruse Reserve Playground, Parramatta
- Livvi’s Place, Kellyville
- Lizard Log, Abbotsbury
- Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland
- Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside
- Ollie Webb Reserve, Parramatta
- Philip Ruddock Water Playground, Dundas Park
- Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
- Putney Park, Putney
- Steel Park, Marrickville South
Northern Sydney Water Parks
1. Taronga Zoo
Not only can you check out all the amazing animals while you’re there, but you can stop off and cool off at the awesome playground in Taronga Zoo. There’s an entire water area for kids to splash about in, right next to the barnyard. Perfect day out for the entire family. It has one of the best water parks for everyone to enjoy. You can also check out our Taronga Zoo review.
- Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman (34 min drive from Gordon, 22 min drive from Lane Cove)
- More information: Taronga Zoo website
2. Warrina Street Oval Playground, Berowra
A great water playground right here on the North Shore! This is the first playground on the North Shore to feature a dedicated water play area. You will find a water pump at one end and three water features or ‘showers’ at the other end. There’s also play equipment for older kids with crazy bars and rock climbing wall, a dedicated toddler playground, swings, in-built trampolines and more. Read our review on Warrina Street Oval Playground here.
- Address: 65 Hillcrest Road, Berowra (25 min drive from Gordon, 34 min drive from Lane Cove)
- More information: Hornsby Shire Council website
3. Putney Park
Putney Park Water Playground
Right on the waterfront, this beautiful park is an expanse of lawns and natural areas. This is one of the best water play parks in Sydney and features a large playground with a waterplay area with a wading pool (and shade sail!) and a smaller playground for toddlers. It’s a beautiful spot for a picnic or BBQ! There is free parking available next to the park. It’s one of Sydney’s best water playgrounds and will entertain the troops all day.
- Address: 55 Pellisier Road, Putney (16 min drive from Gordon, 14 min drive from Lane Cove)
- More information: Ryde Council website
Sydney City Water Playgrounds
4. Darling Harbour Playground
Darling Quarter Water Playground
The Darling Harbour water playground is one of Sydney’s best water playgrounds. The amazing water park is extensive – lots of little streams that are great for splashing, as well as some more technical waterworks play equipment. Make sure you pack swimmers and a towel (or at least a change of clothes!) for this cool water play area. It’s one of the most popular water parks. Wilson Parking Darling Quarter has affordable parking at the weekend.
- Address: Tumbalong Park, Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour (10 min drive from North Sydney)
- More information: Darling Quarter website
5. Ian Potter Playground
The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden, in the heart of Centennial Park, offers city kids and adults alike an opportunity to immerse themselves in an oasis of nature-play and adventure. You will find dry creek beds, a bamboo forest, banksia tunnels, turtle mounds and Centennial Park’s first treehouse. Of course, there’s also a great artesian water play area with water jets and banks of mist.
- Address: Off Grand Dr, Centennial Park (19 min drive from North Sydney)
- More information: Centennial Parklands website
6. Pirrama Park
Pirrama Park
Another city harbourside location! This modern playground, built on the former water police site, includes fun water play features as well as a big sandpit, climbing structures, slippery dips, swings and musical play equipment. The shallow water play area suits kids of all ages. There’s a good quality kiosk right next door, as well as BBQs, picnic benches and clean loos. Parking is metred.
- Address: 22 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont (10 min drive from North Sydney)
- More information: City of Sydney website
7. Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland
Mary O’Brien Reserve, Zetland
This park is perfect for children with 2 playgrounds and a water play area. It also has barbecue and picnic areas. In the middle playground, there is a slide, a corkscrew-style spinner, plenty of climbing and balancing features and monkey bars. Right in the middle, you’ll also find a water play area with six jets – perfect for kids to run in and out of!
- Address: Corner Joynton Avenue and Tilford Street Zetland (25 min drive from Neutral Bay)
- More information: City of Sydney website
Inner West Water Playgrounds
8. Steel Park
Steel Park, Marrickville South
This water play park is open from September – April (10am – 6pm). It was designed to encapsulate the total water cycle – water flows from the mountains, a ‘rills’ section represents water flowing in a river across plains, and an ‘estuary’ feature includes a collection of jets and sprays. There is lots to play with – interactive fountains, sprinklers and misty spray elements.
- Address: Illawarra Road, Marrickville South (23 min drive from Neutral Bay)
- More information: Inner West council website
Northern Beaches Water Playgrounds
9. Walter Gors Park
Walter Gors Park, Dee Why
The perfect place to cool off in the warm weather. Walter Gors Park is surrounded by plenty of green space, along with streaming jets that kids will love. There’s also plenty of options when it comes to setting up a picnic with the family and enjoying a relaxing afternoon. This water play park has so much to keep the kids entertained.
- Address: 36 – 40 Howard Avenue, Dee Why (30 min drive from Gordon, 35 min drive from Lane Cove)
- More information: Northern Beaches Council website
Western Sydney Water Parks
10. Blaxland Riverside Park
A spectacular waterside location alongside the Parramatta River that features terraced grassy slopes, playgrounds, picnic areas and the contemporary Armory Wharf Cafe plus views. As well as a fabulous water play area, there’s a brilliant playground that includes 12 different play areas and is designed for kids of all ages. Bring the bikes too, as there are paths to ride. You could easily spend a whole day out here!
- Address: Jamieson Street, Sydney Olympic Park (24 min drive from Gordon or Lane Cove)
- More information: Sydney Olympic Park website
11. Lizard Log
Water fun at Lizard Log
Lizard Log is a nature lover’s wonderland in a bushland setting. It features a state-of-the-art children’s nature playground that has flying foxes (dual & single), a climbing wall, slide water play areas, giant tyre swings and balancing beams. There are BBQs, toilets, new paths and lots of lovely areas to have a picnic. The wood-carved animals that decorate the playground were made using timber salvaged from the area. Loop paths run through the site – perfect for scooters and bike riders.
- Address: Corner Cowpasture Road and The Horsley Drive, Abbotsbury (38 min drive from Wahroonga)
- More information: Western Sydney Parklands website
12. James Ruse Reserve Water Playground
James Ruse Reserve Water Playground
The water play area is covered by shade sails and there are areas suitable for both little and big kids. The water is turned on from 9am-7:30pm during Summer, 10am-4pm during Spring & Autumn, and turned off completely during winter. There is a great playground too, and lots of green areas to run around. It’s completely free (though you have to pay for parking).
- Address: 45 Hassall Street (corner Parkes Street), Parramatta (25 min drive from Gordon or Lane Cove)
- Open: Spring, Summer & Autumn: 9am – 8pm | Closed in winter
- More information: City of Parramatta website
13. Philip Ruddock Water Playground, Dundas Park
Philip Ruddock Water Playground, Dundas Park
The water play area has a mixture of water fountains to entertain kids, as well as a misty tunnel. Although it’s relatively small compared to others in the City of Parramatta Council area, it’s still a great option. There’s toilets, three covered picnic tables, a dual BBQ and a water refill station nearby too.
- Address: Corner of Yates Ave and Quarry Rd, Dundas (24 mins from Gordon)
- Open: Spring, Summer & Autumn: 9am – 8pm | Closed in winter
- More information: City of Parramatta website
14. Ollie Webb Reserve
If you’re looking for parks with water play, then this all-inclusive play space in Parramatta is a hit. Not only does it include the water park but there’s a great walking track, sports fields, exercise stations and toilets and picnic facilities.
- Address: 37A Glebe St, Parramatta (30 mins from Gordon)
- Open: Spring, Summer & Autumn: 9am – 8:00pm | Closed in winter
- More information: City of Parramatta website
15. Francis Park, Blacktown
Francis Park, Blacktown
Water Play is available during Summer, Autumn and Spring. It includes a sheltered area with varying sized water troughs, a hand-wheel water pump, a concrete water maze and spurts and sprays coming from all over – just perfect for the kids (and adults) on a warm, sunny day. Plus, kids can head over to the junior playground featuring a junior activity unit, swings, a rotating ball, play tables, balance beams, rubber mushrooms and more, and a senior playground featuring a Flying Fox, balance cable and beams, climbing units, slides and more!
- Address: 49 Richmond Rd, Blacktown (30 minutes from Gordon)
- Open: Summer: 9am-6.30pm | Autumn & Spring: 10am-3.30pm | Winter: Closed
- More information: Blacktown City Council website
16. Nurragingy Reserve Water Park
Nurragingy Reserve Water Park
The Nurragingy Reserve is more than just a water park. Its claim to fame is more than 63 hectares of reserve in Doonside known for its family-friendly picnic spots. Of course, the water play area is a drawcard for the kids! You’ll find a large windmill, a water wall spray fountain, jets, cannons and bucket dumpers — all of them dispersing water – partially covered in a sail shade. It’s open daily during Spring, Autumn and Summer. The water park is closed in Winter.
- Address: Knox Road, Doonside (30 minutes from Gordon)
- Open: Summer, Autumn & Spring | Winter: Closed
- More information: Blacktown City Council website
Hills Shire Water Play Parks
17. Livvi’s Place, Kellyville
Livvi’s Place, Kellyville
The Livvi’s Place in the Hills has so much to offer. The water play area is a big open space in the middle, with lots of different holes spurting water out of the ground, along with three buckets ready to tip. Guaranteed fun. But that’s not all, there’s so much more at this all-inclusive playground, including tunnels, swings, slides, and more. There are also shade cloths scattered throughout.
- Address: Bernie Mullane Reserve, Marella Avenue, Kellyville (30 mins from Hornsby)
- More information: The Hills Shire Council website
