As the weather warms up, you might be looking for some outdoor activities for the kids. Fairy Meadow has an abundance of parks and reserves ideal for different ages and skill levels.
We’ve compiled a list of the best parks and reserves in Fairy Meadow, along with a few extras you might not even know about.
Whether it’s for a stretch of grass for a picnic, equipment for kids to play on, or ramps for the keen skateboarder, we’ve got you covered.
Fairy Meadow Beach Park
Situated near the beach and the Puckeys Estate Nature Reserve on Elliots Road, this playground has a large play area with the always popular spider web rope climbing structure, along with public toilets and spacious car park.
Speaking of the beach, North Wollongong Park Run starts at Fairy Meadow Beach every Saturday and is a free community event that brings the area together.
Guest Park Playground
This playground was recently opened after undergoing construction of a more inclusive playground. A beautiful open-plan play area, situated between the tennis courts and community centre, it’s built on soft-fall rubber with concrete paths.
The continuous path connects the areas and makes for a great scooter path for the young ones. It includes a wheelchair-accessible spinning carousel, inground trampoline, musical chimes, make-believe shop stall and swing set.
However, the main attraction is a play structure featuring two slides, climbing steppers and a sheltered play area.
Take a look at Joanne at Guest Park.
Thomas Dalton Park
Located on Elliots Road, visitors describe it as being family and pet friendly with great space. It also features public toilets with an outdoor wash off area.
It’s an ideal park to visit if you are looking for a tranquil and open place for the kids or pets, with the park also being pet-friendly.
The park consists of grounds and courts for various sport activities, picnic areas, tracks for cycling and walking, and access to the beach.
The large open space makes it ideal for catch ups with friends, a space to play cricket or footy or simply sit and enjoy a picnic.
Fairy Meadow Skate Park
Fairy Meadow Skate Park is one of Wollongong’s more famous skateboard parks due to its element of fun and featuring the only vert ramp in the area. It has a large concrete slab with a vert ramp and a comprehensive street section surrounded by a collection of transitions that almost form an open bowl.
Initially made in the late ‘90s, it has undergone significant refurbishments, resulting in smooth concrete that riders appreciate.
Puckeys Estate Nature Reserve
An annex of Wollongong Botanic Garden, it is a rare coastal habitat that includes rainforest, dunes and marshland. Home to about 130 types of birds and several endangered plant communities, Puckeys Estate is also an important heritage site that was originally inhabited by local Aboriginal people.
In the early 20th century, the site was used as a salt mill by the late Courtney Puckey. Some historic remains of the salt works and Puckey’s homestead can still be found at the southern end of the reserve.
You can explore the reserve via the 1.5 km network of boardwalks and informal paths, from Squires Way through to Elliotts Road.
Bassett Park
Corner of Basset and Verica St, this is a great little neighbourhood park. Often used by Mt Ousley Public School, it’s common to see children playing there.
It features a few park benches and has the Evil Eye Cafe right across the road.
There’s also a little mini mart supermarket so you pick up groceries before heading home.
Additional best parks in Fairy Meadow
Some other popular and hidden parks and reserves in the Fairy Meadow area include
- WK Bate Park, a little unknown land strip that is handy for playing cricket.
- Dymock Street Reserve, situated near Hopewood St, is a nice little quiet pocket to kick a ball without worry about traffic. It does have a gentle slope to it and connects Hopewood Cres to Ryan St, which gives you access to Cabbage Tree Lane. This has become a nice access point for residents.
- Robert Cram Park is located on Cabbage Tree Lane and is used by the Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School. You often see the kids running around there, along with friends playing a game of soccer or cricket.
- Kemps Reserve is in Carters Lane and is a gently sloping space. It adjoins a creek, but often gets flooded in wet weather, so best to avoid it during these times. Also note that it is a busier location if children happen to be kicking balls.
What’s your favourite park in Fairy Meadow? Do you have a regular or do you like to try a variety?
To learn more about the local area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400.
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Local story: Mass For You At Home TV series
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