Although they enjoyed the pool at the bush doof, our girls expressed a desire for a more child-friendly play experience. Visiting the Lake Macquarie Variety Playground at Speers Point in the Newcastle region was the best we could offer, and we’re so glad to discover this excellent play space!
Newcastle resident Aunty Gwenda suggested this playground to us when we were trying to nominate a place to meet up. My cousin’s 12yo son Jaiden is visiting his granny (Gwenda), and we thought this playground would be right for the variety of ages of our children.
Gwenda and Jaiden soon arrived, bringing treats and presents for our children. She’s the one who gave us four beautiful, spotted purple dresses, and she gave us more matching dresses so the girls can dress alike if they wish. She also generously presented Elijah with several sets of clothes. Pencils, paper and treats for me came out of her seemingly endless goody bags, and all were enthusiastically received!
Gwenda is vibrant in her new pink phase of life. Elijah ... well, he must prefer red.
Jaiden is so thoughtful and caring of other children. He collected Gwenda's bags from her car and helped out on the playground.
Gwenda challenges our girls to tie a snake lolly into a knot using just their tongues. Who can resist a game like that?
The treats doesn't stop with the lollies as Gwenda introduces our girls to brandy snaps.
David rolls up a vegetarian sausage in a quickly-made chappati.
It's good to talk about a range of topics with Gwenda. Over the last month, I've been missing intimate conversations with other women.
Delaney improvises with her new pencils, creating a beautiful line in the sand.
Elijah loves the special attention he gets wherever he goes.
When we first arrived, the sun was too hot for playing. We simply sought shelter in the shade (try saying that five times fast!) and waited for the sun to move lower in the sky. After enjoying Gwenda’s treats (which Delaney threw up almost as promptly as she ate them), the girls and Jaiden started exploring the playground.
Brioni is content to spend hours drawing with the new pencils Aunty Gwenda brought rather than exploring the play equipment.
The tower rewards climbers with a fun nine-metre slide down to ground level.
After I take Aisha down the slide once, she's eager to ride it again and again.
Delaney likes to position herself at the bottom of the big slide and watch kids emerge.
Delaney finds a slide that's just right for her size.
Delaney explores the tunnels that bend under the main playground. (I kept hitting my head on the low ceilings!)
Drinking from a bubbler (the Australian term for a drinking fountain) is a new skill for Delaney.
Climbing nets stretch between poles so that children don't have to climb the fences.
Shade sails are not used in this playground because the council's experience is that they're often stolen from public places. Instead, trees are planted around the equipment and as they grow, they'll provide suitable shade for most of the day.
Calista shouts into the speaking tube.
And Aisha listens carefully.
In-built musical instruments are made from recycled materials, including these cut-off gas cylinders that now ring bell tones.
There’s a variety of different musical accessories — mostly made out of recycled materials. It would be fun to take a group of natural musicians to this playground and listen to the sounds that they could create as they jam on the equipment!
This section of the playground is built around a ship theme and is great for younger kids.
A partially-sunken boat sits in the sand with walkways leading to other play areas.
Signs direct parents and kids to the different areas of the large playground which sits on a two-hectare site.
Dell happily rides the spinning pole.
I heard some young adults commenting on these animals imprinted into the concrete pathways. "Why do they use creepy animals?" he asked, rhetorically, "Wouldn't it scare the kids?" pointing to the sharks in front of him. Although I did not reply aloud, my thought was that children are fascinated by all animals and aren't necessarily afraid of the animals that adults think are creepy.
An undulating wall curves in a spiral, providing a great place for little people to learn balancing.
This is the first time I've seen a quiet zone in a public playground. This little sectioned-off area had a variety of equipment, but it was away from the main play structures and provides a great interim play space for children who need time to adjust to the full playground experience.
And this is why fences don't really keep determined kids out. Ours start young with the climbing.
Calista and Delaney examine the wheelchair swing. Although I didn't explain what it was to Calista, by looking at the instructions, she worked it our for herself.
Children turn the screw and it brings water from the bucket at the bottom to the bucket at the top of the platform. This is a great water feature, fascinating for children and adults alike!
Calista pushes the button which turns the water on which fills the trough which drops into the bottom bucket which can be conveyed to the top (that Jack built).
A girl washes the sand from her feet in the water that she's brought up from the source.
Nesting boxes sit in the mature trees, attracting birds to the area.
Beautiful sculptures always catch my eye. This mosaic column and others like it have the creature's name written in letters and in Braille.
A well-signposted riding circuit provides a great opportunity for children to learn road rules.
Aisha stops carefully at the intersection.
At one end of the riding circuit, a pretend service station can be interpreted as a petrol stop or a mechanic's repair station.
Two flying foxes keep the kids running back up for more.
These big dishes echo the sounds that are aimed at their centres.
After spying Aisha on her bike, Delaney asked us to retrieve her gyrocar from the truck so she could also ride the concrete pathways.
We were having such a good time at the Lake Macquarie Variety Playground that we stayed until it was completely dark. Thanks so much for recommending it to us, Aunty Gwenda, and also for all your generous gifts! When we’re next passing through Newcastle, I think we’ll be coming here again! If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by — we count it as one of our favourite playgrounds!
1 · holly c. · 6 January 2012, 12:27
I love Aunty Gwenda’s hair!
2 · Marti · 6 January 2012, 12:45
What a fabulous playground!!! Years ago, we found a similar one about four hours from us in an area we visited a couple of times each year. We’d always make a point to stop – it was such fun.
I love the pic of Delaney with the pencils. We had normal art and craft supplies in the hands of our little ones early on, and they learned to use them safely. One girl was 4.5 years old when she attended an art class, and the elderly teachers were incredibly worried that she had “pointy” scissors instead of blunt-tipped ones “at her age!” I explained that she had been using “pointy” scissors for well over half her life at that point, but they insisted that she could use them only if I stood right there with her. I still remember how confused my daughter was that someone had an issue with her using the scissors.
And that picture of Delaney climbing the fence??!? Priceless! :-)
3 · Delcie · 6 January 2012, 13:11
What a fabulous playground. How delightful that you could stay until nightfall and just enjoy! I enjoy the photos of the girls living ‘life to the full’.
4 · Lusi · 7 January 2012, 21:37
We’ve been to that playground up there too and loved it!!!
That big slide though wasn’t there when we last went. How lovely to spend time with Aunty Gwenda :-)
Love Lusi x
5 · Sarah · 7 January 2012, 23:24
Making mental note to stop by when we are up that way in a few months. I know our kids will have a blast!
6 · Mizasiwa · 8 January 2012, 16:11
Wow what a wonderful place… im not sure if we have anything like this here in SA – not that I have travelled nearly as extensively as you have around my own country but i doubt we do… not this size with these types of aparatus and 2 acres of it! not to mention the quiet area – love that!!!
What an experience!!
7 · Te Aira Adams · 9 January 2012, 09:19
Hi there,
I met you guys
New Psycle, Im the girl from the Honeybunny's stall, Te. It looks like you all had a fabulous timeSpeers Point Park. That is practically right next door to me as Im just in Warners Bay, our kids love it there too as do we, such a different play experience for anyone really and Im so glad your family got to experience this wonderful place. It would be great to meet here for a picnic and a catch up with you both and your family when you come back through this way. Be safe and happy travels to you all. Much love and light xx8 · Playground Equipment · 12 October 2012, 19:53
While plying on the playground equipments, the most important thing along with fun and enjoyment is the safety of the kids. They should be made aware of the safety tips.