Best Children's Parks Melbourne Near Me

4worldlovers:
Royal Park is the largest open space in the City of Melbourne, covering 170 hectares. It is protected under the Victorian Heritage Register and its vast treed native vegetation landscape is an oasis on the edge of the city.

​​​​​Located in Parkville, the park sits north of Flemington Road and stretches northwards to Park Street.

Royal Park is situated on land of importance to the people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The park is also historically significant as the starting point of Burke and Wills' ill-fated expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1860. It was also the site of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria (1861), part of which later became the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens.

Royal Park was the site of a major Australian military camp and training ground during the First World War (1914 to 1918) and was used for the mobilisation of ANZACS to the Western Front. It was also a camp for both Australian and US troops during the Second World War prior to their deployment to Pacific War campaigns (1941 to 1945).

The redesign of the park in 1984 created wide open spaces, which make it hard to believe you are still in the city. Stretches of open grass alternate with areas of lightly timbered eucalypt forest, sports grounds, wetlands and gardens.

4worldlovers:

Wow. Long flying fox, tree-house, unusual structures. Lots of fun for the kids although maybe best for 5+ years although the more adventurous younger kids would also love it.

Main negative is all the rubbish piled up in the bins next to the BBQ on the weekend. Good park to let children's imagination to run wild!

4worldlovers: Known for sports and its all-abilities playground, Hays Paddock is also a great setting for picnics. Tables and seating set in bushland are perfect for social gatherings.


The playground is designed to enable all children to play together. The space contains:

4worldlovers: Edwards Park is boarded by Liardet Street, Esplanade East and Dow Street Port Melbourne. Edwards Park is next to Lagoon reserve across Liardet Street.


The 606 (Fisherman’s Bend to Elsternwick) bus route travels along Liardet Street and passes the gardens directly. Bus routes 250, 251, 253, 238 can be accessed from Bay Street Port Melbourne, Edwards Park is one block walk along Liardet Street.

The light rail Tram 109 (Box Hill to Port Melbourne) or Tram number 1 (East Coburg to South Melbourne Beach) to Richardson Street are within walking distance.

Free parking is available around the perimeter of the park, check signage for parking specific restrictions.

The playground features shade sails over all of the equipment. The senior kids play structure features a large wave slide, climbing steps and platforms, a chain net climbing wall, ladders, monkey bars, a flying fox and firemans pole with a stand on spinner located close by. The other play area is designed for younger kids and has a spider web rope climbing frame, small slide with steps, a swing set in addition to a large sandpit with scoop and two sit on springers.

Dogs are not permitted off leash and are not permitted near the playground or picnic area, penalties apply. Nearby Lagoon Reserve is a designated dogs off leash area.

Parking restrictions may apply in the surrounding roads and streets, please check the parking signs for full details or call ASSIST on 03 9209 6777 for specific parking information.

Originally this site was a saltwater lagoon, first developed into serviceable land in the early 1870s by dredging, draining and infilling the lagoon. The intention was to utilise the land for housing, however, it was deemed unsuitable for this purpose and in 1897 was set aside to be developed into park land for the residents of Port Melbourne.

Edwards Park gradually developed through the 1900s with tree planting and setting out of pathways. A playground, planted shelter belts, palm trees, and a trugo court and club room followed in subsequent years. The game Trugo was a unique Australian invention, a hybrid of bowls and croquet developed by the railroad workers in the 1920s. The court at Edwards park is one of two clubs within the municipality, the other is located at Garden City Reserve and is known as Sandridge Trugo Club. Both courts are open to all. Bookings essential.