![Oh boy we have lots of fun when visiting the playground at Bungarribee Park, which opened March 2017. To be honest, my expectations weren't that high when we first went... there had been so much hype in the lead up to the opening of Bungarribee Park, that I wasn't sure it would live up to it. But we were really impressed and we all left with BIG smiles on our faces. And it has been the same every time we've visited since! But with little shade, we had kept our visits to cloudy, cooler days. Well we are SUPER happy about the NEW shade sails that were installed in November! | Playground | Other Facilities | Sydney Zoo | Opening Hours | Verdict | Places of Interest Nearby | Getting There | UPDATE (December 2018) - Park Improvements Over the last few months Western Sydney Parklands has been working on a number of improvements, including: installing new shade structures over the water play area, swings and bottom of the tower slides [complete] adding a new seating area between the swings and flying-fox [in progress] building a new amenities block at Warrigal Dog Run, with toilets and baby changing facilities [in progress] adding more parking spaces, picnic shelters and more BBQs [in progress] planting more and more trees right across the Park, which will provide lots of cool shade in years to come. Playground On our first visit, I didn't think my two preschoolers were ever going to leave the water play area. But then we climbed the tower and I thought I was going to have to do that a few times - well we did actually! They also gave the swings and flying fox a good go before we had to leave after two hours of non-stop fun. There are five play areas within the playground at Bungarribee Park, with a bit of something for most kids. Water and Sand Play Water and sand play area The water play area is right near the main entrance and toilet block. So yes, bring a change of clothes! The area is partially shaded - think army type camouflage. There are plenty of water pumps for the kids to 'share', plus channels carved in sandstone blocks and lots of sand. It was great seeing how engrossed the kids were with making channels, digging and pumping. Water pumps See-saw The Tower and Slides Front of the tower You can't miss the brightly coloured, geometrically shaped and kid enticing tower. At 14m high, it definitely stands out! And it's a climbers paradise. Inside, there is a number of passage ways, ledges to climb, ropes, viewing windows and slides to get back down. There is mesh on any opening on the walls, so you don't have to worry about the kids falling out. These mesh walls also make for nice outlook spots to the playground and picnic areas below. Top of the tower Mesh walls inside the tower My 4yr easily scaled the tower by himself and I only had to help my 2.5yr once or twice to get up a high ledge....though I suspect that they are there to stop the little ones from climbing to the top without adult assistance. There are two slides on the front and two smaller ones on the back. I imagine they will become mini ovens in summer, but there are trees planted nearby that should, with time, provide much needed shade. Ropes and steps inside Climbing inside the tower And parents, watch your head when climbing the tower and moving around inside. I managed to knock myself a few times. Swings There are two 'sets' of swings, both with the same army camouflage shade as the water play area. The swings for younger kids are behind the tower, near the water and sand play area. There is a rope rocking swing there as well which the kids can stand on. Then there are a set of 8 giant swings between the tower and flying fox. And these swings are fun for adults to and so easy to swing. Flying Fox Flying fox The 50m long, dual flying fox is a whole lot of fun for kids and adults. My adventurous 2.5yr had a go with me running along with him and his brother pushing him back up. Spin Area Merry-go-round In front of the tower, there is a spinning chair plus a merry-go-round that is more like a flat spinning top. Other Facilities With 200 hectares of recreational parkland, there is a lot of space to spread out. We haven't yet explore much beyond the playground, which has picnic shelters and BBQs. But know there are cycleways and a dog off the leash area in Bungarribee Park. Bungarribee Park map (click for larger image) The toilet block is next to the carpark for the playground and it seemed to only have one baby change toilet, which was out of order when we went. There are bubblers around, but a few were not working, so we filled up our water bottles at the hand washing station in the centre of the toilet block. Toilet block View of the playground from top of the tower Apart from under the picnic shelters, and in a few spots in the playground, there isn't much shade at the moment. There are though plenty of trees that will provide shade in a few years. So for now, remember to bring something like a beach tent or portable gazebo and hats on a sunny day. Picnic shelters from the tower Lots of grassed around around the playground Sydney Zoo Soon your kids are going to have some competition for making the loudest animal noise at Bungarribee Park, with Sydney Zoo set to open in early 2019. As you can see from the map below, there will be a LOT of animals to visit and get to know. Map of the animal enclosures at Sydney Zoo open in early 2019 (photo credit: Sydney Zoo) Construction is already well underway on building Sydney Zoo, just on the other side of the playground car park! So a great spot for any construction loving kids! Opening Hours There is pedestrian access all the time and gates open to cars at 8am every day. Closing times vary depending on the time of year: 1st May to 31st July closes at 5pm 1st August to 30 April closes at 7pm Verdict Bungarribee Park is now the largest park in Western Sydney, overtaking Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park. It has a fantastic playground suitable for young and older kids, plus great picnic facilities perfect for large and small gatherings. Shade is an issue at the moment, though with time the many young trees will provide much needed relief on a hot, sunny day. And shade sails will soon be installed (August 2018). We do feel though that Bungarribee Park lacks the character, variety and mulit-use space of say Bicentennial Park, with its a lake, two playgrounds, bushwalks, cycleways, water features, viewing tower and cafe. But Bungaribee Park has lots of potential and still makes for a great day out! Hammock Playground from picnic areas Finding Bungarribee Park The new Bungarribee Park is located near the intersection of the M4 and M7 and about 15kms west of Parramatta. At the moment, there isn't much signage at the entrance - intersection of Doonside and Holbeche Roads - or once you get inside. For the playground, just go around to the left (see map above). Parking There is lots of free on-site parking, though the car park would get full pretty quickly on a busy day. Public Transport From Parramatta, you can catch a train to Blacktown and then either the 729 or 724 bus to the front of Bungarribee Park on Doonside Road. Places of Interest Nearby Soon this fantastic playground won't be the only thing you'll visit at Bungarribee Park, with Sydney Zoo set to open in early 2019! Artistic impression of the elevated boardwalk being built at Sydney Zoo (photo credit: Sydney Zoo) Other places of interest nearby include: Bunnings Blacktown has a free indoor kids play area and cafe, plus free kids activities on the weekend. Featherdale Wildlife Park Nurragingy Reserve has a gorgeous Chinese garden, complete with waterfall, plus three playgrounds, duck pond and kiosk. Sydney Motorsport Park](https://www.parraparents.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Park-Snapshot-Bungarribee-Park-2018.jpg)
Oh boy we have lots of fun when visiting the playground at Bungarribee Park.
To be honest, my expectations weren’t that high when we first went back in April 2017. There had been so much hype in the lead up to the opening of Bungarribee Park in March 2017, that I wasn’t sure it would live up to it. But we were really impressed and we all left with BIG smiles on our faces. And it has been the same every time we’ve visited since!
Unfortunately with little shade when it first opened, we kept our visits to cloudy, cooler days. But that all changed in November when shade sails were installed – YAY! And we can now visit whenever we want. We play tested the new shade on a hot sunny day in early December 2018 and they worked a treat! The temperature difference was significant and we happily played for hours.
| Playground | Other Facilities | Sydney Zoo | Opening Hours | Places of Interest Nearby | Getting There |
UPDATE (December 2018) – Park Improvements
Western Sydney Parklands has been working on a number of improvements to Bungarribee Park, including:
- installing new shade structures over the water play area, swings and bottom of the tower slides [complete]
- adding a new seating area between the swings and flying-fox [in progress]
- building a new amenities block at Warrigal Dog Run, with toilets and baby changing facilities [in progress]
- adding more parking spaces, picnic shelters and more BBQs [in progress]
- planting more and more trees right across the Park, which will provide lots of cool shade in years to come [in progress].
Playground
On our first visit, I didn’t think my two preschoolers were ever going to leave the water play area. But then we climbed the tower and I thought I was going to have to do that a few times – well we did actually! They also gave the swings and flying fox a good go before we had to leave after two hours of non-stop fun. And it’s pretty much been the same experience each time we’ve visited.
There are five play areas within the playground at Bungarribee Park, with a bit of something for most kids.
1Water and Sand Play
The water play area is right near the main entrance and toilet block. So yes, bring a change of clothes! The area is now shaded – and it was a lot cooler under the shade than out in the sun when we visited recently. There are plenty of water pumps for the kids to ‘share’, plus channels carved in sandstone blocks and lots of sand. It’s great seeing how engrossed the kids get with making channels, digging and pumping.
2The Tower and Slides
You can’t miss the brightly coloured, geometrically shaped and kid enticing tower! At 14m high, it definitely stands out! And it’s a climbers paradise. Inside, there is a number of passage ways, ledges to climb, ropes, viewing windows and slides to get back down.
There is mesh on any opening on the walls, so you don’t have to worry about the kids falling out. These mesh walls also make for nice outlook spots to the playground and picnic areas below.
My 4yr easily scaled the tower by himself. And I only had to help my 2.5yr once or twice to get up a high ledge….though I suspect that they are there to stop the little ones from climbing to the top without adult assistance.
There are two slides on the front and two smaller ones on the back. Now with the shade over the front two slides, they won’t get as hot. But the back ones will still be mini ovens in summer… until the newly planted trees provide much needed shade in time.
And parents, watch your head when climbing the tower and moving around inside. I managed to knock myself a few times. But there are very bright orange strips now that help.
3Swings
There are two ‘sets’ of swings, both now with the same shade as over the water play area. The swings for younger kids are behind the tower, near the water and sand play area.
There is a rope rocking swing there as well which the kids can stand on. Then there are a set of 8 giant swings between the tower and flying fox.
And these swings are fun for adults to and so easy to swing.
4Flying Fox
The 50m long, dual flying fox is a whole lot of fun for kids and adults.
My adventurous 2.5yr had a go with me running along with him and his brother pushing him back up.
5Spin Area
In front of the tower, there is a spinning chair plus a merry-go-round that is more like a flat spinning top.
Other Facilities
With 200 hectares of recreational parkland, there is a lot of space to spread out. We haven’t yet explore much beyond the playground, which has picnic shelters and BBQs. But know there are cycleways and a dog off the leash area in Bungarribee Park.
The toilet block is next to the carpark for the playground and it seemed to only have one baby change toilet. There are bubblers around, as well as the hand washing station in the centre of the toilet block.
While shade sails have been installed over most of the play equipment, and there are more picnic shelters being built, there still isn’t much shade to sit under at the moment. There are though plenty of trees that will provide shade in a few years. So for now, remember to bring something like a beach tent or portable gazebo and hats on a sunny day.
Sydney Zoo
Soon your kids are going to have some competition for making the loudest (animal) noise at Bungarribee Park, with Sydney Zoo set to open in early 2019. As you can see from the map below, there will be a LOT of animals to visit and get to know, including a:
- Rhino from Singapore
- Orangutan from Melbourne
- Saltwater Crocodile from Broome
Construction is already well underway on building Sydney Zoo, just on the other side of the playground car park! And the top of the tower is definitely the best spot to watch Sydney Zoo coming alive.
So Bungarribee Park is also a great spot for any construction loving kids at the moment!
Opening Hours
There is pedestrian access all the time and gates open to cars at 8am every day. Closing times vary depending on the time of year:
- 1st May to 31st July closes at 5pm
- 1st August to 30 April closes at 7pm
Finding Bungarribee Park
The new Bungarribee Park is located near the intersection of the M4 and M7 and about 15kms west of Parramatta. At the moment, there isn’t much signage at the entrance – intersection of Doonside and Holbeche Roads – or once you get inside. For the playground, just go around to the left (see map above).
Parking
There is lots of free on-site parking, though the car park would get full pretty quickly on a busy day.
Public Transport
From Parramatta, you can catch a train to Blacktown and then either the 729 or 724 bus to the front of Bungarribee Park on Doonside Road.
Places of Interest Nearby
Soon this fantastic playground won’t be the only thing you’ll visit at Bungarribee Park, with Sydney Zoo set to open in early 2019!
Other places of interest nearby include:
- Bunnings Blacktown has a free indoor kids play area and cafe, plus free kids activities on the weekend.
- Featherdale Wildlife Park
- Nurragingy Reserve has a gorgeous Chinese garden, complete with waterfall, plus three playgrounds, duck pond and kiosk.
- Sydney Motorsport Park
Why can’t they put a bloody fence around the main are the kids play, and surrounding paths. My autistic son has run away many times, once requiring police helicopter to find him. The park itself is too vast. Thankyou