Rocket Playground, Bridge Street, Benalla
The fantastic rocket is now home to a lovely nature based adventure playground. The rocket has multiple ladders leading up to the cone of the rocket. If you are brave enough to climb this high then the reward will be great views around the surrounding gardens. At the second level there is a metal slide for those wanting a quick and exhilarating ride down.
Nearby is an extensive ropes course (not too high off the ground which makes it suitable for a wide range of ages) which has lots of traversing opportunities and a birds nest swing.
A path runs beside this area bordered with lots of logs and rocks (rock hoppers will be in heaven). On the side is a big sandpit with three caves and a creek runs from this area. There are buttons to press to make a gurgling fountain of water which runs along the creek bed and is crossed by a bridge.
Another area is surrounded by a wooden fence (safety gate installation was in progress when we visited) with a wooden climbing structure with scrambling walls and a metal slide, swings (one with harness) and a sandpit with water tap to provide water for making sand cakes. At the end is a hammock.
There is a huge shelter with two BBQs and two tables and around this area four more tables are scattered. There are toilets, rose gardens and lots of grassy area for play.
The whole Benalla Lake area including the playground is a great place to spend a few hours.
The Information Centre is close by in Mair Street. Pick up a brochure titled "Benalla Lake Walk". There are three walks of varying lengths possible along the lake shores because there is a bridge traversing the middle of the lake. The total distance around the lake is 4.25 km (45-90 minute duration) and there is a scenic short option (start at the Ceramic Mural and go to the right which is 1.85 km) or a Bushland Short option (start at the Ceramic Mural and go to the left which is 2.4 km).
Near the bridge is the Ceramic Mural, which is a beautiful artwork for the parents and a great play space for the kids.
As you move to the left around the lake there is an analemmatic sundial, some BBQs, tables scattered about, a BMX track and Skate Park. The track passes across Jaycee Island which has a few swings (without safety chain), an old-fashioned see-saw and shelter with BBQ and table. The walk through bushland is very pleasant and there are benches along the way for rest stops.
When you reach the bridge there is a free Art Gallery with a nice cafe with indoors and outdoors seating. Further along the lake is an Indigenous Community Garden and Fish Ladder. From the Art Gallery, you pass the Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop Memorial ("When despair and death reached out to us Weary Dunlop stood fast, a lighthouse of sanity in a universe of madness and suffering") and the Benalla Botanical Gardens along Bridge Street before reaching the playground.
Photos:
Location
20 Bridge Street, Benalla 3671 Map
Web Links
→ Benalla Lake Walk (PDF)
