Wyndham Park Playground, Comben Drive, Werribee
A fantastic new play complex has been created at Wyndham Park along the Werribee River. It includes an adventure playground, nature play area, multiple outdoor gyms, small skatepark, central lawn, display garden, toilets and lots of picnic facilities. Access to the park is provided by two impressive bridges spanning the Werribee river - Wyndham Bridge leading from the Wedge Street Plaza and Bicentennial Bridge from the parking area on Comden Drive. The Riverbank parking area on Comden Drive has 3 hour parking (9am - 5:30pm Mon - Fri).
At the west end of the park is the adventure playground which is dominated by a 12 metre high tower which has a fast twisting metal tunnel slide. Getting up to the top of the slide is an adventure in itself. Getting to the first level is easy using some steps. At this point there are two vertical rope tunnels. If you just want to get to the next level and no further, then take the right hand tunnel which leads to the second level which has some hanging swing seats. The left hand rope tunnel continues past this level and goes to the top most third level which has some seats, telescopes and most importantly, the entrance to the slide. These rope tunnels are quite a squeeze for larger kids.
The whole playground is set on soft colourful surfaces with multiple levels. Next to the tower is a giant green rope climbing frame and a smaller climbing tower with metal slide for those who don't dare take on the bigger one.
At this level there is also a flying fox with two lanes (one with a disk seat and the other was missing when we visited). The level above has a range of play equipment including a hamster wheel which a person curls up in and gets spun around, which is a good simulation of being hurled into space - those less than 120cm tall shouldn't ride in case they get flung out. Other equipment is a spinning stand-on carousel, stepping stone area, course sand pit with play table, mound with little slide, four person rocker and swings.
Just down the hill are some more swings with long chains (put some effort into the swinging and it's like flying to the moon), birds nest swing and a massively wide metal slide for mass sliding.
A shelter with two tables, two unshaded tables, water tap and BBQs sits above the playground area and on the west side are more unshaded tables and BBQs.
At the east end of the park, about 250m away from the Adventure Playground, is the nature play area which is water play heaven.
There are six water pumps scattered about which are used to bring up water from below to let it run down through water troughs, water tables and channels with barriers which can be rotated, raised or lowered to change the flow of water. There is even a water augur to bring up water from below. It's your choice whether you want to get wet with all this water flowing or alternatively try crossing the balance beams above the water and leave your degree of dryness to your balance skills.
The centre of the play area has a big soft mound with rock steps, scrambling rope, little wave slide and bridge leading to an elevated cubby. This cubby can be reached by steps, rope net, wooden ladder, climbing wall or scrambling wall. The area also has some wooden tepees, coarse sandpit with digger, xylophone, another sandpit with water play features i.e. wet sand pit, forest of metal trees and a lovely path with segments formed from materials of various textures and patterns.
There are some shaded and unshaded seats in this area.
River Whispers is a free self-guided twenty-five minute audio experience best enjoyed in the surrounds of Werribee River. Through the voices of the custodians of the river, residents and local artists we hear of the provenance of Werribee River and the important place it holds in our local community. In Wyndham Park, off Watton Street you'll find sign-posted River Whispers QR Code - simply scan the code using your mobile phone to listen to the audio recording (no apps required).
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Location
Cnr Barnes Place and Comben Drive, Werribee 3030 Map
Web Links
→ 100 Free Water Play Spaces in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
