Ruffey Lake Park (Doncaster East)
Ruffey Lake Park occupies 68 hectares in Manningham. Ruffey Creek crosses the park and large expanses of grass are dotted with a mixture of native and exotic trees. Four picnic areas on the periphery of the gardens provide good views over the Ruffey Creek valley. There are two large playgrounds, a third smaller playground, a lake, a jogging track and a disc golf course.
The three playspaces within the park both have access to full amenities including car parks, toilets, shade, electric barbecues and large picnic shelters. The picnic shelters cannot be booked.
Special Attractions include:
- Ruffey Lake: wetlands and boardwalk
- Hill top views with viewing platform and lounge seats
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- Ruffey Lake Circuit Walk (3.1km)
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- Hill Top Circuit Walk (3.6km)
- Perimeter jogging path
- Re-vegetation area and remnant vegetation
- Ninja Warrior course
- Victoria Street Playground
- The Boulevarde Playground
- Church Road North Playground
- Disc golf course
- Outdoor gym
- Heritage Trail
- Large dog off leash areas
- Fruit Frogs and Family Fun Walk)
- Waldau Village historic walk (Points of interest for this heritage walk focus on the influence of German settlers who became orchard growers and created the Waldau Village legacy)
- Accessible walk (suitable for families and wheelchairs)
Playgrounds, Picnic and Barbecue Areas
The Boulevarde Playground
The Boulevarde playground has something to offer everyone. From artistic totems to traditional play equipment including a track glide, cubby, swings, slides, rockers, climbing unit and wobble bridge. There are also shady open grassed areas for picnics and ball games. Suitable age group: 2 to 12 years.
- Playground (shade sail
- Toilets
- 3 picnic shelters with 9 picnic tables
- Electric barbecues
- Off street carpark and bicycle parking
- Drink fountains
- Path network
The Victoria Street adventure playground is one of Manningham's most popular play areas and provides a fun outing for the whole family. Fantastic swings, slides, flying fox, sand play, climbing challenges, bridges and a majestic tower, designed to represent the tower that became the icon of Doncaster Road in the early 1900s are all part of the fun. The playground is architecturally impressive, built using timber and steel with corrugated iron features. A playful rock feature with a water pump and river bed channel with water play gates and a giant sculptural gecko was added in 2017 and enhance the mix of opportunities.
Suitable for all ages.
- Adventure playground (shade sail) with a water play feature
- Accessible toilets
- 14 picnic tables under three large shelters
- 10 electric barbecues
- Drink fountains
- Off street carpark
Ruffey Lake Park's Church Road North playspace provides a different experience to the other playspaces in the park. Smaller and set amongst mature shade trees, the playground focuses on playing in the natural landscape and features a rock labyrinth, see-saw, swing suitable for all ages, junior see-saw and a cubby.
There is a large picnic shelter with plenty of informal rock seating and picnic tables to cater for groups.
- Playground
- Toilets
- Picnic tables
- 4 electric barbecues
- Off street carpark
- Drink fountain
- Disc golf course
Access for Dogs:
Dog controls in Ruffey Lake Park vary between off lead areas, on lead areas and dog prohibited areas. See the summary of dog access areas.
Opening Hours:
Gate Closing Times: Daylight saving - 10.00 pm, otherwise - 8.00 pm
Photos:
Location
Cnr Victoria St and Muriel Green Drive, Doncaster East 3109 Map
Web Links
→ Ruffey Lake Park Dog Controls Map (PDF)
→ Ruffey Lake Park Map (PDF)
→ Ruffey Lake Park Disc Golf Course Map (PDF)
→ Fruit Frogs and Family Fun Walking Guide (PDF)
→ Waldau Village Historic Walk (PDF)
→ A Clearing in the Forest Guide (PDF)
→ A Wheel Pleasure Guide accessible walk
