The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Mount Alexander Shire Region

The Mount Alexander Shire region is one and a half hours north-west of Melbourne and includes the towns of Castlemaine, Harcourt, Maldon, Newstead and Taradale.

Highlights of the region are a steam train ride on the Castlemaine Victorian Goldfields Railway, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, tours of the Old Castlemaine Gaol, Buda Historic Home and Garden and Mount Alexander Regional Park.

A map of the region is:



The best playgrounds in this region are:

Castlemaine Botanic Gardens Play Space, Castlemaine



A charming play space which includes a wooden bushman's hut surrounded by a wooden fence with table and chairs inside. Ideal for little pioneers. A trail of logs leads to a red train engine with two steering wheels and two trailing wooden carriages.

There are two main structures for kids of different ages. The bigger one has dual wave slides, fireman's pole, steep steps, walkway, rope climbing net, speak and listen system and another set of curved steps for access to the elevated platforms. The smaller structure has a steep wave slide, distorting mirror, cubby with seat, steps, ladder and little tunnel.

There is also a big wooden arch, see-saw, log balance course, four swings, oak leaf springers, hammock and a structure with monkey bars, hanging disks and flying fox.

On the side of the playground is a huge shady English Oak tree which was planted in 1863 to celebrate the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Look under the tree for a lovely acorn sculpture.

The area has lovely elegant landscaping and includes shaded and unshaded seats, shaded tables, water tap, toilets and a huge shelter with four tables and BBQ.

Maldon Gardens Playground, Maldon



The playground is hidden away behind the Visitor Information Centre and Lawn Bowling Club.

The playground has a nice variety of equipment with a highlight being a beautiful red train with two carriages. There is also a panel with a hole for your face if you want to be a gold miner, some small tunnels, nice in-ground trampoline, cute bike springer, wagon springer, swings, sit-on carousel which can spin very fast - beware of centrifugal force, or any other force you care to think of, a medium sized pyramid rope climbing frame and a birds nest swing.

A big shelter with two tables and BBQ, another tin shelter with two tables, unshaded seats, some fairly limited grassy area and toilets.

Newstead Park Playground, Newstead



Pirates can play on this ship under sail (shade sails that is). The large wooden ship, HMAS Bell, has a curved slide, rope climbing net, binoculars, speak and listen system, tunnel, inclined walkway, cubby underneath, fireman's pole, wave slide, steering wheel, shop front (to sell sea shanties maybe) and a hooped ladder.

Two unshaded tables, shaded seat, water tap and fairly limited grassy area. Look out for an aeroplane on the roof of the building next door.

The only skate park in the region is Castlemaine Skatepark



A small L-shaped concrete skating area which has a mini ramp, flat bank, steep hubba and a rail down seven stairs, ledges and manual pad. Located in Western Reserve and there is some limited shade from shade sails.

The best BMX track in the region is Castlemaine BMX Track (Fairly large area with about ten large jumps which were often eroded away at the top. Few banked turns. Next to a Skate Park).



There is another BMX track at Harcourt.

Reviews of all playgrounds, skateparks and BMX Tracks in the Mount Alexander Shire council region are here:

Family activities in the Mount Alexander Shire region include:

Castlemaine

Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum (Collection of Australian art and a unique assembly of historical artefacts relating to the Mount Alexander goldfields district)

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens (Explore the 19th Century garden and discover the many original features including the carriage drive, elm and oak avenues, Lake Joanna, and the formal garden beds that contrast with lush open lawns)

Buda Historic Home and Garden (An authentic house and garden surviving from the gold rush era in Castlemaine)

Castlemaine Outdoor Swimming Pool (50m outdoor pool, toddlers pool and kiosk)

Castlemaine Town Tour Podcast (A great way to see the town and learn about its fascinating history)

Castlemaine Victorian Goldfields Railway (Linking the historic towns of Castlemaine and Maldon, the Railway brings to you the experience of steam train travel)

Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre (All the latest information on attractions, accommodation, tours, and services)

Goldfields Audio Tours (Pick up a free MP3 player from the Visitor Information Centre and discover the fascinating history of characters and events that have shaped this region)

Maldon

Carmans Tunnel (Like the miners who drove the Tunnel, you will see by candlelight the unaltered features and techniques of gold mining in the 1880s just as they were left)

Anzac Hill Walk (Scenic 2 km walk with views of the township of Maldon and points of historical interest)

Cairn Curran Reservoir (Recreational activities include boating (power and sail), skiing, fishing, swimming, wind surfing, jet skiing, canoeing and picnics)

Historic CBD Walk (A walk highlighting the historic buildings of Maldon)

Maldon - Mount Tarrengower

(Panoramic views of the surrounding region from the peak of Mount Tarrengower where there is a poppet-head lookout tower)

Mount Tarrengower Mountain Bike Trails (4 challenging downhill tracks to choose from)

The Maldon Lolly Shop (An extensive range of good old fashioned and traditional confectionery)

Maldon Historic Area (The reserve protects many relics of the gold mining era - abandoned shafts and tunnels, mullock heaps, quartz roasting kilns, stone walls, chimneys and machinery)

Maldon Outdoor Swimming Pool (A main pool, wader pool, change-rooms, kiosk and BBQ)

Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum (Historic exhibits dating from the mid 1800's including vintage machinery)

Maldon Visitor Information Centre (Guidance about local attractions and accommodation)

Other Locations

Walmer State Forest Mountain Bike Trails near Barkers Creek (Around 60km of singletrack through box-ironbark woodland areas of historic gold mining activity)

Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park near Chewton (The park is popular for bushwalking, scenic drives, cycling, picnics, exploring the mining relics and gold prospecting)

Chewton Outdoor Swimming Pool (A seasonal outdoor swimming pool with a 19m main pool and a pool for younger kids)

Herons Reef Historic Gold Diggings near Fryerstown (An authentic gold mining site where all the workings remain as left when abandoned by the miners)

Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens at Harcourt (Organic pick-your-own orchard)

Harcourt Outdoor Swimming Pool (25m main pool, 12m learner pool, 8m wader pool, change-rooms, kiosk and BBQ)

La Larr Ba Gauwa Mountain Bike Park near Harcourt North (A world class mountain bike park which includes 34 km of diverse mountain bike trails that take advantage of the area's stunning views and unique rock features)

Mount Alexander Regional Park near Harcourt North (A prominent landmark offering magnificent views and a natural forest setting for picnics and bushwalking)

Turpins Falls Scenic Reserve near Langley (Scenic views of the falls from a lookout located a short walk from the carpark. There is a swimming waterhole at the bottom of the falls)

The Cascades near Metcalfe (A series of rock pools where the Coliban River flows and cascades through large granite boulders, outcrops, crevices and caverns. A popular spot for splashing in the pools, swimming and picnics)

Muckleford Forest Walk to the Red White and Blue Mine near Muckleford (5km return walk)

Newstead Outdoor Swimming Pool (25m main pool, toddlers pool, water slide, change-rooms, kiosk and BBQ)

Taradale Viaduct (A spectacular bluestone and wrought iron box girder bridge)

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Web Links

→ www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au


The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Mount Alexander Shire Region, Castlemaine, Victoria, 3450