Local playgrounds

Local Playgrounds

Outings For The Family

The Ballina shire is lucky to have over 45 parks and open spaces to explore with the family. During the production of this edition, our family packed several picnics, on many weekends and off we went to a selection of the local parks our kids love to visit. Here they are, tried and tested by the Bidwells. I hope you have a wonderful time exploring our beautiful region with your family and friends, Lindsey.

1. Missingham Park | Ballina Plan to spend a while at this park. Not only does it have a large undercover play area, but there is also a skate park and amphitheatre. This large open space park is situated on the Richmond River, overlooking the break walls and surrounded by a walking path. The park features, large undercover playground for all weather conditions, liberty swing, BBQ facilities, toilets, seating, picnic shelters, garbage bins and parking. Location: Kingsford Smith Drive, Ballina

2. Elizabeth Ann Brown Park | Alstonville We love visiting this park right in the heart of Alstonville. Surrounded by the Main Street, Alstonville Plaza and Crawford House Museum it is the perfect stop. You can visit the memorial, have a BBQ and relax with the whole family. The park features a playground, climbing net, picnic areas, picnic tables, seating, BBQ facilities, grassed areas, garbage bins and parking. Location: Wardell Road, Alstonville 3. Bulwinkel Park | Alstonville A peaceful place to visit and a hidden gem right at the end of Main Street. We had a peaceful afternoon listening to the local birdlife and water flowing over the weir. My son was delighted to see both a platypus and a turtle in the creek. The park features a playground with shade sail, creek, toilets, plenty of picnic areas, off-street parking a garbage bin. Perfect for the whole family of any age. Location: Main Street, Alstonville

3. Bulwinkel Park | Alstonville A peaceful place to visit and a hidden gem right at the end of Main Street. We had a peaceful afternoon listening to the local birdlife and water flowing over the weir. My son was delighted to see both a platypus and a turtle in the creek. The park features a playground with shade sail, creek, toilets, plenty of picnic areas, off-street parking a garbage bin. Perfect for the whole family of any age. Location: Main Street, Alstonville

4. Fawcett Park | Ballina A popular park with the stunning backdrop of Richmond River. Have a picnic with family and friends while watching the activity on the waterway. The kids can even go fishing off the wharf. The park is situated close to shops and features a shaded ship-themed playground, swings, picnic areas, picnic tables, BBQ facilities, seating, grassed areas, garbage bins, parking and a riverside walkway. Location: Fawcett Street, Ballina

5. Geoff Watt Oval Park | Alstonville Situated at the sporting ovals this playground has a multi-element play-fort and plenty of room for a picnic. The park features a shaded playground, swings, sporting fields, garbage bins and ample parking. Location: Deegan Drive, Alstonville

6. Summerland Farm | Alstonville Our kids love a visit to Summerland Farm, the new adventure playground and water park is a source of endless fun. The design was inspired by nature with streams of running water, rocks and logs to climb, as you can see by our picture, and a cubby house accessed from a water tank. For further details refer to the Summerland Farm article on page 15. Location: 253 Wardell Road, Alstonville

Please clean the free BBQs provided after use and utilise garbage facilities or take your rubbish with you, we want to keep our area just as beautiful for the next family to enjoy.