Crocodile Park Playground, Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook
The drive down Saltwater Promenade is a long one and full of expectation. When you do finally reach Crocodile Park, you wont be disappointed. It's a beautifully crafted Play Space decked out in the nautical themed colours of blue and white. The design of the playground drew on the Roald Dahl children's story 'The Enormous Crocodile' where a crocodile lives in a playground pretending to be a friendly see-saw before quickly gobbling children for dinner. It is worth being cautious just in case the 'Saltwater Crocodile' has read this story.
There is a wide soft blue path crossing through large areas of sand throughout the playground. Lying in the centre is a large metal crocodile obligingly spouting out a stream of water into an elevated shallow trough which overflows into a wide channel with large stepping stones to jump across (assuming you want to stay dry). The 50m long channel meanders down a slight slope to a circular pad with water spouts of varying heights which presents another enticement to get wet.
Overlooking all the water mayhem are two large embankments with slithery tunnel slides - one a straight tunnel slide for the speed demons and the other a curved tunnel slide for those wanting a (slightly) more sedate ride down.
Set amongst the sand are Chomp Towers which are elevated platforms reached by either a steep rope ladder, sloping monkey bars (if you have enough monkey genes in you) or ladders. Once up, you can move between the towers via a rope net bridge or balance beam bridge. A fireman's pole is a fun way to get down. Underneath is a shady hammock and 16 bells with a rope attached to each bell. You can make more music than the Point Cook Symphonic Orchestra. Whether it sounds better than the Orchestra is another matter.
At one end of the playground is another long sandy section with two birds nest swings and a sea-themed see-saw (or is that a sea-saw?).
For the adventurous (or fool hardy) there is another elevated platform reached by a ladder but exited by a single rope using a reverse scrambling wall technique. If the exit goes wrong take solace in the fact that the sand is nice and soft.
The whole area is very nicely landscaped with areas of grass and set along the wetlands with multiple bridges crossing the water. Set at one end is a shelter with two tables and a BBQ. About 100m along the water is a shelter with a shaded table and BBQ with an unshaded table and three person springer in a sandpit.
There is a toilet about 100m away. Cross one of the bridges and walk along Citybay Drive to reach the toilets.
Be aware that tiger snakes can be found in the bushes and on rocks around the playground during summer.
Across the water is the Croc & Roll amphitheatre with a stage and surrounding seating. Crocodile Park Playground, get up on that stage and take a bow since you are the star of the show!
Photos:
Location
261 Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook 3030 Map
Web Links
→ Crocodile Park Saltwater Coast Point Cook on Facebook
→ 100 Free Water Play Spaces in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
