Diamond Creek Regional Playspace, Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek
Wow, a brilliant nature themed playspace which fits beautifully into the surrounding natural parkland. There is something for everyone - all ages and abilities are catered for including parents with a tram cafe perched above the playground.
The playspace is centred around an oval shaped grassy area with dedicated play areas for older and younger kids, flying foxes on the side, nature plays areas and a set of wooden cubbies.
The location is next to the Diamond Creek Trail and there are plenty of shelters, tables, barbecues and toilets. Almost everything is exquisitely created from wood. This is a place where a kid might get a splinter but couldn't care less.
The end of the playground closest to the carpark has two fantastic climbing areas - one area is a massive jumble of logs and the other is a big set of elevated boards which represent a feat of balance and courage to move from one end to the other.
Beside the climbing area is a huge sandpit with a rock mound in the middle and lots of sand play equipment. One corner of the sandpit has a shelter with more sand play equipment and a water pump with a handle. There is also a set of shade sails under which is a wooden obstacle course with a tunnel, balance log, rope traverse and inclined wooden ladder. Also a birds nest swing, two small standard swings and a spinning carousel set under shade sails. Look out for the wonderful sculpture of an old-timer. To the side is another set of shade sails with two smallish metal slides. This area of the playground has a shelter with table, BBQ and water tap.
On the other side of the central grassy area is a cubby area for younger kids overlooked by a beautiful platypus sculpture. A ramp leads to an elevated platform with five cubbies on the sides, a metal slide and log bridge. There are some high poles which suggests that shade sails are coming for this area soon. This area also has a shelter with table, BBQ and water tap.
On the side of the grassy area are three flying foxes. The longest has a disk seat and there are shorter dual flying foxes, one with a disk seat and the other with a harness seat. On the other side of the central area is a nature play area under shady gum trees with lots of logs and wooden tepees.
The Diamond Creek Tram cafe is operated by the Rotary Club of Diamond Creek and sits on a big mound at the southern end of the playground. The cafe is constructed from a restored W-class tram and serves drinks, muffins, ice-cream and cookies. The cafe is run by Rotary volunteers, local community groups and staff baristas with profits returned to community projects and those groups who volunteer. The tram is under a shelter, with the deck and roof structure being donated by Bendigo Bank.
The cafe currently has these operating hours with changes posted on the Diamond Creek Rotary Tram Cafe Facebook Page:
Friday: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Monday: 9:30am - 3:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am - 3:30pm
The area around the cafe has toilets, five tables under a shelter next to the tram and another three unshaded tables, BBQs and water tap. Dogs are not permitted in the cafe area. The toilets are open from 8am to 9pm (October - April) and 8am to 6pm (May - September) including public holidays. There is an outdoor gym trail along the creek.
The playground is setup to use "Biba Playground Games" on electronic devices. It is a bundle of games for you to play with your children at a playground. It has a blend of digital and physical play so your family is sure to have an unforgettable playground trip that really gets kids moving. Search for "Biba" in the App Store or Google Play. Then pick a game to download and play with your child. The app is free to download.
The playspace is hidden away off the main road. Take the road off Main Hurstbridge Road which passes around Marngrook oval and continue down to the Diamond Creek Bowling Club. Parking is available at the carpark adjacent to the Diamond Creek Bowls Club.
This really is a playground to admire - engaging nature-based activities for all ages and abilities in a lovely environment, plenty of shaded play areas, cafe with roots to the community and integration of technology into the play experience.
Photos:
Location
28 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek 3089 Map
Web Links
→ Diamond Creek Rotary Tram Cafe on Facebook
