The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Glenelg Shire Region

The Glenelg Shire region is about four hours drive west of Melbourne and includes the main towns of Portland and Casterton with smaller towns of Cape Bridgewater, Nelson and Heywood.

Around Nelson the Lower Glenelg National Park is a beautiful riverside park for camping and canoeing and close by is Princess Margaret Rose Cave which has cave tours of the limestone formations.

Along the coast is Discovery Bay Coastal Park and near Portland is the Cape Nelson State Park with wonderful walks including the Sea Cliff Nature Walk and the Enchanted Forest Walk plus the Cape Nelson Lighthouse.

At Cape Bridgewater, you can take a 5km walk to observe a Seal Colony of about 650 Australian and New Zealand fur seals or a short stroll to the Petrified Forest and Blowholes.

Inland is Cobboboonee National Park, Mount Richmond National Park and the town of Casterton which is the birthplace of the Kelpie breed of working Australian cattle and sheep dog and is celebrated with the Kelpie Walking and Sculpture Trail.

Experience some of Australia's most beautiful natural scenery and wildlife by trying part of the Great South West Walk, a 250 km walking trail which passes through the region.

A map of the region is:



The best playgrounds in this region are:

Apex Park Playground, Heywood



The playground with a sandy base is on the banks of the Fitzroy River. The highlights are a wonderfully detailed tractor which has lots of levers to operate and a "tinnie" boat with outboard motor. The tinnie is next to a sandpit and moving bridge over a rocky dry creek landscape. The creek leads to twisting paths lined with plants and artwork on tiles created by the local school children.

The main play structure has a tin roof and is an elevated set of platforms with fireman's pole, spiral ladder, chain ladder, tic-tac-toe with animal shapes, wave slide and climbing walls. This area receives some shade from trees. There are two spinners, elevated tank stand with ladder and wave slide, cow springer and three swings (including one with harness).

There are a number of large willow trees which provide shade, shaded and unshaded tables, water tap, toilets, shelter with BBQ and table, another shelter with tables and grassy areas dotted with trees.

Portland Foreshore Playground, Portland



Located at the south end of the Foreshore. A long strip of playground equipment for all ages including a skate park.

There are a range of facilities including toilets, shelter with seats, shelter with BBQ, unshaded BBQs, unshaded tables and seats.

The playground near the Skate Park has a long structure with two wave slides, ladder, wavy fireman's pole, chain bridge, monkey bars and flying fox. Also swings, semi-circle see-saw and rocker.

More to the north (100m away) is a playground with a big whirly-gig with four disk seats which can be spun around, large pyramid rope climbing frame and a sandy area which has a low structure with two wave slides, scrambling wall, chain ladder, tic-tac-toe and standard ladder. Another structure has a chain traverse, curved ladder, steering wheel, monkey bars, flying fox and hanging disks. Also two swings with safety chains, suspended two person rocker, whale springer and rotating circle which you hang on with your arms.

At the far north end is an area for younger kids with a structure with curved slide, ladder and cubby with shop front. This area also has a small structure with ladder, slide and steering wheel plus two swings where the seats are joined together, Bertie the beetle springer and see-saw. Some grassy area and a few trees for shade.

The best skate parks in this region are:

Heywood Skatepark (This is a brilliant skate park for a town of this size (population is 1300). Maybe the local skaters had incriminating photos of the mayor? The large park which is concrete has a half pipe, quarters, flat banks, rails, fun box, six stairs and bowl shaped area)



Casterton Skatepark (A good size concrete park with a lot of quarters and ramps, fun box, rails, curved bowl area and a concrete half pipe. There is a basketball court and water tap)



Portland Skatepark (There is a big steel quarterpipe and a basic street course with metal obstacles on a concrete base including quarters, spine, rollover and funbox. Next to the Skate Park is a shelter with seats, another shelter with BBQ and toilets)



The only BMX track in this region is:

Heywood BMX Track (About five jumps (combination of single and double) and three mounds in a triangle shape within a fairly compact area. Next to a Skate Park, basketball court and playground)



Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Glenelg Shire council region are here:

Family activities in the Glenelg Shire region include:

Cape Bridgewater

Petrified Forest and Blowholes (Short walks to rock tunnels that have been etched out of the volcanic rock by the waves and the petrified forest of trees)

Seal Colony Walk (A 5km walk with a viewing platform at the end of the trail which looks out over rock platforms and on to a colony of about 650 Australian and New Zealand fur seals)

Seals By Sea Tours (A cruise to the largest mainland group of seals in Australia)

Casterton

Kelpie Walking Trail (Casterton is the birthplace of the amazingly intelligent Kelpie breed of working Australian cattle and sheep dog. The trail around the town links five unique sculptures revealing the life and times of the Kelpie)

Mickle Lookout and De Lys Emblem (High above the town centre, the Lookout offers a views looking straight down the main street. The view back to the lookout from the main street is also interesting, especially at night when the huge 'Fleur De Lys' (Scout) emblem is illuminated)

Casterton Outdoor Pool (A main 50m pool and toddler pool)

Casterton Visitor Information Centre (The centre has information, local crafts, Kelpie merchandise, refreshments, tea and coffee available)

Heywood

Budj Bim Tours (Tours include Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission, Tyrendarra Indigenous protected area, Kurtonitj and Lake Condah)

Heywood Model Trains (Layout displays a variety of model trains ranging in both type and size, and there is a small layout for children to have a go)

Heywood Outdoor Pool (Seasonal outdoor swimming pool)

Nelson

Discovery Bay Coastal Park (A coastal environment suited to walks, camping, canoeing, boating and water skiing)

Lower Glenelg National Park (Enjoy beautiful riverside camping, walking, fishing, canoeing or exploring by 4WD)

Nelson Boat and Canoe Hire (Caters for a group canoe adventure tour, fishing gear for beginners and experts, cabin cruiser and dinghy hire or a quiet trip downstream in a paddleboat)

Nelson Visitor Information Centre (Local information and a range of visitor services)

Cape Nelson

Sea Cliff Nature Walk (3km loop walk which encompasses coastal scrub, cliff tops and views out to the Southern Ocean)

The Enchanted Forest Walk (A 45-minute round trip walk which passes through a dense, almost tropical vegetation which creates an enchanting canopy to lookouts and boardwalks with views over the ocean and spectacular cliff formations)

Cape Nelson State Park (Coastal walks with spectacular views)

Cape Nelson Lighthouse (Tour takes you back in time into the world of the lighthouse keeper from the inception of the lighthouse in 1884. See the cottages in which the lighthouse keepers lived and climb all of the steps to the top of the lighthouse, viewing the Cape from 32 meters above the ground)

Portland Fauna Park (Free fauna park has albino kangaroos, wallabies, ducks and emus)

South West Charters (Fishing or harbour tours)

World War II Memorial Lookout (Climb to the top for 360 degree views of Portland and discover a large array of local military history)

Great South West Walk (Experience some of Australia's most beautiful natural scenery and wildlife by trying one of the 17 shorter sections or tackle the entire 250 km walking trail)

Portland Botanic Gardens (Native and exotic plants including over 13,000 dahlias planted annually which peak in late summer and autumn)

Portland Cable Trams (The tram links a number of tourist locations whilst providing a scenic ride along the picturesque Portland Bay foreshore)

Portland Visitor Information Centre (A wealth of information about about the region)

South West Adventures (Offer a wide variety of outdoor activities and adventures in the region including rock climbing, abseiling, orienteering, mountain biking, canoeing, walks, caving and rock pooling)

Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre (50m heated outdoor pool, 25m heated indoor pool, waterslide, toddler and kids pools, spa, sauna, as well as a fully equipped gym and group fitness room, rockwall and childcare area)

Portland Maritime Discovery Centre (Discover the mysteries of the sea and the traditions and lifestyle of the people who lived by the coast)

Portland Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum (Features veteran, vintage and classic cars, motorcycles, a Penny Farthing bicycle, stationary engines, a 1920s Cable Tram and Grip car, tractors, general motoring memorabilia and interactive displays for the children)

Other Locations

Portland Strawberries at Bolwarra (Opportunity to pick your own strawberries from November to April plus strawberries and other local products sold from the farm)

Avenue of Honour and Fairytale Tree Carvings at Dartmoor (Collection of chainsaw-sculpted artwork and a charming nursery rhyme tree featuring over 20 fairytale characters)

Cobboboonee National Park near Greenwald (Lowland forest and heathland with walks, horse riding, camping, picnicking and touring by vehicle)

Merino Outdoor Pool (Seasonal outdoor swimming pool)

Mount Richmond National Park (With spectacular spring wildflowers and abundant wildlife in unspoilt bushland, Mount Richmond is the perfect place to have a picnic, take a walk or simply drive to the summit and enjoy the magnificent views)

Princess Margaret Rose Cave at Mumbannar (Wonder at mother natures gifts, see stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, rimstone pools, cave coral and many other amazing formations on a guided tour)

Mt Clay Mountain Bike Trail at Narrawong (7.9km loop, easy grade cross-country trail and is suitable for any experience level)

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Web Links

→ www.glenelg.vic.gov.au


The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Glenelg Shire Region, Portland, Victoria, 3305