The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Moyne Shire Region

The Moyne Shire region is three and a half hours drive west of Melbourne and includes the main towns of Port Fairy, Koroit and Mortlake.

Highlights of the region are Tower Hill Reserve which is a haven for wildlife set inside a dormant volcano, Griffiths Island which has a colony of shearwater seabirds and a spectacular lighthouse, Hopkins Falls with viewing locations above and at the base of the falls, riding the Giant Yambuk Slide next to Yambuk Lake and fishing and scenic cruises at Port Fairy.

A map of the region is:

Map boundaries Moyne Shire

The best playgrounds in this region are:

Peterborough Foreshore Playground, Peterborough

A big anchor leads to playground which has a lot of equipment and areas for different aged kids. The bigger structure has a spiral slide, fireman's pole, straight ladder, spiral ladder, shop front, climbing bridge with half circles, climber with full circles, monkey rungs, two ladders with square rungs, wooden walkway, curved slide, telescope, suspended balance beam, monkey bars and the bow of a ship with twin chain bridges, fireman's pole, scrambling wall and shop fronts. The structure for younger kids has a wave slide, little inclined walkway, little arched walkway, abacus, steering wheel panel and shop front. Also a boat on springs, pelican springer and swings.

Shelter with BBQ and two unshaded tables, unshaded seats, water tap, toilets, two tennis courts, grassy areas and next to a beach. There's a lot to do here.

Gipps Street Playground, Port Fairy

A big yellow and blue structure next to a line of cypress trees. Structure has dual wave slides, rope bridge, various ladders, vertical rope spiders web climbing frame, inclined balance beam, hanging disks, monkey rungs, tic-tac-toe with animal shapes, large clock, steps, walkway, tunnel, curved slide, little climbing wall, fireman's pole, telescope, binoculars (for those that only want to see as far as the water rather than the stars), speak and listen system, abacus, shop front and panels. Two springers and four swings.

Shaded grassy area with BBQs and tables. Toilets and water tap.

The sole skate park in this region is

Mortlake Skatepark (A concrete prefab park which has two flat banks and a quarter at one end and a quarter at the other end. In the middle is a spine, ledges and fun box)

The best BMX track in this region is:

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

Family activities in the Moyne Shire region include:

Port Fairy

Salty Dog Charters (Fishing trips for all levels and tours out to Lady Julia Percy Island to see the Fur Seal Colony which is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere)

Belfast Aquatics (A 25m indoor community pool and fitness centre)

Griffiths Island (A colony of shearwater seabirds, winding pathways and the spectacular lighthouse at the eastern tip)

Mulloka Cruises (A fun, informative and scenic half hour cruise. Hear a little of Port Fairy's history, mutton birds, whaling and sealing plus the workings of the Port)

Southern Coast Charters (Fishing, tuna, deep sea and adventure seal and whale watching tours)

The Kite House (Buy a kite or hire a bike)

Port Fairy Mini Golf (18 hole mini-golf course where the greens are challenging and have numerous sharp turns, arches, tunnels and humps to test any golfer's putting skills and to provide lots of fun)

Port Fairy Surf School (Surf school plus surf, snorkel and bicycle rental)

Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre (Local advice on activities)

Port Fairy-Warrnambool Rail Trail (A 37 km rail trail which is suitable for cyclists and walkers and follows the route of the disused railway line that loops between Port Fairy, Koroit and Warrnambool skirting the northern side of Tower Hill)

Other Locations

Hawkesdale Swimming Pool in Hawkesdale (A 30m long T-shaped main pool and a toddler pool)

Koroit Botanical Gardens in Koroit (Contains over 100 rare and unusual trees from around the world)

Budj Bim National Park near Macarthur (A long dormant volcano with geological features including Lake Surprise, a crater lake, lava canals, a natural bridge, lava blisters, collapsed lava tunnels and a lava cave. The park also contains Victoria's last great stand of manna gum woodland, the favourite food of the resident koala population)

Macarthur Swimming Pool (The main pool is T-shaped and has a nice colourful, wacky water slide. Also a toddler pool)

Mortlake Swimming Pool (A 50m main pool and a toddler pool)

Bay of Islands Coastal Park (Sheer cliffs and rock stacks dominate the bays and heathlands display colourful spring wildflowers. Beaches are accessible at some points and walks range from short beach walks of about 30 minutes to a walk of two or three hours along the cliff tops)

Tower Hill Reserve at Tower Hill (Set inside a dormant volcano, the reserve is a haven for wildlife with koalas, emus, kangaroos, sugar gliders and many species of water birds, including black swans which roam freely throughout the reserve, often within clear view)