The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Wangaratta Rural City Region
The Wangaratta Rural City region is three hours drive north-east of Melbourne and includes the main towns of Wangaratta and Glenrowan and some smaller towns in the King Valley.
A highlight of the region is Brookfield Maze. Get some outdoor recreation at Warby-Ovens National Park.
Glenrowan is Ned Kelly country and one of the highlights is The Big Ned Kelly Statue.
A map of the region is:
The best playgrounds in this area are:
Mitchell Avenue Playground, Wangaratta
A super area in summer or winter since there is a lovely water play park as well as a great playground. The playground is fenced with the swings and see-saw being under shade sails.
The main structure is based on a series of ramps with a soft spongy base around all the equipment. The structure has dual wave slides, a steering wheel panel, Yarrunga shop front (I'm sure they sell a lot of Yurrungas there), kookaburra panel, tic-tac-toe, hanging disks, monkey bars, abacus, clock, little wave slide, mirror, possum panel, disks on a vertical pole, walkway, steps, tunnel, telescope, spiral ladder, high balance bridge, climbing wall, straight ladder, koala panel, ladder with hooped steps and a speak and listen system.
Outside the fenced area are two flying foxes with a disk and a chair seat, birds nest swing, hammock, standard swings and stand-on spinner.
Shelter with table and BBQ, water tap and unshaded table. Some tables under the shady row of trees would be a nice addition. Toilets and grassy areas dotted with trees.
Mitchell Avenue Water Play Park
The water play park is centred around and beside a big rock mound which has steps to the top where there are two water cannons which can fire water at the kids below. The mound also has a concrete slide, a river of water cascading out of the hill and a tunnel underneath with water sprays. There is another tunnel with rock exterior which also has water sprays inside.
The flat concrete area is shaded by four shade sails and has a huge tipping bucket which unloads a torrent of water when it fills up, three big circles with water sprays, a butterfly with sprays, two water cannons, small tipping buckets, some metal trays which water runs along and some water sprays which come out of pipes. There are two different buttons to press to start the water for the whole play park.
The whole area is fringed by artificial grass which helps to minimise the muddy areas and natural grass is used further out from the water spray area.
There are toilets, shelter with BBQ, water tap, unshaded table, flying fox and a great playground next door.
Apex Park Playground, Clements St, Wangaratta
Extensive playground under shade sails. The highlight is a platform leading to a very tall spiral slide and a wave slide. The main structure has All Abilities access via a ramp, curved ladder, climbing wall, fireman's pole, area with coloured balls on various shaped pipes, smallish wave slide, spiral ladder, climbing rope, walkway, chain bridge, monkey rungs, chain traverse and hanging disks. Also flying fox, four swings, three springers (including two horses), see-saw and a large red fire truck to drive.
Unshaded seat. The playground area is completely surrounded by a fence with child proof gate. Shelter with tables, another huge shelter with metal sculptures, area with table and BBQs. Tables, toilets and water tap. Huge grassy expanse.
Batchelors Green Playground, Wangaratta Road, Wangaratta
A lovely playground under shade sails and on a soft springy surface. The highlight is a blue train (K191 to be precise) with a spacious cabin with two steering wheels and a carriage with large colourful abacus balls. The structure has a ticket counter to buy rides on the train, curved slide, climbing wall, telescope, steps, chain bridge, clanger to hit against pipes, horizontal bars, curved monkey bars and rope net climbing frame. Also a kangaroo springer, pelican springer, swings and Liberty swing.
Shaded BBQ and tap plus four unshaded tables, a shelter with two tables and BBQ and another two unshaded tables. Toilets and some grassy area.
Wangaratta Skatepark (Concrete park with an array of quarters, rails and flat banks, stairs with ledges, funbox and big combo wall) is located in the HP Barr Reserve in Wangaratta.
See reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Wangaratta Rural City Council region.
Family activities in the Wangaratta Rural City Council region include:
- Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre (Modern indoor aquatic facility featuring a 25m temperature controlled pool, a therapeautic program pool and a toddlers pool)
- Wangaratta Supa Bowl (12 lane state of the art bowling facility which accommodates for people of all ages, and skill abilities)
- Wangaratta Disc Golf (A free to play frisbee golf course located at the HP Barr Reserve)
- Wangaratta Walks (A range of self-guided walks around Wangaratta)
- Wangaratta & Region Visitor Information Centre (Find more information about activities in the region)
- Wangaratta Art Gallery (Over 30 exhibitions are held each year across three art spaces with free entry)
- River Tribe Adventures (Activities include kayak, cycle, sail, brewery and wine tours for couples, families and groups)
- Powers Lookout Scenic Reserve (Powers Lookout at Whitlands, which is named after one of Victoria's most infamous bushrangers, Harry Power, provides vistas of the Upper King Valley and the Alpine National Park)
- Warby-Ovens National Park (The 14,655 ha park is characterised by three distinct areas - the granite hills and woodlands of the Warby Range, the Box-Ironbark stands of the Killawarra Forest and the Redgum forest and wetlands of the Ovens Heritage River. Activities include picnicking, walks, camping, fishing, bike riding, prospecting, boating, car touring, horse-riding and scenic views)
- Riding High Cycling Tours (Personalised bike tours in Victoria's spectacular north-east)
- Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail (Following historical railway lines the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail provides 94km of bitumen sealed track well suited to both cycling and walking. The trail links the townships of Wangaratta, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Porepunkah and Bright)
- The Big Ned Kelly Statue (Ned Kelly has been immortalized by being made into a towering 6 metre statue in the town of Glenrowan which is the place of the last siege of the Kelly Gang and the deaths of three of its members)
- Ned Kellys Last Stand Animated Theatre (Through the use of animation and animatronic figures, you will be taken back in time, to witness the events of the Kelly Gang)
- Kate's Cottage, Ned Kelly Memorial Museum and Kelly Homestead (Museum with interpretative displays, cottage with Ned Kelly and Australiana gifts and souvenirs, an authentic replica of the Kelly homestead, blacksmith shed and cheeky talking cockatoos)
- Eldorado Dredge (The dredge, which was used for gold mining, is one of only two complete bucket dredges in Victoria and the largest, most intact gold dredge in Australia. Free to visit)
- Eldorado Museum (The museum holds a collection that reflects the life and times from 1850-1950. Discover a time of mining legends, gold "boom & bust", pioneers, farming heritage and the colourful folk-lore characters)
- Brookfield Maze in Myrrhee (One of the largest hedge mazes in Australia. The extensive landscaped gardens include an ancient labyrinth, bocce, pentanque piste, giant chess, checkers and a creek walk)
- Paradise Falls and Little Falls (Paradise Falls in the Alpine National Park, near Cheshunt, cascade an uninterrupted 31 metres. Walking to the falls is easy on a well established track. Little Falls are a pretty 17 metre drop accessible via a 2.4 km walk back along the road from Paradise Falls)
Web Links
→ www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au
