As well as hosting some of Sydney’s finest shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues, Darling Harbour is home to one of the local area’s most iconic play spaces in Sydney, Tumbalong Park.
The 5 hectare park, is most well known for it’s water play area which is the best place to be in the middle of a sweltering Sydney Summer. There are 26 water jets, as well as a people-powered water scoop, screw and squirt!
But don’t worry – the kids probably won’t want to sit still long enough to dry off. And why would you when there is a big slide, jumbo swings, tangled web and a 10 metre high octanet!
For something a little more tranquil, you can’t go past the Chinese Garden of Friendship. You can access the grounds for a small entry fee and take in the gorgeous surrounds, designed by Chinese landscape artists in consultation with the local Chinese community.
Public toilets including a baby change table are located on the park’s fringes.
Tumbalong Park is easy to get to with the closest train station at Town Hall and many buses travelling down Market, Park, Druitt, Bathurst or Liverpool Streets. You can catch a ferry to Darling Harbour by alighting at King Street Wharf or Pyrmont Bay Wharf. Paddy’s Market light rail station is closest and there are also car parking stations nearby.
Pick your timing when visiting this park. On weekends it can get out of control and makes it very hard to keep your eye on a busy toddler.
Open Daily
Play area
I think the best word to describe this park is overwhelming. ESSENTIAL to keep an eye on your kids at all times, which can be a challenge at times because of sheer numbers of people.