Kids Wiki Australia

20/10/2023

19/10/2023

05/12/2022

Outdoor activities can be tricky in this warm weather. Today we revisited a favourite ride from Goomboorah Park to Gamburra Park.

The surfaced bike track meanders through the rain-forest and cane fields along the Freshwater creek. There is a multitude of swimming spots to explore along the creek, and the track is mostly in the shade.

As well as the infamous playground at Goomboorah Park, there is a great playground half way at Herbert Xavier Park, and a fun playground at Gamburra Park as well. The latter two have electric BBQs as well. You can continue further past Gamburra onwards the BMX pump track at the top.

Mr Almost 3 found the playgrounds to be a little warm today and preferred the creeks and exploring in the forest. But the best part was the ride!

The total ride is 15km return to the pump track (we took the ebike!). If you want an even longer ride you can start from Glenoma Park, its a lovely track from there to Goomboorah and onwards up the valley.

02/10/2022

If you have not paid a visit to FunE Farm in Whiterock you have not seen the quirkiest, friendliest family oriented petting zoo around! There is a modest entry fee of $5 for adults and $10 for kids (which includes a ride on the tractor train) and unlimited bags of animal feed.

Animal fans will get to pet cows, deer, goats, geese, ducks, peacocks, guinea pigs, ducklings, chickens and more - the duckling and guinea pig petting 'lounge' is fantastic.

To work off even more energy there is a collection of old carts and 'chariots' available for kids to ride on, but adults be warned you may be roped in as a towing beast!

For the kids that want a longer powered ride there is the 'tractor train' which takes them on loops of the grounds including a sprinkle under the elephant fountain.

For more sedate adults there are plenty of shaded tables and chairs under the massive tree. It's all self catering so bring your own picnic and drinks to enjoy in the shade.

The Farm is literally FunE with loads of quirky items all over - from the croc avoiding guy abseiling from the tree house to the statue collection adorning the inside of the dunny!

FunE Farm is not open on a regular basis so best to follow their FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/thefunefarm or call 0404 068 666. They are located at 48 Griffin Rd in White Rock. Shoes must be worn.

16/09/2022

Just off Ramsay Drive in Kanimbla are fantastic road safety and pump track facilities. There is parking at the top of the hill off Ramsay Drive, and short dirt track leads down to the grassy area. There is a small bus-shelter style shaded bench.

The road safety track is great for littler ones with a range of signs and intersections to practice on, suitable for bikes, trikes, pushys and scooters. The pump track looks amazing for older kids.

Mr. 2.7 loved racing his push trike around the smooth cement track. It was great that there were some other kids to er, 'avoid'. A great introduction traffic signs and road markings.

Surrounding area is big grass fields, great for a kick around and wide games.

15/09/2022

With the warmer and wetter weather approaching don't forget about our wonderful public libraries as an outing for the kids. Whilst there are popular libraries in the suburbs, don't forget about the City Library in Abbott Street too. It has a wonderful children's area with seating, bean bags, rugs and a tee-pee.

Parking is usually available in Lake Street car park, and it's a short walk across the road and through the Night Markets to the Esplanade Lagoon area.

15/08/2022

Good to be back after Covid isolation and other distractions! Today we stopped in at the beautiful Warrina Lakes in Innisfail. Plenty of parking, toilets, sheltered picnic tables, grassy lawns and paths that meander around lakes with ducks and lilies.

The comprehensive, fully fenced, shaded playground features four way bouncer, multilevel platforms with climbing nets and wall, tunnels, two single slides, a double slide, see saw and monkey bars.

Our toddler loved the tunnels, the climbing wall, nets and tunnels. He also loved seeing the ducks on the lake and the crocodile sculpture! If you are visiting Innisfail this is definite on the playground must-do list! Could easily spend a few hours at Warrina Lakes.

13/07/2022

Hooray! Two brand new playgrounds in one location!

The fences are down and the new playgrounds at Harald Falge Park in Manunda are open to the public - two new play areas, one suited to toddlers and one suited to older kids adjacent to each other. Definitely make the most of the public holiday and this gorgeous weather to stop in and check out the new equipment at what is described by council as a 'Big Destination Park'.

The toddler playground features fun talking tubes, a spring bouncer, spider swing, sand stencils, and a raised platform with a clock accessible by steps and a slide to get down. A hopscotch game (still fenced) joins the toddler area to the big kids area.

The big playground is amazing and features a flying fox and climbing fort with spider net, a pretty high swing bridge, ladders, tunnel, circular ladder, and seriously HUGE swings, the biggest, highest and sturdiest swings I have seen!

The park itself has open lawn spaces, toilets, shaded picnic tables, water bubblers, toilets and off street parking. Note the access road is one way! There is also a new multipurpose sports court laid in the park. 11 English Street, Manunda.

10/07/2022

Holloways Beach Markets are fantastic but parking can be tricky and the playground super busy so this morning we headed to Raintrees Park which is within walking distance of the markets, but has plenty of parking, a playground that is typically empty, as well as the Community Garden and the water tower art.

The playground is pretty comprehensive with some big slides, climbing tower, ropes, ladders, seesaw, swings and bouncer. There is also a toddler swing in the Community Garden - visitors are welcome.

From Raintrees Park its as short walk to the beach (past Two Blocks Cafe if you need a coffee) and no parking dramas!

Did you know that there are in fact SIX playgrounds in Holloways Beach?

08/07/2022

Best Playground in Cairns! Is it? Google maps shows a marker in Mooroobool claiming to be the Best Playground in Cairns, so we checked it out.

The shaded playground certainly offers comprehensive play equipment including swings, a seesaw, double slides, single slide, flying fox, climbing wall, steps, bridge, climbing ropes, as well as a 4-way basket ball hoop as well as a single slide.

Mr Toddler loved the climbing wall, racing Daddy on the double slide, seesaw with Mummy and Daddy, and showing off how he could cross the swing bridge with ease!

This shady, quiet park hidden off Watkins Close is certainly a lovely spot with a picnic table under trees, bench, water bubbler and bin. (Although kerbside parking is quite limited being a close.)

Is it the Best Playground in Cairns? Possibly not, but it is definitely amongst the most pleasant ones and a worthy destination for your kids.

01/07/2022

Rainy days with a toddler at home can be a challenge. Whilst escaping to a playground is always great, there are limited undercover play areas in Cairns. Bunnings Warehouse at Smithfield has a fully-fenced, all-weather play area that has a lot to offer in a compact space, and at no cost. (Well, it is Bunnings, who can leave without buying something!)

The brightly coloured triple story climbing tunnels with windows, platforms, slides and games offers great challenges for kids from pre-kindy and older. On the ground level there is an activity pillar, a gear wheel, and an excellent musical piano that allows kids to play tunes that are recognisable!

If the bench in the play area is not for you, the large viewing windows in the adjacent cafe let you watch the kids while you enjoyed a real coffee and snack at very reasonable prices.

Note that if you have smaller kids be prepared to enter the tunnels to rescue them - perfect reason to have a play yourself! And the piano is irresistable...

30/06/2022

Meet the Kids Wiki crew: Cameron, Lucy and our 2.5yo intrepid explorer, Hugo. We are a little family of three eager for adventure. Hugo has always been an energetic child who loves playgrounds and the outdoors. His Daddy, Cameron, ever the innovator, and always on the look out for new places to take Hugo, wished there was an app that had an Australia-wide comprehensive data base of playgrounds, children’s venues and cycling tracks.

We are not there yet; he’s working on it. In the meantime, like and follow our pages for more playground reviews and keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming website and interactive map. Stay tuned for more updates!