The opening of the grand and brand new playground at Kurnell’s Bonna Point Reserve took place just prior to the COVID-related playground closures.
Social distancing had already been advised but there were plenty of locals who’d seen the playground slowly coming together and couldn’t wait to try it out. Others were forced to wait out the (at times painfully slow) playground hiatus, but since the happy re-opening of playgrounds, this exciting new attraction has seen a constant stream of visitors.
We headed over around lunchtime on Sunday. Granted, it was always likely to be a popular time, but we still managed to find a parking spot without too much trouble. With our picnic lunch packed, we just needed to call in quickly to Cook at Kurnell to grab a takeaway coffee and brownie (#mumtreats). Side note: Cook at Kurnell’s small kids playground was closed on our visit but will re-open this week and makes a top spot for finishing off the week with a glass of wine and some hot chips.
Bonna Point Reserve has only one table and chairs set up, but there’s heaps of open space to spread out your picnic rug and get comfortable. If you sit in the middle of the grounds you’ll have a good vantage point from which to view the whole playground, so you can keep an eye on the kids no matter which part of the playground they’re exploring.
The huge range of playground equipment provides a little something for every age group. On the whole, however, bigger kids are the winners at this playground.
Little kids can enjoy the cubby house and small slide but there are no suitable swings for anyone who requires back support or can’t hold on independently. Big kids can take advantage of five swings, two HUGE slides (the biggest in the Sutherland Shire!), elevated rope walkways, a massive climbing net and two super fun flying foxes.
Bonna Point Reserve also houses a skate park that’s been designed for little people and novice skaters, but unfortunately, on the couple of occasions that we’ve visited it’s been occupied by teenagers and twenty-somethings, which presents a bit of a safety concern for any littlies trying to have a go out there and is likely to put many others off.
The facilities are pretty standard. The reserve has a bubbler, a tap and public toilets that aren’t setting any records for cleanliness, but at least there’s an option.
The Mr Whippy Van made a stop in while we were there (which is not unusual), so we gave in and the kids scored some good old-fashioned ice-cream cones. If you’re looking for healthier treat options though, you can find some of those at Cook at Kurnell too.
If the kids still have enough energy to go for a walk after they’ve finished playing, you can wander around the coastline and check out the new bronze sculptures dotting Kurnell, take in the planes that fly very low overhead and have a look at the big ships docked on the water for a solid day of sightseeing.
In search of another Sutherland Shire playground? Check out more playground reviews.
