Best playgrounds in the Clare Valley
Let's be honest. The kids can do a certain amount of cellar doors and eateries, but at some point, you've got to be fair on the little squirts and give them some playtime.
Running a muck and playing with other kids is all the little ones seem to want to do. And whilst your Clare Valley plans may not have been one playground after another, we have a solution that should keep both parties satisfied. In this exact order, I recommend trying: cellar door, playground, cellar door, picnic, cellar door, playground. It's a fair trade, right? Well, I’ve become a subject matter expert on playgrounds since the birth of my two little ones so here are my top playgrounds you should consider when coming to the Clare Valley.
Apex Park - Clare
This one caters for young and older kids with a playground, covered shelter with BBQ, plenty of picnic tables and a skate park (bring your bike). It’s also located along the Hutt River, not exactly gushing with water most of the time, but is home to a big open grassed area with well-established trees, perfect for a picnic and a bit of nature play. It's right off the main street of Clare, so easily accessible whether you're cruising the Riesling Trail or just passing through,
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Burra Playground
This is an awesome playground with an adjacent lake and a linear park along the Burra Creek. There are toilets, picnic tables and even a little fountain which runs water into the lake. It’s right in the middle of town surrounded by heritage buildings which makes it truly special. The wildlife will also love you too with lots of ducks to keep the kids entertained. Grab a Cornish pasty and soak in the atmosphere of this lovely park and town.
Richardson Park – Sevenhill
I personally love this park. Great for young and old, located in between Sevenhill Cellars and the Sevenhill Hotel with the Riesling Trail just next door, Richardson Park has great equipment but also a nature play theme to it. There are picnic tables, shelter and the best flying fox going around. I may have been on it a few times.
Melrose Park – Clare
Clare has its share of good parks but there’s not many with a model railway as part of it! Operating on weekends, the Clare Valley Model Engineers have a railway with over 1 km of track that features several bridges and a tunnel in the 10-hectare park. The park includes a large lake, playground a BMX bike track and walking paths. Much more than a playground (which is also good by the way), the park also connects to the nearby Gleeson Wetlands which is like a giant nature play area as well.
This article was written by a local dad, Andrew Christiansen.