Best Parks

With school holidays in full swing (excuse the pun). We asked local councils about top best parks in the area and have come up with a list of ten in both the Hills Shire Council and Hawkesbury City Council areas. They are worth a visit. They are not in order of rank.

THE HILLS LGA Livvi’s Place at Bernie Mullane Reserve, Kellyville The all-abilities playground includes a water play area, rope climb, tunnel, sensory musical play equipment, a basket swing, minitrampolines, and so much more. It is also fully fenced, with wide and accessible pathways, making it easier for those wanting to use the recreational facility.

Bella Vista Farm Park, Bella Vista
Bella Vista Farm Park includes a children’s playground with a tower and spiral slide, a junior curved slide, rope climbs, a whirly-goround, an infant and strap swing set, and a bird’s nest swing that is accessible to all. Additionally, a footpath connects to the wider Farm pathway network, and there are picnic shelters and barbecues available. These modern amenities seamlessly blend with the culturally significant elements of The Farm, which has been in existence since the late 1700s. The Farm includes a fully restored two-storey homestead, a Bunya Pine-lined driveway, and various farm buildings situated on a prominent hilltop.

Castle Hill Heritage Park, Castle Hill
Castle Hill Heritage Park offers the perfect blend of history, fun, and natural beauty. The park features an expansive picnic area with a children’s playground, shelters, barbecues, tables, and seating—all perfect for hosting a picnic. Turkeys Nest Recreational Park, Beaumont Hills This park is a favourite among families and nature enthusiasts alike. It offers views of the bushland and provides ample space for various recreational activities, such as picnicking, walking along tracks, and enjoying the pond. It’s the perfect spot to relax and have a good time.

Crestwood Reserve, Baulkham Hills
This park is an excellent destination for families to enjoy. Its expansive green space is perfect for outdoor activities, and there are amenities for picnics, such as tables and barbecues. Additionally, there are two playgrounds for children, as well as a learn-to-ride bike track, which are great places for kids to play. The park also has pathways that are perfect for biking and walking.

Balcombe Heights Estate, Baulkham Hills
Balcombe Heights Estate is a beautiful location that boasts many fascinating historic elements throughout its vast estate. Some of these elements include the heritage buildings, the memorial tree avenue of Brush Box, which was planted in memory of soldiers lost during World War I, the sundial and memorial garden. You’ll also find several amenities such as barbecue and picnic facilities, a playground that is currently being upgraded, an off-leash dogfenced area, and a skate park.

Stargazing Park, The Gables
Get ready to blast off into a world of adventure at the space-themed Stargazing park in The Gables. This exciting park features a children’s playground with a spaceship, a rocket-shaped flying fox, shade coverings designed to look like UFOs, and extra-terrestrial sites with alien footprints.

Hannaford Avenue Reserve, Box Hill
Hannaford Avenue Reserve, located in Box Hill, was opened to the public in May 2022. The Reserve features a children’s playground that includes a climbing unit with a slide, a swing set, and other equipment designed specifically for children. Additionally, the Reserve provides a picnic shelter, tables, and seating area where visitors can relax and enjoy the outdoors. There’s also a turfed open space that locals can use for outdoor activities or picnics.

McGilvray Reserve, Rouse Hill
McGilvray Place Reserve has recently been upgraded and now features a variety of new facilities, including a multi-play unit with a slide, double compact swing, inclusive rocker, and climbing equipment. This area is an ideal location for families to spend quality time together while participating in outdoor activities. The playground area has numerous seats and shaded spots, thanks to the abundance of trees surrounding it.

Wisemans Ferry Park, Wisemans Ferry
Wisemans Ferry Park is located on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, offering an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy a peaceful picnic with your loved ones. The park provides numerous picnic tables and barbecues, a children’s playground with swings, balance beams, stepping stones and a slide, and plenty of shaded areas to relax under.

HAWKESBURY LGA Colonial Reserve, Bligh Park
The playground at Colonial Reserve was opened in 2022 using a design chosen by the community. It includes climbing equipment, early childhood play zone, an accessible carousel, a metal hammock swing, a springer and rotating and swinging play equipment.

Ham Common, Richmond
Ham Common has a 2.5 kilometre long walk/ cycleway near the Richmond RAAF Base and has a skate park for keen scooters and skateboarders. The fully fenced children’s playground even has its own airplane. There is exercise equipment located along the pathway plus picnic shelters and electric barbecues. There are public toilets too. It is also the site of the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre with a cafe next door.

Peel Park North Richmond Peel
Park is boarded by Redbank Creek and is a popular space to take a light bushwalk. The park was refurbished in 2023 and hosts a fenced-in playground for the smaller ones and a skate park. The park is dog-friendly and provides a fenced-off area. It has shelters and public toilets. There is disabled access to the main park area.

Wilberforce Park, Wilberforce
This historic park was originally established by Lachlan Macquarie in 1810. There are a few covered picnic tables on the lower side but no toilets. The park boasts large leafy mature trees, and you will find seating with covered shelters, there is also a children’s playground. The park is adjacent to the historic Macquarie Schoolhouse (1819) and the St John’s Anglican Church (1859).

Ivy Avenue Reserve at McGraths Hill
Hawkesbury City Council has just created a $143,000 playspace at this park, replacing the outdated and aging play equipment. The playspace features swings, a hammock swing, climbing fort with slide, spiderweb climbing net, spinner and rocker.

Pugh’s Lagoon, located in Smith Par, Richmond
The picturesque lagoon has grassy banks and mature trees. The park is a peaceful recreation space where you can stop for a picnic, try a little fishing and the bird watching is also good.

Pugh’s lagoon is considered an ecological wetland, and it is home to many plant and bird species, you will see ducks, swamp hens, and swans. The park offers adequate parking, excellent barbecue facilities and toilets to make your picnic comfortable.

Riverside Parks, Windsor
Macquarie Park is one of the parks near the banks of the Hawkesbury River. It lies on the northern bank and faces both the Deerubbin and the Howe Parks. It has a playground, electric barbecues, public toilets, and shelters. The area is also accessible to people with disability. Governor Phillip Park is on the southern side of the river. It offers sheltered picnic areas, toilets, and electric barbecues. It has a children’s playground and a large public boat ramp at one end.

Pound Paddock, Richmond
This is an off leash area for dogs. There is a sensory garden with herbs and fruit trees plus equipment that produces sounds when touched.

St Albans Reserve
The reserve is beside the Macdonald River and opposite the historic Settlers Arms Inn. The reserve has toilets, a wood barbecue, a playground and shelters. The playground was refurbished in 2023. The reserve also provides easy access to the sandy banks of the Macdonald River.

Bowen Mountain Park
The park has tall shady trees, generous grassy areas plus views of the city skyline. It is a great park for families as the playground has current equipment with soft fall ground coverings with slippery dips, swings, climbing gear and seesaw. The play area is shaded by mature trees. Bowen Mountain also has some bushwalks nearby. There are picnic tables and electric barbecue facilities. Toilets are also available.