Darling Quarter Playground

Sitting right in the heart of Darling Harbour, Darling Quarter Playground is the gold standard for inner-city play. Winner of a Kidsafe Design Award in 2012, this playground was designed with serious input from local children, and you can tell — it's got that perfect balance of thrilling and safe that kids instinctively gravitate toward. The 21-metre flying fox is the main drawcard, sending kids soaring across the length of the playground with views of the harbour and city skyline.

The water play area is one of the best you'll find anywhere in Sydney. In summer it's absolutely packed with kids splashing through fountains, pumps, and channelled water courses. There are also extensive climbing structures, a huge multi-level fort with slides, musical instruments, and balance beams. The ground surfaces are soft rubber throughout, and the layout means you can see most of the playground from any spot — a massive relief for parents trying to watch multiple kids.

The location is unbeatable for a family day out. You're surrounded by Darling Harbour restaurants, so grabbing fish and chips or coffee is a two-minute walk. Toilets are available in the adjacent shopping complex. No dedicated parking, but there are commercial car parks everywhere nearby (expect to pay $15-25 for a couple of hours). Town Hall station is about a 10-minute walk, or you can take the light rail to Convention Centre stop. The playground is not fenced, but it's set back from the water by a wide promenade. Completely flat and paved, so pram and wheelchair access is excellent throughout.