An egg hunt is a crucial part of most children’s Easter. Photo: Wosunan.
As Easter approaches, you might be on the hunt for the perfect place to crack into some chocolatey treasure.
Healthy Cities Illawarra Child Health Promotion team leader Michelle Barry says the best Easter egg hunts are about more than just treats — they’re about fresh air, family fun and a dash of Easter magic.
“The excitement of Easter egg hunts is the perfect opportunity to get our kids outside and active,” she says. “The thrill of the hunt and a sweet treat are a fantastic motivation to get our children breathing in that fresh air in the great outdoors. It sets the perfect scene for the creation of some beautiful core memories.”
The Play Illawarra directory lists 270-plus playgrounds and parks in the Illawarra. From sprawling, open-air green spaces to fenced playgrounds, peaceful suburban and country-style playgrounds to destination parks full of facilities and equipment, the region is spoiled for choice.
“For littlies, you might be after a contained area with lots of nooks and crannies, so you can open a gate, unleash your kids and let them run free with peace of mind,” Michelle says.
“And while little kids, especially preschoolers, love the chase, there are plenty of ways to make Easter hunts engaging for older kids, too.”
Parents who are wary of hiding treats in public places can download Play Illawarra’s free printable Easter Hunt, so kids can scavenge for clues instead with a sweet reward at the end.
And whether it’s the excitement of paper clues or the twinkle of foil-covered treats, here are nine egg-cellent parks in the Illawarra where the fun is as sweet as the spoils.
Wollongong
There are plenty of great spots to get outside these Easter holidays. Photo: Play Illawarra.
Gimea Glade Park, Helensburgh
This park in the Illawarra’s northernmost suburb boasts a beautiful fenced playground with many natural elements that Michelle says combine to make the perfect egg-hunting conditions.
“Think beautiful big shady trees and a playground with a balancing beam and wobbly bridge that kids just love,” she says.
“This is a typical suburban playground, but it backs onto a reserve and there’s some cool art on the way in.”
Luke’s Place Playground, Corrimal
This fully fenced playground is perhaps best known for its locally famous and recently restored locomotive, colourfully referred to as the “green frog”.
The playground has many accessibility elements to it and, as Michelle points out, the bonus of its location in the middle of Corrimal village.
“If you need to pick up supplies before your hunt, there are plenty of shops nearby,” she says.
Cringila Playground and Community Park
While this park has an adjacent fenced playground great for staging an egg hunt for the littlies, it’s the 12 km of trails, jumps, pump tracks and learn-to-ride facilities that take centre stage, making this a park suitable for Easter fun for kids of all ages.
“In this park, you can challenge kids to be active and hunt in a bigger space. Imagine putting your kids on a bike and making the egg hunt a little more adventurous,” Michelle says.
“It’s certainly more work for parents, but is a cool activity – especially for older kids.”
Shellharbour
Collins Reserve, Blackbutt
The fully fenced playground is but a small element of this cool suburban park, where nature steals the show.
“The local school had input in creating the gorgeous nature garden at this park,” Michelle says.
“There’s also fitness equipment and plenty of off-street parking. The added benefit is that as a suburban park, Collins Reserve is also quieter than many other Illawarra playgrounds, so could be ideal for those looking for a more private hunting experience.”
McDonald Park, Albion Park Rail
There’s more in store than just a hunt at this expansive playground, complete with learn-to-ride facilities, a ninja warrior course, netball courts, green space to kick a ball, toilets, barbecues and plenty of parking.
“You can make a day of it at this playground,” Michelle says.
“It can be a bit on the busier side, but there are lots of nooks and crannies for hiding eggs and plenty for older kids to do as well.”
Ravenswood Park, Tullimbar
“This is a lovely, unique playground, with a few different elements including a seated spinner and table tennis tables,” Michelle says.
“Visually, in blue and yellow, it stands out. I used to take my kids here to play hide and seek, and I’m sure it has plenty of good hidey spots for treats as well.”
The park has plenty of green space and shaded seating and barbecues where you can host a post or pre-hunt lunch. Accessibility elements include accessible picnic tables with three-quarter-length seating.
Kiama
Reid Park, Jamberoo
This true suburban playground was recently revamped and offers an “almost country-like” charm, according to Michelle.
“It’s smaller, but just lovely. I can see littler ones having a memorable Easter hunt experience here,” she says.
“The playground backs onto an oval where you can kick about a ball or spread a picnic rug. It’s also walking distance to the lovely heritage town of Jamberoo, so you can grab what you need on the way in.”
Hindmarsh Park, Kiama
Located in Kiama’s Town Centre just off the main street, this beautiful park just reopened last year following a long-awaited upgrade.
Featuring lots of accessibility elements and play features, it’s a fun spot for a post-hunt play.
“Again, you can make a day of it at this one, with lots of restaurants and cafes walking distance away where you can have a spot of lunch before or after your hunt,” Michelle says.
Make a day of it in any of the lllawarra’s great parks. Photo: Play Illawarra.
Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park, Berry
With something for everyone, this Shoalhaven playground may be the ultimate destination playground for those in the Illawarra region.
The park boasts a massive BMX/skate park, sand/water/digging play, fitness equipment, learn-to-ride facilities and much more.
“I think on any given day you can count on about a thousand people being there,” Michelle says.
“It can be tricky to hide eggs in bigger, sprawling, more open playgrounds where there are lots of little eyes and hands. If you’re not comfortable hiding treats in that sort of environment, you can always hide clues for a scavenger hunt.”
