Gallipoli Park, Marysville

Splash parks in north-east Victoria, Australia

Gallipoli Park in the main street of Marysville has a corner dedicated to water play. The path by which the water flows is likely to present a welcome challenge to younger kids and provides opportunities for teamwork. Firstly, a hand pump fills a circular basin at ground level. From here the water can be lifted using a spiral hand auger to an elevated tray, from which the water can travel in two directions. To one side it can flow into a third tray, whilst to the other side it turns a water wheel and spills back onto the ground. Sluice gates can be used to control the flow in each direction. Above: The water pump and hand auger at Gallipoli Park, Marysville (Order this image)

In addition to this constructed water play area, Gallipoli Park has a huge bonus over other similar splash parks, particularly those in Melbourne. Wander behind the bushes at the northern end of the splash park and you will find a shallow, crystal clear pebbled stream that kids can also play in (under adult supervision). The Steavenson River runs alongside this edge of Gallipoli Park.

You can sit in the river on the downstream side of your kids and watch them frolic in the water. Grass leads up to the river bank, so you can easily step straight from the lawn into the stream. This is a mountain stream, so expect the water to be cold. Bring a wetsuit or rashy vest to keep the cold at bay, not that your kids will feel it once they start running around. As with all rivers, conditions can change fast, so make sure you assess the conditions at the time of your visit before deciding whether to get into the water. Above: The Steavenson River, adjacent to Gallipoli Park (Order this image)

The rest of the playground has plenty of other great play equipment, including a sand pit, a huge climbing frame and a giant wooden lizard. For kids learning the alphabet, look around the playground for the small steel plaques with the first letter of the object they are attached to (e.g. T for tree). Don't forget to walk across the bridge at the back of the play area, where you will find a longer steel slide and two long flying foxes that you can use for racing down the hill - as an adult I got a rush out of these too. Bring some snags to cook on the bbqs for lunch and you can easily spend a few hours here on a hot day. Before you head out, make sure to read the water safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. The marker indicates the approximate location of the water features within Gallipoli Park. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map If you would like to leave a comment about this water play area, please fill in the comment box below. I'm particularly interested in your experiences after visiting, and any changes in conditions, etc. Make sure you let me know whether you consent to having your comments published on this website.

Your name:

Your email:

From (city, country):

Your zipcode:

Your comment:

I consent to having these comments published on this website (note: your email address is not published).

← Back stroke

Next splash →

Victoria	Nth East VIC
Water Safety	Map
List of Lists	Suggest a Swim
Links	Your Support
Media	Order the Book