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Centenary Lakes Nature Play
Cairns, Queensland

This is a lush jungle, water-themed playground for kids with a constructed meandering stream in Edge Hill, on the northern side of Cairns. The water features are quite simple, and best suited to younger kids, with the climbing equipment capable of challenging older kids.

Centenary Lakes Nature Play

Above: The criss-crossing meandering stream at Centenary Lakes Nature Play (Order this image)

Hidden in behind the trees along busy Greenslopes Street, this little water play area is a good place for kids to cool down in the hot weather. The main interactions with water are the two taps, which must be held down to fill the little concrete channels, with the option to divert water for use in the adjacent sand pits.

There is also a designated spot to dig for buried treasure in one of those pits. Nearby there are a range other features, such as climbing nets, cable climbing frames, a mechanical digger, and some elevated (dry) sand pits.

Centenary Lakes Nature Play

Above: The leaf basins that feed the meandering stream at Centenary Lakes Nature Play (Order this image)

Whilst the area is dark due to the mature trees around the playground, there are some cleared areas next to the water feature with unsheltered picnic tables. If you get in early, this makes it a great spot for a picnic, where you can also keep and eye on your kids while they play in the water.

Centenary Lakes Nature Play

Above: Picnic tables at Centenary Lakes Nature Play (Order this image)

The only potentially disconcerting sign at this playground was the warning about crocodiles in the mangroves that line the adjacent Saltwater Creek, given it seems a very short distance of only about 30 metres from those mangroves to the nature play area, with no fence that I could see in between.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location:Greenslopes St, Edge Hill, 3 km north-west of the Cairns city centre
Latitude:-16.903694 Longitude:145.749815
Getting there: From Sheridan St / Captain Cook Hwy (Route 1), head east along Arthur St and then Greenslopes St. There is roadside parking out the front of the nature play park. Bus route 130 runs along Greenslopes St on a route that runs between Cairns City Bus Station and Raintrees Shopping Centre.

Facilities: Public toilets with baby change facilities, unsheltered picnic tables, bike racks, car parking, drinking fountain, sheltered public bbq.
Entrance fee: None
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No dogs.
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water under some trees and shade cloth, with a couple of small shade-covered areas in the water.
Opening times: Always open. Toilets open 6.30 am to 6.00 pm.
Wheelchair access: Wheelchair accessible paths and toilets.
Managing authority: Cairns Regional Council
Nearby attractions: The Cairns Botanic Gardens, which are behind Centenary Lakes, or for a swim head to Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, 3km to the south-east.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. As noted above, stay away from Saltwater Creek on the eastern edge of the park, where there are signs warning of crocodiles.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the nature play park. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there baby change facilities at Centenary Lakes Nature Play? Yes, they are located in the unisex toilet in the nature play area.

Can I have a picnic at Centenary Lakes Nature Play? Yes, there are picnic tables within the nature play area, and a sheltered public bbq on the eastern edge of the nature play area.

If you have any other questions not answered above, leave a comment for me using the comment box below.

Comments:

If you would like to leave a comment about this water play area, please fill in the comment box below. I am particularly interested in your experiences after visiting, and any changes in conditions, etc. All fields are required if you would like to see your comments appear on this website.

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