Crocodile Park, Point Cook

Splash parks in Melbourne, Australia

I visited Crocodile Park in Point Cook on an overcast day in October on the way back from Werribee. I had packed swimming costumes and some towels, but decided to leave them in the car, because it wasn't really warm enough to play in the water. My kids were remarkably restrained when they were patting the metal crocodile, and didn't attempt to put even their hands near the water spout or the elevated trough that it flowed into. When my eldest wandered off and started jumping across the flat stepping stones in the middle of the paved stream, I believed her when she promised me that she wouldn't fall in. Above: The crocodile spurting water into a shallow trough at Crocodile Park (Order this image)

Even when she decided to leap from the paved lip on one side of the stream to the gently sloping area on the other side, she cleared it like an excitable fawn, bolting upwards and clear over the water to dry land. Wow, I was impressed, but could my luck hold out with such acts of daring? Let's go down to take a look at the splash pad, I suggested, which was hidden around the corner behind the little pumping shed. But before I had taken two steps I heard the frolicking fawn falling short as she took it upon herself to leap backwards across the stream, from the low side to the high side, and sneakers, socks and trouser cuffs plunged into the water. It's alright daddy, she said, and indeed it was. Above: The stepping stones in the shallow stream at Crocodile Park (Order this image)

I was impressed with the design of this extended water feature because it offers several different interactive experiences with the water, it is clear on both sides for adult supervision, and it is well integrated with surrounding areas of the park. At the time of my visit, the broader park was still under construction, but the wetlands, boardwalks, playground and water feature were all complete. The playground has a large sandpit, a grassy knoll, two slides on separate mounds, and bright blue spongy paths that are a delight to walk on.

I also liked the seating on the edge of the constructed stream that allows adults to place their feet in the water. The only drawbacks were that there were a few mosquitos (bring some insect repellant, particularly if the sky is overcast), the currently available toilets are a few hundred metre walk away, and the trees will take a few years to grow to provide adequate shade. The splash park did have some teething problems initially with kids putting sand in the crocodile's mouth that ground the water pumps to a halt, so please discourage them from doing this. On my visit the crocodile was smiling wide, teeth glistening from the uninterrupted water spray.

Here is a Splash-Rascals video of Crocodile Park, featuring Splash-Rascal Mother Duck and her baby ducks going for a paddle, but watch out - there are crocodiles around.

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 feature at the park. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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