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Warburton Water World
Splash parks in Melbourne, Australia


 
Scoot down the slip and slide and get drenched by a tipping bucket at this splash park in Warburton that echoes the town's history and environment. Warburton Water World Above: Warburton Water World slip and slide (left) and splash pad (centre) (Order this image)

The park has features that cater well for different aged children. The downstream section of the splash pad includes gentle bubblers and overhead sprinklers suitable for pre-schoolers, whilst the slide on the hill has a slope gentle enough for younger kids, but with an overhead bar at the start of the slide from which older kids can gather extra speed if they want.
Beside the slide on both sides were two slip and slides that were continuously in use. Kid after kid would accelerate, drop to their knees and then slide effortlessly down to the bottom of the hill with only an occasional wobble before racing back up the hill to do it all over again. So much fun. It momentarily took me back to memories of a cricket pitch length strip of plastic, watered with a garden hose in my neighbour's backyard. Finally there was the giant tipping bucket that everyone seemed to enjoy getting drenched by, including the adults. Warburton Water World Above: The tipping bucket tips at Warburton Water World (Order this image)

The park is well set up for family picnics with barbecue facilities, lawns and good natural shade cover in several areas. The dry play areas are also divided into those more suited to younger children, with more challenging climbing equipment and a high-rise slide for older kids. Warburton Water World Above: The starting blocks from the old swimming pool at Warburton Water World (Order this image)

The whole site has features that mimic the town's heritage. The splash park was built on the site of the old Warburton public swimming pool, with the starting blocks still visible at the back of the hill, and a section of the pool edge embedded around the edge of the play area. The tipping bucket frame is designed in the style of the swing bridge in town.
The water from the tipping bucket runs gently down through the splash pad in what has been dubbed the Yarra River, which I initially thought was artistic overreach, but the trickling boulders won me over as they are reminiscent of the boulders I have seen submerged or wedged into the bank when swimming in the actual Yarra River. Standing on the southern side of the splash pad, the seemingly tacky plastic palm trees actually look quite similar in shape to the line of Norfold Island Pines across the road that stand behind them.

If the water is not operating when you arrive, there is an activation button on a pole in the middle of the splash pad which will start the water, subject to the splash pad water operation times outlined below.
Other Information Before You Go:
Location: 20 Woods Point Road, Warburton, 75 km (approx. 90 min. drive) east of the Melbourne CBD
Latitude:-37.753554 Longitude:145.703989
Getting there: By car, from Melbourne head east along either the Maroondah Hwy (State route 34) or Canterbury Road (State route 32) to Wandin North, then follow the Warburton Hwy (B380) to Warburton. When you reach Warburton drive through the town. Once across the Yarra River bridge, veer right along the Woods Point Road (C511) and the water park is on the right. There are a couple of dozen car spaces at the water park, or an overflow car park on the oval immediately before you cross the Yarra River bridge, from which it is a 5 minute walk to Water World. By public transport, bus route 683 from Lilydale train station stops at the Yarra View Retirement Village. From this stop it is 200 metre walk further along Woods Point Road to the water park. The water park is next to the Warburton Rail Trail if you feel like riding your bicycle here.

Facilities: Public toilets, public barbecues, playground, exercise equipment, lawn areas, park benches, sheltered picnic tables, rubbish bins, bike racks, drinking tap, car park.
Sun shade: Sheltered picnic tables and several large trees providing shade on the lawn area. No shade over the splash pad.
Entrance fee: None
Opening times: Always open, but the water features only operate from approximately October to April, from 10am to 7.30pm, with hours of operation extended to 9pm on days with weather forecast to be 35 degrees or higher. Water features may be shut down in rain or high winds, and are turned off on days of extreme or code red fire danger rating.
Wheelchair access: Wheelchair accessible paths and toilets. The splash pad is wheelchair accessible.
Prohibitions: No running, no pushing, no skateboards, no scooters, no bikes, no glass, no dogs, no climbing or hanging from waterplay structures. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Do not drink water from the waterplay elements.
Accommodation Options: See my suggestion for an overnight stay right next to Warburton Water World.
Managing authority: Yarra Ranges Council
Nearby attractions: La La Falls in Warburton. The start of the walk to the falls is 2.5 km to the south.
Before you head out, make sure to read the water safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority warns that the water features may activate without notice at any time, and that the area is unsupervised so you are entering at your own risk. Some play items may not be suitable for small children. The managing authority requests to please ensure that toddlers wear suitable tight fitting swimwear to avoid faecal contamination. Avoid using the playground slides when wearing wet clothing and be aware of hot metal surfaces on days of extreme temperatures.
Locality Map:
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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