Play spaces
Explore all the indoor and outdoor play areas the Sanctuary has to offer
Whether it's your first time at the Sanctuary or you're more familiar with the animal trails, check out our ultimate guide on where to find all the play spaces to let your little ones go wild while taking a moment for yourself.
We offer both indoor and outdoor play spaces suitable for all weather conditions!
Outdoor play spaces
Perfect for rainy days or getting some shade
Iuk/Eok Eel Creek Play
Location: near RACV Lyrebirds Aviary
Everyone can embrace their inner platypus and paddle to your heart's content at the Iuk/Eok Eel Creek Play area, named after the Wurundjeri 'luk' eel season.
Sit on the grassy bank of the Coranderrk Creek and relax or paddle your feet in the cool fresh water. Watch out for the elusive wild platypus that calls Coranderrk Creek a home.
Poorneet Creek Play & Robert Eadie Lawns
Location: near Robert Eadie Pavilion
During the hot season, the Creek Play area will open where you can cool off and dip your feet in the fresh mountain water of Coranderrk Creek.
Enjoy the new interactive paddle pool for toddlers, Poorneet Creek Play. Named after the Wurundjeri 'poorneet' tadpole season, it is a shallow creek bed with cascading water for little ones to play in.
Hide in the nest cubbies or use the lawn area to tumble and jump from the surrounding rocks.
Bunjil Nature Play
Location: next to Harvest Café
Climb up the steps to Bunjil’s nest, cross the bridge to balance on the rope course, or crawl through the tunnel and slide down to the sandpit where you might uncover some ancient dinosaur bones!
Sensory Play
Location: next to Harvest Café
A safe, quiet place to explore the tiny wonders of the natural world and let your senses roam wild. See our native bees fly in and out of their hive and the insects visiting the insect hotel. Smell the various scents of Australian indigenous plants, and feel the textures of sand and rocks.
Corroboree Frog Nature Play
Location: near Reptile Picnic Area
A wheelchair-friendly play space. Spot two enormous yellow and black Corroboree Frogs and explore the boardwalks and cubby houses amongst the Casuarina forest. You can also pump water and create sand sculptures in the sandpits.
Koala Picnic Lawns
Location: Koala Picnic Area
Run through the flower misters or cool off under the wings of the huge Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Balance on rocks under the Paperbark and Acacia Blackwood trees.
Indoor play spaces
Perfect for connecting with nature and getting adventurous
Pouch House
Location: Kangaroo Country
Open 9am - 4.30pm
Learn about the life cycle of a kangaroo here at the Sanctuary. Delve into the fascinating story of a joey's journey from a tiny newborn to a youngster taking its first hop. You can also pretend to be a joey by curling up in the pouch chairs!
Future Vets
Location: inside the Australian Wildlife Hospital Centre
Open 9am - 4pm
Calling all future vets! Observe the vets and nurses caring for wildlife as you peer through the giant glass doors. Step into Future Vets, a fun role-play area where you can dress up as the vet and examine animal plush toy patients.