Nature Play Space - Healesville Sanctuary - Melbourne - Review
Last Saturday, Kate and her little ones headed to the Healesville Sanctuary to checkout the NEW Nature Play Space just opened for the Spring Holidays and were spoilt with the weather and of course the natural beauty of the new forest play space which Kate’s little ones loved and yours will too! Thanks Kate for the gorgeous pics and review. We cannot wait to visit. To follow Kate’s little ones adventures, head to their Insta @kateflatman. Xo Catherine
Nestled in the centre of Healesville Sanctuary, with the new Pavilion Café and Reptile House just next door, the new Nature Play Space is the perfect spot for little ones to continue to run around while parents take a break and grab a coffee or even a local cider!
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Designed to encourage children to interact with the natural world, to run wild and explore, the Nature Play Space features water play with metal hand pumps, raised sand pits, two cubby houses (designed and made by the amazing team at Castle & Cubby) and an enchanted forest for kids to explore.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
The poppets particularly loved playing with the water pumps and watching the water run down into the creek beds (I can see this being a very popular spot come the warmer months!).
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
The Nature Play Space is perfect for little ones to run, jump, forage, climb, balance and dig as they explore - just be sure to watch out for the plastic creepy crawlies (an assortment of bugs, beetles, an ant, grasshopper, butterfly and a fly) that have been added to the space for children to use their imaginations and learn about Australia's native insects. Eeek!
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
During these Spring holidays, head to the Healesville Sanctuary’s Nature Play Space from 11am to 2pm each day and meet the Play Maker team who will bring out every child’s natural wild child with the following activities.
Become a bush builder and construct your own ‘Gunya’ shelter for a wild day in the bush,
Become a Helmeted Honeyeater to ward off predators with face paint and a special dance
Become a bush explorer and forage to make nests in our magical Casuarina Forest
Become a didgeridoo player and learn how to play the didge at Murrundindi’s Didge Scho
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
With several additional elements being added over the coming weeks, including sail shades over the sand pits and water play for sun protection, the Nature Play Space is a fantastic addition to the exiting play spaces at Healesville Sanctuary.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
The Healesville Sanctuary is located on Badger Creek Road in Healesville.
Our tips:
Arrive at Healesville Sanctuary as it opens especially during the holidays or weekends
Entry to the Healesville Sanctuary varies however Kids go free at Zoos Victoria Zoos during the holidays
There is plenty of parking onsite
Don’t forget to pack some snacks or a picnic to make the most of the day
The new Nature Play Space is wheelchair accessible for participation in sand and water play
There are ample toilets onsite
There are two parents room onsite, checkout our parents room page
Busy City Kids were invited to explore the Healesville Sanctuary for the purposes of a review however Kate used her Zoo membership for entry into the Zoo. All opinions & feedback are genuine & truthful. Zoo membership, food, travel and parking were self funded.
For more ideas of what to do with the kids in Melbourne, checkout our Website, our Daily Spots List, CBD Spots or Blog.