Fossil Hunters Playground | Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park
A nature based playground and South Australia’s only World Heritage listed site, get together for a great day of fun and digging into the treasures of our past.
by Natalie Thoo
As you walk up to the Naracoorte Caves Visitor Centre you can’t miss a newly curated playground just off to the right. What started as a vision for the members of the Limestone Coast Ladies CWA, finally came to fruition when they managed to secure funding through a Go Fund My Neighbourhood grant.
We hadn’t expected to find a playground at the caves so that certainly didn’t make it easy trying to draw the kids away to go and explore the caves (review coming soon!). The only thing that eventually helped this along was the subsequent downpour that saw us retreat underground into the caves.
Tunnel mazes, net swings, balancing logs and slides are all featured here in a lovely cohesiveness of appreciation of the old and excitement around the new. The slide is wide enough for 2 or 3 to go down together which is perfect if you have a little one that needs a bit of moral support from an older sibling or even Mum and Dad. Kids can let their inner archaeologist emerge at the fossil and sand play tables where they dig away for hidden replicas of fossils that have been found in the area.
The play space is tucked away from the car park and traffic, so while it is not fully enclosed, there is a comfortable amount of separation from any immediate dangers.
Like most nature based playgrounds, extra care may need to be taken with toddlers, and furthering that, many of the attractions here are not aimed at the younger family members. The caves are not easily accessible for little legs or at all by pushers, and many of the cave tours go for over an hour.
Things We Love:
- 360 degree access path with wheelchair accessible fossil and sand play tables
- Play based learning in a unique surrounding
- BBQ facilities and picnic tables are located around the park
- It’s free
Facilities & Food options:
Toilet facilities are located in both the Caves Café and Visitor Centre. Check here for opening hours.
Location: 89 Wonambi Road, Joanna, South Australia
The Fossil Hunters Playground is located within the Naracoorte Caves National Park approximately 3 ½ hours drive South East of Adelaide.
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For more information and all enquiries please visit the Naracoorte Caves website.
What: Fossil Hunters Playground
When: Anytime
Where: Naracoorte Caves National Park | 89 Wonambi Road, Joanna, South Australia
Who: Everyone
All photos by Natalie Thoo for Play & Go Adelaide
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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