The recently updated Mick Murphy Park offers a fresh playspace in the heart of Nairne in the Adelaide Hills.
Review by Adaire Prosser
The Mick Murphy Park received a significant upgrade in 2023. It now offers a great new playground, modern toilet block and fencing in addition to the existing skate ramp. There is a great mix of play equipment and natural elements for climbing and balancing. For the older kids, the flying fox is a lot of fun, and the climbing ropes will offer a challenge.
Our three year old reviewer spent a lot of time on the slide and enjoyed the challenging climb up the steep hill and rock stairs. Both of our tiny reviewers also love playing on the skate ramp and using it as a slide when it is vacant.
Although there isn’t dedicated toddler equipment, our one year old enjoys the net swing and exploring the nature areas and gardens with plenty of sticks and leaves to inspect. The fencing offers peace of mind so she can explore freely.
The park is nice and shady thanks to the large trees, and there is a small grassed area to sit and watch the passing traffic. Little car and truck lovers will have lots to observe with plenty passing through the busy main street. You may even be able to see the Ghan passing through on the railway, or spot a fire engine at the adjacent CFS.
Across the street there are tennis courts and there’s plenty of options for coffee and food a short walk away. The murals on the side of the adjacent CFS are part of the Nairne historic walk, with signage just outside the playground fencing. The central location of the playground is ideal for exploring the township.
Things to Consider:
- The playground is 99% fully fenced, but there is a small open section leading to the toilet block and car park.
- The climb to the slide is steep for small toddlers, and they will need some supervision with the rock staircase.
- The park is located in a busy spot which is great for truck and train enthusiasts, but may be overwhelming for those with sensory needs.
- The slide can get hot under the sun, but there is some afternoon shade offered by adjacent trees.
Our favourite nearby coffee spots/cafes:
- The Nairne Corner Takeaway is located directly across the road.
- The District Hotel is located across the road and is a family friendly pub.
- A short walk down the main street offers plenty of coffee spots and cafes including Pallet Café, Jambo Sana Café, Rise Artisan Bakery & Cafe and Little Birdy Bakery.
Location:
Mick Murphy Park is located at 84 Old Princes Hwy, Nairne. There is carparking available at the rear of the park, off Jeffrey Street.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Mount Barker District Council website.
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.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go.
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