Why we love Cahill Park Playground in Wolli Creek

Just down the Princess Highway, a stone’s throw from Tempe and on the banks of the Cooks River, is Cahill Park Playground in Wolli Creek

The park

Statuesque Morton Bay Figs, ghost-gum eucalypts and swathes of green parkland hug this bend of the Cooks River. Mangroves dot the water’s edge and on a typical morning you’ll find the walking path, which curves around the river stretching to Brighton and beyond in the South, humming with cyclists, joggers, mums with prams, and bootcamp devotees.

Cooks River waterway — Cooks River Walking Path (copyright Inner West Mums 2023)

There are picnic tables with BBQ facilities (so bring a snag or two along if you fancy) and benches for sitting or stretching (after a run). On the water’s edge, sandstone steps make the perfect spot to sit and cradle your morning coffee (BYO as there are no cafes on site) and watch the sunlight on the water. But let’s be honest, if you’re an Inner West Mum, you’ll probably be at the playground.

Picnic area Cahill Park (copyright Inner West Mums 2023)

The playground

Just shy of an Olympic pool length in both directions, Cahill Park Playground is bigger than most Inner West house blocks. So its fenced perimeter accessible by locked gate will come as a relief for mums with bolters. And with tables and benches, and shade structure galore, this is the type of playground where you can watch your brood run wild for hours – knowing they won’t go astray. Best of all, there’s play equipment to suit all ages and moods.

The sandpit is where most toddlers will gravitate. So hop on the colourful see-saw, help little ones conquer the mini climbing frame and whisper into the reed talking tube for some sensory play. Two banks of swing sets, including swing buckets and domes, means everyone will get a go at peak (play) hour.

For bigger kids, a large climbing dome, spinning poles and slippery dips will help encourage those make-your-own adventures. And of course, there’s wild life to spot (or chase), flowers to pick, and beyond the playground wide open spaces for tossing a ball, scooter rides and more.

Facilities

Modern toilets right next to the playground means you won’t have to go far when nature calls.

Free parking.

Cahill Park Playground Wolli Creek — Cahill Park Public Toilets (copyright Inner West Mums 2023)

Top tip

Grab a coffee beforehand at one of the many Wolli Creek cafes – at the time of writing the new pavilion did not have a cafe operator – or make a day of it and head to the Wolli Creek Village Square for some Asian cuisine. Pick from restaurants like Grilled Korean BBQ, VN Street Foods (an outpost of the popular Marrickville eatery minus the queues) and Ma La Tang for Chinese hot pot. A Woolies right across the road means you can do your shopping on the way home too.

Cahill Park and Playground

2 Princess Hwy, Wolli Creek

Looking for more fenced playgrounds? Check out our list of the Inner West’s best fenced playgrounds here.

Got a hidden park or fave playground that you want to share? Leave a comment below or email us at info@innerwestmums.com.au

About Author

Francesca Millena

Writer, foodie and ideas-sponge, Francesca grew up in the Inner West and loves writing about all things IW related from playgrounds and podcasts, restaurants and retail, bubble tea and basketball courts. Mum to an active child, she also knows a thing or two about keeping a little one entertained on a rainy day.

See author's posts