On the southern shore of Narrabeen Lagoon, Bilarong Reserve Playground in North Narrabeen pairs a fenced play area with flat grassy foreshore and direct access to the lagoon trail. It is quieter than nearby Berry Reserve, with a big car park and a shallow water's edge that suits a toddler paddle.

Why We Love It

• Separate spaces for every age: an enclosed toddler area sits beside an open zone with a climbing net, so little ones and big kids each get room.

• Sandstone grotto and wooden bridge: sculpted play features make it feel more imaginative than a standard suburban set.

• Right on the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail: the step-free path runs past the gate, so balance bikes, scooters and prams roll straight from playground to loop.

• Calm lagoon edge for a paddle: the shallow shoreline and flat lawns make picnics and a supervised wade easy and low-stress.

• Birdlife and open water: it reads more like a nature stop than a park, a nice change of pace from the beach playgrounds.