Located next door to the Melbourne Museum, Imax Melbourne Cinema and the Royal Exhibition Building, the historic Carlton Gardens is one of Melbourne CBD’s biggest and best playgrounds for kids.

The big main playground structure features two large play forts with connecting slides, tunnels, climbing challenges, fireman pole, sandpits (bring your own toys, buckets and spades) musical elements and surrounding cement walls which make a fun maze to explore or great for playing hide n seek.

There’s also a toddler play area near by that includes a small slide, climbing mound, cubby house with pretend play shop window, and spring see-saw. Other play equipment includes multiple swings (infant and regular swings) monkey bars, small flying fox, a basketball court (BYO ball) and plenty of grassy lawns to picnic on or kick a ball.

The park is a must visit before or after a trip to the Melbourne Museum and especially beautiful in the Autumn months with the changing coloured leaves.