Robertson Park Playground was last upgraded in 2006 and was identified to be upgraded in our Woollahra Play Space Strategy. We recognise the playground is important for the community to connect and a great place for children to be active and play, and could benefit from an upgrade.

In 2024 we asked you to share your ideas on what you like about the playground and what could be improved or added.

We received 31 online submissions, 6 emails and 5 ideas shared on our ideas board.

We listened to your feedback calling for more equipment for a wider range of age groups, which was reflected in the draft design. The draft design also responded to feedback asking for more slides, more swings, more natural play features and includes a number of timber, sandstone and nature-inspired elements.

Read a summary of community feedback from round one of our consultation here.

We created a draft design, shaped by feedback from round one. The draft plan showed an exciting bigger and better playground with a range of play equipment, seating, landscaping, bike racks and more. We invited you to share your thoughts via our feedback form on this page. We also hosted two pop-up sessions at the playground on Monday 30 June 3pm-4.30pm and Wednesday 9 July 10am-11.30am. Feedback was open from Monday 23 June - Sunday 27 July 2025.

The draft design for Robertson Park Playground featured a range of elements.

New elements in draft plan (note final design was changed based on community feedback):

• a tall climbing tower with rope nets and giant tunnel slide targeted to children aged 8+
• a smaller climbing structure with rope net and slide for younger children
• a natural jungle balance rope and a natural rope bridge
• a small carousel spinner
• a sand-play area
• two low timber and rope horizontal climbing nets
• a five-bay swing with toddler swing, an all-abilities harness swing, you-and-me Skippy swing, standard swing and a round birds nest swing
• timber stepping stones
• climbing boulders
• a mini dual WeHopper springer
• sandstone logs for climbing and sitting
• timber balance beams
• timber pod seats and decks
• native vegetation gardens
• two disabled parking bays and access path.

Existing elements in draft plan:

• The existing see-saw springer which is still is good condition will be relocated and remain a part of the playground
• the existing bubbler which will be made accessible
• the existing shade sails will remain.

Read a summary of community feedback from round two of our consultation here.

We were pleased to receive overwhelming support for our plan to upgrade the playground. We received feedback from children, parents, grandparents and other community members. Many of you loved the design but had some suggested changes.

Among the top requests for elements to be added to the draft plan were a trampoline, monkey bars, seats with backs, an excavator or a “digger” in the sandpit, sensory play panels and some elements with a marine theme.

Based on feedback from the local community we made the following changes:

• We added a trampoline
• We added a monkey bar trail with rubber step stones
• We swapped the proposed smaller climbing structure with rope net and slide for younger children to a similar one with a marine theme
• We added an excavator or a “digger” in the draft plan’s sand play area
• We added an embankment slide for younger children
• We are retaining and relocating the existing backed seats
• The colour scheme of the play tower has been revised to a more natural palette in response to community feedback.
• We have added two sensory play panels
• We have added a boat rocker with marine theme
• We replaced the small carousel spinner with an accessible spinner
• The combination of swings was changed to two standard strap seats, an inclusive boat seat, an enclosed infant seat, and a bird nest seat in response to feedback calling for an additional standard swing.
• In response to community feedback, Council has reduced the extent of rubber softfall within the playground and incorporated natural mulch softfall where appropriate. However, in accordance with the NSW Government Everyone Can Play Guidelines, the rubber softfall has been retained in key areas to facilitate accessibility and inclusive play for the majority of the play space.
• The new bubbler located at the playground entry will include a dog bowl at the base. We received some requests for the bubbler to be located within the playground, however in accordance with regulations dogs are not permitted within the playground. As such, the bubbler has been positioned outside the playground boundary.

The new play tower has been relocated in the final design, to between the Ficus and Banksia trees, to enhance water views and avoid underground sewer pipes and sewer inspection pits.

We also heard requests from the community for hopscotch, a rope play system, a tyre swing, water play, a flying fox, and a scooter track. However these have not been included due to space constraints and budget limitations.

Read more about how we responded to your feedback here.

Robertson Park is a leafy waterfront park popular with local residents and visitors. Located in the top section of the park, the playground is conveniently situated close to the Watsons Bay Library, Watsons Bay Tea Gardens, Watsons Bay Baths and many spectacular coastal walks.

The fenced playground currently features a bubbler, swings, shade sails, open climbing frame, slide, gyro spinner, monkey bars and animal rockers. The playground was identified to be upgraded in our Woollahra Play Space Strategy.

The Aboriginal group who lived around Watsons Bay and South Head is believed to have been the Birrabirragal people. Shell middens and Aboriginal rock art exist around the harbour’s edge.

Robertson Park was originally named Clovelly Park. In 1909 it was renamed Robertson Park in honour of Sir John Robertson.

The bandstand rotunda in the park dates back to the 1940s.

Nearby Dunbar House was built as a marine villa in the late 1830s now operates as a restaurant and bar, and is popular venue for private functions.

Find out more about the history of Robertson Park.