Sykes Foreshore Reserve, Bunbury

The more time I spend in Bunbury, the more I realise what a wonderful family-friendly town it is! As well as the beach-side Koombana Foreshore Playground Bunbury, and the new Koolambidi Woola – Bunbury Youth Precinct, there’s another gem to discover – Sykes Foreshore Reserve!

Found on the banks of the Leschenault Inlet, the playground has been completely redeveloped and recently was joined by a splash park! This area is found next door to the Discovery Parks – Bunbury Foreshore (formerly Koombana Bay and Big4 Discovery Parks – Bunbury Foreshore). At first, I thought that the splash park was part of this and only available to guests. I was wrong! It is available to anyone to come and play.

Sykes Foreshore Reserve features a big boat-themed playground. In the late 1800s a ship was wrecked on the shore of the Leschenault Inlet. You can still see the remains of the boat in the shallow waters directly in front of the playground, when they are exposed at low tide.

The play equipment has everything you can think of. There are swings, including a bird’s nest swing and a spinning “clothesline” swing (a big hit with the kidlets). The main ship has a few climbing challenges, including stairs, a fireman’s pole, a small flying fox and slides. It would suit most ages, with toddlers needing a little help to master the steep inclines of the bridges.

There is a separate sand-fall play area for the little ones, with low-to-the-ground equipment, a dingy and some musical play features.

The only downside is that there isn’t much shade on the playground and on a hot summers day the kids found the main ship equipment a bit too hot to play on.

The inlet has a great little beach by the jetty, and there were plenty of kids splashing on the shores.

The modern facilities include BBQs, toilets, unisex change room, picnic shelters and benches. As well as male and female toilets, there are unisex toilets, and baby change, which make it so much easier for solo dads that are taking their kids out to the park.

Sykes Foreshore Reserve has plenty of large trees providing areas of shade. This is a fab little spot for taking a picnic. We did just that and the kids were amused by the playground, splash park and inlet beach for a good 4 hours. Be sure to check it out, when you’re next in Bunno!

Skye’s Foreshore Reserve is located at Lyons Cove, Bunbury.

Find more things to do with kids in Bunbury here.