North CY O’Connor Beach Playground, North Coogee

North CY O’Connor Beach Playground is a gorgeous little nautical-themed spot right on the North Coogee foreshore, perfect for a play before or after a run on the dog beach. Tucked beside the car park at the end of Rollinson Road and Robb Road, the Playground makes the most of its seaside setting with sweeping ocean views, grassy picnic spaces and direct access to CY O’Connor Beach.

The star of the show is the SS Wyola steam tug–inspired play structure, a custom-built tugboat that celebrates the historic wreck just offshore. Kids can clamber aboard using rope ladders and nets and take charge at the helm, complete with a steering wheel and a speaking tube for shouting “orders” to the rest of the crew. The design encourages plenty of imaginative play; little ones will love pretending to be captains, crew, or passengers as they explore different parts of the “ship”.

In the middle of the playspace you’ll find a large nest swing, which is always a hit for both toddlers and older kids who like to swing together.

The tugboat continues at the far end of the Playground with another small helm, a slide and a digging arm, ideal for kids who like more hands-on, mechanical-style play.

The scale of the equipment suits toddlers through to early primary–aged children, with enough challenge to keep bigger kids interested without being overwhelming for younger ones.

The Playground is framed by two generous grassed areas, making it a lovely spot to spread out a picnic blanket or kick a ball around.

There are covered picnic tables and seating on both sides, so you can keep an eye on the kids while still enjoying a sit-down. Paths criss-cross the reserve and connect straight into the coastal walking and cycling trail, so it’s a good option for bringing scooters and bikes. Just be mindful that the shared coastal path can be busy with fast-moving cyclists, so close supervision near the path is important.

Dog families are well catered for here. The Playground sits alongside the North Coogee and South Beach dog exercise stretch, where pups can run off-lead on the sand and splash in the shallows. Around the play equipment and on the grassed areas, however, dogs are required to stay on-lead, which helps keep the space comfortable for families who prefer a bit of distance from enthusiastic pooches.

There are public toilets nearby, which makes this spot much more practical for longer visits with children. You’ll also find barbecues and picnic shelters within the reserve, so it’s easy to turn a quick play and paddle into a relaxed family barbecue by the beach, with ocean views as your backdrop. Shade sail poles are in place and sails are generally used in the warmer months, complemented by the shelter structures and some natural shade at different times of day.

Parking is available in car parks off Rollinson Road, giving easy pram and scooter access to both the Playground and the sand. While there isn’t a café right on the Playground’s edge, you’re only a short drive or longer walk from coffee and food options in South Fremantle and Port Coogee, making it easy to pair a visit here with breakfast, brunch or an ice cream stop.

North CY O’Connor Beach Playground is a lovely choice for families looking for a smaller, themed coastal Playground with a relaxed, local feel. With its tugboat play structure, dog-friendly beach, improved facilities and sweeping ocean vistas, it’s an easy place to while away a morning or afternoon by the sea.

North CY O’Connor Beach Playground

Address: Rollinson Road (near the corner of Robb Road), North Coogee WA 6163
Website: City of Cockburn – Beaches

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