Newcastle's largest children's playground is coming soon!

Our city's first regional-level playspace will be an inclusive, welcoming place for children of all abilities.

The project is the centrepiece of the Newcastle Harbour Foreshore Masterplan. It celebrates Newcastle’s industrial and maritime history, and the heritage of its Traditional Custodians.

What are we delivering?

A unique playspace 

Livvi’s Place will be a vibrant, inclusive playspace designed for all abilities, fully fenced and free for all to enjoy. It will feature:

• A sand dune-themed junior play space
• A giant whale swing and picnic area honouring  the Traditional Custodians of the land
• An industrial-themed play area featuring our signature nuts and bolts towers with accessible ramps
• A waterplay area linked to Newcastle's maritime history
• Sensory paths, nature play, a sand pit, trampolines, a carousel, and accessible slide
• Shaded seating, gardens, a dedicated quiet space, and electric wheelchair charging points.

Map of the new playspace. Click on the image to open a larger PDF version.

The new kiosk and amenities

The new kiosk is operated by local duo Thomas and Nova Carias Cox, who also run the popular Sunnyboy Kiosk at Dixon Park Beach and several Morning Market Coffee locations. Sunnyboy Park offers a relaxed, family friendly menu.

The eastern side of the building opened in February 2026, and as well as the kiosk, it features one accessible toilet along with unisex and ambulant facilities. 

There is more to come, as a Changing Places facility and a parent’s room will also be available when the new playspace opens in late 2026. The Changing Places facility provides suitable facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.  

How is the project funded?

The project has been supported by grants from the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program and the Everyone Can Play program, with additional funding from the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund, Variety the Children’s Charity, and the Touched by Olivia Children’s Foundation. 

Image above: An artist's impression of the industrial themed play structure

Image above: An artist's impression of the waterplay area that will be built at Foreshore Park.  

Frequently asked questions

What is Nobby's Nook?

In 2025 we ran a cubby house naming competition, inviting little artists and idea‑makers to help name the new cubby house and colour in the playspace design. 

We received a mix of bright colouring‑in sheets, creative name suggestions and plenty of excitement for the new playground. 

The winning name is Nobby’s Nook, submitted by 5-year-old Zoe. Their chosen name will appear on the cubby house signage when the new Foreshore Park playspace opens. 

How does this project impact trees at Foreshore Park?

Great question, we know that green spaces are important for our community and our environment. As part of the playspace and amenities building works, 44 trees were removed and 108 new trees planted, significantly boosting future canopy cover.  

Will there be changes to the car park?

We are upgrading the Foreshore Park carpark to improve access to the newly opened kiosk and the upcoming regional playspace Livvi’s Place.  

These improvements are underway, and they will support safe access for families and visitors once the new regional playspace Livvi’s Place opens in late 2026. 

The upgrades include: 

• 8 existing parking spaces will be converted into a dedicated passenger drop-off and pick-up area for bus groups and wheelchair users.
• Construction of a new shared path to improve pedestrian access.
• Moving existing disabled parking to the new playspace entry.
• Upgrades to footpaths, kerbs, gutters, drainage and landscaping.
• New traffic islands, updated signage and fresh linemarking to support safer movement through the carpark.
• Removal of temporary traffic islands and installation of permanent garden beds.

During the works period there may be temporary closure of some parking spaces and occasional changes to carpark entry and exit.

What are the working hours for the construction team on site?

Standard working hours on-site are 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; however, to keep the project on schedule, occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required. 

Road milling works will be carried out in early July over two weekday nights (7pm–1am). Traffic control may be in place and some noise is expected.

We appreciate your patience as we bring this exciting new space to life.  

What is the Harbour Foreshore Masterplan?

The Harbour Foreshore Masterplan created a blueprint to reinvigorate this important community precinct, including the new inclusive playspace.

The Masterplan enhances connectivity between the city and the harbour’s edge around Foreshore Park and along Joy Cummings Promenade.

Consultant's Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL), in partnership with local firm Bosque Landscape Architects, worked with us to prepare the Masterplan. We also worked collaboratively with Touched by Olivia to establish options for an inclusive playspace and to promote inclusive play by enabling children of all abilities and ages to play side by side.

How did community contribute to the Masterplan?

Phase 1 of our community engagement to assist in creating a vision for the Masterplan concepts was held in 2020. This process built on previous community consultation which was undertaken as part of a Plan of Management for the precinct in 2015.

Phase 2 community engagement in 2021 reviewed preliminary concepts for Foreshore Park while gaining a detailed understanding on the way Newcastle's residents use Wharf Road. 

A Harbour Foreshore Community Reference Group was also formed to assist communication between City of Newcastle and the community as the Masterplan was developed.

The Harbour Foreshore Masterplan was placed on public exhibition from 28 September to 26 October 2022, before being adopted by council on Tuesday 13 December 2022.