Muddy's Playground

The basics

Muddy’s Playground features different areas for children of different ages—from toddler areas to splash parks, and equipment for older kids. In the wet area, a small stream at the southern end of the playground is perfect for supervised toddler play, and a fish area is excellent for little kids. The biggest attraction of the playground is the jets that shoot water from the ground at random intervals. There’s also a swing that’s accessible to children using a wheelchair.

Things to know before you go

• Muddy’s has bathroom facilities, picnic tables, barbecues, and an expansive lawn.

• The playground is fenced in to help keep the kids safe.

• Muddy’s Café features outside tables and a selection of food choices.

How to get there

Muddy’s Playground is located on the Cairns Esplanade, a little over a mile (1 kilometer) north of the Esplanade Lagoon, and is reachable on foot along the boardwalk. If you’re staying in Cairns, simply follow the boardwalk, but remember to bring a stroller to transport little ones since it can be a long walk for short legs.

When to get there

Muddy’s Playground is open daily, including public holidays and weekends. Maintenance sometimes leads to closures of certain sections of the park on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but at least half of the park is always open. Overall, travelers prefer to visit Cairns between June and October, the dry season.

Cairns Aquarium

Another popular family-friendly activity, the Cairns Aquarium is home to the aquatic life of Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, a region that borders the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Here, you’ll find unique species, such as the endangered freshwater sawfish, grey reef sharks, and the humphead wrasse. The aquarium is only a couple blocks away from Muddy’s Playground.