Barnawartha Recreation Reserve

Safe Play’s recent design and install of a custom adventure playground at Barnawartha Recreation Reserve in North East Victoria features a nature-inspired structure with a central challenge cube, rope tunnel, raised deck, climbing walls and a 2m slide. Complementing the play structure, a thrilling spinner and cantilever swing bring extra fun and excitement to the park, all finished in natural tones to complement the surrounding environment.

The Brief and Design Response

This project was made possible by Council Support Package Regional Development grant — which gave Indigo Shire Council the opportunity to directly address priorities identified in Barnawartha’s community resilience plan. The plan highlighted residents’ desire for safe, connected community spaces, so our brief called for a playground that would serve the whole community. From locals, families attending sport at the reserve, through to visitors to the town, the project needed play challenge and variety across age groups, and a design that felt at home in its natural surroundings.

We designed a custom structure built around a central challenge cube as the play centrepiece — packed with rockwalls, a knot wall and a spider web climber to test strength, coordination and confidence. A rope tunnel leads from the cube to a raised deck, where a Swiss climbing wall offers an additional route up before kids zip down the 2m slide. For younger children, a pirouette spinner adds a playful, accessible option at ground level, while a cantilever swing invites kids of all ages to join in. The entire structure is finished in soft, natural tones, with wood chip mulch surfacing throughout — keeping the space feeling connected to its bush reserve surroundings rather than contrasting with them.

Outcome

The result is a nature-inspired adventure space that gives the Barnawartha community a varied and challenging playground — one that works for toddlers discovering a spinner for the first time and older kids taking on the rope tunnel and climbing walls. The natural colour palette and mulch surfacing make it feel like it belongs exactly where it is. A space the whole community can enjoy for years to come.

Design & Spec Notes

• Central challenge cube with rockwalls, knot wall and spider web climber
• Rope tunnel connecting to raised deck
• Swiss climbing wall
• 2m slide
• Pirouette spinner
• Cantilever swing
• Natural tone colour scheme
• Wood chip mulch surfacing throughout
• Custom-designed structure for site

📍 Location: Barnawartha (Indigo Shire Council)
👷 Installation: Safe Play Australia