About | The Strand Waterfront Playground
Designed with a marine theme to reflect its surroundings, The Strand Waterfront Playground includes a lighthouse tower with two slides, a rope pirate ship, a roundabout ‘snake’ swing and a sandpit with a ride-on digger. If the kids are keen to get wet, there are plenty of opportunities to do so with the splash pad, tidal steps and diving platform.
Located right along the waterfront and with local shops just opposite it, grab a coffee to go that you can enjoy as you watch the glee come to the kid’s eyes from all the fun they’re having.
Bring the togs and let the kids get wet from the sprinklers at the splash pad, dip their toes by the water’s edge on the tidal steps or even jump in from the bombing platform on the pier. The tidal stairs and the pier were a new addition in 2017 with a vision of connecting people with the water so go on and enjoy it! It’s also a great spot to just sit and enjoy the beautiful Tauranga harbour.
You’ll also find the bronze Hairy Maclary and friends sculpture from the much-loved and world-famous Hairy Maclary books, written by Lynley Dodd. Come and say hello to the nine friends, Hairy Maclary, Scarface Claw, Slinky Malinki, Hercules Morse, Muffin McLay, Bottomley Potts, Schnitzel von Krumm, Bitzer Maloney and Zachary Quack. Which one is your favourite?
The Tauranga waterfront is a popular area for both families and also a little lunch getaway for workers in the CBD.
Parking: there are car parks on either side of the playground – a big carpark at the start of Dive Cres (address: 4 Dive Cres) or a smaller car park along The Strand. You may have you cross a train track to get to the playground, please watch children around this area.
Toilets: yes.
Nearby
Location
Photos
Playground
The Strand Waterfront Playground, being located right by the Tauranga harbour, was a grand spot for the kids to play and enjoy the waterfront. The playground had lots of options for the kids to enjoy.
Waterfront
These tidal steps were a great addition to the waterfront and provide people with the opportunity to connect and enjoy the water.
Hairy Mclarey sculpture
We thought these sculptures were pretty cool and loved that the kids could touch and interact with them – or ride them.
Stop, watch for trains
Watching long trains pass by was lots of fun but make sure you watch the kids around this area – the crossing lights will start flashing when a train is near.
