Exploring Wagga Wagga: Best spots to visit for families
Wagga Wagga is on Wiradjuri Country.
Things to do with kids in Wagga Wagga
There’s plenty of things to do in Wagga Wagga with kids of all ages! Wagga’s weather is generally good all year around - although summer can have days into the 40s and mid-winter mornings can be brisk. It’s worth stopping for a couple nights if you’re on a longer road trip, or with several easy day-trip options, Wagga makes a great base to explore the area.
Wagga Beach
Wagga Beach is a beautiful little inland beach along the Murrumbidgee River and a very popular destination for families.
Many children will enjoy playing in the sand, with gum trees providing some shade depending on the time of day. If you’re visiting Wagga Wagga in the summer, early morning or evening is the best time to visit when the weather is cooler. Whilst it’s common for kids to splash in the shallows, the Murrumbidgee River has strong currents and changing depths so children should be actively supervised by a responsible adult.
An excellent, modern playground is great for kids of all ages. There’s plenty of equipment, including a smaller toddler-sized section. The playground is only partially shaded so can become very hot during sunny, summer days.
There are plenty of picnic spots - although these are popular for birthday parties, so it can be difficult to find a free table on weekends. There’s plenty of shady grass for laying down a picnic rug. There’s also free barbecues, drinking water taps and toilets.
The Wiradjuri Walking Trail runs along the riverbank and also provides safe walking access into town.
Botanical Gardens + Zoo
Wagga Wagga’s Botanical Gardens are an excellent spot to take kids. The grassy lawns are perfect for a picnic, there’s two playgrounds to choose from, a miniature railway and a free zoo!
Playground + The Gardens Cafe
With a toddler, we preferred the older but well-shaded playground near The Gardens Cafe. It’s a perfect spot for a coffee, ice-creams or a light lunch. Open every day, until 3:00 pm. There’s toilets right there and the playground is fully fenced. It ticks a lot of boxes! Older children may prefer the newer playground just down the hill with larger equipment.
Wagga Wagga Zoo and Aviary
This free zoo is a lovely activity to do with kids of all ages. You’ll see native Australian animals, a free flight aviary and a small farm animal section. We visited several times and Sprout really enjoyed it.
Regular opening hours are Thursday to Monday, 9am-4pm (no entry after 3.45pm). The Zoo is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
During school holidays, the zoo is open 7 days a week. It closes Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Willans Hill Miniature Railway
Catch a miniature train at the Willans Hill Miniature Railway. The track runs through woodlands, a tunnel and over a bridge and was gentle enough for our two-year-old to enjoy.
We were on the longer loop which leads to the Museum of the Riverina. You can hop out and explore the museum and then use your ticket to catch another train back to the Botanical Gardens.
We really enjoyed the experience - although you may want to avoid the steam engine if you’re sensitive to smoke.
Public run days are the first and third Sundays of the month, with rides operating between 10.30am and 2.30pm. Covered footwear is required to ride the trains.
Tickets are $4, purchased at the ticket window at the station.
Lake Albert
Lake Albert is an artificial lake in Wagga, with a great 5.5km walking trail loop popular with families, for walking, running and bike riding. Dogs are permitted on leash.
Apex Park playground is by the lake and includes a smaller, fully-fenced section suited to younger children. There are picnic shelters and barbecues. Wagga parkun is on each Saturday at 8:00AM starting from Apex Park.
A smaller local playground is about half-way around the lake if you start walking the circuit track from the main carpark and provides a good spot for a break, especially if you’re walking with a pram or younger children.
Markets by the Lake runs on fortnightly on Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm. Check the Visit Wagga website for the next market dates.
Marrambidya Wetland
The Marrambidya Wetland is a 20 hectare reserve only a few minutes from Wagga Wagga city centre. The wetland was created to provide habitat for native birds, water insects, frogs, fish, reptiles and small mammals, such as the squirrel glider.
The Marambidya Wetlands are a great place for a family walk, with two kilometres of walking trails and information signs along the way. Look out for the nesting boxes and birds nests.
The Marrambidya Wetland Healing Place is a place to sit and reflect. There are a number of significant Aboriginal sites nearby - including the Murrumbidgee River, and Gobba Beach and Wiradjuri Reserve, which are significant meeting and gathering areas for Aboriginal people both traditionally and today. There is a scar tree at the site displaying the Healing Place plaque.
Pomingalarna Reserve
Pomingalarna Reserve has a great learn-to-ride bikeway and a playground with picnic facilities and barbecues. There’s also a 13km bushland mountain bike trail for the more adventurous - with the trail shared by walker, runners and horses.
The cycling complex also includes a criterium track, BMX track, jump tracks, pump tracks and velodrome.
The carpark is shared with Wagga Golf Club. Follow the signs up the hill to the cycling education area and playground.
Collins Park
Collins Park has a shaded playground, picnic areas with barbecues and a basic public toilet block. About five minutes from Wagga Wagga’s Main Street (Baylis Street), it’s a peaceful spot for a picnic lunch. Check out the nearby Thorne Street cafe for coffee or brunch.
Oasis Aquatic Centre
Oasis Aquatic Centre has a large leisure pool. It has a shallow walk-in entry, two large mushroom fountains, water jets and a smaller turbo pool which has a current like a river. There’s also a separate, large toddler pool with consistently shallow water perfect for little ones.
Head out the doors from the poolside to find a large, shaded playground, barbecues and sheltered picnic tables.
Opening hours vary seasonally. Check the Wagga Leisure website for current times and ticket prices.
Inside activities for kids in Wagga Wagga
Whether it’s a hot summer day, stormy or pouring with rain, Wagga is fortunate to have several places to choose from.
Head to the library - the lower level is a welcoming space for kids and families.
Watch a movie at Forum 6 Cinemas.
Spend an afternoon at Wagga Bowl.
Visit Noah’s Ark Play Cafe for kids under 12 years old
Wagga’s main shopping is off Baylis Street and is mostly shaded by verandas - or visit Wagga Wagga Marketplace or Sturt Mall to get out of the weather.
Places to stay with kids in Wagga Wagga
There’s a few places to choose from in Wagga - we stayed at the Big 4 Ingenia Caravan Park and thought that was likely the best fit for families. Sprout enjoyed the playground, there’s plenty of grass to run around on and the pool is popular with kids too.
The river runs along the back of the park. It’s not quite in sight of the unpowered sites, which is fortunate if you’ve got little ones who find it hard to stay away from water - like our toddler.
Day trips from Wagga Wagga
There are a few day trip options from Wagga Wagga.
The Rock - 25 minutes
Junee - 30 minutes
Narrandera - 1 hour and 5 minutes
Gundagai - 55 minutes
Adelong - 1 hour
Tumut - 1 hour 18 minutes
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We acknowledge over 65,000 years of continuous care and custodianship of the Wiradjuri people over these lands and waters. Their sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and the Wiradjuri people as the traditional and rightful owners of this Country.