Canberra Playground: Blue Poles Park in Whitlam

Blue Poles Park in Whitlam is a new(ish) Canberra playground that boasts a whole lot of fun for the family.

Whitlam is a relatively new suburb in Canberra, with construction still ongoing. The local playground, Blue Poles Park, opened in 2022. With fun and exciting equipment for a range of ages, the park combines a love of play with nods to Jackson Pollock’s iconic 1952 artwork. Head to the Blue Poles Park to see how artwork can come to life in a play setting.

What will I find at Blue Poles Park in Whitlam?

Blue Poles Park is a large open space with a range of play equipment for different ages, interests and abilities. It integrates nature into the space in a thoughtful way, so that manmade materials and natural resources integrate to make one giant playground.

There is a range of equipment, including swings (with a toddler swing + nest swing), spinning climbing frame, a bridge, rope climbs, ladder, giant slide, a soft-fall play area with small climbing spaces, a water play area, a fenced-off toddler area, and most impressively, a rotor style mouse-wheel that will keep kids entertained for a long time!

There is a lot of equipment here, and combined with the wide open spaces to run around, it makes for a fun hour (or two!) of play for kids to burn off their energy. If you want to make a day of it, there are sheltered picnic tables and BBQs. If you can snag a spot early, this would make a lovely place for a weekend BBQ catch up with friends and family.

There's also a few benches and other spots for kids to sit and rest throughout the playground. This is a really well thought out space, and as the suburb of Whitlam grows, this Canberra playground will only grow in popularity.

There is also a nice walk around the park, with sweeping views of both Whitlam and the surrounding suburbs. If your little ones still need to burn off energy after their play, you can go for a walk and see some of the trucks and construction vehicles that are around the area. If your little one loves trucks, make sure you check out our post on free activities in Canberra for kids who love big, loud machines.

Is there shelter/shade at Blue Poles Park?

There are a few shade sails throughout the park that provide some shade. There's also sheltered picnic tables, so if you need a break from the weather, there is definitely room for that. There is not a lot of shade from trees throughout the playground, so make sure you pack a hat and sunscreen just in case.

Are there toilets?

There are toilets at the park, with one including a baby change area. Just be warned that these toilets get a lot of use (mostly from the tradespeople that work in the suburb), so make sure you pack some disinfectant wipes!

Is there a cafe/coffee?

There's no cafe or coffee van immediately close by the park, but there are cafes a short drive away.

How do you find the Blue Poles Park in Whitlam?

Whitlam is very easy to reach by car. Once on William Hovell Drive, simply turn onto Coppins Crossing Road, right onto Hazel Hawke Avenue, and right onto Keith Bain Crescent. Your trusty old friend Google maps will help you find it quickly and easily. The number 47 bus route also stops regularly on Hazel Hawke Avenue throughout the day.

What is the car parking like?

There is parking on Keith Bain Crescent, which is a short 1 minute walk from the park.

Overall...

The Blue Poles Park is a really gorgeous playground in Canberra. It is open, bright, and contains some well-maintained equipment that will keep kids happy for hours. Make a day out of your trip to Blue Poles Park and pack a picnic or BBQ, and stop to spot some of the big trucks around the park with your littlies.

Have you done this walk before? Let us know in the comments below!