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Key Project Dates

August-September 2026

Community consultation 100%

September 2026

Review and analyse feedback 10%

Late 2026

Share consultation findings and final design 0%

Late 2026

Construction of the playground west of the courts 0%

Late 2027

Construction of the playground near amenities block T4 0%

TBC

Construction of play space east of courts (around basketball ring) 0%

 

Barwon Heads Caravan Park playground upgrade design

Published on 19 August 2026

Barwon Coast will be upgrading the two playgrounds at Barwon Heads Caravan Park as part of our commitment to providing safe, welcoming and enjoyable facilities for park guests and visitors. Between 19 August and 9 September we invited campers, guests, permit holders and the wider community to review the proposed playground designs and tell us what they think.

Project overview

The existing playgrounds have reached the end of their useful life and require updating to meet modern safety, accessibility and operational standards. Playground upgrades are priority actions from the 10-year Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, which was finalised in 2023 following consultation with campers, community members and other stakeholders.

The play space surrounding the netball and tennis courts will be delivered in stages. Stage 1 will deliver the new playground on the western side of the netball and tennis courts alongside the Barwon Heads Football and Netball Club redevelopment (late 2026). Stage 2 will complete the play space on the eastern side of the netball and tennis courts (the area around the basketball ring); timing for this stage is yet to be confirmed. The second playground, co-located with amenities block T4, is expected to be delivered in late 2027. You can see the playground locations below.

Consultation now closed

Consultation on the proposed Barwon Heads Caravan Park playground designs has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to review the designs and share their feedback. We received five survey responses, while more than 30 people viewed the concept designs displayed at the Barwon Heads Caravan Park office. We are now reviewing all feedback alongside technical, accessibility, safety, operational and budget considerations to help inform the final designs.

We’ll share a further update as the project progresses.

Playspace locations

About the playspaces near the netball and tennis courts

Three important projects are being delivered at Barwon Heads Caravan Park during the second half of 2026:

  • seven new cabins near the park entrance
  • the Barwon Heads Football and Netball Club redevelopment project
  • stage 1 of play space upgrades (the playground to the west of the netball court.)

Coordinating the upgrade of the western playground with the Barwon Heads Football and Netball Club redevelopment will minimise disruption to caravan park guests by avoiding multiple periods of construction activity in the same area. It will also help create a more connected, welcoming and functional space for families, park guests, sporting clubs and the wider community.

  • Stage 1 works are expected to be completed in late 2026, subject to the design process, approvals, weather and site conditions.
  • Stage 2 of upgrades will complete the play space on the eastern side of the courts. Timing for this stage is yet to be confirmed but is anticipated to occur in 2027, subject to future planning and funding.

About the playground near amenities block T4

The second playground, located alongside amenities block T4, is expected to be upgraded in late 2027. The proposed design includes an accessible play element, a larger play area and stronger integration with the surrounding natural landscape to create a more inclusive and enjoyable space for families.

Feedback received during this consultation will help us refine the final design before it is finalised. Further information about the timing and delivery of the T4 playground will be shared as planning progresses.

Cultural interpretation

The playground designs will provide opportunities for cultural signage and interpretation to be added in the future.

This would be developed in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to share stories of Country and help deepen visitors’ connection to place. You can see examples of how this has been done previously at Riverview Family Caravan Park and Breamlea Caravan Park.

How feedback will be considered

All feedback is being carefully considered alongside accessibility, safety, technical, operational, site and budget requirements. While it may not be possible to incorporate every suggestion, the feedback will help us understand community priorities and refine the final designs.

Following our analysis, we will share a summary of what we heard and explain how the feedback informed the final playground designs.

Project funding

The playground upgrades are fully funded by Barwon Coast through revenue generated by our caravan parks.

Revenue from the caravan parks is reinvested into the parks and the coastal reserves managed by Barwon Coast.

Key project dates

  • Wednesday, 19 August to Wednesday, 9 September 2026 Community consultation – complete
  • September 2026 Review and analyse feedback
  • October/November 2026 Share consultation findings and final design
  • Late 2026 Construction of the playground west of the netball and tennis courts
  • 2027 Expected delivery of the playground near amenities block T4
  • TBC delivery of the play space to the east of the netball and tennis courts

Timelines are indicative and may change due to approvals, procurement, weather and site conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the playspaces being upgraded?

The existing playgrounds have reached the end of their useful life and require updating to meet modern safety, accessibility and operational standards.

Their replacement is identified as a priority in the Barwon Coast Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan, which was finalised in 2023 following camper, community and stakeholder consultation.

Which playgrounds are included in the project? Where are they located in the Park?

The project includes the three play spaces within Barwon Heads Caravan Park:

  • the playground to the west of the netball and tennis courts
  • the play space to the east of the netball and tennis courts (around the basketball ring)
  • the playground co-located with amenities block T4.

The playground near the netball and tennis courts is planned to be delivered in late 2026, followed by the T4 playground in late 2027.

Why are the playgrounds being delivered at different times?

The play spaces surrounding the netball and tennis courts will be delivered in stages.

  • Stage 1 will deliver the new playground on the western side of the courts alongside the Barwon Heads Football and Netball Club redevelopment in late 2026, helping minimise disruption and coordinate construction activities.
  • Stage 2 will complete the play space on the eastern side of the courts including the area around the basketball ring. Timing for this stage is yet to be confirmed and is anticipated to occur in 2027, subject to future planning and funding.

The second playground, co-located with amenities block T4, is expected to be delivered in late 2027.

Delivering the projects in stages allows Barwon Coast to coordinate works, make the most of the investment already occurring within the precinct and progressively create more connected, welcoming and functional spaces for families, park guests, sporting clubs and the wider community.

Why is the playground near the sporting facilities being upgraded now?

Construction is already underway in this area as part of the football and netball facilities redevelopment.

Coordinating the playground upgrade with this project will help minimise impacts on guests, avoid returning to the same area for another major construction period and make efficient use of the investment already occurring in the precinct.

What parts of the designs can feedback influence?

We sought feedback about the proposed playground designs, including:

– preferred play equipment and activities
– the suitability of the proposed layout
– opportunities for inclusive and accessible play
– seating and supporting facilities
– landscaping and connections with surrounding areas
– features that may be missing or could be improved.

The consultation is focused on refining the designs rather than whether the existing playgrounds should be replaced, as their replacement is already included in the adopted Caravan and Camping Parks Master Plan.

Will every suggestion be included?

It may not be possible to incorporate every suggestion.

Feedback will be considered alongside safety, accessibility, technical, operational, space, timing and budget requirements. We will share how the feedback influenced the final designs when the consultation findings are released.

Will the new playgrounds be accessible?

Accessibility and inclusive play will be considered as part of the design process.

The final designs will also need to comply with relevant playground safety and accessibility requirements and respond to the conditions and available space at each site.

Do you have any examples of previous playgrounds we could see?

Yes! We have already updated the playgrounds at Riverview Family Caravan Park and Breamlea Caravan Park – click through to have a look at them; some images have been included below for your information.

 

 

Why does the proposed design close part of the internal park road near the netball and tennis courts?

The proposed design includes the closure of a short section of the internal park road to create a larger, safer and more functional play space.

Closing this section of road would reduce vehicle movements immediately adjacent to the playground, improving safety for children and families. It would also allow the play space to expand, providing more room for play equipment, paths, seating, landscaping and places for families to gather.

We recognise this proposal may have implications for a small number of nearby Temporary Permit Holder (TMP) sites. Barwon Coast is consulting directly with the affected permit holders discuss the proposal as part of the design process.

Will Wadawurrung Culture be incorporated?

The designs will allow for cultural signage or interpretation to be added in the near future.

Any cultural content would be developed in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to respectfully share stories of Country and strengthen visitors’ connection to place.

When will construction begin?

The play space surrounding the netball and tennis courts will be delivered in stages.

  • Stage 1 will deliver the new playground on the western side of the netball and tennis courts alongside the Barwon Heads Football and Netball Club redevelopment in late 2026, helping minimise disruption and coordinate construction activities.
  • Stage 2 will complete the play space on the eastern side of the netball and tennis courts (the area around the basketball ring). Timing for this stage is yet to be confirmed and is anticipated to occur in 2027, subject to future planning and funding.

The second playground, co-located with amenities block T4, is expected to be delivered in late 2027

Timing remains subject to the completion of design work, relevant approvals, procurement, weather and site conditions.

How will construction affect caravan park guests?

Some construction noise, machinery and temporary access changes may occur while the playground works are underway.

Coordinating the first playground upgrade with the football and netball redevelopment will help avoid a separate period of major construction activity in the same area.

Guests and permit holders will be provided with further information before works begin.

How can I stay informed?

Project updates will be published on the Barwon Coast website and social media channels.

You can also subscribe to the Barwon Coast newsletter to receive updates about this and other projects.