The Adventure Playgrounds are federally funded to provide opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Adventure Playgrounds are often referred to as neighbourhood 'backyards' and give children the chance to use their imagination and take risks in a safe environment. 

The Adventure Playgrounds are staffed and filled with climbing structures, trampolines, cubbies, natural play spaces and heaps more. 

Street address:  Off Neptune St, St Kilda Melbourne
Postal Address: Private Bag No 3, PO St Kilda, 3182
Telephone: (03) 9209 6348
Fax: (03) 9525 3689

Email: Rpritcha@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Public Transport: Tram #16 down Fitzroy St

Please note: The flying fox at St Kilda APG is currently closed for maintenance.  It will be up and running later in the year. 

Skinners is a backyard for children living in public housing around South Melbourne. 

The playground offers programs specifically for these children and may be closed to the general public on days when these programs are operating. 

• Unfortunately Skinners is unable to accept group bookings or cater for large groups.  This is due to the nature of our funding which is to provide a safe 'backyard' for children in the local public housing
• Please respect that Skinners is a Junk Food Free Zone.  In order to promote healthy lifestyles, all sweet, fatty or fast food is banned from the playground
• Skinners is also a smoke and alcohol free zone

For more information please contact the playground directly:

Telephone: (03) 9209 6352

bmeyers@portphillip.vic.gov.au

St Kilda Adventure Playground

• Monday to Friday 3.30 to 5.30pm
• Thursday open from 10.00am
• Saturday & Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm

Skinners Adventure Playground

• Monday to Friday 3.30 to 5.30pm
• Saturday & Sunday 11.00am to 5.00pm

During daylight savings both playgrounds are open WEEKDAYS until 6.00

School holidays:

The playgrounds are open 11.00 to 5.00 everyday

Public holidays

The playgrounds will be closed:

• From Wed 24th Dec to Friday 2nd Jan
• Good Friday

All other public holidays the playgrounds are open 1.00 to 5.00pm (including Easter Sunday)

The playgrounds may also be closed on various days due to bad weather or maintenance requirements. 

All bookings must be made through the Playground

• Maximum of 30 children
• Bookings are taken on the weekend only
• A charge between $80.00 & $150.00 per booking
• A deposit of $40.00 is required to secure your booking.  This payment can be made in person at the playground
• The playground will be open to the general public during this time but your booking secures the use of the party area (an undercover area with table), BBQ & kitchen facilities.
• No alcohol or smoking permitted in the playground

Bookings are essential for all groups. 

• Group bookings are in high demand at the playground therefore it is important to book well in advance. 
• Due to the high attendance numbers and to ensure everyone's safety groups that turn up without a booking may be asked to find an alternative venue.
• Please complete the Group Booking Form to register your interest and contact the playground to confirm your prefered date is available

Contact the playgrounds directly for further information

Playground Closure

The playground will be closed due to the following conditions:

• The temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius
• The forecast temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius
• During hail, heavy rain or thunderstorms
• The playgrounds may also be closed without notice under certain circumstances eg for maintenance,safety, staff training
• See above for public holiday closures

Please call ahead to confirm we are open

• Care for yourself
• Care for others
• Care for this place
• Have fun
• Staffed during opening hours
• Most suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years
• Bookings for all groups are required
• Parental supervision is recommended for all children
• Children 5 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times
• A kid zone - adults are only allowed if accompanied by a child
• A recreational facility and visitors are entering at their own risk
• No smoking or alcohol in the playground

Designed as big 'backyards' for the local children in high-rise public housing, St Kilda and Skinners began in 1981 and 1978 respectively.

The playgrounds are managed by the City of Port Phillip and supported through Federal 'YouthLinx' Funding.  The YouthLinx funding is to target children and families who would usually be unable to access cultural, recreational activities due to social or financial constraints.  For many families the playgrounds are more than just a 'backyard' they are a support network, a place to learn new skills, somewhere to 'escape' and a link to the wider community and a safe place to have fun.

Based on a similar concept in Denmark, the children were originally given the materials and tools and asked to build their own play space.  While no longer able to build the structures, the local children help out where they can creating murals, designing programs and having input into any future directions.