Centennial Park Playground

Locals from Cooks Hill have been bringing their kids here for years, and it’s easy to see why — the climbing structure keeps the 3-to-10 crowd genuinely occupied while parents can actually sit down and relax at the picnic tables without losing sight of anyone. The shade trees make a real difference on a hot Newcastle afternoon, which anyone who’s done the summer playground circuit around here will appreciate. It’s got the basics done well: solid swings, a decent slide, good sightlines, and parking that doesn’t require a 10-minute walk. The open grass field next to it means older kids can kick a ball around when they’ve exhausted the equipment. Fridays and weekends it draws a crowd, so go early if you want a bench.