If you’re looking for a different and interesting destination to take a day trip with family or friends, Maybury Peace Park at Weston near Cessnock is worth considering.
Cessnock City Council, with funding from the NSW Government, have done an amazing job on the 2023 upgrade and the playground now features a fantastic range of inclusive play equipment, natural play elements and landscaping.
Named after the United Nations International Year of Peace, Maybury Peace Park certainly lives up to its name. It’s an expansive, peaceful park with walking trails, a duck pond, a large playground, great amenities and more. With so much for all ages, it’s well worth the 45-minute drive from Newcastle.
Most of the playground area is shaded by large, colourful shade sails and has softfall underfoot.
Babies, toddlers and younger kids can let their imaginations run wild playing on, in and around the pretend pirate ship. It is wheelchair-accessible from both above and below.
For kids old enough to climb, the play tower has a ladder, climbing nets and a small slide. The play tower can also be accessed by wheelchair.
There are three swings in the shaded area including a child’s swing, a toddler swing and another smaller swing. The inclusive play equipment in this area also includes a flush-to-the-ground merry-go-round and three in-ground mini trampolines.
There’s also a large sandpit that can accommodate heaps of kids. Packing sand toys would be a good idea but, if you forget, there’s a sit-on digger as well as a sand-play tower.
Older kids will enjoy the flying fox and large rope climbing structure.
Kids of all ages will love the 360 degree hanging swing.
Maybury Peace Park is located on Cessnock Road. There are two large carparks, one located right near the playground and the other across the road at Chinaman’s Hollow. There is an accessible amenities block located near both car parks, both are locked between 6pm and 6am. We’ve always found them to be clean and well-maintained.
Wide, flat concrete paths wind through Maybury Peace Park, all the way around a peaceful duck pond, the playground and under and across the road to and around Chinaman’s Hollow. These paths are perfect for wheelchairs and kids on balance bikes, small bikes or scooters.
The wild ducks on the duck pond are friendly and it’s relaxing to watch them swim and play. If you’d like to take some food to feed them there’s a sign recommending grated carrot, chopped lettuce, chopped tomatoes or diced watermelon.
There are four stages of walks around Maybury Peace Park and Chinaman’s Hollow that you can choose from. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are approximately 500m in length and easy grade with wheelchair access. Stage 3 and Stage 4 are approximately 250m. If you feel like getting your heart rate up, the total distance of all four walks is approximately 1,570 metres and takes around 15-20 minutes. Dogs are allowed at Maybury Peace Park and Chinaman’s Hollow but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Bring a picnic or BBQ lunch. There are a number of undercover picnic areas and gas BBQs situated on both sides of the road.
Maybury Peace Park is one of our family’s favourite parks and I’d recommend it for an outing or day trip. It’s a picturesque, easy drive from Newcastle and a nice place to stop on a trip to or from the Hunter Valley. It’s also the perfect place for an outdoor birthday party.
Good to Know
Address: 122 Cessnock Road, Weston
Ideal Age: All ages
Public Toilets: Yes. 2 x unisex toilets including disabled access
Water Fountain: No, bring bottled water with you
Picnic Facilities: Undercover picnic tables.
BBQ: Gas barbecues
Parking: 2 large carparks
Nearby Cafe: No
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Meg is a born and raised Novocastrian whose interests include gardening, reading and writing poetry. In between writing for Newy With Kids and working as a School Learning Support Officer, Meg enjoys camping and travelling with her family and exploring Newcastle and all it has to offer. Meg has two energetic kids and is passionate about kids having the opportunity to be outdoors as often as possible.