Have a train-obsessed little? These top train-themed playgrounds in Christchurch will surely blow off some steam (pun intended).
We’ve tracked down the coolest train-themed playgrounds in Christchurch and sharing the best day out ideas featuring steam engines, miniature railways and more. All aboard!
Read more: These Christchurch Toy Libraries Are a Great Space (and Money) Saving Alternative
Train-themed playgrounds in Christchurch:
Owen Stalker Park, Woodend
A train-lovers dream playground, Owen Stalker Park in Woodend features a giant climb-aboard train with all sorts of things to fiddle with and slides to whizz down. There is also a swing set, a big tunnel slide, a flying fox and a pump track to enjoy. If you fancy keeping the train theme going, Stalker Park is a quick drive from The Station Cafe to recharge and refuel before heading home. Check out our Instagram reel here to see more of the park in action.
Owen Stalker Park, Woodend
Halswell Domain Playground, Halswell
You’re missing a trick if you’re yet to ride the Halswell Miniature Trains on a Sunday! The experience costs $2 per person (or $10 for 5, plus one free) for a ride around the domain’s unique tracks; jump across to the train-theme playground where little ones can pretend to drive a train, climb, swing or spin.
Halswell Domain Playground, 38 William Brittan Avenue
Prebbleton Community Park, Prebbleton
Found on Stationmasters Way, Prebbleton Community Park pays homage to Prebbleton’s railway history, featuring a colourful train to play on, slides, a climbing net, ‘rocktopus’, and skate and scooter park. Walk to Prebbleton Village for a bite to eat, or check out the trails at the Nature Park.
Prebbleton Community Park, Stationmasters Way, Prebbleton
Foster Park Adventure Playground, Rolleston
One of the best things about Foster Park is that it is suitable for all ages. Big kids will love zooming down the two big slides, one a tunnel, and the other a wide stainless steel slide, while smaller ones can play in the toddler area which includes a small bridge and hut for those just starting to walk, and a larger train-themed structure.
Foster Park, Rolleston
St Albans Park
Toddlers can take the wheel and pretend to steer the train while others can climb, slide and make their way along the different carriages. Older ones will enjoy the other multi-play structure in the playground, and if you make your way across the Sports Park, a flying fox and skate park.
St Albans Park, Barbadoes Street, Edgeware, Christchurch
Craighead Reserve Playground, Northcote
Craighead Reserve is a firm favourite for local train-obsessed toddlers. Small, but still has plenty to do, kids will love the train-themed equipment perfect for imaginative play. There is a pump track next door which would be great for balance bikes and scooters.
Craighead Reserve, Northcote, Christchurch
The Station Cafe, Rangiora
Housed in a “beautifully restored 1909 railway station building,” The Station Cafe is the perfect spot for lunch and a play. Its historic charm, plenty of play equipment for children and, of course, its nod to all things trains, are all great reasons to make the trip.
The Station Cafe, 2 Blackett Street, Waimakariri, Rangiora
Leeston Park
If your little one fancies a go on the ‘real thing’, opposite Leeston Rugby Football Club in Leeston Park is a cool Shunting Locomotive to play on. The park also features swings, a slide and a climbing net.
Leeston Park, 1 High Street, Leeston
Little River
Under an hour’s drive from the city, Little River Heritage Park boasts a great playground in a town with plenty of railway history. While the playground itself isn’t train-themed, little ones will love the Little River Railway Station which is worth a look around. While you’re there, check out the Farmer’s Market during the summer months, too!
Little River Heritage Park, 4243 Christchurch Akaroa Road
Fairlie Playground and Pleasant Point Museum & Railway
Worth a trip to Fairlie for its pies alone, its central playground has plenty of train-themed climbing structures to explore, big tunnel slides and plenty of different levelled equipment for all ages. While visiting the area, or passing on through, check out Pleasant Point Museum and Railway, which offers the opportunity to ride a steam train and railcar, visit a vintage movie theatre, and watch model railways in action.
Fairlie Playground, Fairlie Village Green
Train-themed days out and activities in Christchurch:
McLeans Island Miniature Trains
A great spot for a picnic and plenty of train-themed fun, kids have been enjoying the miniature trains at Mcleans Island for over 20 years. Open on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, each ride costs $2 (or 6 rides for $10) and takes you along its 7 1/4” gauge track that weaves through the forest, over bridges and through a tunnel.
McLeans Island Miniature Trains, 621 McLeans Island Road, McLeans Island, Christchurch
Ferrymead Heritage Park, Ferrymead
Based out of Ferrymead Heritage Park, The Canterbury Railway Society “restores and its Ferrymead Railway operates, one of New Zealand’s finest collections of Heritage Steam trains and more. For a chance to ride on the train, you’ll need to grab an entry ticket to Ferrymead Heritage Park and keep an eye on their running days. Unfortunately, they are closed over winter for maintenance.
Ferrymead Heritage Park, 50 Ferrymead Park Drive, Ferrymead, Christchurch
Peace Train, Botanical Gardens
Take a ride on the Peace Train at Christchurch Botanic Gardens every Sunday from September to April, between 10am and 1pm. This free, eight-minute ride is a unique way to see the gardens and bound to excite train-fanatic toddlers.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Central City
The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum, Ashburton
Home to a wide range of exhibits, The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum in Ashburton holds open days where you can purchase all-day rides on their trains, free classic games and activities for the children, check out working machinery displays and more. Take a look at the running schedule here.
The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum, 20 Maronan Road, Tinwald, Ashburton
Featured image, image #1, #2 property of nook NZ, image #3 credited to Wikipedia user Wildman NZ under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, image #7 credited to Christchurch City Council,
