You’ve no doubt driven past McIlwaine Park — it’s the park you see from Concord Road overlooking Brays Bay and the Parramatta River. This popular waterfront reserve recently underwent a major upgrade, making it an even better spot for families to spend the day.
The wider Brays Bay Reserve area now features:
- a newly upgraded playground
- mini putt putt course
- toilets and amenities
- BBQs and picnic shelters
- accessible pathways to the foreshore
- a new beach-style foreshore area with discovery rockpools
- Oliveto Restaurant
- Kokoda Memorial Walkway
- Kokoda Cafe
The upgrades were completed in 2024 as part of a major renewal project designed to make the park more accessible and family-friendly.
Playground
The playground has been refreshed with new equipment and safer surfaces, making it more fun and accessible for kids of different ages.
There are still two main play areas – one designed for younger children and another for older kids, but both have been improved as part of the upgrade.
Younger Kids Area (Fenced)
The younger children’s play space remains fully fenced, which parents will love. It now includes rubber soft-fall surfacing and updated play elements.
Equipment includes:
- slides
- swings
- climbing elements
- spinners
- play structures
- sensory and musical play features
The fencing and soft-fall make it a safe option for toddlers and preschoolers.
Older Kids Play Area
The larger playground nearby is better suited to preschool and primary-aged kids and includes a wider range of climbing and active play equipment.
Features include:
- climbing nets and rope structures
- slides
- monkey bars
- spinner play elements
- larger play towers
This section is not fully fenced, so younger children may need closer supervision.
Foreshore Upgrades
One of the biggest improvements to the park is the revitalised waterfront area, which now includes:
- a small beach-style foreshore area
- discovery rockpools designed to encourage interaction with the river environment
- landscaped terraces and new tree plantings
- improved lighting and pathways
The upgrades were designed to better connect the community with the Parramatta River and create more space to relax, picnic and explore.
Kokoda Memorial Walkway
The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway begins nearby and is a peaceful historical walk spanning about 800 metres between Rhodes Station and Concord Hospital.
The walk is flat and pram friendly, with interpretive signage and tropical-style planting inspired by the original Kokoda Track.
Along the way you’ll find Kokoda Cafe, a handy stop for coffee or snacks (just note it is closed on Mondays).
Entry to the walkway is via the Memorial Rose Garden.
Getting There
McIlwaine Park is located on the corner of Concord Road and Mary Street, Rhodes within Brays Bay Reserve.
There is dedicated parking within the reserve, plus additional street parking nearby.
RDM Rating
- Age range: 0–8 years old
- Coffee close by: 1 – (Kokoda Cafe along the walkway, or Oliveto Restaurant nearby)
- Shade sail: 0.5 – some shade structures plus shade from mature trees
- Bike/scooter track: 1 – shared pathways around the reserve
- Noteworthy feature/s: 1 – waterfront views and foreshore area
- Can host a party (BBQ, tables, toilets): 1 – BBQs, picnic shelters and amenities nearby
- Gated / safe: 0.5 – the younger kids area is fenced but the larger playground is open
TOTAL: 5 / 6
Check out more park spotlights here!