Insportz Knox is the sporting ground to go to for a variety of sports including volleyball, soccer,…read morenetball and cricket. The courts are multi-purpose so games on them alternate throughout the day. The last time I went there was to be acting cheerleader for a group of friends playing 5-a-side soccer. It cost them $70 a season to play and they absolutely loved it. Inside can get pretty loud as lots of games are played on different courts/fields at once. Personally I don't understand how each played knows which ref is blowing their whistle for a foul or penalty - every whistle was super loud! I was rather a jittery cheerleader as a result. The courts are available for hire at $60 an hour, minimum. This seems pretty pricey to me but then again I'm not out hiring courts every weekend so I really have no idea. There is also a bar available for hire that is sometimes open. Wait staff are available for hire if catering for birthday parties or functions. Insportz doesn't cater for 21st birthday celebrations or high school after parties though. I don't know what high schooler would want to host a party on a soccer field but each to their own.. All in all the place is pretty good. It's popular, it's loud and there is plenty of great athletes to watch.

Absolutely over the moon with this playground - which we found by accident while desperate for a…read moretoilet! The place is themed like a moon base. There is a moon crater, a moon worm, rockets, a space ship etc. Boo loved the mini rockets and the music making areas. The place is spotless and very well maintained - and lots to entertain for hours! There is an area at the back that has some information and learning areas about plants. Try pushing the button on the rocket! All in all we had a ball here and wish this was near our house as boo loved it! Check out the pictures to see her smiling face! There is a Liberty swing and toilets and a big car park.

King Parade Playground has recently been re-vamped and all the equipment is brand new. It is a…read moremodest playground but it has plenty of grassy areas surrounding it and is great for kicking a ball around or any game requiring serious room. It borders both King Parade and Norma Crescent South in Knoxfield, as it is located on empty blocks of land on a suburban street. It also acts as a useful cut through between these streets- well, for me anyway. Small green plants and large rocks line the footpath on either end of the park - kids seem to enjoy jumping from rock to rock. I have never seen the park particularly busy which is always a nice thing - it means you don't ever really have to wait for someone else to finish with a piece of equipment. It has two swings - one baby and one adult size. There are also two wooden park benches to sit on that face the playground. These are perfectly placed for any adults supervising their kids. When it rains the park gets really muddy and slushy. You will get mud splashes on your clothes if you walk across it when it is like this, so if you're using it as a cut through only I would definitely avoid using it on wet days. Otherwise it is a pretty good playground and park. I happily recommend it.

Ruffey Lake park has something for everyone. Plenty of…read moreBBQ's and covered tables and benches, fun playgrounds, and a huge off leash dog area. Clean toilets and actual working taps ( yes lots of public toilets have no working taps, no locking doors and just plain gross). I find Ruffey lake very enjoyable to visit and amenities are well maintained. Lots of hills and paths for variety. Definitely a lovely day out!

This is a big park. Like huge…read more It feels like you could be far away from the world, but then you can get a glimpse of nearby houses and a small view of the Doncaster mall sitting up on a hill. It really is nice for a daytime, the sun is out so you should be outside type of day. It's good for a walk around their many paths, or for a picnic on one of their many open hilly spaces. If I was a dog, this would be optimum day out stuff. Because at Ruffey Lake Park, there are dogs galore, on leashes, on the footpath, running around, soaking up some sun rays, taking a dip into the lake, this park is their oyster. The lake itself, is average size, it's nothing to exclaim over, or take in. For seating, if you didn't take a blanket with you and are one of those don't-like-grass people, then find yourself one of the many benches that are laid out throughout the park. For the kiddies, there are two playgrounds with swings and activities, I feel like whenever I've been here, that area is hands down the most populated part of the park. For all of your park needs, Ruffey Lake is a stand out.

Recently transformed from its weary state to a grassy haven in the centre of The Basin, the Basin…read moreTriangle is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. Opposite the small group of shops on Mountain Highway, this little park area is a favourite amongst locals and visitors wanting a place to take the kids or the dog for a good old run around. With the play equipment getting a recent overhaul, what was a pretty tired wooden structure is now a state of the art (and quite futuristic) play area surrounded by chairs and tables for parents to drink their coffee and chat whilst the kids let out their energy. With the Basin Fish & Chip shop located across the road, this often proves convenient on a nice afternoon, as the lush grass provides the perfect place to unwrap your order and eat your chips. If you're after something healthier, grab a wrap or pie from the bakery or one of the coffee shops and unwind under the trees. Also the location of the yearly Basin Music Festival, the triangle is as old the suburb itself and recent boom sin property prices in the area is sure to usher in a new age of style and demographic to The Basin.

Nice little suburban street park with landscaped paths and grassy areas with both sun and Shade…read morefrom some big trees. Has some large rocks to climb on as well. There are two 4 seater benches, a see saw, 2 swings, a covered climbing platform with slide and pole. There is also a thing with four seats on a spring. A nice peaceful spot to keep kids busy for an hour or so, take a picnic etc... Note: no toilet or bbq facilities. It's a big two thumbs up from me. Enjoy.

The Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully is a perfect spot for an afternoon out with a young…read morefamily. There is a large playground that has been recently renovated and is brand new. It has a child safe gates and a fence around it to encourage supervision. It is a pretty popular playground and gets quite busy on sunny days. The park has two really pretty lakes complete with ducks. There are boardwalks and bridges to walk over and a nice track that meanders all around the park. To appreciate the peace and the beautiful scenery make sure to take a seat at one of the park benches scattered all around - they are perfectly placed for the best views. Although if you are coming for peace and quiet you'd be best off coming during a weekday as on weekends and school holidays there will be kids everywhere. The Knox Bicycle Track runs alongside the park making it a great picnic lunch spot if you're going on a big ride. Kids often ride their bikes around the tracks in the park and there are plenty of grass areas big enough to kick a ball around and be more active. Supervision of kids is essential around the lake as there are no barriers or anything to prevent people from falling in. Dogs are common visitors to the park and must be kept on a leash at all times. The park is really unique in that it caters to every member of the family, young and old and it really is a beautiful spot. Very popular for wedding receptions and events there is a pergola at one end that often plays host to quite a crowd. There are adequate parking spaces available as well as side street parking.

With the outer east slowly building up and attracting more and more new residents to the area, one…read moredifference we have to the west is the amount of greenery we hold dear. At the foot of the Dandenongs, between Fern Tree Gully and Boronia, sits the Tim Neville Arbouretum, a huge expanse of lakes, fountains and open space that has been a favourite for picnics, weddings and lazy Sunday afternoons for as long as I can remember. As a kid we used to come here on our bikes and tear around the paved track that winds its way through, across the footbridge and past the amphitheatre, that is home to yearly Christmas Carols by Candlelight. Perfect on a warm day, there are also BBQ's to use, and plenty of rooms for a large group.

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is an absolute hub for all kinds of sports and fitness. The…read moremost striking feature of the entire centre is probably the outside Olympic sized swimming pool. I've never tried it out but it does look amazing. What I have tried on numerous occasions are their squash courts. There are 10 international standard squash courts including a four walled glass show court. The courts are the best that we play on in our league (on a par with Moorabbin). They are quicker than most around the circuit but I'm a fan. If I lived next door to MSAC, I would play a hell of a lot more sports here. A great venue for all sports.

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is the place to be for r all kinds of sports and fitness. The…read morebig feature is probably the outside Olympic sized swimming pool. I am yet to take a dip, but ill get there at some point. What I have tried on numerous occasions are their Basketball courts. There are 10 international standard squash courts including a four walled glass show court. Badminton Courts, Table Tennis Arena, Gymnasium, Olympic pools x 2 wading pools, slides, Surfing on wave, bike racks & gym. A amazing venue for all sports & fitness.