Southbank Boulevard Play Space

Southbank Boulevard Play Space is a distinctive children’s playground at the corner of Southbank Boulevard and Kavanagh Street in Southbank, Melbourne. Known as ‘Rocks on Wheels’, the play space takes a more sculptural approach than a standard playground: large rocks are positioned on fixed trolleys and connected with different play elements. There is also a playful trail of ‘runaway rocks’ to look out for as you walk along Southbank Boulevard towards the space.

The design is credited to Mike Hewson and draws inspiration from Diane Arbus’s photograph of the same name, giving the playground a clear creative identity. Rather than being just a collection of conventional equipment, the space uses the rock forms and their arrangement to shape how children move through it. The result is a setting that invites climbing, scrambling, swinging and imaginative play, with plenty for children to test at their own pace.

Equipment includes swings, slides, monkey bars, climbing ropes, climbable rocks and a sandpit. The play area is partly fenced, and seats and a drinking fountain are provided, making it practical for parents and carers staying nearby. Its compact mix of equipment suits children who enjoy active play and physical challenges, while the sandpit and unusual rock structures offer different ways to play beyond the main climbing equipment.

This is a family-focused destination rather than a venue for organised activities, and it works well for a play stop while exploring Southbank. Children can move between the more energetic equipment and quieter sand play, while adults have seating close to the action. As with other City of Melbourne playgrounds, active supervision is expected. The council advises checking equipment for heat before use, taking care when surfaces are wet, keeping glass out of playgrounds and noting that playgrounds close between dusk and dawn. The space is best suited to daytime visits with children who are ready to climb, balance and explore.