There would be plenty of things in Australia that locals would attest as being the best in the world. Some might point to our cafe and coffee culture, others might look at the sprawling collection of big structures across the country.

But, if you ask a Canadian backpacker who has visited 60 countries over the last five years, it’s something you might not ever consider: playgrounds. Lucas Ungaretti has seen his fair share of cities since he left his homeland and he told Yahoo Lifestyle why Aussie playgrounds are top tier.

“It was always a shock to me seeing the playgrounds around the country and how elaborate they are, these huge well designed and often themed structures,” he said.

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The former engineer has been backpacking since 2021 but has called Australia home for the past 12 months.

In that time, he’s picked up a few odd hospitality jobs in the towns or cities that he’s stopped off long enough in to keep his finances topped up.

But he couldn’t help but be amazed at how incredible some of the playgrounds were across the country.

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While there are plenty of playgrounds that would include a 15-year-old rocking horse and some monkey bars, there are some dotted in cities that would be a kid’s dream.

Lucas called out one in Busselton, a city on the south-west tip of Western Australia that looks like an abandoned ship that had run aground on dry land.

The “world-class” adventure playground is located on the foreshore and looks incredible.

Aussies share their best playgrounds and they don’t disappoint

Lucas said it seems like a “whole experience” just to go to the playground in Australia, which he said is definitely not like the playgrounds he had back home.

“In Canada they are a lot simpler most of the time, sure there are nice ones here and there, but here, they are everywhere,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle.

He added that out of the 60 countries he’s visited, not a single nation even comes close to Australia’s playgrounds.

Lucas posted about his observation on social media and people uploaded photos of their local playgrounds proving him right.

Some areas had massive slides that you’d normally find at a theme park, while others looked like giant UFOs.

“We want our kids outside and enjoying life! The adults too,” wrote one mum.

“Australian playgrounds deserve a louder shoutout,” added an Aussie fan.

“Never really noticed. Totally have taken it for granted,” said a third.

Eye-watering price for fun

But these incredible structures don’t come cheap.

Local councils and state governments have plunged millions of dollars into creating these eye-catching and immersive playgrounds.

Sydney’s Centennial Park upgraded its playground back in 2017 that came with a $4 million price tag, but then environment minister, Gabrielle Upton, said it’s hard to put a price on kids entertainment.

“It enables children to make mistakes, experiment, learn about nature and take a bit of risk in a safe environment,” she said when the park was reopened.

“Kids will be absolutely drawn to this and it will allow parents to not have the usual argument about whether they move away from their laptops because they will really want to be here themselves — they will be asking to come here.”

But that’s child’s play compared to the playground being built in Newcastle.

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The city’s council has embarked on project to install a world-leading playground and water play area at Foreshore Park, which is estimated to cost close to $24 million.

That’s nearly a doubling from initial forecasts in 2022 of $12 million.

There will be four separate play zones, as well as quiet spaces, accessible paths and slides, a sandpit, a carousel and sensory pathway, seating, shade, gardens and lawns.

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