The cement works adjacent to the entrance at first seem incongruous to this superb green expanse bordered by a hill of towering gums and sandstone rocks on one side and a glassy serene river on the other.

Yet the park itself was once the site of a thriving coral crushing works and scattered throughout are giant industrial relics from the era, gothic skeletons of an extinct industry.

This is well worth planning a day trip for as besides the extraordinary setting, the park has been master planned and designed to keep children (and adults) entertained for hours, divided into sections including a sizable aquativity centre, a living edible garden as a nod to its farming days, a zig zag hill climb and an immaculate lawn for ball play, walk and bike paths as well as playgrounds for both older and younger offspring.

Come lunchtime sleek modern picnic pavilions are dotted throughout, all with shiny gas barbecues.