Evie and Freya made up a game using some of the boulders on the natural playground.
Looking like the kings of the castle, Charlie, Eddie and Dylan climbed to the top of the boulders on the natural playground.
Students at Neerim District Rural Primary School have a new space to play and explore with the opening of a natural playground.
Featuring a 15 metre log, large boulders and a climbing net, the playground blends with the natural environment that surrounds the school and encourages risky play.
Principal Lisa Williams said the playground provided students the opportunity to extend their play opportunities and embrace the natural elements.
"At Neerim District Rural Primary School one of our core values is to encourage exploration and risk-taking play in the natural elements," she said.
"We are lucky to have a beautiful geographical location, Glen Nayook with a backdrop of the hills of the Tarago River Forest reserve. Our community highly value nature and the natural resources our space brings to our students.
"We want to to fully embrace the natural elements and use them to extend our students play opportunities with the opening of the first stage of our natural playground."
Ms Williams said natural playgrounds had many benefits for children, including promoting curiosity, adventure and imaginative play and encouraging physical fitness, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
"Our shift towards natural playground designs signifies a deeper understanding of children's play preferences and the importance of connecting with nature in a modern urbanised world," she said.
"By providing children with opportunities to play in natural environments, we not only enhance their physical and cognitive development but also instil a lifelong appreciation for the natural world."
The creation of the natural playground was a collaborative effort between the school and local businesses.
"We could not have achieved this alone," Ms Williams said.
"Cuthbertson's Quarries donated seven huge boulders, Duncan McNeil from McNeil Contracting transported and spent time manoeuvring the boulders into place. McNeil's not only donated time and resources to this project but also the 15-metre-long log that spans across the boulders. Stone and Brick Federation mortared the boulders together and ground off any rough edges making the space secure and safe. Blerick Tree Farm spend numerous hours spreading the 20 cubic meters of soft fall to finish off the project."
"We cannot thank everyone enough for supporting us and our students with this project," Ms Williams said.
