Due to the developments of the past weeks (i.e.: The C-word) we decided not to travel further away for the time being, but to experience adventures rather in Vienna and its surroundings. So we bought a Niederösterreich-Card and are now visiting as many destinations as possible. The first stop was the nature park Sparbach in Lower Austria, according to our own information the oldest nature park in Austria. We were not disappointed, Sparbach really offers entertainment for the whole family – from playgrounds and small animals to ruins and even beer for the non-drivers.
Map of the Naturpark Sparbach
The area is relatively large with 355 hectares and there is a lot to discover. Of course you get a map of the area when you enter – but for a better advance planning I uploaded a digital map here.
Animals in Sparbach: rabbits, wild boars and donkeys
Right at the entrance there is a small animal enclosure, which is accordingly exciting for the children – here you can watch hares and pet donkeys. I have taken a photo of one of the rabbits, which I would like to share with you at this point.
The donkeys are great too. But I did not take a photo of them. Anyway, just imagine that they look like normal donkeys.
Right next to it there is a wild boar feeding place where the wild boars from the park come to eat at certain times. We were lucky during dusk – around 6 pm when the park is just closing – and actually saw one of the critters.
Adventure Playground of Sparbach
But the real highlight for children – and also for parents who don’t have to travel by car – is the adventure playground with attached kiosk, which also serves sweets, ice cream and above all beer. There really is something for everyone in the family.
The activities for the children consist of swings, slides, a water playground, an obstacle course, bridges over a stream, a small carousel and many other creatively designed gadgets. The beer is beer, no more and no less. The same goes for ice cream.
The Johannstein castle ruin of Sparbach
And then there are the ruins you can walk to. First of all, there is the castle ruin Johannstein, which looks like this from the outside…
The Köhlerhausruine of Sparbach
Those who walk a little further will come to the artificially arranged charcoal burner house (“Köhlerhaus”) ruin that looks even a little more unspectacular than the castle ruin Johannstein, but instead offers hobby photographers a nice panorama view to the surroundings. Specifically, it looks like this:
The temple of Diana
And finally there is the temple of Diana – from which, despite the name, one should not expect too much. In fact it is simply a stone wall with archways – great for older children who want to play catch around the walls, but hobby mythologists will be rather disappointed at this point.
Nevertheless I tried to take an impressive photo of the wall.
Of course, Sparbach is not Kruger National Park. And I have seen far more impressive ruins in my lifetime. But for a park that is located in the immediate proximity of Vienna, it offers a nice alternative to everyday life for families. Therefore, one can recommend it in any case.
By the way, further information about the journey, activities etc. can be found here and here.