The playground, at Irabina specialist autism school in Bayswater North, features play equipment, balancing beams, stepping stones, a dry creek bed and plants and herbs that can be touched and explored.

It is the culmination of almost one year's work by school staff, parents and volunteers from charity United Way.

Irabina's executive officer Dawn Wilcock said the playground would be a place for the school's families to enjoy together and also used for therapy sessions.

"We've got lavender and herbs, which are about smell and touch.

"A lot of children with autism struggle to interact because their senses are more sensitive than children without autism.

"So the whole idea of this playground is to try to stimulate their senses to assist them in learning how to play. It will be available on weekends for families to come and have a picnic, but it will also be here for therapy, and our therapist will be out here with the kids."

Each week about 200 children aged between two and eight attend Irabina.