Where to play in Perth
Perth has many parks to not just explore, but play in. With every Perth bushland, swamp, river, lake, coastline and even stadium, comes an epic playground that will keep the kids amused for hours and give you time to enjoy our cities natural surroundings. Here’s a list of some of Perth’s best playgrounds to check out on your next weekend off or over the school break.
Scarborough Whale Playground
The Scarborough Whale playground is newly renovated and located on the Esplanade. Between the big, wooden fort and life-sized whale skeleton, this playground is great for encouraging imaginative play. It also has several cubby houses and climbing areas, slides, rope swings and even an impressive bird’s nest swing. With so many other exciting activities around the playground like a skate park, rock climbing facilities and basketball hoop, you’ll be able to keep the kids entertained for the whole school holidays and beyond. The other great thing about this playground is the easy wheelchair access for a more inclusive play and there’s plenty of shade on the edge for spectators.
Shorehaven Treasure Island Playground
This playground in Alkimos is one of Perth’s larger play areas. With so many different activities to keep the kids entertained including puzzles and a booklet upon entry with hidden clues to help find the treasure at its centre, this playground is sure to impress even the most difficult to please. Beyond the treasure hunt, it also supplies plenty of climbing, sliding and swinging opportunities with all the usual attractions and so much more. Pop to the café next door to grab a coffee, lunch or both and make a day of it with the whole family.
Stadium Park Playground
The Stadium Park playground caters for everyone with over six different play areas, multiple BBQs, picnic shelters, stadium toilets and of course Australia’s largest pub, the Camfield around the corner. The playground itself has been designed around the Whadjuk Noongar seasons to provide education as well as fun. There are emu eggs to hunt for, a rope bridge to climb, cubbies to be built, dual cable flying fox, climbing nets, trampolines and even a basketball court.
John Forrest National Park Nature Playground
This all-natural playground made of all wood, has so many fun features. From a giant teepee to balancing logs and two magnifying glasses that the kids can use to explore and get up close to the nature around them, this playground really does have some unique attractions that are well worth checking out. Not to mention its location is ideal, situated along a shallow creek where the kids can jump from rock to rock while you hang out in the nearby picnic area. But the fun doesn’t end there, with so many nearby walking trails including one to an actual waterfall, you can use this playground as your base to explore the stunning John Forrest National Park with the entire family. You’re also guaranteed to spot at least one kangaroo throughout the day this area, as well as a heap of classically Australian wildlife that inhabit the John Forrest bushland.
Russell Brown Adventure Playground
As the name suggests the Russell Brown Adventure playground in Mosman Park is one of the more adventurous places to play. Fossils were actually found in the limestone cliffs around the site as well as Aboriginal tools that date back over 10,000 years. Keeping with the spirit of the geological and archaeological importance of this site and  to make sure the new generation that play here can connect with its history, the designers constructed cubbies reminiscent of ancient homes under the equally ancient trees. Beyond cubbies, this playground is also filled with rope swings and a water play area so remember to take spare cloths for the kids to change into after they’ve had a splash about.
Get the latest WA Parks inspiration, events and news straight to your inbox and check out all the #springintoparks events happening near you by signing up to the WA parks newsletter and visiting our spring calendar.