Which Perth playgrounds are worth the drive?

Large destination playgrounds, such as Chevron Parkland, Mokare Reserve, Neil Hawkins Park and Mandurah Eastern Foreshore, are good choices. Mandurah and Mandogalup are a longer drive for most Perth families, so pack lunch and make it a full outing.

Are there playgrounds with shade in Perth?

Many newer ones have shade sails and trees. Not all do, so check the listing, and bring a hat and sunscreen. Visit early on hot days.

How do we cope with scalding slides in the Perth sun?

Visit early or late, choose shaded playgrounds, and touch slides and surfaces before children use them. Keep water close, and watch small children for flushed cheeks or sudden crankiness.

What is the Dinosaur Park at Madeley?

It is Kingsway Regional Playground, which has a dinosaur theme. Check the listing for what is on site and for any rules.

Free playgrounds worth the drive in Perth

Perth does destination playgrounds well, partly because the city has plenty of room and a climate that invites families outdoors. The best are big, imaginative and surrounded by lawn, with shade sails and picnic areas to match. Chevron Parkland at Burswood is a riverside favourite with a big play area and views. Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground at Mandogalup, Neil Hawkins Park at Joondalup and Mandurah Eastern Foreshore draw families from far and wide. Hyde Park in the city has lakes and old trees, and Woodbridge Riverside Park, Bardon Park at Maylands, Neil McDougall Park at Como and Harold Boas Gardens in West Perth give inner suburb variety. Mundaring Community Sculpture Park in the hills adds an artistic angle. Because the sun is strong, the best playgrounds have trees or shade sails. If they do not, plan to go early. Metal slides and rubber surfaces can get very hot in summer, so test them with a hand before children climb on. Pack a picnic and a rug, and plan a long visit rather than a quick stop. Check the listing for toilets, fencing and cafes, because those details matter more than the equipment. On weekends and school holidays, the popular parks fill early, so a weekday visit is a treat.

Our picks

Chevron Parkland Burswood
Chevron Parkland is part of Stadium Park, the parkland surrounding Optus Stadium in Burswood on the Swan River.

★ 4.5 (462)
Galup Reserve SW Adventure Playground Wembley
Galup Reserve (Lake Monger) is a Town of Cambridge reserve on Lake Monger Drive, bordered by Powis Street, Gregory Street and the Mitchell Freeway.

★ 4.7 (42)
Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground Mandogalup
Mokare Reserve in the Apsley estate, Mandogalup, has an adventure playground built by the estate's developer, featuring a 12-metre treehouse and slide along with a…

★ 4.5 (85)
Hyde Park Perth
Hyde Park is a City of Vincent heritage-listed park bounded by Vincent, Glendower, Throssell and William Streets.

All-abilities · ★ 4.7 (4,685)
Mandurah Eastern Foreshore Mandurah
Mandurah's Eastern Foreshore runs along the estuary on Mandurah Terrace, about an hour's drive south of Perth.

★ 4.7 (564)
Riverside Gardens Bayswater
Riverside Gardens is a City of Bayswater park on the Swan River foreshore, reached from Milne Street and King William Street, Bayswater.

★ 4.6 (1,427)

Before you go

Best for which ages

Toddlers enjoy low structures and sand, and many large playgrounds have separate areas for them. Primary-age children test themselves on the tall towers and rope climbs. Older children and teenagers like flying foxes and open space for ball games. Children of nine or ten often like to test themselves on the tallest structure, so let them have a go.

What to bring

A hat and sunscreen for the stretches without shade, water for everyone and a rug for the lawn. Pack a change of clothes for sand and mud, and a scooter or small bike if there are paths. A wet cloth for hot hands and faces is surprisingly useful.

Parking and facilities

Large parks, such as Chevron Parkland and Neil Hawkins Park, usually have good parking and toilets, but fill early on weekends. Inner-city spots have limited parking. The listing says what is on site, including cafes and fencing. An early arrival also gets you a spot under the shade sails, which go first.

Best time of year

Autumn, winter and spring are comfortable for most of the day. In the dry heat of summer, play before mid-morning or after the sun drops, when slides no longer burn. Winter rain can leave playgrounds quiet and muddy, but fun for children in boots.

Prams and accessibility

Many Perth playgrounds have paved paths and are designed with access in mind, including some all-abilities spaces. Riverside and foreshore parks tend to be flat. On the sandy tracks at some foreshore parks, a carrier saves a pram from getting stuck. River paths are flat, but the stroll from parking to the equipment can be long, so pack light.

Playgrounds and adventure parks

The destination playgrounds and nature play spaces worth a trip across town.

Chevron Parkland Burswood
Chevron Parkland is part of Stadium Park, the parkland surrounding Optus Stadium in Burswood on the Swan River.

★ 4.5 (462)
Galup Reserve SW Adventure Playground Wembley
Galup Reserve (Lake Monger) is a Town of Cambridge reserve on Lake Monger Drive, bordered by Powis Street, Gregory Street and the Mitchell Freeway.

★ 4.7 (42)
Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground Mandogalup
Mokare Reserve in the Apsley estate, Mandogalup, has an adventure playground built by the estate's developer, featuring a 12-metre treehouse and slide along with a…

★ 4.5 (85)
Hyde Park Perth
Hyde Park is a City of Vincent heritage-listed park bounded by Vincent, Glendower, Throssell and William Streets.

All-abilities · ★ 4.7 (4,685)
Mandurah Eastern Foreshore Mandurah
Mandurah's Eastern Foreshore runs along the estuary on Mandurah Terrace, about an hour's drive south of Perth.

★ 4.7 (564)
Riverside Gardens Bayswater
Riverside Gardens is a City of Bayswater park on the Swan River foreshore, reached from Milne Street and King William Street, Bayswater.

★ 4.6 (1,427)
Neil Hawkins Park Joondalup
Neil Hawkins Park is a 5.5 hectare landscaped park on Boas Avenue, Joondalup, on the western shore of Lake Joondalup within Yellagonga Regional Park.

★ 4.6 (1,256)
Woodbridge Riverside Park Woodbridge
Woodbridge Riverside Park on First Avenue, Woodbridge, is a City of Swan park beside the Swan River with a large fenced playground.

★ 4.6 (1,583)
Mundaring Community Sculpture Park Mundaring
Mundaring Community Sculpture Park is a Shire of Mundaring park on the corner of Maddock Street and Jacoby Street in Mundaring, in the Perth Hills.

★ 4.6 (809)
Bardon Park Maylands
Bardon Park, at 18 Fourth Avenue, Maylands, is a City of Bayswater reserve on the Swan River with views of Optus Stadium and Belmont Racecourse.

★ 4.6 (804)
Neil McDougall Park Como
Neil McDougall Park is a City of South Perth park on Ley Street, Como.

★ 4.6 (732)
Harold Boas Gardens West Perth
Harold Boas Gardens is a City of Perth public garden on the corner of Wellington Street and Delhi Street in West Perth.

★ 4.6 (569)
Mardalup Park East Perth
Mardalup Park is a City of Perth park on Brown Street, East Perth, overlooking the Swan River and across from Optus Stadium.

★ 4.6 (516)
Whale Playground Scarborough
The Whale Playground is a City of Stirling playground on the Scarborough Beach foreshore, just north of Sunset Hill.

★ 4.7 (255)
Stirling Gardens Perth
Stirling Gardens, on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street in the Perth CBD, is the oldest garden in the city, first used in the 1830s and officially…

★ 4.5 (659)
Stirk Park Kalamunda
Stirk Park is a City of Kalamunda park on Kalamunda Road, Kalamunda.

★ 4.4 (801)
Russell Brown Adventure Park Mosman Park
Russell Brown Adventure Park is a large naturescape adventure playground inside Minim Cove Park in Mosman Park, run by the Town of Mosman Park.

★ 4.6 (144)
Burswood Park Playground Burswood
Burswood Park Playground is the fenced children's playground in Burswood Park, a WA Government-owned park on the Burswood Peninsula beside the Swan River, managed by…

★ 4.5 (234)
Quarry Adventure Park Meadow Springs
Quarry Adventure Park is a City of Mandurah park on Pebble Beach Boulevard in Meadow Springs.

★ 4.4 (354)
Mawson Park Hillarys
Mawson Park is a City of Joondalup park in Hillarys.

★ 4.4 (343)
Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park Eglinton
Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park is a coastal-themed playground at Idyllic View, Amberton Beach, in Eglinton.

★ 4.6 (67)
Ozone Reserve East Perth
Ozone Reserve is a City of Perth park at the eastern end of Riverside Drive in East Perth, surrounded by Lake Vasto.

★ 4.4 (237)
Langley Park Playground East Perth
Langley Park is a City of Perth park stretching almost a kilometre along Riverside Drive beside the Swan River, and its listed attractions include a children's…

★ 4.5 (112)
Island Playground Perth
The Island Playground is a public playground on The Island at Elizabeth Quay in the Perth CBD, managed as part of the Elizabeth Quay precinct by DevelopmentWA.

★ 4.5 (95)
Mueller Park Play Space Subiaco
Mueller Park Play Space is a City of Subiaco playground at Mueller Park, on the corner of Coghlan Road and Subiaco Road in Subiaco.
Cracknell Park Rivervale
Cracknell Park is a City of Belmont park at 52 Riversdale Road, Rivervale, on the Swan River.

★ 4.4 (130)
Mount Hawthorn Community Centre Naturescape Mount Hawthorn
Braithwaite Park is the fully fenced park beside the Mount Hawthorn Community Centre on Scarborough Beach Road.

★ 4.6 (25)
Pitstop Playground Banksia Grove
With a variety of play equipment, it encourages both physical activity and creative play, making it a hit with families.

★ 4.2 (218)
Millars Landing Steamrail Adventure Playground Baldivis
Millars Landing Steamrail Adventure Playground on Heartwood Boulevard is a train-themed City of Kwinana destination park celebrating the area's timber and rail history.
Birdwood Square Playground Perth
Birdwood Square is a City of Vincent park and sportsground at 301 Beaufort Street, Perth, opposite the Brisbane Hotel and next to Highgate Primary School.
Long Park East Victoria Park
Long Park is a seven-kilometre linear park under the elevated Armadale Line, running from Carlisle Station to Beckenham Station through Victoria Park, Carlisle, Queens…
Totterdell Park West Perth
Totterdell Park is a small City of Perth park on the corner of Thomas Street and Prowse Street, West Perth, just before the Wellington Street intersection.

★ 4.2 (87)
Stadium Park Sensory Playground Burswood
The Sensory Playground is one of the playgrounds in Stadium Park, the parkland surrounding Optus Stadium in Burswood.

★ 4.3 (28)
Altone Park Beechboro
Altone Park is a lakeside parkland at 332 Benara Road, Beechboro, with a children's playground and picnic area, barbecues, picnic tables and park seating.

All-abilities
Wireless Hill Park Nature Playspace Booragoon
Wireless Hill Park in Booragoon is one of the City of Melville's premier parks, with a nature playspace accessible for all abilities.

All-abilities
Singleton Beach (accessible beach, City of Rockingham) Singleton
Singleton Beach, in the City of Rockingham, has barbecue and playground facilities.
Joondanna Reserve Playground Joondanna
Joondanna Reserve Playground is one of the City of Stirling's listed destination playgrounds.
Jackadder Lake Playground Woodlands
Jackadder Lake Reserve is one of the City of Stirling's destination playgrounds, a family park beside the lake that the council describes as ideal for playing, scooting…

All-abilities

All parks and playgrounds in Perth, free and paid

Questions parents ask

Which Perth playgrounds are worth the drive?: Large destination playgrounds, such as Chevron Parkland, Mokare Reserve, Neil Hawkins Park and Mandurah Eastern Foreshore, are good choices. Mandurah and Mandogalup are a longer drive for most Perth families, so pack lunch and make it a full outing.
Are there playgrounds with shade in Perth?: Many newer ones have shade sails and trees. Not all do, so check the listing, and bring a hat and sunscreen. Visit early on hot days.
How do we cope with scalding slides in the Perth sun?: Visit early or late, choose shaded playgrounds, and touch slides and surfaces before children use them. Keep water close, and watch small children for flushed cheeks or sudden crankiness.
What is the Dinosaur Park at Madeley?: It is Kingsway Regional Playground, which has a dinosaur theme. Check the listing for what is on site and for any rules.