Free water play and splash pads in Perth

In a city with long hot summers, free water play makes a real difference, and Perth has built a good number of splash zones and water playgrounds. Elizabeth Quay Water Park is close to the city centre and the river. Rio Tinto Naturescape in Kings Park combines nature play with water in a bush setting. Bibra Lake Regional Playground, The Adventure Park in Kwinana, Volcano Playground at Cloverdale, Robot Park at Piara Waters and Kingsway Regional Playground, also called Dinosaur Park, at Madeley add variety. Wellington Square, Hyde Park and Braithwaite Park give inner-suburb options. Water play suits toddlers and preschoolers best, and many parks have features for older children as well. The best have shade, toilets and a playground beside the water, so the visit can last a good while. Summer in Perth is hot and dry, so aim for mornings or late afternoons, because wet concrete is scorching in the middle of the day. Check the listing for what runs and when, because features are often seasonal and can be off for maintenance. Some water play sits within a larger playground that stays open when the water is off. Pack swimmers, a towel, a hat, a rash vest and enough water to drink, and expect a sandy car.

Our picks

  • Bibra Lake Regional Playground Bibra Lake Regional Playground Bibra Lake

    Bibra Lake Regional Playground on Progress Drive, Bibra Lake, is a City of Cockburn nature playground for children of all ages and abilities.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.7 (2,722)

  • The Adventure Park (Kwinana) The Adventure Park (Kwinana) Calista

    The Adventure Park is a free City of Kwinana destination playground off Walgreen Crescent, Calista, set among the trees at Calista Oval.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.7 (1,976)

  • Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park Kings Park

    Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a nature play area in Kings Park, Perth, designed for unstructured play in bushland.

    ★ 4.7 (758)

  • Volcano Playground Volcano Playground Cloverdale

    Volcano Playground is a fully enclosed City of Belmont playground at Faulkner Park, 220 Abernethy Road, Belmont, beside the Faulkner Park lakes and across the road from…

    ★ 4.6 (728)

  • Braithwaite Park Braithwaite Park Mount Hawthorn

    Braithwaite Park is a fully fenced City of Vincent park at 197 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn, on the corner of The Boulevard, beside the Mt Hawthorn Lesser Hall…

    ★ 4.6 (587)

  • Robot Park Robot Park Piara Waters

    Robot Park is a City of Armadale park in the suburb of Piara Waters, close to the Stockland shopping centre.

    ★ 4.4 (860)

Before you go

Best for which ages

Toddlers and preschoolers love shallow water play. Primary children enjoy jets, sprays and chasing games, and can often stay longer if a playground sits beside the water. Babies can come along on a mat in the shade, away from the sprays.

What to bring

Swimmers under a rash vest, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen that gets reapplied after the first soaking. Pack towels, spare clothes and a bag for wet things. Bring more water than you think you need, snacks and a pop-up shade, because Perth sun is fierce. Water shoes are a sensible extra, since the ground near the jets can be rough.

Parking and facilities

Large parks such as Kings Park and Bibra Lake have good parking and toilets, but fill on hot weekends. City spots such as Elizabeth Quay rely on paid parking or public transport. The listing says what is on site. Arrive before the school holiday crowd, because the shaded spots go first.

Best time of year

Late spring through early autumn is when the water features run, and summer is the peak. Mornings are best, before concrete heats up. In winter, many water features are off, though the playgrounds stay open, so check first. Public holidays and hot weekends are the busiest, so a weekday morning gives the most room.

Prams and accessibility

Paths to the water are usually paved and suit prams, though wet surfaces are slippery. Some playgrounds are designed with all-abilities features. The listing says what to expect, and a carrier helps on sand and bark. Soft sand and bark around some features are hard work for wheels, so keep a carrier in the boot.

Splash pads and water play

Free water play the council runs, usually in the warmer months. The listing says when the water is on.

All water play spots in Perth, free and paid

Questions parents ask

Do Perth splash parks run all year?
Usually the water features operate in the warmer months, and may be off for maintenance. The playgrounds stay open. Check the listing and local notices before you go.
Is Elizabeth Quay Water Park free?
It is listed as a free water play area. Parking nearby may cost, and features can be seasonal, so check the listing before you go.
Which splash park is best for toddlers in Perth?
Look for shallow, shaded water with parking and toilets nearby. Rio Tinto Naturescape and Bibra Lake are popular with little ones, and the listing gives details.
How do we keep kids safe in the Perth sun at a splash park?
Use sunscreen and a rash vest, and take breaks in shade. Visit early or late, and carry plenty of water to drink.

Other kinds of free day in Perth

Water play in other cities