Things to do in Kings Park with Kids

May Drive Parkland (aka The Dinosaur Playground)

May Drive Parkland is one of Kings Park’s most popular family picnic spots – and it’s easy to see why. Lush, well‑maintained lawns surround the unique dinosaur-themed Playground, making it ideal for rug‑spreading, ball games and long lazy mornings in the shade. There are free gas barbecues, plenty of mature trees and lots of room for kids to run, scoot or ride.

The timber play structure features elevated walkways, ramps and platforms that are great for climbing and imaginative games. Kids will love scrambling over giant crocodiles and other “prehistoric” creatures, clambering up ladders and whizzing down slides. Paths wind around a small lake (unfenced), where you can spot ducks and other birdlife – just be sure to keep a close eye on toddlers near the water. It’s a brilliant base for a half or full day out, especially if you pair a play with a walk through the nearby Botanic Garden or a visit to Zamia Café. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Ivey Watson Playground at Poolgarla Family Area

Ivey Watson Playground at Poolgarla Family Area is a long‑time favourite for families with younger children. Just off Kings Park Road, this fully fenced (but not gated) Playground is designed especially for under 6s, so little ones can safely explore a whole mini world sized just for them.

The play equipment is perfect for imaginative play, with a bright red fire truck, a plane ready for take‑off, a small maze, a pirate ship and a storybook-style castle complete with throne. There are several swing sets, sand play areas and gentle slides, plus low‑to‑the‑ground play zones just for babies and toddlers.

Right next door, Koorak Café makes it an easy morning out – grab a takeaway coffee while the kids play, or sit down for a snack or light lunch. Older siblings aren’t left out either, with Hale Oval close by featuring a big climbing space net and plenty of grass for kicking a ball. Shaded tables, barbecues and toilets help tick all the boxes for a relaxed family visit. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is the ultimate nature play experience – kids are encouraged to get wet, muddy and adventurous as they connect with the bush. This huge, immersive play space is designed to feel wild and unstructured, giving children the chance to take safe, managed risks and explore their environment.

Highlights include wading through shallow creeks, building dams in the flowing water, climbing tall ladder towers and balancing on logs and stepping stones. Children can create their own stick cubby houses in dedicated building zones, scramble up rocky outcrops, explore tunnels and take in the view from elevated lookouts. There are quiet pockets for nature spotting and storytelling, as well as more challenging elements for confident climbers.

Naturescape is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am–4pm, and is closed on Mondays, in February and on days of extreme heat or bad weather, so always check the Kings Park website before you go. You will absolutely want to pack a change of clothes, a towel and sturdy closed‑in shoes – this is not a “stay clean” outing! Toilets, drinking fountains and picnic spots are available nearby. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Saw Avenue Picnic Area

Tucked just off Thomas Street, Saw Avenue Picnic Area is a beautiful place to blend a relaxed family picnic with nature play. The open, bush‑style setting feels a little wilder than the manicured lawns elsewhere in Kings Park, and kids are encouraged to climb, balance, explore and discover.

The nature play area has been designed in collaboration with local woodcarving artist Nic Compton, using recycled timber from Kings Park itself. The result is a collection of unique carved logs, animal figures, cubby‑style structures and rustic furniture that all invite interaction. Children can walk along log balance beams, clamber over stumps and rocks, and create their own games amongst the trees.

With barbecues, picnic tables and grassy spots to spread a rug, it’s a great choice if you’re meeting friends or hosting a low‑key birthday picnic. Paths and parking nearby make it reasonably accessible, though the natural terrain means it’s a little more uneven than the formal lawns. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Cafes in Kings Park 

Zamia Café

Set beside the lake at May Drive Parkland, Zamia Café is a favourite refuelling stop for families. The café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch with both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a takeaway counter for when you’d rather grab and go back to the Playground.

The menu includes child‑friendly options such as pancakes, toasties and simple hot meals, as well as a cabinet full of tempting cakes and slices. The kids’ pancakes are a particular winner. Parents will appreciate the good coffee, and there’s usually a queue of little faces pressed up against the cake display trying to choose a treat.

Being right next to the Dino Playground means you can easily base yourself here for the day – play, eat, repeat. There’s also a kiosk window for quick coffees, snacks and ice creams if you don’t want a full sit‑down meal. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Koorak Café

Koorak Café sits at the edge of Ivey Watson Playground and has been designed with families in mind. Its relaxed, open layout makes it easy to navigate with prams and there’s plenty of room for groups and mums’ catch‑ups. You can choose from indoor tables or shaded outdoor seating that looks out over the play area.

The menu focuses on fresh, healthy dishes alongside familiar café favourites, with options suitable for kids and grown‑ups alike. Think toasted sandwiches, burgers, salads and kids’ plates, plus smoothies and sweet treats. “Koorak” means “place of bush tucker” in the local Noongar language, a lovely nod to the café’s location in the heart of Kings Park.

Being able to grab a coffee or lunch without needing to move the car is a big plus – kids can start their play, take a break for food, and then head straight back in. It’s an especially good choice if you have multiple under‑5s to wrangle and want everything close at hand. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Botanical Café

Botanical Café sits along Fraser Avenue with one of the best outlooks in Kings Park, offering sweeping views over the Swan River and Perth city skyline. The airy, light‑filled café spills out onto a spacious terrace, making it a lovely spot for breakfast after a walk through the Botanic Garden or a relaxed family lunch. The menu runs from simple classics to more indulgent plates, all built around fresh West Australian produce – think free‑range eggs on sourdough, colourful salads, market fish, burgers and handmade pastas. Coffee is locally roasted, and there’s a good selection of juices, smoothies and sweet treats for kids. In the afternoons and evenings, the bar menu adds share plates, pizzas and grazing options alongside wines, local beers and spritzes, perfect for lingering while the sun sets behind the trees. With both dine‑in and kiosk-style options, it’s an easy, family‑friendly choice right in the heart of Kings Park.

Kings Park Kiosk

Next door to the main café, the Kings Park Kiosk is ideal for a quick bite or takeaway treat before you head off exploring. Overlooking the city and river, the kiosk serves a casual menu with coffee, cold drinks, ice creams and simple grab‑and‑go meals that you can enjoy at the outdoor tables or take away to one of the many nearby lawns. It’s especially handy if you’re visiting the War Memorial, Lotterywest Federation Walkway or just wandering along Fraser Avenue and don’t want to sit down for a full meal. Opening hours currently run from early morning into the evening on most days (hours can vary seasonally), making it a reliable stop for breakfast on the go, a mid‑morning coffee or an easy early dinner with kids after a big play in the park.

Fraser’s Restaurant

For a special‑occasion meal with a serious “wow” factor, Fraser’s Restaurant is Kings Park’s fine‑dining star. Perched high on Fraser Avenue, the restaurant pairs an elegant dining room and generous terrace with breathtaking views across treetops, the Swan River and the Perth skyline. Under Executive Chef Chris Taylor, Fraser’s focuses on refined contemporary dishes that hero premium West Australian produce – from fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables to locally farmed meats – all prepared with a light, modern touch. The wine list showcases an impressive line‑up of local and Australian labels, and the service is polished yet welcoming, whether you’re celebrating a milestone, enjoying a date night or treating visiting family. While it’s more of a grown‑up experience than a casual café visit, older children and teens with adventurous taste buds will appreciate the chance to dine somewhere truly special in the middle of Kings Park.

The Botanic Garden

The Western Australian Botanic Garden is the heart of Kings Park, showcasing over 3,000 species of the state’s extraordinary flora in a beautifully designed landscape. You can wander along meandering paths past colourful wildflower beds, towering eucalypts and delicate orchids, discovering just how diverse WA’s plant life really is.

Families will enjoy the sweeping grassy slopes that overlook the Swan River and Perth city skyline – a perfect place to roll down hills, fly a kite or simply soak up the view. Along the way there are water features, shady gazebos and interpretive signs that share stories about the plants, landscapes and Indigenous culture connected to them.

There are plants in flower all year round, but the peak wildflower season runs from around July to October, when the garden is especially spectacular. Whether you’re keen on photography, nature study or just a peaceful stroll with the pram, the Botanic Garden is a must‑do.

War Memorials and the Whispering Wall

Fraser Avenue, lined with stately lemon‑scented gums, leads to the State War Memorial precinct – a deeply significant part of Kings Park that also offers some of the best city and river views. At its centre is the Cenotaph and the Flame of Remembrance, which burns continuously in honour of those who have served.

The surrounding Ceremonial Walk is a pedestrian area with landscaped gardens, memorial plaques and reflection spaces. A self‑guided Memorial Walk (around 1.7km, about an hour at a gentle pace) is suitable for prams and wheelchairs and is a meaningful way to introduce older children to Anzac history and remembrance in an age‑appropriate way.

Kids will also love the Whispering Wall – a curved structure near the main memorial where, if you sit or stand at one end and speak softly, your words can be clearly heard at the other end thanks to the acoustics. It’s a simple but magical experience that will keep them entertained between the more formal elements of the precinct.

DNA Tower

DNA Tower is a fun little adventure that rewards families with big views for relatively little effort. Inspired by the double helix structure of DNA, this 15m spiral staircase winds gently upward with 101 steps and several small viewing platforms on the way to the top.

From the upper platform, you’ll enjoy panoramic views over Kings Park’s bushland canopy, the Swan River, Perth city and, on a clear day, all the way to Rottnest Island. Kids usually get a kick out of counting the steps, racing to the top and spotting landmarks from above.

The base of the tower has benches and open areas where you can take a breather or enjoy a quick snack before or after your climb. It’s an easy add‑on to a walk or picnic in the area, especially with school‑aged children. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Lotterywest Federation Walkway

The Lotterywest Federation Walkway is one of Kings Park’s most iconic experiences. This 620m path includes a spectacular glass and steel arched bridge that sweeps through the canopy of tall marri, karri, tingle and jarrah trees, giving you the feeling of floating above the forest.

The walkway combines gentle gradients and short ramps, making it suitable for most families, including those with prams, though some sections may feel steep. Interpretive signage along the route shares stories about the landscape, native plants and the cultural history of the area.

Children will love spotting birds, peering down into the bushland below and feeling like they’re on an elevated jungle adventure, while parents can pause at viewing platforms to take in uninterrupted views over the river and city. It’s especially beautiful at sunset or during wildflower season.

Koolangka Bridge (Kids Bridge)

Koolangka Bridge – “Koolangka” means “children” in Noongar – is a vibrant, rainbow‑coloured pedestrian bridge linking Kings Park directly to the Perth Children’s Hospital, QEII Medical Centre and the wider Nedlands precinct. It’s become a destination in its own right thanks to its bold design and playful features.

Stretching 217m, the bridge undulates gently above Winthrop Avenue in stripes of bright colour. At night, LED lighting brings it to life, while an integrated sound system plays everything from bird calls and bush sounds to well‑known tunes like the Fremantle Dockers theme song. Kids will delight in running or scooting across, listening for the different noises and looking down on the traffic below.

It’s a practical link for families visiting the hospital, but also a fun add‑on to a Kings Park outing – especially if your children enjoy bridges, heights and colourful architecture. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Moonlight Cinema Kings Park

Moonlight Cinema Kings Park is a much‑loved summer tradition, turning the lush lawns of May Drive Parkland into a huge open‑air movie theatre. Running annually from around November through to March, it screens a mix of new releases, family favourites, cult classics and special event films under the stars.

Families can pack a picnic rug, cushions and blankets, or hire bean bags on‑site. There’s also a bar and food trucks or kiosks offering snacks, drinks and treats, so you can travel light if you prefer. Gates usually open well before sunset, giving kids time to stretch their legs and enjoy the atmosphere before the movie starts.

With the city skyline as a backdrop and the stars overhead, it’s a magical way to introduce children to cinema – just check the program in advance to choose a family‑friendly screening. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Lightscape Kings Park

Lightscape is a spectacular winter event that transforms the Western Australian Botanic Garden into a glowing wonderland after dark. Usually running through the cooler months of June and July, this immersive light and sound experience features a winding trail of large-scale installations, including the iconic shimmering light tunnels, neon-lit trees, and vibrant floral displays that celebrate the park’s unique flora. Families can wander through the illuminated bushland at their own pace, enjoying the synchronised soundscapes that bring the forest to life in a completely different way. It is a ticketed, timed-entry event, so you’ll need to book in advance, and there are usually plenty of food and drink stalls near the entrance to keep everyone warm and fed. It’s a magical way to experience the park during the winter season and has quickly become a must-do for Perth families. Read the Buggybuddys review.

Practical Tips for Visiting with Kids

Kings Park is free to enter and open every day, although individual attractions such as cafés, the Visitor Information Centre, Rio Tinto Naturescape and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway have their own opening hours. There are many free car parks spread throughout the park, but they do fill quickly on weekends, during festivals and for big events, so arriving early or visiting later in the afternoon can help. Several Transperth bus routes and free CAT services stop near the park, and walking or cycling up from the city via Mounts Bay Road or Fraser Avenue is a lovely option with older kids.

Toilets, including accessible facilities and baby change rooms, are dotted around the main precincts and near Playgrounds. Drinking fountains are available, though it’s still smart to bring plenty of water, plus hats, sunscreen and insect repellent in warmer months. Dogs are welcome on lead in many parts of the park, but are not allowed in Playgrounds, the Botanic Garden and some memorial areas, so it’s worth checking signs and planning accordingly if you’re bringing a furry family member.

With so much to see and do, it’s almost impossible to fit everything into a single visit. Many families find a favourite corner – a particular Playground, shady lawn or walking loop – and come back again and again to discover something new as the seasons change.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Address: Fraser Avenue, Kings Park, Perth, WA 6005

Opening hours:
Kings Park and Botanic Garden: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Rio Tinto Naturescape: Tuesday–Sunday, 9am–4pm (closed Mondays, February and on extreme heat/bad weather days – check website for updates)
Cafes, Visitor Centre and attractions: Hours vary, see official website

Official website: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park