Explorer Park, Sienna Wood

Tucked within the Sienna Wood estate in Haynes, Explorer Park is a brilliant all‑rounder park that keeps toddlers, tweens, teens and even adults happily busy. It combines a huge landmark climbing tower, nature play, all‑abilities equipment and serious sports facilities, making it a true destination Playground rather than just a quick stop.

The star of the park is the striking “Tree of Life” tower – an 8‑metre high climbing structure with two enclosed tunnel slides spiralling down from different levels. Little adventurers can reach the lower slide via straightforward stairs, which makes that first big climb far less intimidating.

To access the higher slide, older or more confident kids tackle a rope climb section, adding a fun challenge and sense of achievement once they reach the top.

The slides are very fast and exciting, and there is a noticeable drop‑off towards the end, so it’s worth supervising closely, especially on first goes and with younger children. Long sleeves and pants can help minimise the risk of friction burns, which a few families have reported in the past.

Around the base of the Tree of Life the Playground has a strong nature‑play feel. There’s a large sandpit laced with timber stepping logs and a jarrah post climbing frame, inviting kids to balance, clamber and build. Woven into the “roots” of the tree are extra climbing and swinging elements, including a web‑style rope climber and connecting rope bridge that links different parts of the play space, adding to the sense of adventure and discovery across the site.

For younger children and those not quite ready to tackle the big tower, there’s a separate decked toddler play area with a smaller, more manageable slide.

One of the most popular features for little ones is the sculptural “wave” of metal rings – small children can crawl right through, while bigger kids tend to climb over the lower rings and duck through the larger ones.

Elsewhere you’ll find in‑ground trampolines, musical play elements, traditional swings and a birds‑nest style group swing, plus inclusive equipment such as a wheelchair‑accessible roundabout and an all‑abilities spinner so siblings and friends of different ages and abilities can enjoy playing together.

Active families and sports‑mad kids are very well catered for. On one side of the park is a multi‑use hard court space featuring a half basketball court with basketball hoop, a netball ring and a target practice wall. Flip to the other side of the wall and you’ll find a rock climbing wall, jump practice markings and more target activities – perfect for burning off extra energy. 

Beyond the main Playground sits a large grassed sports oval with a cricket pitch, practice nets and batting cages. It’s an ideal spot for informal games of footy, soccer or backyard cricket.

Explorer Park is also a lovely place just to roam and explore. There’s an “adventure zone” built around oversized concrete tunnels and a small bridge, which doubles as both a climbing challenge and an imaginative play area – kids can turn it into anything from a fort to a secret hideout.

Two net lounge areas give older kids and parents somewhere to flop and relax between bursts of activity, and a network of mostly flat paths makes it easy for scooters, balance bikes and beginner riders to do laps around the park without tackling big hills.

Facilities are well thought out for longer visits. There are shaded picnic shelters, free electric barbecues and plenty of bench seating dotted through the play and sports areas, plus grassed spots that work well for picnic rugs. Shade sails cover the main central play area; however, parts of the toddler structure and surrounding sand still sit in full sun at certain times of day, so hats, sunscreen and water are essential. One thing Explorer Park does not have is toilets on site – the nearest public toilets are at nearby Shipwreck Park in Hilbert or at Haynes Shopping Centre – so it’s worth planning ahead, especially with younger children.

With its mix of thrilling slides, nature play, inclusive equipment, exercise stations, ball courts and a full‑sized oval, Explorer Park works beautifully for groups of mixed ages and interests. Whether you’re meeting friends for a morning play, practising cricket or netball skills, or simply looking for a new destination park to explore in Perth’s south‑east corridor, it’s well worth adding this one to your family’s Playground list.

Explorer Park, Sienna Wood

Address: Corner Silverthrone Road & Duarte Way, Haynes WA 6112

Website: City of Armadale – Parks, Playgrounds and reserves (sporting areas)

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