Spring has sprung at Araluen Botanic Park in Roleystone! The Yates Springtime Festival is back again, running from 4th September, giving a spectacular show of tulips and other springtime blooms. We visited on September 7, and the tulips were begining to look beautiful, though there will be many more to bloom in the coming weeks. Please note, its best to check the Araluen socials to see how their tulips are currently blooming. After all, they work on Mother Nature’s schedule and current weather conditions.
With over 150,000 bulbs planted throughout the vast park, during peak blooming times, everywhere you look there is vibrant colour amongst the exquisite grounds that are very well manicured.
There are grassy areas for kids to run around beds of bulbs, just watch out for the many small ponds and water features with little ones.
There are discoveries to be made around each and every corner.
There are also stunning native bush areas, with clumps of tulips, alongside gushing streams and waterfalls.
The park is quite hilly and features a lot of steps. It is also special-needs friendly with lots of gradually inclined pathways for wheelchairs, prams and people with rickety knees and aching backs. And if little feet get tired, why not take a ride on the Araluen Express Train! This 20 minute ride, is enjoyed by young and old alike and is a great way to see more of the park. Train tickets can be purchased at $10 per person. Kids 5 and under are free! The queue is sheltered for sunny/wet days. The trackless train will run on Wednesday – Sunday throughout the Tulip Festival.
There are plenty of other things to take in too, like the waterfalls and nature around the stunning park.
Be sure to seek out the Bark Walk elevated walkway too, for a beautiful, easy bushwalk.
If you work up an appetite, you can feast on something substantial the Chalet Healy Café, reopened in time for spring, or visit the Roundhouse to grab a takeaway coffee and snack. Coffee, plus sweet and savory bites can also be found at the onsite food vans. We stopped for a cuppa at the Chalet Healy tea rooms.
Here we enjoyed a coffee and a scrumptious blueberry tart in 2024. There’s a full menu available, including some tasty bites for kids and highchairs too.
Or you can BYO a picnic or utilise the electric barbecues.
Plus, there are food trucks onsite.
If you want to delve a bit deeper Springtime tours are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The knowledgeable Tour Guides take you for a walk through the park and learn all about the Araluen’s flora and history. Booking are essential. Araluen is open all year round. It’s such a beautiful place to take your family for a picnic and relax in the lush, shady surroundings.
Araluen Botanic Park is open every day of the year (except Christmas)
The Park’s opening hours are seasonal and admission charges apply, please see their website for details.
Find more walks and picnic spots
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots, as well as lots of WA travel, and fun family activities with the kiddos in tow. Part of a blended family of 6, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly recs. Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
Comments are closed.