Maylands Waterland, Maylands

This water Playground has been popular with families since the 70s. After its ageing infrastructure led to a temporary closure, the park underwent major renovations and reopened in September 2022 with fresh new splash pads and upgraded facilities.

The City of Bayswater engaged Josh Byrne & Associates to design and build an all‑abilities accessible aquatic play space inspired by the native flora and fauna of the Swan River. The result is a beautiful, thoughtfully designed space where local plants and animals appear throughout the water Playground and surrounding play areas.

We started off at the top of the water Playground, where a giant frog on a rock and a waterfall spill water down onto the first splash pad. Tall green water sprayers and bubblers mounted in “frog spawn” shower children with water. Adding an educational element, there is a resin set life‑cycle of a frog embedded into a rock. Other stages of a frog’s life‑cycle feature in the artwork painted on the splash pad floor: tadpoles, froglets and frogs. 

Following the hill, the water flows into the next splash pad. This area is designed to look like a waterhole, surrounded by reeds and dragonflies. The frog motif continues, with frogs gently spraying water from their mouths onto the splash pad. A faux log stretches across one end and also sprays water.

Rocks with little rivulets run behind the log and beneath a faux bridge. The water is then pumped out on the other side into a splash pad with a pond. Frogs spray into the water here too. A group of bubblers spray from the ground at the open end of the splash pad, and a tipping bucket on a timer regularly drenches anyone standing below. The tipping bucket was a clear favourite with Miss 8!

In addition to the splash pads at Maylands Waterland, there are two nature‑play Playgrounds to choose from, each designed with different age groups in mind. Kids can climb, hang, swing and make plenty of noise.

Miss 8 was very keen to explore the Playgrounds. They are built in a nature play style with timber equipment, ropes and climbing features. The birds nest swing was especially popular.

As parents, we appreciated that the base is woodchips, not sand. That means no sand being tracked through the water play areas or tipped out of little shoes at the end of the day. It’s also great to see that the large existing trees have been retained for natural shade, complemented by shade sails over the water areas.

The facilities here are some of the best we’ve come across. The outdoor shower, which includes a nod to the old pool, is a lovely touch, and the large changing room facilities with warm water showers are very family‑friendly.

Between the change rooms and barbecue area there’s a fantastic viewing deck with seating. This is a handy vantage point for keeping an eye on kids as they race between the splash pads and Playgrounds.

There are several barbecue facilities and picnic areas ideal for gatherings, plus a designated space for food trucks. The kitchen and picnic table area is set up perfectly for parties and get‑togethers, and you can pre‑book this area for future celebrations.

The sprayers and splash pads are designed to be accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility needs, so the whole family can enjoy the water together. Softfall surfaces and paths lead into the play areas, making it easy for kids to join in alongside their siblings.

Parking is limited immediately next to the facility, so it’s worth planning ahead, especially on hot days and during school holidays when Maylands Waterland is very popular with families. There is a small reserve next door that may help with finding a spot nearby.

Maylands Waterland remains a favourite place for us to cool off in the summer heat. We love the excellent, well‑planned facilities and the beautiful native creature artwork woven throughout the park. It’s a fantastic destination for a family day out.

Maylands Waterland

Located at 32 Clarkson Road, Maylands WA 6051.

Find out more by visiting engage.bayswater.wa.gov.au/maylands-waterland-redevelopment 

To book visit bayswaterrecreation.com.au/waterland/

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Holly Clark

Holly Clark is mum of one, a self-confessed coffee addict and a baker of sweet treats. She studied Professional Writing and Editing, is a published author, and currently works in customer service when she’s not wrangling kids.

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